Don't make up shit. I was happy when Conte left. There was nothing masterful of what he did. Was this the least talented Italy side ever? Who picked these talents? You can't have it both ways.
Then you basically disagree with the vast majority of the footballing world, including his own players. If that's how you feel, so be it. This absolutely was the least talented Italy side; and there was NO ONE he left off this side that would have made any significant difference. This wasn't Trapattoni or Maldini electing no to play Roberto Baggio. Conte preferred some mediocre to above-average players (e.g., Pelle, Zaza) to others (e.g., Gabbiadini, Giovinco). He got the best possible return that we could have imagined.
He got the side he wanted and they played a pathetic style. In two years, he never put together a team that had any type of style. It was always a selection of players, many work horses. This forum has thrown many names that should have been called. The problem is that in two years time, Conte rarely tried any of these players. If not for the Juve back four and De Rossi, this team would have been an embarrassment. We had good fortune in the games we won. Yes, tough defense from all 11. But that does not make for a champion.
Here we go again grasping on to the myth that we have all this world class talent that was left at home. These so-called names that "should" have been called are hardly world class talents that would have made any significant improvement to this squad. We would have need an immense amount of luck to become champions. We sure as hell didn't get it having had to face a good side in Belgium in the group stages; having had to get by Spain; and having to beat the defending world champions, only for the luxury of playing the host side (who also happens to have a lot of talent). It would have been delusional to think that this Italy squad should have been considered a favorite in this tournament. We only became one given the way Conte had our boys playing.
We were not a favorite for this tournament. Far from it but the players carried us as far as they could. See, I give credit to the players, not Conte. As for world class talent left at home, other than Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini and De Rossi, what world class talent did Conte bring? Would having some creative midfielders left the team bare of the workhorses he brought instead? Yes, we would need an immense amount of luck to become champions. We had an immense amount of luck to get to the quarterfinals. And even in that match, Boateng gave us the biggest luck of all only for Conte to squander it. Why can't people see that. The players deserve all of the credit they should get. The coach, only a little.
Conte will be found out for the fraud he is soon enough. This time he isn't coaching Juventus or Italy.
Luck? You talking about luck? Seriously? How about losing your entire midfield leading into the quarters? How about losing two essential starters before the tournament even started? Conte made these men into warriors. Your memory isnt that great if you already forgot Prandelli's sad excuse of a team in 2014. Conte grabbed the Azzurri by the balls and said FIGHT! If Pelle or Zaza made their penalties, Conte would have been called a genius and miracle worker. He's still genius in my book. But the criticisms you bring forward are unfair and obviously biased. We left no world class talent at home. Gabbiadini, though quite good, is not world class. Neither is Giovinco. Berardi isn't yet either. Quit saying things to fit an agenda pal. We were a kick away from beating a supposedly world class German side with - get this - Parolo, Giaccherini and Marco f'n Sturaro starting for us in the middle. The players deserve sole praise? Get outta here.
Not to mention he didn't have a bad game. He was working deep and was breaking up a lot of play by Uruguay, causing them to sit back. They didn't start venturing forward until Cavani's studs up challenge, that took went unpunished, took him out of the game. As usual tottisham has no idea.
Conte made them warriors? Really? So basically they were a bunch of pussies before Conte took charge? Giorgio Chiellini, thank Conte that he turned him into a man. Prandelli was a sad excuse. That does not make Conte some wonder worker. You think we were Island and this was our first major tournament. Have you forgotten Azzurri history? Conte makes them warriors? Pathetic. If Pelle or Zaza made their penalties, all praise. No. We were fortunate to go into that penalty round. Germany gave it back to us. But people want to place blame on Pelle and Zaza (let's not forget that conversion from Bonucci or Darmian would have not given Germany the result) instead of realizing that for 120 minutes, we did little in attack. That is unsatisfactory and only one person is to blame for that with his tactics. Why is there the focus of lack of world talent at home? We lacked world talent in France. Take away the Juve four and De Rossi, this was a team full of complimentary players. The ones on the roster who had some attacking skills were left on the bench. Defend first and always was the motto for this team. Quit the criticism of Parolo, Sturaro and Giaccherini. Is it their fault that Conte selected players with the same similarities to represent this side?
Funny that two years ago, the players looked like they didn't give a shit during the games. Guess who the players threw under the bus after the exit?
Pretty much everyone in the footballing world agrees. You're Who could not like how intensely they played, how they closed space down brilliantly, moved as a unit, instinctively knew their form and where each player was on the pitch at any given time, and took most of their chances. Obviously only someone who felt betrayed by Conte. I'm sure Signore gave him a good riddance after he left, but clearly there were feelings betrayal there that hasn't left. It's similar to what chooch did for the whole of the next season when Mazzari left. Like Papa, like son Nothing anyone says is gunna change their minds. Just let it go, let it go.
The printing press Are you suggesting I write a book about Conte, his hair piece and Serie B tactics that brought Juve 3 scudetti?
LOL - Betrayal by Conte. He got his deserved credit for changing things at Juve. But then most of you will claim it was not him but Rizzoli & Co. who made sure we got the scudetti. Sei proprio di due faccie!
The players threw Balotelli, Cassano and Insigne under the bus (along with the manager) from what I remember. I'm not sure exactly why but Prandelli lost the dressing room sometime into his second stint. As for Conte, he did ok, but no-one will be telling their grandkids about the time we went out in a QF at the Euros and lost our all time record against Germany. Now, about 6 of our starters won't be there for 2018 and it's hard to say whether Conte's work will have much effect in 2 years.
After his masterpiece against Galatassary we couldn't wait to get rid of him. That's what I remember.
For ********s sake can we conclude once and for all: 1) He is a great motivator 2) He depends too much on his guys and is too gun shy on changing tactics 3) He made something out of nothing in this tournament 4) Falc is bitter There? Can we close the thread now?
It was and yet, Conte continued with the same game plan he had 24 hour earlier. The match was interrupted about 40 minutes into the second half. Galatasaray made sure that the end Juve would attack in the second half was in ruins. Meanwhile, their side was in better condition. We needed a draw for that match. He played 20-year old Pogba in Pirlo's position as the latter was injured. Two weeks earlier, he used Vidal in Bonucci's spot as there were several injuries and suspensions. So would it not have made sense to play Vidal in that position in such an important tie? Go back on this thread and read the comments from many about when will Conte make a substitution. Several of us Juventini wrote that it was a familiar scene. I have no problem giving Conte credit for bringing a fighting spirit to this team. But as we witnessed, that is not enough. Our problems were not the players.