They also had a good chance in WC86, playing in the semis against a team they had beat four years earlier, and on a name to name comparison with bigger stars: Jean-Marie Pfaff, Eric Gerets, Jan Ceulemans, Enzo Scifo and Frank Vercauteren. But Argentina had Diego Maradona at the top of his game. Had Belgium won the match they could well have taken West Germany in the final. I am not sure their current team will get that close to the trophy.
With a healthy dose of luck, Italy could reach the semifinals. But no chance of winning it, the quality is simply not there yet.
Italy will play crap in the group stage, but if they manage to advance they will send some favorites home and go up to semis or further. They always pull shit like this. If there is a team you can call a tournament team, it is Italy. I think Brasil will win it this time.
Egypt was always a tournament team in Africa. Always pretty crap in the group phase, afterwards it almost like their win was never in doubt... Pulled that shit off three times in a row from 2006-2010 and maybe are less consistent, but if Africa has a tournament team its Egypt. Thats why it will be interesting to see what they can do.
I would like to face them again. I guess there are way more Italians than Germans who are scared of such a matchup.
Well the way we have been playing lately, I wouldn't be surprised if you beat us. If we will play you guys at anytime, we MUST step our game up, because we are not winning any game against you the way we are playing right now.
That was something I was thinking also, if there is an opportunity for Germany to beat Italy it would definitely be in the upcoming next world cup. But then I remember saying that in the Euro back in 2012... Germany reaching their prime coming from a 3rd place in that previous world cup, while Italy a rather old squad, coming from a really bad world cup
This is a pretty cool World Cup Groups simulator if anyone wants to give it a try.. http://ultra.zone/2018-FIFA-World-Cup-Group-Stage-Draws
Germany overcame Italy in the EC2016 though. In 2012 Italy deservedly won because of the one-dimensional German attack in this match, mostly because of Löw's strange tactics. Italy, though, literally only shot two times on the German goal.. two wonderful, some would say fluky, executed shots by Balotelli. Probably the best and most important goals of his career. Anyway I don't believe in curses and would love it if the German team will meet the Italy team in the next World Cup. These clashes are mostly gonna be epic classic.
I'd love it to, but I want Italy to win. I hope later though not in the group stage. Maybe quarterfinals, semis, or even final if we make it that far.
As I said, Germany deservedly lost but they were not outclassed or I just have a different use of the word here.. Possession: 54% Germany Attempts: 15 by Germany to Italy's 10 Attempts on goal: 8 for Germany, 5 for Italy Corners: 14 for Germany, 0 for Italy Fouls committed: Germany 13, Italy 19. That are pretty good stats for a team, that got outclassed, it's just a trolling attempt. Germany dominated the match, mostly took part in Italy's half but without any penetration or creativity. Italy scored twice and got their matchplan work, therefor Italy won deservedly. But getting outclassed is a different animal, e.g. Germany vs Argentina in 2010, that fits the bill better.
That just prove further the point thar Italy just know how to play Germany. I remember Pirlo having the game of his life (Pirlo is an amazing player) but this guy performance was top notch, specially considering you are against one of the best midfield sistem in the world Which is the German. I hope these two teams meet in knockout stages, it would be an amazing Match
No doubt about it if Italy face Germany in a knockout stage I am favoring the Italians. Not saying Germany can't get the job done, I just wouldn't put my money on it if I were a betting man. Of course Italy has to Qualify first.
In your mind there is only place for either dominating the opponent or getting outclassed, that's so simple minded. But hey, nothing new.
You are not nuanced, you are just trying to pass up complexity for what merely is being a sore loser prick. Germany lost to Italy once again, suck it up.