Statistics are actually not on our side, even in the WC. Italy has made 6 finals, Germany 7. When it comes to historical table...Germany has accumulated 218 points, Italy 156. We obviously have the better heads up stats against them, but that's about it. Even if Germany lose to France on Thursday (which I think they will), they are still the most successful European nation in football. The benefit of keeping the silverware close, is the hope that all these promising young Italian players can deliver in 2018 or 2020.
Evra said he rather face Germany than Italy. With all of the players missing, I think Italy would have lost to France if they went through. I would like to see what France is really made of now and go through to the final.
You can't argue with Germany's consistency. Aside from Euro 2000 and 2004 they've been to the semis. They always get out of the group and find their way into the semis. I will say historically we still have a fantastic record against them, winning each time without the aid of penalties. To me the real difference is penalty shootouts. They're 6-1 and we're 3-6. Even a .500 or slightly better record in the lottery gets us to probably 5 or 6 WCs and another Euro.
germany - rival france - rival portugal - not a big fan of cr7 wales - kind of england, so its a semi-rival how can i do?
Portugal will win it all after Ronaldo blows the ref in the final during the game and gets awarded a spot kick.
I kinda hope Portugal wins. Losing 2004 must have sucked for them, so beating another team on their own turf would be perfect symmetry.
It remains to be seen, but I doubt France loses tomorrow. I'm still chuckling at Italy-Azzurri-Fan claiming Insigne was as good as Griezmann before the tournament began.
I thought Joao Mario was immense. I hope Inter doesn't get him. I know the Portuguese make fun of Eder, but he was incredible. The LB was also very good. They have some good players. I remember Bernardo Silva who wasn't on the team looked like a star in the U21 Championship.
Fully deserved. They deserve some kind of championship with all their skilled players they produce. Ironically they didn't win it this way. [emoji1] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
He was played beside Umtiti playing deep because Deschamps doesn't have the brains to play Kante, allowing Pogba to play more forward.
LMAO at France losing to that team at home....without Ronaldo LOL This Euro really did suck. The format was garbage and Portugal clearly benefited from the easy road and extra day off. France didn't have the legs they did in the semis. I HATE France don't get me wrong, but we've been burned by short rests many times. PLAY THE DAMN SEMIS ON THE SAME DAY!!
At least they put their skilled players on the park and ask them to work hard... instead of you know, our method.
Bernardo Silva was injured, so he was not selected but probably would have been if he was fit. I am sure hell get a chance for world cup qualifying. thanks for those of you who supported us in this final, 10 years after they lost to italy in WC final they lost to Portugal at home.
This Euro sucked. I'm not saying that Portugal didn't deserve to win the final match, because they actually took their chances whereas France didn't; but to suggest that a team that barely made it out of their group, and didn't have to face a decent team until the final is the best team in Europe is laughable. The blame lies in the format of the tournament. Portugal did what they had to do. They advanced by playing to their strength, which was their defense. If I ever hear another Portuguese supporter say that Italy plays catenaccio, they should be punched in the face.
Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Croatia, Poland, Wales....France on 2 days rest Wow...talk about a path being cleared for you. Credit to Portugal for seizing the moment but I don't think I've ever seen the chips fall so perfectly for a team in a major tournament. Even with that cake path they had one win in regulation time in 7 games.
Romania, Albania, Switzerland, Ireland, Iceland, Germany (where France had a week rest somewhere in there playing at home) Plus the rules were the same for all the teams in the tournament. Because Portugal finished 3rd doesn't make them more "lucky" than any other team.
Btw, added a little context to your post 3 group winners and 2 runner up. Just cause they don't traditionally fit the view of power house teams, doesn't mean they were easy to beat fyi
You can't relate Austria, Hungary, and Iceland to teams like Germany, Spain and Italy. I'll give Portugal credit, no one expected this from them after what happened in the group stage and they fully deserved to go as far as they did because even when they played against France there were maybe only 2 or 3 real goal scoring chances. 2 Griezmann headers which Patricio saved and Griezmann missed and then Gignac hitting the post. Other then that, France never really had a true goal scoring opportunity in 120 minutes. Says a lot really