Lets use a minimum 3 goal margin as the benchmark for what we'd call a "smashing". And lets for comparison look at Italy's prior qualifying campaigns: EC 2016: Zero wins by 3 goals or more WC 2014: Zero wins by 3 goals or more EC 2012: Three wins by 3 goals or more WC 2010: Zero wins by 3 goals or more EC 2008: Zero wins by 3 goals or more WC 2006: One win by 3 goals or more EC 2004: Two wins by 3 goals or more WC 2002: Two wins by 3 goals or more EC 2000: One win by 3 goals or more WC 1998: One win by 3 goals or more EC 1996: Two wins by 3 goals or more WC 1994: Two wins by 3 goals or more EC 1992: One win by 3 goals or more (DNQ) WC 1990: Host EC 1988: Two wins by 3 goals or more Cannoligol is spot on. Since WC2006 Italy's performance in competitive qualifiers has declined with Prandelli's EC 2012 squad the standout exception. Italy has never smashed sides with the monotonous regularity of Brazil, Argentina or Germany but in the past they could at least be expected to easily account for the likes of Malta, Cyprus, Estonia etc. If fans want to delude themselves that Italy's performance in this qualifying campaign was anything less than substandard (with shit performances against minnows symptomatic of that) than they are delusional.
Yeah, for sure Cannoli. But there is that 50+ game unbeaten streak since the loss to France in 06 that is a current record.
Filtering through your latest melt down, it appears that you also consider 2-0 wins a smashing performance. That's interesting. That you're certifiable? 2-0 over Norway in that opening qualifier too So basically you agree, a few 2+ goal games per qualification...same shit as usual Massive stuff dude!