Italians here seem to have this weird inferiority complex. We have done wonderfully so far and our qualifying campaign was stellar. We don't have the sexy names anymore - the Tottis, Del Pieros, Nestas, Cannavaros - but we've been quite good under Conte. Both teams will show respect. The key question to me, at least, is if De Rossi is out, will Conte adjust or just plug in Sturaro? Thats a make or break decision.
The media labeling this team " the worst ever assembled" really hurts deep. Trust me !!! Goes to show that Italian teams can play with the best of them if they put the effort forward rather than take an early summer vacation. Why do they always do well when there is controversy from the media.
The momentum Italy has created still does not make us favorites vs. Germany. We punched above our weight in both those games. Both results were considered upsets. We suddenly don't become favorites vs. The world champs especially since come Saturday our entire first choice midfield is lost to injury (de Rossi + Candreva here. Verratti and Marchisio before the tournament)
I agree, Germany are the world champs, slapped Brazil 7-1 in their own country. Italy's performance thus far doesn't rid of the 'underdog status'. Which is not a bad thing as we play best this way.
There is an argument that Belgium and Spain underperformed. That may be due in some part to the compactness that Italy showed against them. I expect the same against Germany. What opponents do not have is a particular player or players to stop on the creative end. But they will find a hard working group that will not quit.
Naahhh !!! It's the Anti Juve fans here that forget it's the back 4 (including Buffon) that is carrying this team .
I'm saying I wouldn't trade any of our back 4 for anybody that got called up to this squad. I am terrified that we are full of yellows to all the back 4 that if we do beat Germany, we are finished in the semis.
Even if they go out next round, this tournament has already been a success for Italy. Yes, we have a great defensive block, but the rest of the starters in midfield/forward are all mediocre players. I would argue that every one of Belgium, Spain and Germany's midfielders are better on an individual basis than Italy's current midfield. This team has made it this far with superior tactics, unity and a balls to the wall mentality (on a level I've never seen with the Azzurri). And rather than expecting Italy to win, let's put it into proper perspective. If we win Monday, than we have managed to consecutively knock out the holding Euro champions and then World Cup champions, with a squad nobody expected anything from. That's highly, highly impressive... I will cheer on Italy, but I'm also realistic that with the squad we have, running, hard work and tactics can only take us so far, hope I'm wrong though.
Hands down we are. How is this even a discussion ? Our regulars haven't conceded a goal but neither has Germany. They have more firepower in both forward and midfield. They haven't played great teams but never looked in trouble in any of their games. I don't think they have played all out yet. Personally we are going to get spanked. Germans are proud people and the unbeaten record really bothers them. If we do win , we are winning this tournament.
Looks like media is reporting Sturaro as the regista and Parolo as mezz'ala we need big game Sturaro to show up
Like all Germany vs Italy games this will be good I can see something like 2006 were it a even played game and we won it near the very end.
We are underdogs. No one doubts that. Not having Marchisio and Verratti are massive blows. If we can't get Candreva and De Rossi back, that is huge. But, we aren't garbage either. Honestly, from the talk of some on here and in the media, you'd think we were Iceland. I don't care that 4 of our players might have been on Cesena 5 years ago. Verratti, Insigne, and Immobile were in Serie B with Pescara 5 years ago. So what?? I care about what I see with my eyes. Right now, I see a compact team with enough skill to take out the heavyweights. We are very dangerous and I don't think the Germans are taking this lightly. If they do, they will surely lose on Saturday. Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Candreva, Insigne, and De Rossi are all elite players in my opinion. Florenzi is close and this year's CL experience has really helped him. Darmian and De Sciglio could rise to that level. Parolo, Pelle, Eder, and Giac are solid players. When you really think about it, there is more talent on this side than you realize. And, that is with Verratti, Marchisio, Gabbiadini, Rugani, Benassi, Zappacosta, and Jorginho sitting at home.
We haven't just had success this tournament due to the defence and and hard running. We have looked brilliant on the ball, made excellent use of the wings and switching the ball and looked brilliant in our attacks and chemistry. Pelle and Eder have been terrific up front and compliment each other like peas in a pod. We've created a lot vs Spain and Belgium. Give Italy and the team prop. What did I say we'd do vs Spain? We'd go at them and look good. Everyone was saying we were going to sit back and have a chance or two. We're not ********ing Andorra. We're Italy. People have short memories. They should have woken up after the Belgium game. We tore them apart. We didn't open up vs the Swede's as we played it safe and made sure of the point first. If the win came it came. We took the night off vs Ireland which was also smart as for basically two games we played within ourselves and conserved energy like true Italian teams do in a 7 match tournament. It could be vital if it panned out that way later in the cup. Against Spain we played our best as we only do when we have to. I love the fact people underestimated us vs the Spaniards because by the time teams wake up, they're waking up in the hospital not knowing what happened because they got knocked the ******** out. Now against Germany, I don't know. Conte is a tactician. He will almost certainly adjust his tactics yet again as Loewe would have studied the Spain game. Cat and mouse game began after the Spain game. Then again, Conte had another game plan organised long ago and certainly after we got smashed 4-1 in Germany. What ever happens once again, we're already a success. And how good was it to get revenge over Spain and send them packing.