Same old same old negativity before a major tournament with The Azzurri. For all you doubters I have one thing to say................Greece 2004
Couldn't watch the game due to a family party that lasted all day. I can't believe that Montolivo hurt himself in a post-game cool down training session lol. I did hear that De Rossi played well, while Giacc stunk up the joint yet again. Hopefully, Insigne, Bernardeschi, Bonaventura, and Jorginho (plus Benassi in training) did enough to make the squad.
Greece had a structured approach, consistent lineup, etc...everyone knew were they at, a real team spirit and so a world of difference to Contes Italy.
Italy lol? This game choice was ridiculous. Set up a friendly against an uninterested team on neutral ground on a really shitty pitch. I swear these guys are good only for the fields. Don't care if Scotland are like Ireland. It was a harc situation for any player to prove themselves against a team that didn't want to be there. I don't think Scotland wanted to be there either lol
This always happens during warmups. They set up games against opponents who are supposedly like their upcoming opponents. These teams all play different styles , use different players and the games aren't really the same at all. What they should do is set up exhibition games against clubs from the same nation as they normally play with similar styles.
Or just set up games against fellow qualified teams like Italy did in 06. Get them mentally ready for the first game.
No other big team's fans are saying they have a chance because Greece won in 2004. Italy is a 4-time WC champ ffs Is this the bottom of the barrel desperation that we've sunk to?
This board sounds the same before every tournament. Even before 2006, there were many complaining about Lippi and saying we weren't favorites. It'll never change.
Montolivo did get injured, but is that really a blow? I honestly am celebrating that. I remember Montolivo in the friendly against Germany, and honestly it did not look pretty with the Germans running all over and around him. Its probably a good thing that he is not coming. Motta is enough, and at least he still plays in the UCL so he is more experienced in dealing with all of that. De Rossi played exceptionally well. Man of the Match for me. He was amazing. I couldn't tell him apart from a 25 year old that day. Giaccherini and Candreva played ok. They did amazing in getting in good positions and crossing, but they were always off target. Bernardeschi played exceptionally well also. He was dribbling and crossing like crazy. Insigne didn't really have much of the ball, so we didn't see him really that day. After we were 1-0 up we weren't trying to attack much and we kind of set back. Insigne was good at finding the players with passes though. Bonaventura only had like 10 min, and was nowhere to be seen. Jorginho played well. Benassi didn't play but I hope he makes it. It is more likely now especially since Montolivo is injured.
You want Sheva on full troll mode or something? The Swiss are 66-1 odds. I think I'll drop 100 on them, just for fun
The negativity is justified, what exactly leads us to be optimistic, because it is Italia we are talking about? Italia is just a name at the minute, there is nothing in Conte's football, plan or choice of players to be exited about. We make the same excuses again and again, oh it was just a friendly it does not matter. Well did we even look good in qualifying? No. So it does matter, there has not been one point where we looked like we knew what we were doing and looked like we could be starting to click together in the past 2 years. Also La Parrucca has been running the players into the ground during training, he must think he is at pre season training not the end of a long season. the players will be dead by the time the torneo begins and if anyone goes carrying an injury the whole team will suffer just like the last euros. We never learn from our many mistakes.
I did tape it, so that will probably happen tonight or tomorrow night (though I'm not completely excited since the game seems to have been an uninspired 1-0 outcome). Regardless, many sources are claiming Giacc had a bad game. For me it is not a blow. I don't want Montolivo anywhere near this team. And like you, I prefer Motta out of the two. Good to hear about De Rossi, but even more so about Bernardeschi. I think he will be the best player in Italy (along with Rugani and Berardi) by the time the WC comes around. I want to see him get some caps and experience in this tournament since he will probably be our number 10 soon enough. I agree. With Conte its hard to be excited. Its not just about player selection and talent level, but his rigid tactics and "testa dura" approach. I think, like Juve, he can only take a team so far. I'll be more excited once Ventura comes in. I think he's the type of coach the Azzurri need right now.
Who is talking about Germany? I am talking about Conte. Conte e un uomo di merda. Germany will fix their problems going into the Torneo meanwhile we have more problems than answers.
I'm with you. Everyone talks about Greece 2004 or what Germany is doing and none of those things have any relation on what Italy is doing now. What I'm worried about is who will score enough goals to get the national team out of the first round.....
NO...they had literally zero talent and scored all their goals on set pieces. Didn't allow any goals against. I don't see why Italy can't do the same with a defense that was rock solid at Juve.
I agree with that, they had little to nothing talent and got lucky....however my point was that while Italy even in this current state have more talent they do not have the consistency in approach Greece had. While they were shit, they worked hard as a unit with a clear direction. That takes time to build and for that you have to give them some credit. I cant say Italy have that right now.
Because we aren't Greece and a country with Italy's pedigree should have more talent and play better soccer