What a joke. Granted no one thought Spain would get second. This seems set up to give France the best shot at winning if they make the final. Predicting Belgium vs Germany final
unless germany shits the bed while we also slip by spain?....then yeah look at the caliber of teams we would potentially have to play if we manage to pass spain? like @indestructible said...there are bound to be upsets so let's focus first on spain and see how it goes from there
more like they were giving Spain/Croatia the best shot at winning it. France still has a harder route facing England and one of Germany/Spain/Italy
I'm not one to normally pass on a Conte roasting, but this game was never going to be pretty anyway. Italy didn't need to win. Players will only dig down deep so far when they know it doesn't matter. I expected 0-0 regardless of who played. Ireland ended up with a late goal...good for them. Wake me up when we play Spain.
Garbage. For a lot of these players this match was the most important match for Italy they've ever played. It was their best opportunity to stake a claim on a place in the first XI. Fact is a number of these players just aren't good enough and this result (Insigne aside) justifies Conte's preferred selections.
Relax guys, today was an experimental side playing conte wanted most likely to see how the dynamic played out besides we already qualified and no need to play full out, it was important to have the team apply themselves and understand each other better on the field playing a team. Spain will be a different game and definitely a different Italia... Its do or die!
The match against Spain is definitely a new beginning with a completely different team and we can look forward positively towards it. BUT ... I think its virtually impossible for us to think we can win this comp. with the lack of depth on display in this squad.
I said it once and i am going to say it again.This is the worst Italy team i have ever seen in my life.We practically have no upcoming talent.Our young players are all hype. Against Spain,we cant play like Croatia because we dont have midfielders who can pass the ball around.We have to depend on Candreva.For the past 4-5 years he has been our most consistent performer and i cant get the hate he is getting....
Why? Spain is not our problem. Neither is Germany or France. We have met the enemy and they are ours!
I think we have a lot of players who have the potential to be great. They just need to realize it, Berrardi, Rugani, Romagnoli and Donnarumma need to come clutttcchhhhhhh. I think these 4 can actually become world class players. Candreva is not ********ing world class he's a good player who hustles, end of story.
Who wanted Immobile on the team? And who thinks Zaza is better than Gabbiadini? No one but you was excited for Ogbonna? Explain that one. Who exactly was happy to see Sturaro make it over a bunch of better options left home? And didn't most of this board want Donnarumma over a benched Sirigu at PSG? Were you asleep when every single poster on this site was pissed that Motta made the squad over Jorginho? And did you watch Fiorentina this year? While Bernardeschi did fine as an inverted wingback, he was clearly better as a winger later in the season. This was proven multiple times in Europa League, and then the last third of the season where he was played there and impressed the whole country (including Conte). After that, Barzagli, Bonucci, and Florenzi are all first team players. How does this prove Conte selected the right players when he left many better players at home or is now playing them out of position. And how does that explain Insigne's absence most of this tournament? Work harder on your trolling....
love your optimism Falc but seriously I think people are under rating us based on the last 2 performances and are also doing so out of context after beating Belgium , the best squad , in a rather good performance there was going to be a let down as at that point we had 3 pts and were on top of the group. against Sweden that match had draw written all over it. except for a few chances here and there , as 4 pts assures you of a KO spot, that match was heading for a draw. Italy was able to cash in at the end and make it 6 pts so even better !...but they were not going for the win against Ireland I would have preferred to no lose but let's be real....that match was a glorified friendly after we had secured winning the group against Spain defensive cohesion and unity is a must and as long as we don't turn the ball over stupidly and pass the ball well both in general possession and on the counter I think we should be in good shape. it should be a good match
I am not sure labeling me optimistic fits in this circumstance. Actually a realist is a better description. We have a group of hard working players. No one fits that fantasista type we were accustomed for as long as I can remember. This is Conte's style. Defensively, we are very difficult to beat. But we are not infallible. We lack in midfield and our strikers are adequate at best. So we have the ability to grind it out. But as we saw today, everything needs to fall in place.
Who has been knocking Candreva?? He's clearly been Italy's best player going forward this tournament. I agree 100%. Candreva is an above average player, but not world class or a superstar. I never thought Italy were going to win this tournament, so if they lose I won't be shocked. But I want to see it happen with Italy's actual first choice defenders/holding midfielder/goalkeeper. Up front we have nothing but Candreva in Conte's preferred 11, but that defense can shut anyone down on a good night or two.
@Falc yes exactly....but there is some optimism in saying in the enemy is ours lol. I get it though. The realist in you is saying there is no reason why we can't match the teams you mentioned. I wouldn't put much stock in everything not falling into place today and not being able to grind this one out against Ireland. like I said....glorified friendly...8 subs starting I would have been ok with a 0-0 draw to be honest.....there was a brain fart and Ireland scored in a match they were desperate in, while Italy is already focusing on the next match. That was it in my book. Spain will be the true measurement ....both for Italy and Conte Looking forward to it.
I thought with being an admirer of Conte genius methods you would khow he does not waste time with such peasantry statistics and sticks with rugby style statistics to match his style of play.