Haha yeah, look though, he created another goal (ruled offside wrongly). If Ventura had played him in position, we would've won 5-0. Even Conte knew where to play him.
Our midfield and defense/goalkeeping has been shaky, but the pairing of Immobile and Belotti has scored three goals. Eder and Pelle couldn't do that....
I meant that our forwards scored all three goals. When was the last time we could honestly say that Italy's forwards were the best part of the squad for a fixture. That pairing bailed Ventura out and finally gave our team the firepower to win a high scoring game.
Well a win is a win, but I really cannot wait until we get Marchisio back. He really adds a lot to our defense, and since DDR is getting older, Marchisio must be back soon. Anyway Belotti and Immobile is the answer to our attack right now, and Bernardeschi had a good game. I think the only reason we subbed off Bernardeschi was a panic sub. To be honest we have been better in attack today, but we must play someone that can defend well. Marchisio should fix at least half of this when he is back.
Why can't we applaud Ventura for playing to our strengths? Immobile bailed him out but he's the one who has given Immobile his faith. Some of you act like Immobile hijacked the game when Ventura is the one who has featured him. Also Marchisio is not fixing anything. Such an overrated player.
We can top the group guys, the hope is still there. We just need to beat Spain and hope Spain drop points somewhere. After seeing Macedonia though, maybe they could help us by trying to stop Spain at home at least.
Italy needs a wake up call. Italy were forced to play like savages going down 2-1. Ventura needs to find the right players to fit a formation better suited to creating chances. No more 3-5-2. Immobile-Belotti should start the next match. I dont mind Eder as a sub. Parolo and Monto and De Sciglio should be down the depth chart. I didnt catch the first half so i cannot speak to the midfield performances. Buffon worries me. Donarumma should see more time on the field. Our chances of finishing first are low. Spain is going to kill it on GD. Only chance is that they slip up big time against the mid-tier teams. Realistically we are a 2nd place team, which means 8/9 second placers make the playoff round. This keeps me worried.
Immobile and Belotti earned the right to lead the line for the foreseeable time. If our midfield didn't fall apart in the second half and gift Macedonia two goals, we would of had a comfortable win.
Let me sum up Marchisio's Italy career: 2010 - part of the Lippi Suckfest 2012 - wasted countless Cassano assists 2014 - member of the world's most lifeless midfield. case in point, remember how well we played vs England with Veratti? The Veratti is myseteriously benched against Costa Rica and Super Marchisio can no longer save Italy 2016 - Thank the Lord Jesus he was not in the lineup to screw it all up
Even if we get second place, I doubt we will be worst placed team, and while there are some good teams we could face in the playoff, I doubt any of them are really our level, and the tougher ones will be seeded along with us.