Official 2016 European Cup Thread (FORZA AZZURRI)!!!

yeah two goals. I dont think they'll lose points in this group. I'd rather face the anyway so we can beat them.

 

Albania wont win the euro's. Oh I guess that means they will now.


Grow up idiot.

 

hahahah! Italy weren't good against Belgium they said. The whole world was saying how good we were and it was the best performance out of anyone up until Spain beat Turkey. They always overrate themselves and always get a rude awakening. Losers. One goal scored in two games in the weakest group of them all says everything about Portugal.

 

Portugal is so shit I love it

 

I can see how you got a yellow card.

Get a sense of humor.

 

Theyre so great they draw with Iceland then go goalless vs Austria. Their fans do it to themselves. All talk and no action.

 

Even our own "fans" were saying Belgium were shit against us. When actually it was just us playing really well.

Sux to be a Portugal/Sweden fan atm.

 

Is it ok if I change my vote? I have a good feeling that Italy will make it past the group stages.

 

Had a look at their record over the last 2 years they beat Italy, France, Russia, US. Big teams. Worst result loss to Portugal.

And disagree with your high pressing statement. Note Italy did not press them high. Spain does press high which is why Belgium would beat them.

 

They are gung ho about having over 65% possession in the first 2 games and that eventually they will score 5 against Hungary. Don't they know that opposing teams are perfectly happy with giving them possession as long as they are kept on the outside.

 

Seriously, France's road to the semis can be Czech and Poland. While we could conceivably get Spain and Germany, but most likely Croatia and Germany. Right on if Poland can top the group, but I can't see them overturning the goal differential vs their rivals the Ukraine.

I was wondering why the Swiss didn't push to get the winner yesterday, they seemed content with the draw. If they could have won that they'd have an excellent chance to get to the semis, now they will probably meet Spain in the quarters if they get there. Same with Albanina, I am sure they were ecstatic about the win but they probably needed to win by 2 or 3 to have a chance.

 

France's easy road to the final is by design. Host teams can do whatever they want

 

Yeah and France has the advantage in the number of days between matches. We are disadvantaged in that area. And to correct Rob420 -- in the second KO game, France faces the runner-up of either Group B or F, not Poland's group. That is England's Group or Portugal's Group. Possibly a game against Wales or Hungary & then on to the Semis. No wonder the bookies rated them so high.

 

True, so their draw is even easier than I originally thought.

 

I will always support Italy and I obviously hope they win but I can't help but feel like I'm watching Juventus play...

The whole thing - from the way they play right down to the personnel - is all Juventus.

I know they haven't conceded a goal yet and I'm happy the defence is doing well but the team plays like shit. I mean who are we kidding here?

 

I've been watching Gli Azzurri since 1982. I've seen way worse play than this. The team is playing well as a unit and taking their chances for the most part. Frankly, when is the last time Italy has won their group outright after 2 games? It's been a long long time. Just get on board the Azzurri wagon and see where it takes you. It might surprise.

 

The gambit of teams in the tournament aren't that good and our group has been very tame (when on paper it shouldn't have been).

I feel like if Chile had the opportunity to compete they'd probably reach the final.

Hell even USA is more competitive than half these teams.

 

2010 was a lot worse than this side and 2014 was too. 2012, despite making the finals, had us playing some ugly football for most of it.

Its only been two games but so far, I'm liking what I'm seeing.

The Azzurri has always relied on Juve. Look at 2006 - Buffon, Cannavaro, Camaronesi, Del Piero. Lippi and his guys.
Why do you think Sturaro made the team..?

 

Aside from the final we played some very nice football the whole tournament.

 

I wasn't impressed with how we played against Croatia and we failed to put one away against a very average English side. And of course that final..

Prandelli's calcio was boring and Spain-lite. Prandelli tried to be trendy and we lacked the toughness Conte has brought to this side.

Conte is telling stories on the pitch. Major motion pictures that even the great Marty Scorsese would marvel at. You're watching a director who is at his artistic peak and is exhibiting genius tactically. Its fascinating to watch.
This is indeed Antonio Conte's L'Italia.

 

For better or worse - I'd like to think for worse...

I'd be interested to see what Conte can make these guys do when they're down a goal and chasing a result. So far they haven't had to deal with that problem but law of averages dictates that they will eventually - only when adversity sets in can a team prove their worth. My bet is when Italy is down a goal they're going to struggle big time - at that point Chelsea executives are going to start questioning themselves for hiring a manager who has a big mouth but no plan.