I want Croatia to make it. I like their football, their supporters, their fans and their patriotism. They would be a great addition to have at the world cup, even if they hate Italy haha. Croatia should get through but Greece isn't a good match up for anyone. They have that tough defensive ability and knack if nicking a result. I still give Croatia about a 65 percent chance of going through. Almost 70 percent.
Can't wait that Corluka comes back. We need him both for the defense and for the build up play from behind. Good result but need to confirm on sunday. Won't be easy in Greece. Then if they qualify there might be place to do something big in Russia.
Embarrassing mistakes by Greek players, goals #1, #2 and #4 were hilarious. It should've been even bigger margin.
Ball pretty much hits him on the shoulder Not even looking at the ball, arm against body About 2 yards from the volley on the edge of the area Terrible decision. Maybe some Swiss banking going the refs direction.
Greece got an economic injection from a Croatian to put a non-club starting goalie in and a retarded defender in the lineup. Watch that ref in Swizterland/ Northern Ireland... he's gonna be in a new German luxury car soon.
Appalling decision for the penalty against Northern Ireland. I just can't fathom how he can be so certain in his mind to give that since he was the wrong side. Could it be that the linesman gave it, thinking that it had hit the hand on that side? (which it obviously didn't). So unfortunate for Northern Ireland, but they did show a bit of endeavour in the later stages to suggest that all is not lost just yet. But as bad as the penalty decision was, a 1-0 win for Switzerland was overall a fair reflection of the match I think. Would have been more appropriate if they'd scored one of their legitimate chances though... As for Croatia, they have one foot in the World Cup now. Greece shot themselves in the foot repeatedly - goalkeeping errors, defensive errors. Nearly got it back to 4-2 near the end, but as it stands I just can't see any hope for them in the second leg.
@Hideo ... the ref awarded the pen quite quickly so I doubt he had time to check with the linesman ... and yes the ref couldn't have seen the ball hitting his arm, so he must have guessed (which he shouldn't have done). Northern Ireland were poor and even had it remained a scoreless draw Switzerland would have been favoured to get over the line at home (but still I'd rather see that without the bad call).
I can only think then that he was swayed by the claims of the couple of Swiss players in the vicinity, and made the assumption that it must have been a handball even though he couldn't see it.
Lol where Croatia would find the money to do that Anyway i hope that they will be serious on sunday. The world cup will already miss a team with the likes of alexis, vidal, medel. It's better for the event to have modric rakitic perisic mandzukic etc than not.
Music..Go west ..by Pet Shop Boys or Village People STAND UP IT IS OUR TEAM STAND UP IT IS OUR TEAM STAND UP IT IS OUR TEAM STAND UP IT IS OUR TEAM No Romeo Benetti in the starting eleven for pasta. Time for Sweden..we win One Nil tonight and we score at San Siro to make it impossible for Italy.End result in Milan due-due. COME ON SWEDEN.Gunnar Nordahl is watching.
Ugh you might be right. I hope we can turn it around. But so much needs to be done if we are to do so.
Italy's problem right now is that they don't have any world class attacking players like they have in the past (i.e. Baggio, Del Piero, Pirlo, etc.). With teams putting more and more players behind the ball, you need a top quality creative player to break down the defense, which Italy doesn't have.
As I've mentioned before. We usually don't lose at home. Our away games is worse so hopefully we can score the first goal at Milan. Italy have to push forward so they should be a bit more open.
No that is not the problem. Yeah we maybe don't have Del Piero and Baggio anymore, but Belotti, Immobile, and Insigne are all good strikers and they have produced spectacular things at their clubs. The problem is Giampiero Ventura (our coach). He has no tactics at all. Did you actually watch the game? Have you noticed we had 0 shots on target? The strikers hardly touched the ball. The midfield was nonexistent most of the time. De Rossi is way too old and slowed everything down. Parolo looked like he was forced to play and did not want to be on the pitch. Verratti looked to be trying but did not perform because everyone was marking him knowing that the other two midfielders are not dangerous. Ventura needs to go. He has no tactics, and the team is playing scared. Back when Conte was in charge, the team had fighting spirit and was literally trying so hard and hitting the target a number of times. Honestly even a dog would do better with this team than Ventura. The team doesn't even seem hungry.
It was pretty clear that Italy did have tactics. In the first half they defended well. Which sorta makes sense playing the first leg on the road. In the second-half they spent most of their time trying to get Berg sent-off. Literally running into Berg's elbow and then rolling over on the ground 8 times. Guess they thought that was their best chance at a priceless away goal. I'm not trying to be a dick here; I'm being serious. Those were their tactics. I'm convinced the 'Berg' strategy was discussed at halftime.
That could be very possible. But those are not real tactics anyway. We need actual tactics, not tactics to try and get someone sent off. My Goodness that is just brutal. If it was talked in half time, it means they don't think they can get a result with 11v11. We are Italy, its unacceptable you have that belief. I don't like it.
When Sweden scored the guys were so happy to lead that they did not know anymore what to do with the ball. I can't imagine them holding this way in San Siro 95 minutes. E caldo per italiani ma non è finito.
Honestly I would say we are still favorites if Ventura was not the manager, but unfortunately it is possible to lose under Ventura.