You're wasting your time arguing with some on here. They'll b*tch when we win, they'll b*tch if we lose. No point arguing.
Conte is definitely relying on his defense. And unlike a few other posters here, its the reason I'm not completely negative about this team. We could win with just our defense alone if things break right. And other than Ogbonna making it over Rugani, Conte's selections in that department were fine. I would of probably taken one more CB in case of injuries though. I guess Conte thinks of Darmian as the fifth centerback if it comes down to that. Regardless, Italy can certainly beat Spain. In fact, I would give them the edge...
The Belgium game was the best game we played under Conte. It might had more to do with Wilmots being completely incompetent and playing right into our hands. Can anybody think of another game where we looked impressive? Maybe when we played in Croatia or Azerbaijan in the Qualifiers. I remember we looked OK against Spain in a recent friendly, but we made so many mistakes that the Spanish didn't capitalize on. We had more embarrassing performances under Conte, including the last game. I was excited when I read before the match that Conte was might use 4 at the back against Ireland. -- De Sciglio - Ogbonna - Barzagli - Darmian -- ^would have been much better; it wouldn't have turned Bernideschi into a wingback. Our defense yesterday was under so much pressure. Barzagli got a yellow - which was worse than the goal we gave up. I wish Conte could've been more flexible with the formation. We played 4-4-2 & 4-3-3, plenty of times in the Qualifiers. The 3-5-2 made us play with Bonucci, since Darmian was having problems before the match. I think we can get by Spain, but I don't think we can do so without some of our most important players getting suspended against Germany. BBC, De Rossi & Buffon are all one card away.
That's great and I respect that, but you were pretty loud before the tournament, saying we'd be lucky to make it past the group stages. Now you're saying that our defence alone could win it all. Where was that positivity before? Why are some of us who felt that way before (me leading that idea ) villified and criticized? Like I said, opinions here sway like the wind... I'm not trying to criticize you as a poster - I always enjoy reading your ideas. But what's right is right.
Ya cuz Italy is known for winning youth titles. (Haven't won since 2004 and they have the U21 every 2 years. I'm not saying Candreva is bad, but he isn't world class so whoever claims he is a ********ing god needs to settle down cuz he's a good player but that's it. He is not a beast, simmer down there
Makes me think your not really reading anything I write lol. I declared a bunch of times that Italy had a great defense that was world class. I just had doubts that BBC could carry their stellar domestic dominance internationally (which they have been shaky with a few times). So far they are getting by with this alone. I wanted BBC, Darmian, and De Sciglio to make the squad, I was just hoping Conte would take Rugani and Romagnoli for the experience. As for everything else, I still stand by all that. Conte picked shit players up front, and second rate midfielders like Sturaro and Giacc. Have not wavered even a bit on any of that. If our team wins its because of our defense/goalkeeper (plus defensive midfielders like De Rossi and Parolo who have done quite well). I'm not sure how my opinion sways...I've been pretty consistent with my views on the national team....sometimes to the point of sounding like a broken record. I've tried to lay off that negative stuff lately, not because I've changed my opinion in any way, but because Italy is in a major tournament now, and I want to simply root them on before Ventura takes over.
Qualifiers mean jack. We played ok in Croatia, that is all. Didn't create any chances really but were ripped off with both goals for and against. We should have led instead of trailing. We killed Spain and they like Croatia benefited from an offside goal. The Norway game, Conte's first ever qualifier in Oslo was ok, as was the Holland friendly. The Belgium game was our best under Conte. I believe we will put n a similar performance against Spain. We will go at them when need be and play counter when need be. Italy will show up vs the Spaniards. We're going to beat them.
Hahaha look which idiot is calling someone an idiot. You clearly are an idiot if you believe conte has no reserves and even more of an idiot if you think the players buy that. Lol no equals. what a fcuking joke you are. Again let me reiterate how fcuking dumb you are for posting that shit. Now fcuk off back to your basement.
Let me ensure you that any poster that was criticised or vilified it had nothing to do with being positive but more to do with ridiculous claims as to why a bunch of undeserving players were selected over deserving ones and claiming he did not call player X up because he's a sub, whilst ignoring he called up subs. Also if anyone was vilified it was actually posters who did not agree with contes squad and expressed their concerns about it who were attacked by idiots thinking they're on higher ground.
I must say, for ********s sake field ********ing Insignatity haha. That guy there could lead us to euro glory. Don't play him when it's too late, which is what Conte will probably do. If he started vs Sweden and Ireland he would have easily scored in each and set up others.
How come they all celebrate as a team when someone scores. No other teams do that it looks like. You can see the unity is there even Buffon mentioned it as the best unity he's seen at an international tournament. You aren't the players. Even when the team sings the anthem it fills them with pride as they sing passionately more so than other teams.
Then I respect the positivity. ..and perhaps I haven't read every one of your posts so for that I apologize.