Its been 5 long years... but we are back in the knockout stages where we belong. Saturday June 26th: Italia - Austria. Will be interesting to see what Mancini decides with the lineup. If i was a betting man I think he is going to go with the same lineup vs the Swiss (with Chiellini maybe not fit enough to start and Bastoni / Acerbi in).
Austria looked good today. This will be the first time we play the Austrians in a major tournament since WC 1998
The Austrians are a decent side. We should take no one lightly. If they come out with the same fire and intensity, we should be able to move forward. I expect the same lineup we had vs the Swiss. The question marks to me are Verratti and Chiesa. Chiesa terrorized Wales and that speed and skill can be deadly. However, my guess is that Mancini will reserve that for the second half.
Chiellini has resumed training today (on his own). Florenzi will be out for the Austria game... however.. not a big deal at all since Di Lorenzo came in and played better and i assume he should start over Toloi.
The thing I like about Di Lorenzo more than anything is his attitude. He's not afraid. He comes in and doesn't play it safe. He normally puts pressure on guys and that really opens up the middle of the field. In short, he doesn't shy away from the moment.
Florenzi getting injured has been a god send for gli azzurri. He’s a good dude, and tries hard, but his body betrayed him a while ago. He just can’t get it done on an international level anymore.
No I feel it is better to have Verratti and Chiesa both starting in your guys' starting XI against Austria
I know most dont agree with this move, but I love it. I was reading that Austria is looking to shut down Jorginho tomorrow...thats their big game plan. Great, good luck Austria. Let Marco run the midfield.
In fairness, going in we envisioned a starting midfield of Barella, Jorginho, and Verratti, because that was first choice through qualifying. I say well done to Locatelli to put himself in the discussion for a first team place, especially where you can argue that Italy's midfield is as strong as anyone in the world right now.
I suppose if Mancini really wants to test his preferred midfield, it's better to do it now vs. Austria, rather than vs. the winner of Belgium/Portugal (assuming all goes well) I wouldn't make that move, and I like Verratti a lot
This is a new look Italy team. You guys play attack minded football...free flowing football but in the sense that you basically play to your strengths which is defense by being defensive especially when you don't have the ball or you shut down the opposing team's attack when they look to pass half. I mean your goalkeeper Donnarumma has barely been tested if at all and that's mainly due to the defense doing their job. But also Italy's midfield is as good as 2006 if not better.
https://football-italia.net/591992-2/ IL CORRIERE DELLO SPORT FEARS TAYLOR CONSPIRACY Il Corriere dello Sport editor fears the assignment of Anthony Taylor as the match official when Italy play Austria at Wembley is part of a wider Euro 2020 conspiracy against the Azzurri. The newspaper’s editorial by Ivan Zazzaroni points out that the Italian government asked to move the final stages of the competition out of London and asks questions regarding a possible vendetta by UEFA and England. The commentary points out that the Italian government called into question the organisational structure of UEFA and that the English Prime Minister Boris Johnson responded by increasing the capacity of the stadium from 45,000 to 61,500. The article also mentions that Italy made fools out of themselves when all 11 should have kneeled to gesture their support with Black Lives Matter against Wales. The newspaper then asks if England and UEFA might have collaborated to make sure Italy struggle in the competition, at least after learning that Anthony Taylor has been assigned the match official of the game against Austria on Friday. “Is it a simple coincidence? Pure randomness?,” the newspaper asks, before giving Taylor the benefit of the doubt, because Carlo Ancelotti told the writer once that he considered the 42-year-old among the best in the Premier League.
On the paper, no. That team had a prime Pirlo and Gattuso and a very young De Rossi on the bench. But you can make the case that this midfield plays better. This current Italy midfield have a different direction in respect to that one.
I can agree with what you said but then again Italy is playing defensive minded as well which is what Italy's bread and butter has always been by playing great defense which is enough to frustrate any opponent. But then doing their job also makes Gigi Donnarumma's life easier.
The taking the Knee thing against Wales is something that is oddly being blown out of proportion. It was obvious watching, that half our side looked caught off guard and confused. Verratti was kicked the ball to start the match and then Wales take the knee. Just odd timing. To suggest the team looked bad or to pressure the team to issue a statement, is just a bit much. Mancini put it nicely today in his press conference - "I value freedom". Nobody in their right mind should condone racism or prejudice against another person. Taking a knee - one that was spontaneous at that - shouldn't dictate how we view one's priorities or feelings on the matter.
nobody should be pressured into it. yes i agree that the lives of blacks matter.. as do other marginalized groups. Where is the show of solidarity for indigenous, or muslims like Uyghurs... but that is not the flavour of the day i guess.
It's a nothing story except jackass Italian politicians criticizing players for not bending the knee. What horseshit. Bonucci said they even have to have a team meeting before the game to decide what to do next. Waste of time ahead of a big game. Maybe the players don't want to get into politics. Maybe they just want to play calcio. Maybe they feel BLM is a corrupt organization whose leaders have used it for profit. Who knows and who cares. Leave them the hell alone and let them represent the country (which they've done with tons of honor so far). If they want to combat social ills on their own time then so be it. But, pressuring every player on the team for a one size fits all solution is a stupid stupid move by the politicians.
It's not a bad move by Austria to press Jorginho. He's not a great athlete so if there is a turnover, it is tough for him to get back. Verratti also tends to play very deep and sometimes is careless with the ball. That said...if Italy breaks that pressure, Austria will be very very exposed and we will need to make them pay dearly for that.
Absolutely. Locatelli deserves a starting position, if Verratti wants to start he has to earn the right. Same goes for Chiesa.
I agree it's not a big deal, they should just take a knee, how hard is it FFS. There are a lot of black players in this tournament, show a bit of solidarity. If I was a French player I'd be using it as motivation if they play Italy. Doesn't surprise me that Verratti is one of the players refusing to.