It was never going to be smooth sailing the entire tournament. Survive and advance. I don't buy this game has any indication on the quarterfinal game. We'll be fine.
Verratti and Jorginho did create an imbalance. Verratti should have been playing more like a 10 like he did for PSG against Barca. 3 man midfield is simple with clear roles. One holding, one box to box and one with the creative responsibility higher up. Both Verratti and Jorginho got in each others way both wanting to start play. That stopped the flow of the attack. Balance is everything to allow the game to build up the pressure needed. Even if they did ok in the 1st half and had something to build upon going into the second, it never came. If that was a better opponent they would have been beaten through a tactical mistake. Mancini has the brains to see it though given his subs after the disallowed goal. Saying all that Verratti and Jorginho combination might have been a better choice to use against quality like Belgium/Portugal but after that he would be safe to go back to what worked.
People were saying the same thing after the Australia game in 2006, that a few people are saying here now. I think we needed this to wake us up. I doubt we get steamrolled regardless of who we play next. We are in the final eight….let’s go!!!
Belgium has a history of choking in the knockout rounds. Portugal just the opposite, despite them not usually looking impressive doing it.
Locatelli and Chiesa need to start the next match, Verratti messes around too much with the ball like it's fifa street or something. This was also an ongoing problem with other players just hanging on to the ball way too long, way too many back passes. I just hope it was tournament choking and hopefully they're over it now.
I thought Donnarumma was outstanding today. The defense looked good. Spinazzola became predictable to the Austrain backline - its obvious he wants to go left every time. He has the blow by speed to make it happen, but it was nice to see him adapt near the end of the 2nd. DiLorenzo was solid. Our midfield looked overwhelmed by their pressing. Verratti was fine. Not perfect but fine. Most will say his inclusion ruined the chemistry but I disagree. Locatelli had energy coming in but wasn't groundbreaking coming in. Berardi. Just horrible. On a team full of technical powerhouses, he lacks any touch. And I root for the guy - fellow Calabrese. But really bad today. Same with Insigne...hurts me to say that. He slows momentum and has to start trying to look for goal a bit more. Immobile... oh Immobile... The nerves were there today. We overcame. Onto the next. Forward Azzurri!!
That front 3 was so bad today. I wonder if Mancini makes any changes there. Does Chiesa start? Does Immobile sit? Anyways, off to enjoy the celebrations. Forza Azzurri
Both our starting wingers were poor today. So was Barella, which was shocking. Pessina and Locatelli restored order in the middle.
Black Lives Matter has nothing to do with black players? That's a galaxy brain take if I've ever heard one. For the record I don't support the political organisation to the extent that it's been co-opted by liberals to bludgeon political opponents. They are an unfortunate aspect of this, but it's about more than them. Interesting that you support an armband or a banner, zero chance of that if they can't do the bare minimum that some other teams are doing. My problem is that some players knelt and others didn't. If no-one had knelt it would have been a non-issue. the problem is that some players expressed a clear opposition to kneeling by not joining in. It was not a good look.
Players have the freedom to kneel or not kneel. It doesnt dictate their feelings on racism or prejudice. The fact you have a problem with that is a YOU problem.
Meanwhile Ukraine's national team slogan "Glory to Ukraine!" is the same as was used by the Ukrainian pro-Nazi miitia's during World War 2.
Such a simple thing for a player to do. And Italy has had quite a few problems with racism within football in recent memory. Like I said they should have all kneeled or none of them. Its been handled very poorly.
Austria was very physical today. Italy played better in the first half of regulation time and Verratti's lack of match fitness showed in the second half. i wonder if a bigger bodied Locatelli would have been a better choice given Austria's approach. Great to see that there is no drop in quality when Italy makes substitutions.
Austrians played a fantastic game and exposed our weaknesses. They were compact and defence, assaulted our mids and made it a physical battle. This might be the prototype to beat us and teams like Belgium and France will shred us to pieces because they are more technical and deadlier in attack. Hindsight is 20/20 but Locatelli should have started. Verratti / Jorginho didn’t work at all today. It reminded me of how they played early on in Mancini’s reign. Verratti especially unimpressive. Bad: Barella and Berardi. Mixed: Insigne also not brilliant but better than Berardi. Immobile also suffered. Di Lorenzo and Spinazzola also. Some bad things here and there but it looked like they grew as the game progressed. We missed the presence of a leader today. A healthy Chiellini would have been an assurance Don’t see how Mancini does not start Chiesa and Locatelli next game. If I can draw a silver lining is that people will stop considering us for a tournament winner. It really doesn’t suit us
Every team that wins a Cup goes through a hiccup game like this. It's a sign of character that we came out and won after not playing our best. It's also a sign of great DEPTH. Bringing on a Chiesa and Pessina is a real luxury (not to mention Locatelli). We dominated most of the first half but we didn't finish our chances. It gave Austria growing confidence and hope. It didn't help that Berardi and Insigne were quite poor and Ciro really struggled to control the ball today. That left our midfield exposed and outnumbered. Mancini has to really rethink his formation going forward. As I said before the game, Austria was going to press us. Jorginho is not a great athlete and if Verratti is holding onto the ball too much it's going to expose Barella and put a ton of pressure on him. Locatelli and Pessina really turned that midfield around. I'm glad Mancini went to them, although I would have done it earlier. I LOVE wins like today. No team is going to play amazing every game. You have to gut these out and we showed balls today. Bravissimi! Ancora ci credo!!!
That right flank is open at times for a possible 2v1, so play Chiesa, who will cause many more problems in partnership with Barella. Austria took away the left flank play at the half, so I'm not sure why Chiesa wasn't introduced earlier. This same mistake can't be repeated next round, as that overloaded attack on the left is becoming way too predictable.
why do you keep saying Jorginho is not a great athlete? According to Uefa stats he's covered more ground than any other player in the this tournament bar one.
Agree. this is a relatively young team (at least to the extent of tournament experience) and having the opportunity to perform under adversity will help these players mature and learn.
Berardi’s decision making also very off. Maybe he’s not used to playing games with this much pressure. But very frustrating and predictable. Shots constantly blocked
Had a look at the heat map and it confirms what i saw during the game and what you're saying. Di Lorenzo must have been given instructions to stay back b/c he never went forward which perhaps made life harder for Berardi. Spectacular run in extra time though.
Jorginho and Locatelli form a better double pivot combo, which frees up Barella. I don't see the same positioning out there with Verratti and Jorginho. I'm still not sold on both playing together. I think one or the other should start, and right now, Jorginho looks to be more fit.
It’s amazing how quickly sentiment can change toward a team. After this display, the finals seem very far away. This was Italy’s first big challenge and it wont be their last. What a grind out there. All of a sudden, doubt for attacking capabilities has crept in. Do we start Immobile or Belotti? I’m still leaning towards Immobile. Chiesa starts. Berardi as a sub if needed later in the game could be beneficial. Insigne didn’t have a great game but dont count him out. Either way, great learning experience for the team and some homework do to for sure. I think Italy would be better suited against Belgium than Portugal. I have a bad feeling about Portugal…
Jorginho runs a lot but he's not fast nor particularly strong. That's what I mean by him not being a great athlete. His strength is his vision and passing. But, having Verratti hold onto the ball too long when a team is pressing the midfield will cause problems. You have to move it around quickly against teams that do that and make them pay. As for Berardi....every team is waiting for him to cut to his left foot. Austria had him well scouted. He NEVER went to his right except for one time and it was dangerous as hell for Austria. Berardi can be a great weapon but he has to trust his right foot a little bit more. Insigne was just as bad. He predictably kept cutting to his right over and over. It was infuriating. Plus his lack of foot speed can really slow down our attack. Chiesa really changed everything. His pace had Austria scared and it opened up space for others. He's got to earn more playing time at this point.