They take a 3-4-3 shape in possession, with Di staying back. Spinazzola is used as an attacker on the left, which creates an overload with Insigne. That switch back play to the right is open for the taking when defenders over commit, as you saw when Chiesa scored. Berardi doesn't have the same killer instinct in attack, but he retains possession better at times. Next round, they need Chiesa in there to keep their opponents weary.
The first time an Italian father & son score in the Euro. pic.twitter.com/e5spVmCyn3— Khaled Al Nouss (@khaledalnouss1) June 26, 2021
Lol Verratti goes off and Italy scores two goals. He's improved a bit since the the 2014WC and i'm starting to wonder about him but I'm still not sold.
This might be a controversial statement but that team in '96 that were eliminated in the group stage looked and played fantastic. Some weird selection decisions and an unlucky draw did Italy in the end.
It'll be interesting because I think Mancini prefers Berardi. I actually think Verratti starts next match. If Mancini was going to sit him, he had the perfect excuse today to do it from the start.
It's ********ing obvious that Chiesa is better than Berardi. It's scandalous to continue to start Berardi. The issue today was the lack of dynamism in the attack. The midfield was fine. I am convinced that if Chiesa had started, this game would have been done and dusted after the first half.
As I said earlier, Berardi could be fantastic if he went to his right more. Dribbing to his left into 2 defenders helps no one. Insigne has never been fast, but he really looked slow today. He could play as a trequartista serving balls to the attack, but he can't beat anyone with speed right now...he's constantly just cutting back to his right. As for Immobile, not his best game. I still think he's a really valuable link up player for our offense, but he's got to do better. He had an easy breakaway today that he really flubbed. Speaking of flubbed....we had about 3 GREAT chances to go up 3-0 and did very poorly...have to finish those counters better.
Sacchi overthought the second game, rested Zola, and underestimated the Czechs. Also not to mention he left Baggio and capocannoniere Beppe Singnori at home
That was a tough game for Italy! I don't think they will be able to beat either Belgium or Portugal...... Italia-Austria, le pagelle di Stefano De Grandis - Sky Sport Italia-Austria, le pagelle di CM: Spinazzola il migliore, Barella ... Italia-Austria 2-1 dts, pagelle: Spinazzola super, Chiesa ...
not quite so worried about Portugal. Gosens absolutely tore them up… Spinazzola will have a field day as well.
ive kind of been waiting to see Italy in a match against a team who will at least attempt to take the game to Italy. Portugal seems to want to sit and counter but I would think Belgium would try to attack Italy. That should open up acres of space for an Immobile or Chiesa. I’m optimistic that the azzurri look great in their next match.
I don't understand why it has to be Chiesa vs Berardi. Insigne looked like an old man today. I thought he was poor against Switzerland as well. I honestly would consider sitting him next game. Putting Chiesa on the left side with Spina might be the best move Mancini could make to freshen up the attack. I sometimes wonder what could have been if we had the option of a healthy Zaniolo on the right.
lets give Austria some credit they had a game plan and exucuted well. This was good for Italy and they will be better for it Its games like this that test a true character of a squad.
Berardi cutting inside got a bit predictable perhaps but the real problem was that he took too many touches. On a couple of occasions he should really have taken the shot earlier.
Vialli missed 2 sitters in the semi against Soviet Union in 1988. Glad to see he's not dwelling on it.
He made FIVE changes in the lead up to the second game vs Czech Republic featuring a relatively unknown Nedved and Poborsky. Italy were the better team but lost 2-1 against the side that eventually went all the way to the final.
If his free kick had been a few millimetres to the left you wouldn't be saying this. hands off Insigne.
It may have been fatigue, but that 2nd half midfield featuring Verratti was the worst performing we've seen all tournament.
Yeah well you guys did beat them in extra time I'm surprised but people will always talk about that goal that Marko scored on you guys because it wasn't offside. On a certain angle yeah it looked offside but not really.