All credit for this loss goes to Deschamps. It’s amazing how he just kept tinkering with this lineup and could not nail down a formation. For what purpose did he need to play with 3 man back line today? All that talent, but no team.
I watched both matches, and would not be surprised if the Swiss give Spain all they can handle, just as I was not surprised the Swiss would give France trouble today. Defenses were not on display in either game.
It's almost as though he just dismissed what Zuber could do against a back 3. Did he not watch any film of the Swiss last match? There was no need to shake that formation up. Zidane is waiting by the phone.
Many are forgetting Italy failed to make a World Cup tournament only 3 years ago... I can care less how Italy won or who they beat. The point is to win and let things can take care of themselves later. It also takes two teams to play a great game. Spain screwed up today and so did France so they certainly didn’t have a handle on playing great. If one team doesn't put forth an effort, the other can sit back and lose their composure. This hasn't happened to Italy really other than a slight letdown against Austria in the second half. Anyway, famed Italian coach Neero Rocco’s most famous quote before a match when a journalist told him “May the best team win”, Rocco responded with “Cio’ speremo de no” (Let’s hope not)- this is the best definition of old school Italian way of winning matches..... Il Piave mormorò: "Non passa lo straniero"!
I’ve been disappointed by Italy so many times, and I’ve seen enough upsets at this level to know that anything is possible. This is why when I see a fellow azzurri fans over confident, I cringe
No one is overconfident, but we can't be chicken littles either. We are doing a lot of things right so far. Will Immobile's misses catch up with us? Will the lack of size in the middle do us in? Maybe. But, this team has a lot of fight and a very nice mix of skill too. We should all feel really good about where Gli Azzurri are right now. Mancini has built a strong team to content at these Euros and clearly next year's WC too.
Milan Baros at Euro 2004 anyone? I like Schick, just didn't work at Roma he was soooo good at Samp. Though same, Belgium were insanely negative against Portugal, but two bad Jota misses, a header straight at Courtois, a Guerreiro post strike and Rui Patricio beaten by the flight, better team out. Beat what is in front of you at this Euros. The so-called lesser lights and punching back. I'd like to see Chiesa come off the bench but earlier. I think the Belgian left side is extremely weak defensively (was with Eden Hazard but probably Carrasco back and he runs well), but Thorgan Hazard is not a defensive minded player and none of the Belgian CBs are anywhere near their prime. Punish Witsel, our midfield need to work him, coming of a major injury and he holds together the house of cards that is the Belgian defence. PREACH. Italy's group was soft. To see the Swiss deserve their win today (aside from 15-20 minutes in the 2nd half), the Swiss were unquestionably the better side. Xhaka will get a lot praise, but Atalanta's Freuler should too. Kante didn't dominate them by any stretch. Really, really good. Up there with the Brazil-Germany semifinal on 2014 (I enjoyed the lesson in humility for the Brazilians).
I can see The Swiss giving Spain nsome fits on Friday there manager is a excellent tactician. Those were some awesome games today The Spain Croatia game kind of reminded me of Italy v Germany 1970 World Cup , Tommorow I want to see Germany give England a little lesson in Humilty (Which will never happen cause England will just come up with some excuse ) . its been a great tournament and hoping Italy will continue with success in this tournament and in future tournaments. As far as Belguim I love there team and the way they play Plus its hard to hate on a country like Belguim who are brilliant in my two loves Soccer, and cycling, and at the same time any country were there main economical pursuit is trying to make beer and chocolate taste better souds like a cool place to me
can anyone tell me is Chiellini going to be fit for Friday? Last time he was out and we conceed a goal end our streak.
As good as the Swiss were yesterday, I really don't see them getting anything from Spain. It will probably be a game that will look like our 3-0 victory in Rome.
The Belgium game takes on even more importance. Were we to beat Belgium (which I think we will), who in this tournament could more fairly be considered the favorites than us? I'm starting to believe we have a real chance.
I guess you feel a soft team knocked out the world champions then? Hungary another soft team to take on a few giants, and Denmark probably going to the semi's. Margins are narrow. Best not to write off any team. I understand from a relative in Switzerland that the French were already talking about Spain. Everyone remembers Vieira's comments. They stopped playing after the third goal. All mistakes. Don't under estimate or over estimate anyone is the lesson here. The game isn't played on paper. A bunch of so called world class players were sent packing by a team who didn't stop, even after being deflated by 3 goals. Big lesson here. Switzerland has grown in huge confidence over their first game when they say on a 1 goal lead. They know that if they attack teams they can create chances. Spain's defense is not better than France's. I doubt Switzerland is going to bunker. They'll seek goals and they'll get some. It's a different team than we played at this point. They'll miss Xhaka, but their team unity has definitely improved, and they believe in themselves now. They'll have to shut down Morata but anyone who plays him physically can frustrate him and they have defenders that can do this.
OMG...England actually won. I can't believe Muller missed that goal to draw even. Get ready to hear a ton of ball washing now from the English media.
Them and France...the most arrogant teams in the world. I'm happy England won. Mainly because I'd love an Italia/England final where we kick their ass.
I’m really feeling it. I have a strong feeling that we will smash Belgium 5-0. We haven’t had a thrashing in a game expected to be very close and competitive for a while and I feel that we’re due for one. So many crazy things have already happened in this tournament and you just get the feeling that there’s at least one big thing still to come, possibly more. In 2014, Brazil were World Cup favorites coming in especially as the hosts. Prior to Brazil vs Germany (Neymar and Silva were out of the game). People fancied Germany after that but still expected a close game. Nobody saw Germany winning 7-1. I just see a DeJavu here. Belgium were one of the favorites coming in and still are kind of but Hazard and DeBruyne are likely out of the game.
I think Belgium are slight favorites for this one. Belgium may be sweating de Bruyne's and Hazard's fitness, but Mertens will finally get chance to step out of their shadows. He may be old, but he knows Italy and Italy knows him. It's like Zenga told Maradona before the 1990 shoot-out, "careful, I know you," and Maradona said back, "I know you better." It would be good for Mertens to get this chance because he deserves it. He doesn't get them often. An important battle will be Lukaku v Chiellini. I think Italy really need Chiellini to contain him. He's very good Lukaku at being a wrecking ball to most defenses. Without Chiellini, I think Italy will be in deep trouble, worse than was the case with Austria. After this game, Chiellini can retire in peace and pieces if he must. Spain and England won't be a threat to Italy's defense, not with a misfiring Morata and a broken Kane. Mancini can feed them to Bastoni if he wants. In a lot of areas of the pitch it looks like both teams cancel each other out. The only thing is Belgium are bit more experienced as a team. Italy really haven't been tested enough under Mancini. When you don't lose, you can't see the faults in the team. There are imbalances that don't become obvious until you get tested. Some of that was seen against Austria. Before that game, I don't think many could have imagined Italy's midfield getting dominated physically like they were. It's hard to know what you're made of until you get tested. This is isn't like the 2006 team that did it all. Most of those players were UCL winners/finalist. They won UEFA cups when it was a proper comp. They played in the Euro 2000 final. Not many of those guys rattling around in this Italy team, but there are four of them by my count. The opposite is true of the Belgians. They're more experienced as a team. Even in games where things start running away from them, they can turn the tide and win. We've seen that already this tournament against Denmark. We know what Belgium are made of, what's this Italy made of?