I didn't like the way Emerson played against Wales. I know that this is probably wishful thinking, but for the next two games I'd prefer a 3-5-2 formation: PS I was wrong too about Insigne. He had a huge game against Belgium.
That's a good idea, but let's face it: Mancini is not going to experiment anything new at this point in the tournament. Which is why I also think he's going to stick with a 4-3-3 with Emerson replacing Spinazzola. Perhaps he's going to start Florenzi on the right and ask him to push forward like Spina did on the left.
Barring additional injury, Mancini will start the same XI next match subbing Emerson for Spinazzola. He is predictable (in a good way). We have our way of playing. Let them adjust if they like.
Hope that thing has a delete button lol. They may very well make the final tho I think it'll be harder than they think.
I find it very difficult now to imagine Mancini making huge drastic changes. 3-5-2 without Spinazzola becomes difficult because Palmieri isn't that high wing back. I have no idea what a Florenzi in his place would even look like. If he really wants to make it work, he needs to sacrifice an attacking player in that position. Chiesa the most likely. Not Insigne because he hasn't played that deep since the days of Benitez and he doesn't have that speed he once did. The other option is playing Bernadeschi there ().
Hate to pile on Immobile but I'm going to do it anyway because I can't remember a NT player with this bad a performance (going back to the late 80s). Constantly losing the ball. Failure to control the ball at his feet. Turning into opponents like a pub league player. Work rate? We're going to give him work rate? Fine I guess. I can give the NT work rate. He had a tap in goal vs Turkey where his team mates did all of the work. His goal vs SUI was in garbage time, when many starters were resting. And it should have been saved (I agree with McManaman). I've seen nothing from him, nothing. PS - He hit the crossbar vs Austria, big deal. As a striker, he should have buried it. It was to the point where I didn't mind Immobile. Now I can't stand him.
Heartbroken for Spinazzola. We had Roberto Carlos on the Italian NT, and he was a joy to watch. Just sad.
Its not worth criticizing Immobile at this point. We dont have many other options. All it takes is one goal from him and he's a national hero. Lets see what happens next game.
As bad as Immobile has been, he has to start against a high line playing Spain. If ever there was a game he can utilize his strengths, this would be it.
Denmark get it done vs. the Czechs. Atalanta could sell either Gosens or Hateboer now and they would not skip a beat with Maehle. Very good player
England just thump Sweden 4-0 who here still confident that we can get pass England to lift the trophy?
I’m still confident. Ukraine was a very disappointing team to me. Let’s face it, a Netherlands team that’s mediocre at best beat them. Czechs beat the Dutch by 2-0. Austria beat Ukraine. I still can’t believe that Ukraine beat Sweden and highly believe that it was a huge fluke. 8/10 times, Sweden would’ve won. Anything can happen in a one off game.
Also, I’d bet money that Sweden would’ve gave England a better fight. I highly doubt that England would’ve beaten Sweden by 4 goals.
No matter what some think or dislike, England have a very strong team, including their bench. Southgate finally played Sancho, and Mount is back from isolation. I've watched them too many times not to see the quality. Only the belief was the major question mark going into this tourney. Problem for them now is they face a team with some other forces to "help" them along. Denmark also posses some quality wide players that will prove problematic for England. Should be a good matchup.
Ukraine's D was an abortion today. Their marking was some of the worst I've seen in years. Free headers left and right. I can't believe Sweden lost to that team. Denmark should give England a good fight, but there will be 60k in Wembley really pushing them on. It will be Eriksen motivation against the English home field advantage. Denmark is very good on the counter. England's backline has held up well but can they hold up to the quick counterattacking. We'll see. At the end of the day, let's worry about Spain. La Roja is always going to be a tough out. Those guys play for their shirt like it is war. I expect a great battle on Tuesday. FORZA AZZURRI!
England has fresh legs so far. One can either say they make the game looks easy or their opponents somehow fall apart for no reasons. On the other hand, Italy has to fight all the way through Austria, Belgium, and hopefully Spain to the final. Spain is an easier team to play compared to Belgium and France, but still a lot of runs are needed to pressure their back and midfield. I do believe Italy will beat Spain, but it's very likely that the players will be exhausted both mentally and physically after that. I hope Jorginho, Barella, and Chiellini can get some rests in the second half of the next game.
i don't buy the tired legs. We skated through the first round at home and most starters got the Wales game off. Austria was a long game but the team had good energy in extra time. Against Belgium the team looked energetic. We also have utilized 5 subs a lot and have had a deep bench. We should be one of the freshest teams left. Spain on the other hand has had back-to-back 120 min games.