Italia v Spagna... what more could you want from a semifinal. They play similar to us.. and like us have questions in consistency from their strikers. But we have Lorenzo Magnifico... i'd love to see him score O' Tir a Gir for the 2nd consecutive match. Don't expect too many changes from the lineup. Immobile despite disappointing the last few games should still get the start as he is more suited to play teams that give him space as Spain will surely afford him (compared to Austria / Belgium play styles). Only change will be likely Emerson Palmieri coming in for the injured Spinazzola. Yes he does not have the same engine and characteristics as Spina... but he was the starting LB for most of Mancini's tenure with the Azzurri.. so he is no slouch either.
Emerson is a clear downgrade on Spinazzola though. Club loyalties aside, Immobile should never have been starting striker and his recent performances have been disgraceful. I would be bold and play Raspadori up front.
I like Raspadori and think he's got a bright future. But, it's hard to throw a guy with only a few minutes of Senior squad experience into starting during the Semifinals of a European Cup. I've been Immobile's biggest critic for years, and I prefer Belotti. However, against the Spanish back line, I do like Ciro's speed.
Yea I’m not buying the finals are set. The Spanish won’t be a cake walk. I’d put us as favourites but we must not disrespect our opponent and pretend like we are playing San Marino.
Italy vs. Spain is always a great battle (except for the Euro 2012 final that we should all have wiped from our memory). To me the victory of 2016 has been completely canceled by the beating they gave us in the WC qualifying. So the players should play with the mindset that this is a revenge game.
HISTORIC BATTLES: One of my favorites and one that is often overlooked by people is the 2008 quarter final. I believe that this has an important historical significance because it represents the precise moment where our style that won us the WC became antiquated, and the Spanish really took off with their ultra possession/ tikitaka. It was such a tense and even game that could have gone either way.
Can Alessandro Florenzi play on the left side in place of Spinazzola? Is he ambidestro like Panucci was?
No matter who comes in for Spinazzola he will not be on the same level. That guy was one of the best players in the tournament before his injury. Hopefully it doesn't effect your teams performance that much.
Sid Lowe had a good stream of old articles on his twitter account detailing the Spanish press’s hatred of Italian soccer: And sort of this too... https://t.co/YJIVRXcwP7— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) July 5, 2021 If we beat Spain tomorrow not just one the score sheet but by completely outplaying them, they will lose their minds
Really unsure about tomorrow's game, Spain is no joke and they are very unpredictable. Sometimes they play really bad and other times they are simply amazing so who knows what we'll get. I don't like playing the "favorites" guessing game unless it's a much lesser quality team. I have faith in Mancini and the boys so we should do well. Not a chance we'll see Raspadori, going to be the same line up except for Emerson and maybe Florenzi at some point.
I don't care how many goals they scored in the prior matches, Spain have not impressed me at all. It would be a big disappointment to go out against them as this Italy side have more quality and play better football than this edition of the Spanish side. This isn't the Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Ramos, etc. Spain side.
Spain is certainly capable of playing well. If their forwards start finishing, they are going to be incredibly tough to beat. We have to bring our A game tomorrow. No relaxation. No let up. I have a hard time believing that Mancini and Co. will be taking this game lightly. Some of these players remember WCQ very well from 2018. I have to think they'll be fired up.
Have a feeling this guy is going to have a big bounce back game tomorrow. Few shit games in a row.. and being ridiculed by the media.
I wish I shared your confidence but, again putting club loyalty aside, I think it is vrtually impossible.
Spain know they are the less talented team and underdogs going into this game. In order to conpensate, they will be giving everything they have mentally and physically, pressuring Italy and battling for ball possession early on in the game. Im sure they will be pressing hard for an early surprise goal. Italy need to match the intensity right off the bat and withstand the early pressure and stay focused..as the game progresses, I can see us taking more control over the game. Just need to maintain a clean sheet early on or it could be tough to get back in it.
I think Italy will beat Spain in normal time, and if you press England or Denmark non stop at a high intensity then there's no question you will beat either of them also in the final.
Chiesa will out run Jordi Alba and win a penalty with his quick feet. Immobile scores it as a winning goal and that's how he breaks the ice.