Pretty much agree with all you say. De Rossi got caught out by Torres springing the offside trap. 3-5-2 leaves space behind for England's wingers to run into, and their wingers are quick. Corriere dello sport and Gazzetta are both saying we will play 4 at the back.
Soccerballer is actually trolling English fans by posing as a clueless, stereotypical, Daily Mail-reading English homer.
3-5-2 worked for 60 mins vs Spain because they play narrow, they attack through the middle rather than the flanks. In these Euros Spain attack through the centre more than any other team (36% of attacking moves). And a 3-5-2 works well here because you have the extra central defender. It worked well for 45 mins against Croatia because they were conservative and left Modric in front of the defenders rather than pushing him forward as a trequartista into the area that was occupied by Pirlo which was the tactic in their improved second half. For the 3-5-2 to work well its important to have enough players in midfield who are going to provide decisive balls to the forwards because if the ball is turned over it presents a golden opportunity for the opponent to find space down the flanks for wingers to run into. See Croatias 2nd half. Out of Motta/Pirlo/Giacch/Maggio/Marchisio only Pirlo is likely to reliably provide a defence splitting pass.
Got to say I'm getting incredibly geeked for this game. Can't wait till Sunday. I really hope Italy can win in 90 minutes but I'm feeling penalties are a real possibility. Also interested to read this morning that Prandelli is thinking of using back 4 (not 3) for the game.
Italy got through the qualifying campaign pretty comfortably playing with a back 4 formation. I think the impact that Cassano has on this side is understated. He was the leading scorer if I'm not mistaken in the qualifiers and our recent run of poor results in the months leading up to the tournament coincided with his absence.
Yea, not sure why people think Italy suck with 4 at back... worked damn well during Euro qualifiers. Won the World Cup with it... smh. I agree with your point on Cassano. The same could be said about the absence of Rossi too. You have to wonder how this team would have looked with him out there.
We played powerhouses like Slovenia and F.Islands. I wouldn't use that as a measuring stick. Nothing changes the fact that in 2 games vs. Spain and Croatia Italy played 3-5-2 and there were moments in that game where italy played their best football in 4 years
It's all about the here and now. A formation is chosen according to the talent available. Italy WC 2006 played a 4-4-1-1 because they had the players to play it. With the crop of players we have now, a 3-5-2 suits them perfectly.
I agree with those of you that don't like the 4-3-1-2. We haven't looked good at all with that formation. The last games we used it for extended periods were the friendly against Russia and against Ireland-hardly impressive. Based on what I read in Gazzetta, this is what we may see ----------------------------------------------BUFFON------------------------------------------------- ABATE------------------BARZAGLI------------------BONUCCI------------------BALZARETTI ------------------------DE ROSSI--------PIRLO-------MARCHISIO----------------------------- --------------------------------------NOC/MONT/MOTTA-------------------------------------------- ------------------------BALOTELLI---------------------------CASSANO------------------------------ Bonucci always scares me, especially in a four man back. I also don't like the idea of playing a "forced trequartista" in Motta or using a Montolivo, who has not been effective. And Pirlo/DDR in th MF together hasn't worked. Glad to see Balo from 1'. My concern with Prandelli is that he hasn't appeared to be able to make the tactical switches in game to get us playing better.
I think you want to flood the midfield vs. England. They're going to be targeting Pirlo so you have to give him Motta and Marchisio on his sides. England will use the wings to push forward and we'll stop that more effectively if we use Abate/Maggio - Balzaretti as wingbacks. And De Rossi as a center back was considered one of the best tactical moves of the tournament. He'll be going up against Rooney who isn't a giant like Carroll. Why abandon something that worked well for you already?
I see this as being a very tight game (which means it will probably end up 6-5), England don't take risks and Italy aren't going to force the issue against an opponent that is waiting to counter attack them. I can see it going all the way to the dreaded penalty shoot out. Ideally I would love to see Italy win 2-0, with both goals by Balotelli and Terry getting sent off.
Back 4 would work best. I know this will never happen probably because it hasn't been done in years and if Italy lose it would certainly cost Prandelli his job. I would consider benching Pirlo for this match or push him to the trequartista. De Rossi has been playing very well and his distribution and composure in the midfield has been excellent. Pirlo tends to make mistakes when harried by teams who are agressive like England and he does fade by the 70th. Start with: Abate-Barza-Bonucci-Balza Nocerino-De Rossi-Motta Marchisio Cassano-Balo You can sub a fresh Pirlo on in the 60th for Nocerino or Motta or have him start as a trequartista. In a match that has a decent chance to go to ET would you want Pirlo on for 120 minutes? Starting him at trequartista would be even more tiring so the bench is probably more ideal. Marchisio as the trequartista might work since he's a decent passer and has a very high work rate to get onto loose balls and make runs off of Cassano or Balo. Some food for thought even though Pirlo has been too important to this team to bench but I would personally consider it.
Listening to talksport. Announcers are upset that people are praising Portugal. They feel England are just as good as Portugal and Roy will certainly have a plan for C.Ronaldo in the final...
We played our worst soccer with a four man backline. Play with the 3-5-2!! Nocerino for Motta. Pirlo and De Rossi dont work well either.
Not necessarily, we sacrifice Pirlo's passing and so so defensive skills for a better runner with more defensive back bone and who would be better in the air. Obviously Pirlo's ability to unlock a defense , set the tempo and deliver free kicks is big, but I think the others can compensate somewhat and add more stamina and defensive backbone to the midfield. I do think Pirlo coming off the bench could change things drastically where he's fresh and all. But obviously we have been tied too much to him the past 6 years to have it anyother way.
We might want to try that in World Cup Qualifiers, I don`t think its a risk worth taking right now. I`m not saying its a bad idea but in a crucial game I don`t think its the best thing to try, especially if were playing that not so good 4-3-1-2
That stings, he's unspectacular but a real calming influence and is very tactically aware. Looks like Nocerino or Monto. Nocerino is probably better suited with his pace and high motor. Though Monto I thought looked pretty good vs Croatia and he is Prandelli's boy.
I agree, 3-5-2 is the way to go. There are reports that Prandelli is favoring a 4-3-1-2. If this is true,we could be in for a long game,and it could even go to penalties. A 3-5-2 will knock England out in the 1st half.