Since everybody seems a bit shy about creating the thread I went ahead and did it lol Congratz now that we're in the freaking FINAL!!! Even though Italy is a huge football nation we were definitely the dark horses of this tournament compared to the other favorites, even I was skeptical because we don't exactly have the best players in every position on paper (except for a few of course e.g Pirlo) and our road up to this point wasn't the brightest, but boy did the Azzurri prove us wrong, they're showing the world what it means to PLAY AS A TEAM! So, it's against Spain Again, I used to respect them, but their God awful boring play style changed my mind, I would really really hate it to see us losing to them, most people agree that the winner of our semi final match deserves the whole thing. Most of us didn't witness an Azzurri Euro win ever considering it has been around 45 years since Italy's last and only win, this will be a very special, historic moment and truly a dream becoming true if Italy managed to pull it off, stars like Buffon deserve this trophy so they'd finally accomplish and win every single thing football has to offer! As for the match, we already played Spain before, here's what I think: - I think Prandelli would go with a 4-3-1-2 again with Montolivo behind the strikers, the chemistry has been great between all of those players. Spain floods the midfield though so maybe he will resort to 5 men there again to gain more possession? De Rossi has been ROCK SOLID in the midfield so I don't see him going back in a 3-5-2 system anytime soon, unless he plays Cheilleni/Bonucci/Barzagli in the back. - A very good difference between now and our first match is the fullbacks, Abate and Balzaretti have been doing A LOT better than Maggio/Giaccherini. The team overall has been doing better after every match. - Super Mario will have a lot more confidence in this match, we all saw what a Golden opportunity he lost in the first match, but he was new to the atmosphere/pressure and got used to it by now, the guy's hungry as hell! - I'm not aware of any injuries, unless Abate still won't make it for the final. - 2 days rest sure sucks, hope they can all suck it up for 1 more match and write history! FORZA AZZURRI!
4-3-1-2 has been working really well for us, no reason to change anything. Regardless if we flood the midfield, Spain will still dominate possession as usual but that doesn't mean anything as we've all seen. I'm worried about our fitness levels, wise choice by Prandelli to take Cassano and Balo out early so they can get more rest but 2 days off really isn't much. I thought Pirlo would run out of gas real quick during the Germany match, man was i wrong!
3-5-2 with the juventus back 3 and de Rossi in his more natural position could be interesting. The pure center bcks should do better at dealing with the movement of strikers and de Rossi is an upgrade over Motta in midfield. The only question will be if prandelli has confidence in balzaretti to be a wing back. Abate was a converted right winger, so he should be alright on the right. It would allow a spare man at the back against the striker (I doubt they play with 6 mids against us again) and the wing backs can make their fullbacks I particular alba reluctant to go forward. Balotelli's pace should also keep the Spain line from playing quite so high.
unbelievable...I totally believe we can do this...after taking out the germans, our confidence must be sky high, especially Balo's....I'm gonna puke from now until Sunday... FORZA ITALIA!
yes, it's time to kick some spanish asses. no six year world domination for spain...... cause if they win the third tournament in a row, its a record for centuries, unbeatable.
I remember a time the italians were called boring, cheating divers, now it seems spain has taken that title from italy. Do you guys feel a bit odd being cheered on by past enemies? When I said before the euros germany was no threat, and spain would beat them easily, and that i felt only italy could challenge us, everyone scoffed, especially the germans. I was right, italy spain final, it's what I wanted. I did not want spain to defeat germany again in the final, while great, it's not as prestigious as defeating italy in a final. I looked up italy's wc record, it seems that they've only lost twice in 90 minutes in the knockout rounds, the rest of the losses were all pk's. Only france and brazil have managed to do that, very impressive. May we have a classic footballing masterpiece.
From what I remember, Italy played Spain pretty well a few weeks ago. Since them they've improved with each passing game. Spain though is are no pushovers and I'm sure they will be prepared for Italy.
Since noone answered me on the last thread, i'll try one more time. Traveling with friends and family from Rochester, NY to Little Italy, Toronto for the match Sunday. Does anyone know if the game will be shown outside in the street square? I have never been there so forgive my ignorance. I see all the youtube clips of the celebrations but where are the matches being watched? At various bars/cafes indoors?
My cousins in Niagara Falls Ontario said they will be showing it and closing off the streets but not sure as I've never been there.....
Just listened to Prandelli give an interview on RadioRadio and he said we will not be afraid of Spain. He also said tactically Italy has improved since their last encounter as he oversees training sessions each day and has put together a team. The radio announcers are thinking Prandelli will quit after the Euros.....
elvesuvio can you help this guy out? I'm not Toronto expert, but i'm sure there are plenty of bars and cafe's on st.claires for you.
They are not allowed to close off the streets unless they have to after the game. There is no official festival to allow them to do so. The games are shown within the various restaurants along the street and many have large screens outside on the patio. You need to get there early as I don't think any restaurants will take reservations unless you are willing to give them your credit card. Cafe Diplomatico is one of the biggest places on College and you will probably be on TV too http://cafediplomatico.ca/ Bar Italia is good too . http://www.bar-italia.ca/ But that whole strip is full of places to watch the games. Another option is Corso Italia which is another "little Italy' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corso_Italia_(Toronto) If you want space and more freedom then go to the suburb of Woodbridge. Many places to watch the game and lots of FREE parking. If Italy wins then there will be a party and to a larger scale too.
when your in toronto just go watch the game at any bar around dufferin and st Clair . 95% of the bars there are Italian bars. its probably the best area to watch the game. dufferin & st clair after italy won the world cup in 2006
This game is taking place in bizzaro world. If you would have told me two years ago after the world cup that - Italy would make it to the final vs. Spain at Euro2012 - Italy playing a very good football - Spain playing a very boring negative possession football - Italy winning the hearts and minds of the neutrals, experts and pundits I would have punched you in the face
i know its 1 game early. but are you stratify with the core of this team heading into world cup 2014 ? or do we still need to make some big changes ? just serious.
i can easily see those racist Ukrainian fans getting under balo's skin. you know they saw all the pic's and highlights of what he did against Germany. you know a lot of those racist losers there look up to their Austrian/ German daddy hitler... they will be out if full force on Sunday. monkey chants, throwing bananas , the whole 9. expect it.
NO....I think the football world is sick about hearing how great Spain is and watching their boring style of play. Ukrainian fans were all over Spain every time they passed more than twice against Portugal. As a matter of fact, I think it dictated their play.