I thought I saw something about it but haven't read much about the Nations League. Supposedly the Euro will be tied to it..
My whole point is that Belotti and Immobile would/should make the 2006 squad over Gilardino and Iaquinta (and are better center forwards). Go back and read my posts. I never compared them to far superior players like Totti or Del Piero, who are not number 9's anyway (not even the more apt Inzaghi and Toni)...I'm not crazy Falvo. You've moved the goalposts in this argument. And Vieri was done by 2006...
I didn't move anything. You posted I'm always the one who thinks players were better once upon a time but I absolutely think they were better back then.. I followed Lippi closely during those years and know exactly who he will have chosen. There are only so many forward spots you can choose and its usually 5 or 6 offensive players per squad and I still don't believe today's Belotti will have made that roster. Luca Toni had scored 50 goals for Palermo , Francesco Totti was never going to be left at home and absolutely had to go. He even showed up at his hospital bed and said "you are going to the WC even on one leg". Alberto Gilardino at that point was a proven goalscorer and was elected the Serie A's top young player in 2004 and the player of the year in 2005 of course he will have been picked. Regardless of whatever anyone says, Lippi loved Vincenzo Iaquinta as well as Alessandro DelPiero and he was never going to leave either of them off the roster. The toss up back then was between Vieri and Inzaghi and he didn't want to pick Pippo because he was sleeping with his (the CT's) daughter Stefania. Vieri will have been picked but he was injured and couldn't play so he had no choice but to pick Super Pippo.
No matter what happens tomorrow ( I think Italy will barely win ) There needs to be a huge overhaul in Italian football I am sick and tired of guys like Tavechio , and Galliiani, and Ventura ruining the game over there With there Old world Berlosconi type arrogance. I saw it here in Canada in Hockey and we made some changes . Mind you I am seeing some of the crap that almost ruined Hockey here in Canada creeping back again . Germany and France had to make changes and look at them it them a few years but they have been successful . It is going to take some really big adjustments but I am sure they can do it
They need to win 2-0 or 3-1 to qualify. If its 2-1, they are out. Bottom line, can this team score two more goals that Sweden in a match?
ok I am making detailed match predictions for tomorrow. We will win this game 2-0. Sweden will play similarly like they did last game, but a little more defensively and cut back a little on the high pressing and press just in their own box. We will control possession and keep looking for crosses. The Swedes will defend pretty well at first, but around the 33rd min, their defense will start to get frustrated and will give us a penalty either by a push or a handball. Someone on our team will convert the penalty. In the beginning of the second half, Sweden will start a little brighter and we will be under pressure for the first 7 min before we settle in again. We will keep providing crosses, and Immobile will convert a second goal sometime around the 70th min. Then Sweden will start to push more and we will defend but still press in the midfield. Final Whistle blows it will be 2-0 (2-1 on aggregate) which will send us to Russia.
There is no doubt that the Italian players were better then. They won the WC. This can't be debated! Still, this version of Italy shouldn't .
Oddschecker now (as of 9pm est) has us at exactly 50% chance to qualify, way better than espn 38%. Some of the bookmakers actualy have us slight favorites: bet365, betstars, 10bet, and 4 others. William Hill and 4 others have us as 50% and 8 has sweden. This makes us at 50% chance of qualification !! Probably could sleep better now
I say yes. it will come down to the wire but Yes. I do not see a loss or tie. we will win but by how much
I think we're going to draw 0-0 and not make it, we're just a very uninspiring squad, tons and tons of long balls and no creativity or hunger to win. I really hope i'm wrong but i don't see us advancing.
Of course that generation of Italians were way better than today. They won the WC! That ends any debate. Still, this version of Italy shouldn't be in this position. After Conte there was so much optimism. They dominated Belgium and Spain and brought the WC champions to PKs. Also factor in this young generation has done well for club and for the under 23/21 international cups. Ventura and the organization are to blame for this mismanagement.
I like to see More Italians playing for the big clubs Look with all the foreign talent that some clubs like Roma Milan and Inter have brought in they have not done that great in Europe
There is a better selection of Italian players today compared to under Conte just two years ago. This team nearly eliminating Germany a few months back. The number of foreigners in Serie A hasn't spiked recently. Plus if I'm running a Serie A club, I'd rather select Higuain and Dybala over Belotti and Immobile.
Higuain and Dybala will always play whether there is a limit or not. It can't help continuous depth though when you only have three Italians playing and starting weekley on top clubs. A few weeks back in a game between Roma and someone else (can't remember who) I saw only 3 Italians out of 22 starting players for both teams. Of course the national team will suffer when you have that low amount of players starting in league matches.
Well a win by one goal that is not 1-0 will not send us there. Must be 1-0 and then penalties or at least by 2 goals. 2-0 might be a good bet.
You know I was just thinking more about the rumor of starting Gabbiadini behind Immobile. It wouldn't be a bad idea actually. While Gabbs might not be in his best form at the moment he can really create stuff in little spaces and it will give us creativity closer to goal. Belotti-Immobile are both good players but they are both finishers so playing them together does not work that well. But with Gabbiadini he has more creativity. I have seen him create stuff himself in previous games and has almost broken the deadlock a few times. He also found the back of the net twice for us before. He probably should have gotten more playing time in the past. Its definitely worth a try considering the options we have. He is also a big and strong player which is something we need up front.
This should crush Sweden ( 3-3-3-1) Buffon---Barzagli-Bonucci-Chiellini---Florenzi-Jorginho-Darmian---El Shaarawy-Bernardeschi-Insigne---Immobile
Ventura rivoluziona l'Italia? Dentro Florenzi e Jorginho Gabbiadini per Belotti Il c.t. contro la Svezia confermerebbe il 3-5-2 lasciando ancora fuori Insigne ... Gasport 12 nov 17 - 20:09 Gian Piero Ventura, 69 anni. Lapresse
This worries me: History: France 1938 - CHAMPIONS Brazil 1950 - Group stage Switzerland 1954 - Group stage Sweden 1958 - Did not qualify Germany 2006 - CHAMPIONS South Africa 2010 - Group Stage Brazil 2014 - Group Stage Russia 2018 - Hopefully it does not repeat.