For me this is the other best team in the tournament so far. Both The Azzurri and Belgium come into this quarter final matchup taking a maximum of 4 wins out of the 4 games played. We all know the attacking pedigree they have... Lukaku coming off a great year at Inter... "Ciro" Mertens who can turn up and bang one in out of nowhere.. etc etc etc. But we are Italia and they have a lot to worry about as well. Let's hope for some more Chiesa magic!
Absolutely devastated that I’ll be working during this match. Going to turn my phone off to avoid any spoilers. Forza Azzurri!!!
Wear some headphones driving home because there will be a lot of honking.. Forza Azzurri let's gooo!!
Hazard and De Bruyne will miss quarter-final but should return after - Martinez https://theathletic.com/news/eden-hazard-kevin-de-bruyne-injury/DXz5PRBoJ3HV
But they have Lukaku, still a threat. Anyways, England got through Germany because they were playing the "defense" soccer style like us. Perhaps we should play more on the defensive side against Belgium?
This will be Mancini's first real tactical battle. The Belgians unlike the Austrians won't have a plan to contain and harass our mids. Like in the Portugal game they let the opponent have the ball. Their back 3 were very solid. I find it difficult to imagine our front 3 having an easy time even if Chiesa starts. With the current formation, I can see it being a stalemate with one mistake being the decider. OR Mancini can completely flip the script and say to Martinez "you know what, you guys are so good, you can have the ball all you want" and play a counter attacking 3-5-2 from minute one. I wouldn't hate it at all and it would catch them by surprise. Something like this However I don't think Mancini will betray the style that Italy have been running with since he took over. He might choose to switch to a 3-5-2 depending on how the game is being played out.
i dont see us changing our formation. at the most.. i can see him starting Toloi at "RB" to form a makeshift back 3.. but Di Lorenzo has played well enough defensively that I think he'll roll with him. we will control the ball and the midfield with a 4-3-3. We will press and Chiellini will be all over Lukaku to neutralize him (as much as possible.. he is a fantastic and physical striker).
Belgium has talent, but without those two, especially missing KDB to link up their plays on attack, this is a match that a loss is inexcusable IMHO.
Italy vs Belgium I wouldn't be surprised if this goes the full 120 minutes and then goes to penalties
I wouldn't be surprised with anything, since we've seen it all since '82. Still, I don't want to hear any excuses if they lose Friday.
i dont think either side would have any shame being knocked out on Friday. Like i said.. these are the two best teams of the tournament.. a sort of an early final. Having said that.. i'm confident and do believe we will go through.
I've thought about this too. Belgium was able to withstand the Portuguese onslaught in the second half and play a solid defensive game. Its super important for Italy to convert in the first half. Italy should come out guns blazing and get a goal off the bat. We can't make the same mistake as Portugal and sit back to only try when they're down a goal. With KDB and Hazard out, this is an absolute gift for Italy to make it through to the semis. Lets hope they take advantage of it.
Mancini is going to start with Veratti even thought Locatelli is a better choice for this team. That said, the game is going to have more uncertainty with Italy dominating on the left and Belgium plays counter attack with Lukaku running on Chiellini and Bonucci. If Locatelli starts, the game will be balanced for both sides and Italy has better chance to score and win.
The ref Slavko Vincic ?was arrested on a prostitution and drug raid last year. https://www.google.com/amp/s/new.in-24.com/sport/News/amp/44121
It's a shame that one of these teams will be knocked out semi-early in this stage. I guess the same can be said about other teams as well, this whole format is broken, once again just like the last Euro there's a ton of heavy weights on one side of the bracket.
Sometimes as a manager you can overthink things. The idea of keeping Chiesa on the bench in order to use his speed to attack a slower Belgium back line sounds nice. But, in the end, what maximizes our chances of winning? Playing Chiesa the last 20 minutes or playing him for 90? His speed will constantly terrorize the Belgium wing and keep them in apprehension the whole time. It's the quarterfinals...sometimes you just have to lay your Ace down. As for Verratti, he may rise to the occasion. But, if he messes around with the ball, two bad things can happen. First, he turns it over and Lukaku has tons of space on the counter. Second, he slows play down giving Belgium's slower D time to organize. I think this is a game better suited for Locatelli. Finally on defense, if Chiellini is healthy, I think he has to play. His physicality against Lukaku will be very important. BUT...he's got to be healthy. FORZA AZZURRI
Not super shocking but I think Chiellini and Chiesa are going to get the nod tomorrow. I’d be surprised if Verratti or Barella get replaced. For better or for worse, Bobby is gonna ride the horses that got him here.
They’re saying De Bruyne might make it while Hazard most likely will miss the game. Mancini on the other hand is keeping his cards close to his chest. Still unknown whether Chiellini, Chiesa, Locatelli/Verratti will start
Today is game day for the Italians but I wonder what kind of lineup Mancini will put out? Who would be in your starting XI for this game? My Italy XI (4-3-3) would consist of: GK- Donnarumma LB- Spinazzola CB- Bastoni CB- Acerbi RB- Di Lorenzo CDM- Jorginho LCM- Locatelli RCM- Barella LW- Insigne CF- Immobile RW- Chiesa This would just be my XI
I'm hearing Chiellini and Chiesa will start. Looks like Verratti gets the nod in midfield. KDB will make it for Belgium so that is huge for them. He's going to be a real pain and our central midfielders have to be ready to help on D. One thing about Mancini is that he sure isn't afraid. He's going out there with a very offensive lineup. It doesn't look on paper like a defend and counter team. Although Immobile and Chiesa have the pace to hit Belgium hard on a counter if they have to.