I still think this England team will be a tough nut to crack. I don’t think the current 4-3-3 is necessarily the key to beating them. Insigne and Chiesa will have trouble vs Walker/ Shaw. If Immobile couldn’t get anything from Spain, I find it difficult to see him doing much against Maguire/ Stones. The true battle will be in the midfield. Their mid is robust and very good at closing the spaces. No doubt Southgate will studying the Austria game. Defensively, I’m confident in Bonucci/ Chiellini’s ability to handle Kane. The issue is Sterling who is a menace not only for his speed but now we see he’s completely able to invent a penalty and the refs are willing to give it. On their end, Southgate has showed that he’s willing to adapt to his opponent from the first minute. I’m not saying we can’t beat them, but Mancini needs to be capable of cooking a surprise. He cannot let Southgate get the drop on him
I definitely agree with those that think the battle will be won in midfield. Like most matches between teams at this level, those that control the middle of the park will often dictate the tempo of the game, create more clear cut chances, and score more goals. In truth, I think Italy matches up well against this English side. The English attackers will be a handful on the counter, but I fully expect Italy to boss the midfield and maintain a majority of possession. What they do with that possession remains to be seen. Turnovers with men committed forward will spell danger. In my opinion, Pickford appears to be the weakest link for England. For all of the talk about him being better than Pope with his feet, he has looked suspect in possession and a complete liability playing balls out from the back. A bit of pressure from the attackers and Italy could find themselves with a few opportunities that are created from balls recuperated high up the pitch. Aside from that though, Pickford hasn’t looked all that comfortable. I think the one goal conceded all tournament is flattering. I’m not sure if he feels the need to constantly go for the spectacular save because he knows the cameras are on him or if he just isn’t that secure in his footwork. Either way, I think Italy should test him every chance they get.
Italy v England final two of the biigest Soccer countries in Europe , two countries with a lot to prove . between the two countries I think I think Italy needs this more lets face it I think the Calciopoli scandal is still haunting them and at the same time Italian Soccer has been in the doldrums especially at the club level when competing in Europe , and wouldnt it be great if they knock off the nation that has been really trash talking them for years , especially at there home field. I know one thing Most of Europe will be supporting Italy before the Brexit boys. This is a great oppurtunity for redemption I think Forza Italia
As an England fan interesting to read Italian perspective on this game. I have been very impressed with Italy and my fear is your midfield 3 of barella, jorginho and varatti could outpass us in the middle of the pitch. I know England fans always get painted as being arrogant but all my friend group have been very pessimistic this tournament about our chances mainly as we thought Southgate was too negative. However we have had to concede he has got it right so far and I see this being a very tight game. My boss at work is Scottish of Italian descent so will dread going into work on Monday if we lose! I do think where we have the advantage is pace, if we can isolate your centre backs it could be the key
I had a chat with a friend of mine from Manchester yesterday who is on the moon. He told me “this is my first final!” And it made me realize that this is my 5th. So far I’m 1/4 since 1994. What I’m getting at is that old expression: “Sometimes you need to eat shit to appreciate the taste of chocolate”
Maybe I'm over thinking it but I don't trust England. The whole thing with them making the final playing 6 out of 7 games at home certainly gave them an advantage and seems kind of setup and fixed. The EPL, sponsorships, English language and TV and all the money dictated and programmed England in the final and I don't know if it’s true or not but it sure seems setup to me.
Who knows. The penalty yesterday was so bizarre. Two balls on the field while it happens and the ref refuses to even look at the VAR for an obvious dive. Everything has lined up for the English even off the field. Favourable bracket, hosting format, banning of travelling fans etc. It will be that much sweeter if we win
You definitely win with pk’s! I can't recall but has Italy had a pk in the field of play in this tournament?
The reason why England have got majority of the games at Wembley is because Ireland were meant to host 3 of these matches which they eventually couldn't because of covid outbreak hence England got the games.
I'm pretty sure they will have had won playing in either Ireland or Scotland as well. Regardless of the reasons, they still had the advantage playing at home.
My wife is English. She hates football, but even she wants England to win. Luckily I have raised my three boys well and they are diehard Azzurri fans. This is my sixth final. I was 8 when Italy won in 1982 and I certainly didn't appreciate that until later years. As you get older, you realize these opportunities are quite rare. For the English, this is once-in-a-lifetime stuff. Wembley will be rocking, cheering, whistling, and jeering come Sunday. I have a feeling a few Italians in London will manage to sneak their way in though. FORZA AZZURRI!!
Yeah from what I heard on Rai, they didn't let anyone living outside England into the previous games.... I'm sure that will be an even bigger advantage. Heck even after 31 years, the Italia 90 Argentina -Italy semifinal in Napoli there are still those who view the game as a setup for Maradona's Albiceleste.
Games could have easily been spread out to other countries, the fact that they all went to Wembley is shady.
It has to do with the English langauge , TV, Sponsors , Money and of course wanting the EPL to dominate the world! “The Empire on which the sun never sets”....
This will be the fifth time in recent memory that Italy will go into the "mouth of the lion". Big tournament matches vs. the hosts in very hostile stadiums Italy is usually good playing away in front of hostile home crowds. pic.twitter.com/wXxn1c9oqN— Francesco (@FRANCESCalciO_) July 7, 2021 Not just the battles of Dortmund or Amsterdam, but also vs. France in 1998 in Paris and who can forget 2002 vs. South Korea.
I was there at 2006 semi final at westfalenstadion against you boys when Grosso broke our hearts, still hurts, we were so near to penalties.
Also travelling has effected other teams, not easy to move around without having to have a settled base in one place.
Playing in Ireland though with or without Covid, England will still have had an advantage as fans will have flocked across the water. I don't see how they wouldn't be a step ahead.
I really hope Mancini sticks to his guns and approaches the Final the same way we have approached the vast majority of games during his tenure, playing open, attacking football and without fear. I have never enjoyed watching the National Team as much as this past tournament with the mindset that we are going to impose our style of play on the adversary, rather than the typical pragmatic, cautious approach we have seen all our lives from Italy. I was concerned with the way we played Spain and I hope that game was just a blip on the radar.
Ciao a tutti! does anyone live in Chicago and know of a good bar to watch the final? I’m new in town and would love to watch the final with other azzurri fans. Cheers!
We need a Bobo Vieri style player in our squad So many striker options in the 90's and mid 00's and now we have nothing.