Ndour looks like Tarzan but plays more like Jane. He's got the physical tools but I don't think he has the feet or sense of the game.
Diciamo che io lo ritengo più una mezz'ala di quantità che di qualità, la sua caratteristica migliore è la potenza fisica, i piedi sono discreti inoltre ha un discreto tiro da fuori, deve migliorare nelle scelte , insomma può diventare un buon centrocampista da interdizione, ma di sicuro non è un giocatore in grado di cambiarti le partite da solo I'd say I see him more as a quantity-over-quality box-to-box midfielder. His strongest attribute is his physicality; he has decent footwork and a respectable long-range shot. He needs to refine his decision-making. Ultimately, he has the potential to develop into a solid holding midfielder, but he's definitely not a game-changer on his own.
Casadei starts. Koleosho who was MOTM the other night has been sent to the bench. Coppola also gets the start
I do not get the fascination with Ndour...we have better mids on the bench but I guess they are obsessed with his size. He's never impressed me.
Beh me l'aspettavo anche perchè dato che non abbiamo un 1 punta di peso serve qualcuno che possa inserirsi per il colpo di testa
The Slovaks are pressing us very hard and we aren’t keeping possession well like the first game. Counters are also weak
Italy U21 going to try to defend this lead for 88 minutes? Slovakia has too much of the ball for my liking.
1-0 HT Not a nice game by no means. Lots of fouls. It was very tight for a good half hour but now it looks like it’s starting to open up a bit. Casadei scored a nice one but this lineup doesn’t inspire me much. I would like see Ambrosino for Gnonto in the second.
I understand Slovakia are the Host nation and want to perform well but I was disappointed in what I saw from Italy. How important is 1st Place and what is their preference in the Knockout Match? Both Italy and Spain have advanced while Slovakia and Romania eliminated. IMO, should sit the players on Bookings.
No idea who we would draw but it’s 4 groups. So whether we finish 1st or second we are guaranteed a tough quarterfinal.
The Spanish also struggled with both Slovakia and Romania, but I am disappointed with this team nonetheless. We have a big difficulty creating play that leads to scoring opportunities. Our counters are also weak. Gnonto running around playing false 9 just isn’t working. He would be better off playing as an external winger. If there is anything working is that defensively we have kept a clean sheet. Desplanches is standing on his head.
Desplanches is quality IMO and always puts in a good performance with the shirt. Had that game tying save in the closing minutes. The back line of Coppola and Pirola was excellent. Zanotti put in a great performance as well especially defensively. You cannot tell me he can't get Serie A miniutes...its laughable. Casadei with a moment of brilliance to give us the win, but all in all Slovakia was the better team. If they could have tightened up the final third they would have scored a few for sure. As above Gnoto as the 9 doesn't work on a pressing team...you need a big target as the outlet and Gmoto was just unable to get those blasts when beating the press. Kind of think we just rest everyone and shoot for the knockouts. We are playing Germany or England it is not like either of them will be easy
Couldn’t watch but from a bird’s eye view, we have secured 6 points and we are now through. In the name of Lord Allegri, it’s a bit refreshing to see Italia won two consecutive 1-0 results. Now we see how we handle Spain.
Again remember I could not watch today. But for me, there is a Ballack type quality in Casadei. His style of play may not always be graceful, but he has that nose to be involved about him.
I agree the defense has been very solid. Coppola and Pirola looked good. Why is Pirola playing in Greece and Zanotti in Switzerland? Why is Desplanches in Serie B? This is more BS from Italian clubs. The problem with this team is that it is missing a center forward as others indicated and it has too many physical midfielders and not enough great feet in the midfield. Casadei, Ndour, and Prati are going to be good filtri and win balls, but they aren't going to control possession and so our D will be forced to absorb and absorb. Ndour in particular just doesn't look good. He basically is all SIZE, but he lacks change of direction and he lacks skill. Slovakia was torching him on their right side all second half. Koleosho has impressed me as well. Very good pace and shiftiness but still good skill. He's a real asset and should be signed by a Serie A club asap. We better pray Baldanzi is ok because without that bit of fantasia in the midfield, we will lack creativity going forward.
You are 100% right...before this torunament i was sure we would win but without a legit target man like Pio i feel we will go out in the quarters or semis if we are lucky. Totally agree on Ndour and said as much...imo he has no business in this squad and is easily replaceable. Someone like Volpato would have been far more valuable. Something like Casadei - Bianco - Prati would give a bit more balance.
Coppola has a stupid turnover in this one. Not the least bit impressed today by anybody. Another observation... you can see how the Italian players are used to the whistle-happy officiating in the Italian game as often they would be surprised that there was no foul call.
I have no idea how Ndour won MOTM and not Desplanches. But I also didn’t think Ndour was the worst one on the field. I don’t like our midfield at all. Fabbian is not in the right position IMO. Also Ruggeri has plenty of running but the end result is always an over hit cross or misplaced pass. Whatever quality Gnonto has is being completely wasted in his current role. Someone like him needs the flank to cause trouble. The only positive IMO is the defence. Pirola has been the unsung hero for this team. Overall I’m disappointed in these two games. Not because of the results, but because I thought this team was capable of a better football.