on the basis that Italy plays better against better opponents then yes, Italy can certainly beat Brazil but would never be favored to. The Italian team is well designed to absorb pressure and to hit clinically in counterattack. Adriano, Kaka and Dida play in Serie A so the intimidation factor to the italians isn't there - they play against these guys every week. they will respect them but not fear them. They have Dida we have Buffon. They have Kaka we have Totti They have Ronaldinho - we have Pirlo They have Adriano - we have Gilardino They have Carlos - we have Zambrotta We have Nesta - they have???? They have Ronaldo - we have???? Italia can trump Brazil (although Brazil and Argentina deserve to be the favs) http://www.delucasoccerblog.blogspot.com
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How so, troll? I just responded to all the nonsense you posted and that is the best you can do? Also, I noted that you were not courageous enough to list the teams you support under your name like nearly everyone else on these boards does. Would you be so kind as to at least notify us about your squads? Sometimes the squads one supports helps us put things in context.
Unlike you I needn't resort to name-calling. I can think of a million more things in life more courageous than posting which club/NT's I support. For the record, My favourite league to watch is Serie A, and I only support Inter Milan. With regards to NT's, I support Brazil, but I respect Brazil's opposition whomever they may be.
Did you expect to be greeted with niceties when you come on the Italian boards and lambast the NT and the posters about our "arrogant attitudes"? Further, your post was completely out of context and irrelevant. Oh and regarding your teams . . . Brazil and Inter. You're one of those. Funny enough you asked me if losing has taken a toll on me. Just how long have you followed Inter?
It matters not to me what I am greeted with in this thread, and call me what you want but as far as I'm concerned a side that has floundered in its past 2 major International appearances shouldn't be thinking about Brazil unless they meet. Take it one match at a time. Just like Brazil in 1982, after we'd thrashed Argentina we'd figured that Italy who'd been at best lukewarm prior to our matchup would be a cakewalk. I make no apologies for that line of thinking. Argentine and French players prior to WC02 were documented speaking about what they were going to do to one another when they met in the Finals. We all know how that "meeting" went........ Oh yeah and about Inter.......this is our year
That was NOT our best team ever. Hey I guess you're a little too young recall what happened to you guys in 1970? That 1982 squad was laid to waste by Italy was probably the weakest side we'd ever sent to a WC. It's only the majestic midfield and left winger Eder that made it play the special brand of football it did. It was poorly balanced, No centre-forward because Careca was injured on the eve of the tournament. Poor keeper and poor defenders. At least the Selecao learned from that debacle and added some "steel" when the rematch took place in 94.
This is a site for the football fans. As such, anything and everything is subject to discussion. There is no problem in discussing what our prospects would be against Brazil. Oddly enough, you, a person who does not support the Azzurri is the only one who has a problem with it. If that is the case, ignore the discussion altogether. We are free to discuss anything we want, especially on a board dealing with the ITALIAN NATIONAL TEAM!!!
You are telling me that the 1982 Brazil side was the weakest they ever sent to a WC???!!! Zico, Socrates, Falcao, Eder, etc.!!!
I too find it curious that the 1982 Brazil side be refered to as "weak"...but be that as it may. That team had a lot more than Eder on it.
Funny how things change with time, I remember the '82 Brazil squad as being hailed the best Brazilian side ever and that was from their own Brazilian fans, now they are the worst ever??? typical loser attitude!!!
Italy's '94 team was much, much better than the '02 team. In '02 we had no depth in defense (think: Materazzi, Coco, Panucci) and our midfield was pedestrian. But in '94 we could afford to lose Baresi and still make the final. That's immense. We also had Baggio, who was priceless, plus Signori and a young Albertini as a play-maker ......... That team was class.
Yeah, good point. The 94 team was strong, but Sacchi, being the stubborn, know-it-all *#$&*$&% that he was had no clue how to employ talents like Zola and Signori. That cup was more than within our grasp. Considering the circumstances, and making it as far as we did, it was ours for the losing. And sure enough, we lost it! Kinda like 1990.