Euro 2012 Group C: News & Analysis

Those are some pretty good choices to choose from. I would choose all three over Negredo tbh.

 

Muniain is a gun. Flogged manchester United at Old Trafford.

 

Croatia are a good team Modric is a genius forget what happens in qualifying come the real thing it's a different story and I do make a big deal about Croatia going to Turkey and pounding them on their home turf. They've always had Italy's measure, so anything can happen.

 

Have you watched them play over the past couple of years? Modric is a good player as are Rakitic, Olic and Srna. I just don't see it from them this time around, they are in decline and while they give us fits usually I expect Italy to handle them this time. The teams have played one important match against one another and that was the WC 2002 loss, which Italy dominated for all but 5 minutes, I wouldn't put much stock into a firendly played in August after the WC.

 

Well by there age they are definitely not in decline as there best players are all under 30 except for Olic who will probably be coming off the bench..The form of Croatia overall has been poor except of course for there impressive win against Turkey..From some reason though Croatia seems to get good results against Italy and Germany..I remember Croatia also barely qualified for the World Cup in 1998 and then almost won the World Cup when they got there..Of course this generation is not nearly as good as that generation but these same group of players proved they can play well in euro 2008..So maybe they turn it on in euro 2012 but im not expecting it with all the turmoil going on in our football..

 

1993 european qualifier in Italy, Suker netted twice in a 2-1 win. We drew 1-1 in Italy, ive already mentioned the 2-0 loss in august 2006 where we had no one who played in the world cup on the pitch. 0-0 draw 1999 in Croatia. 2002 we had 2 disallowed goals, I make nothing of that loss any Cro who raves on about that is a fool. Friendlies or not, we havn't beaten them.

 

Well said. IMO as long as you're a decent team with some experience and quality what you do in qualifying means squat. It's once you get there what counts. Italy in 2006 qualifying were far from convincing and left it late to assure top place with a 1-0 win at home to Slovenia. Brazil 2002 qualifying were average, France for euro 2000 were also average yet they won the whole thing.

 

Del Bosque announces the squad:​

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Valdes, Reina
Defenders: Arbeloa, Juanfran, Ramos, Piqué, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Jordi Alba,
Midfielders: Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Cazorla, Mata, Silva, Fabregas, Navas,
Forwards: Pedro, Llorente, Torres, Negredo

For the last four years, Spain played the same way, with pretty much the same line up and nobody could solve the puzzle they present - clear favorites.

 

Well maybe but we are missing Villa, who did the majority of our scoring for us. I don't see anyone who can replace that consistent scoring.

We will dominate the ball in every game like we normally do but we just don't have a cutting edge. Italy will beat us in the first game, I'm fairly certain.

 

I bet Torres starts.

 

I agree. And probably Albiol partnering Pique in central defence.

Puyol and Villa will be sorely missed.

 

You Spaniards are funny. Got so spoiled over the last 4 years that Torres is considered a horrible selection . He'd start for all 3 of your opponents. Granted, Villa is a big loss, especially due to the chemistry with Barca midfield but you have to take Torres because if he happens to shine, he's much brighter than Negredo or any of your Euro '12 forwards. Believe me, I watched him for years at Liverpool.
As far as my Croatia goes, I never know what to expect. when I have high hopes, they don't make it through group stages - then, when nobody expects it, they play a great Euro but commit one incredible mistake in quarters vs Turkey. This leads me to believe that we're awesome only not to qualify for South Africa.
I'm just happy we're here and hope we can find Jelavic in the same form he showed for Everton and that Modric and co. can set him up properly...
Can't wait for kick off!!!

 

Have you watched him with Spain? His performances have left a lot to be desired. He'll discover the opponents at Poland/Ukraine are much tougher than the likes of Genk, Leicester and QPR. Crossing fingers and hoping he happens to shine is about all were left with at this stage.

 

This.

Croatia will get destroyed in the group.

 

Shirt numbers for Spain.

1. Iker Casillas
2. Raúl Albiol
3. Gerard Piqué
4. Javi Martínez
5. Juanfran Torres
6. Andrés Iniesta.
7. Pedro Rodríguez
8. Xavi Hernández
9. Fernando Torres
10. Cesc Fábregas
11. Álvaro Negredo
12. Victor Valdés
13. Juan Mata
14. Xabi Alonso
15. Sergio Ramos
16. Sergio Busquets
17. Álvaro Arbeloa
18. Jordi Alba
19. Fernando Llorente
20. Santi Cazorla
21. David Silva
22. Jesús Navas
23. Pepe Reina

 

You think Torres will be a starter for the present Italian team??? I think he wouldn't have even made the pre-list.
And how is Torres more brighter than Negredo and More importantly Llorente & Soldado as far as the past 2 seasons go??? I don't even think Negredo should be in the squad but he's still more deserving than Torres.
Imo, Spain will be depending too much on players like Silva, Fabregas and Iniesta for goals.

 

I think:
Spain - Italy
Ireland - Croatia
Italy - Croatia
Spain - Ireland
Croatia - Spain
Italy - Ireland
1. Spain
2.Croatia
3.Italy
4.Ireland

 

depending on how the matchfixing scandal in Italy goes and how many get into hot water, i could see Ireland winning over them as well

But it certainly made Spain and Croatia promoting more likely, rather than less likely

 

What does the match fixing have to do with what happens on the field. If anything you will see a determined and more focused Italy team right off the bat and that spells trouble for the other 3 countries. AKA:::: 2006 and 1982

 

I was in Spain in 1982. Italy didn't start off that well. Got 3 draws to barely scrape out of the group. Traditionally they are slow starters, it's when they get into the knockout rounds is when they start to shine.

 

Other than the fact that some of the players (such as Domenico Criscito or Stefano Mauri) have been forced off the team due to the case?