As for the game. Albania was terrified to go forward unless they got a lucky bounce or error and could go on a quick counter. It almost looked like they were hoping to lose by one goal only to keep the goal differential close. I get the feeling that they think they can beat Croatia and get through with 3 points and a good goal differential. If they actually pushed forward, we would of scored at least 2 more. I thought Bastoni was man of the match and Calafiori showed some great potential. I think Spaletti should just start Calafiori every game no matter what. We need to find our next Nesta/Cannavaro or Chiellini/Bonucci....I think these two guys are it. Barella is our best overall player and showed it today. Chiesa was a menace as well. Scamacca had a great first half. The two Albanian CB's were sticking to him like glue. He should continue to start. Pellegrini played well also.
You are one of those Italy fans that can’t seem to take any sort of criticism of the team. Chill out. the ref missed shit of both sides and with var it makes no sense. Nothing should be missed.
I think the fact that 3rd place can get you to the next round sorta ruined things. Before a side with no chance would say “screw it” and try to do something. Now teams want to play super defensive to prevent a blow out so they still have a chance at progressing.
This shows how little knowledge you have. The Albanians have players playing in all the top leagues they aren’t some scum country like Luxembourg. they also have a huge population outside of Albania working in other European countries they were pretty much the home team against us the amount of fans they had in the stands.
Has absolutely nothing to do with it. I criticize all my teams. Clock had 5:03 on it. Indicated time was 4 Additional. Ref gave Albania their corner.
You go, Obleeka. Don't let the bastards get you down. What a great day to be retarded! Have you "met" Peter?
You Portuguese cucks never know when to shut your mouths, which is why Mourinho is coaching in Turkey now. How could anyone watch Scotland and think Albania is worse.
100% agree. Albania were frightened to get blown out. Their own fans were jeering them throughout the match in huge portions. I think they made a tactical decision to lose a close game instead of going for it. Croatia looks old and spent. They probably think they can get a result from them. I think our starting 11 is great, but other than a few guys in defense and midfield, we don't have much else on the bench (especially on offense). Lets all pray to Padre Pio that Chiesa stays healthy and Scamacca keeps his head on straight. Not much else to rely on from those two positions other than maybe Raspadori.
Have you never seen a match end not allowing a CK? Rare but it happens. Your argument for giving them a 2nd CK after the indicated time expired would only be valid if there was yet another stoppage that merited more time on top of the Stoppage Time already advertised.
That was a great first half other than DiMarco's blunder. The team moved the ball very well. It was quick movement that carved open the Albanian D (which was bunkering). Should have been 4-1 at half. Strakosha made amazing saves on Frattesi and Scamacca but it was Pellegrini that should have buried both his chances. In the second half we controlled possession but were not quick enough with our tempo to carve them up and finish them. Jorgihno and DiMarco in particular were slowing pace down too much at times. Lots to build off of here: 1. Donnarumma is going to be a factor. 2. Calafiori plays with balls. He really trusts his feet and can open up play from the back. 3. Bastoni has a chance to put himself in Bonucci category if he does well in this touney. 4. Barella was a stud as usual. 5. Need more from Jorginho and Pellegrini 6. I thought Scamacca was fabulous in the first half. Too tired in the 2nd. Has to improve his fitness.
As much as I love Frattesi and he should have scored, he was too profligate with the ball in space and could have created more chances. I think i actually might like Fagioli with Jorgi in the double pivot and Barella in the Frattesi role. Then run Frattesi off the bench against tired legs. Frattesi lacks that top class holding and touch and against Spain and other top clubs that wont cut it. Lots to build off here...love the way we played so effortlessly in the 1st half but in typical Italy failed to kill the game off and run the risk of a late game BS draw. Standouts to me were Chiesa, Scamacca (hold up and through play was so good...he was underutilized) obviously Barella and Bastoni. As much as I like Calafiori, some of those runs int he first half he was way too casual with ...if you think Spain is giving him that much space to play the ball forward like he was then lol. Have to tidy that up. Ive been singing Pellegrini's praises for years now and so glad he is finally a key cog for Azzurri. The class in the 11 with touch, control, movement, flow is very similar to 2021 Euros. Lots of skill here...Spain will be very interesting and will tell us a ton
I agree Frattesi doesn't have Fagioli's feet. However, he is so smart with his runs in the box. So dangerous. It gives us an element of unpredictability. As for Calafiori, he does work in tight spaces. Clearly it's confidence. I thought he was outstanding expect the one time he didn't track back late. But that late in the game Bastoni and Darmian have to do moore.
Yes normally Fratessi is better off the bench for this reason. He is very direct and worth a goal but he does not have the close control in games like this. He makes fantastic runs though. I believe he was here to cause havoc today where we need goals and against Spain it will be a 3421 with Chiesa Pellegrini more central and Cambiaso on the wing. Then Fratessi can come on late when we need fresh legs. if we start with Jorginho Barella Pellegrini Chiesa then being able to bring on Fagioli Fratessi even Raspadori is not a bad set of options off the bench. I don't see Zacagni getting many minutes and Retegui is a straight swap when Scamacca is tired but we need to always start Scamacca whether he scores or not because of his link up play and presence in the box. Spalletti asks a lot from the team so we are bound to be tired late in the game. This is why Fratessi Fagioli will be key off the bench. Fagioli for Jorginho is a straight swap as good as Jorginho still is I don't know if he has 90 minutes in him. He is probably on his last tournament for us but he plugs the hole left by Tonali and he was excellent as usual we can't play without him.
it was more of when he was bringing the ball up with his feet his runs would play the ball 5 yards forward...if Albania had any ambition in the first half other than sitting back, they for sure take that ball and counter. Spain would have and they also have the ability to hit you hard on the counter and score with their class..Albania really do not which is why they created so little. He did have a good game overall and I want him to continue starting with Bastoni. That's probably the most technical CB pair in Italy history.
I think we're all noticing how Calafiori isn't satisfied with making obvious, safe passes all game. I hope he doesn't put Italy in a bad spot in the short-term, but regardless of any growing pains I think his interest in breaking down a lower block is a good impulse. It's nice to have two center backs who have an eye for, and an interest in, delivering dangerous balls. Two Bonuccis, so to speak. If they can keep it tidier in the back--this goes for the fullbacks too (ahem, Dimarco)--there's a lot to like about that centerback combo. Really disappointed in that second half attacking. They threatened a bit early in the half, but for the last 20 or so minutes they kept fumbling long stretches of possession without even risking much. It wasn't as if they were messing up looking for that final ball; it was more like they were getting sleepy playing keep-away. And yet, including the first half, there were many good chances that they might have converted. The Chiesa cross to Pellegrini was so good, it's a shame Pellegrini couldn't find it with his head. Scamacca did some nice distributing, and received some good passes, as well. I would've loved to see him find the net. If he finds net and starts feeling himself, we might see him do something spectacular. I'm not sure what to expect in the Spain match. They're likely going to have to play without the ball for a majority of the match, and so maybe we'll see one or two differences to the line-up, and possibly a different formation. I don't have a ton of confidence in Scamacca's ability to chase for 65% of the game and stay engaged. Maybe Retegui is a more suitable choice for such a scenario (thoughts, anyone?). 3 points. Can't complain.
He does. He's a little impatient, and isn't especially discerning about which moments make sense to take chances. It's most obvious when he passes to teammates who are caught a bit off-guard. I think there's chemistry that needs to be built, but his vision is great, and he can dribble into space in a flash. It's exciting to watch.
Califiori made 105 passes and 5 recoveries. We will see how he does against Spain but Im not really afraid of Spain and I think we will play without fear now that we have the 3pts. A draw is good a win is us qualified. Not much to lose here. Hopefully Albania can get the draw with Croatia but either way I think Spain may actually suit us for once and we did enough but not too much today to hurt out position as underdogs thursday which we will relish. They play a little more direct than they have in the past. Tactically this manager is not very experienced and he keeps things far more simple than Enrique did. There will be no 6 man midfield false nine as there was in 2021. Spain will try to win based on their quality and I can't see us conceding more than 1 especially if both teams maybe fancy the draw.
There was a definite drop off in intensity in the second. And a real drop in play around the 65th-70th minute. I wonder if this was the strategy or fatigue. If it’s fatigue, I think that’s very concerning. Subs happened way too late and none of them had an impact on the game. Overall I liked the formation. I do agree that Italy seem to want to pass the ball into the net. But there is good chemistry building IMO. Scamacca and Frattesi know each other very well and you see it on the field. The only player that’s really on my balls is Jorginho. If a guy like him is going to be playing, I want him to nail 99.99% of his passes.