Match 28: Italy - New Zealand :: Pre-match Discussion

I predict another 4-3 result. Italy winning in the last minute.

 

I have to agree.

 

I predict a 4-3 scoreline here too, with the Italians just barely winning this game, like last minute

 

I disagree. The prior matchup, Italy had a completely different squad and Lippi was testing a GK not even being brought to SA and a few defenders to be absent as well (Gamberini, Legrottaglie, etc.). Once the regulars came in, we whipped up a few goals in no time. I foresee a 2-0 scoreline to Italy.

 

^ I agree......i see a similar game like Ghana. Banging in a couple goals.

 

If we had OUR BEST UP FRONT, we would destroy them. 1 goal victory if anything.

 

If there was a game in which Italy screw-up, this could be it. Hopefully they have learned from the 4-3 win (no Amelia at the World Cup) and they don't fall asleep. 3-2 to Italy.

 

Really? Italy concede two goals against the Kiwis? How you think they will score 2 goals past the likes of Buffon, Chiellini, De Rossi & Co. is beyond me.

 

Complacency on Italy's part. If Italy's reputation of doing enough is going to bite them on the backside, it would be in a game like this. Other big nations would thrash the Kiwis by at least 4-5 goals but Italy isn't that kind of nation. Even though the Kiwis scored three past a weakened Italy last year, do you think a full-strength Azzurri team would thrash them this year? Another question is that how did South Korea score two against Italy in 1986? Even if that Azzurri side was old, they should have brushed the Koreans aside and such a scenario like that 3-2 win could occur this year against the Kiwis.

 

I think Italy scoring three goals is quite 'outlandish' as well.

 

I agree. But not being a team to thrash them 4-0 or 5-0 doesnt mean will give up 2 goals. I predict something like 2-0, whch is still a weak margin if you compare the degree of talent and depth between the squads.

 

Smeltz hat trick. You heard it here first*.













*someone probably said it on yellowfever.co.nz or somewhere but feh.

 

I think Italy will win this one easy 3-0 or 3-1.

 

Dude seriously? Come on we won't score 3 goals and New Zealand certainly won't put 2 past us.

We will start slow no doubt I expect nothing more than a 1-0, 2-0 scoreline, but if we can't win our opening game against opposition like this, Lippi might as well resign now.

 

Read what I said to DaveyGorgeous.

 

I agree with Bruticus. If we give up 2 goals to New Zealand, then we should be giving up 5 goals to other teams we recently played like Mexico, Netherlands, etc. dOr, I know our expectations are low for this Azzurri group but cmon man...

You see this team:

Paston
Sigmund - Vicelich - Nelson - Lochhead
Brockie - Elliot - Brown - Bertos
Smeltz - Killen​

...scoring 2-3 goals against this team:

Buffon
Maggio - Canna/Bonu - Chiellini - Criscito
De Rossi - Marchisio
Cossu - Pirlo/Monto - Di Natale
Gila/Pazzo​

??

 

In reality, they shouldn't. If the Azzurri are on the ball, they should win 1-0 or 2-0 like everyone else has predicted or if Italy actually tried to thrash teams, 5-0 or 6-0 would be possible, even 7-0. I still believe this is one game Italy will screw up because of a lack of mental application.

The Kiwis will be using a 3-4-3 formation, based on what they are using in the friendlies. They have a good job in the friendlies and I believe the Azzurri will underestimate them. I've tipped the Kiwis to score two not because of their skill though. They don't have it. The Kiwis lack skill but the Azzurri have a tendancy to only play at half-pace. Will the Azzurri be half-asleep? Very likely and because of that, I think we will concide. If we were talking about Brazil, Argentina or another big nation, I'd tip a thrashing. Italy doesn't go out to thrash teams and even though it was a weakened Azzurri that won only 4-3 against NZ last year, I doubt the first team could care about dominating them like they should.

I did mention South Korea v Italy from 1986 though so if my prediction for the game against the Kiwis is, I won't be surprised. This South Korean team:

Yeon-Kyo Oh

Kyung-Hoon Park
Yong-Hwan Chung

Kwang-Rae Cho
Young-Jeoung Cho
Soon-Ho Choi
Joo-Sung Kim
Jung-Moo Huh

Chang-Seon Park
Bum-Kun Cha
Byung-Joo Byun

scored two goals against this team:

--------------- Galli

--------------- Scirea
Vierchowod --- Collovati --- Cabrini

De Napoli --- Di Gennaro --- Bagni

Conti -------- Altobelli --- Galderisi

It shouldn't have happened but it did. In fact, from the highlights I've seen Altobelli alone should have scored five or six goals!

 

NZ are almost certainly going to line up like this:

--------------Paston
----Sigmund--Nelsen--Vicelich
Bertos-----Elliot----------Lochhead
--------------Brown
----Smeltz---Fallon----Killen

The Kiwi gameplan is not subtle but it suits the players to a tee and they're right up for it. As well, Smeltz is a natural finisher - if he's given an inch he can very easily punish the Azzuri.

 

He also scored against a full-strength Serbian defence and that included the likes of Ivanovic and Vidic. On paper, the Kiwis will be lucky to get a point in this group but Herbert is a shrewd manager IMO and the Kiwis will have nothing to lose. I think Smeltz will get that inch. He shouldn't but I think that because it's a group stage match and it's only NZ, Italy won't be firing on all gears.

 

This is what i think too, its not like italy wont be trying, i just think the will lack concentration or just underestimate the all whites.

 

I want to believe we'll win this handily, but who knows. I predict a draw, or we eek out a win. I hope we come out on fire though and beat NZ 3-0. We'll see. Much respect from me for the kiwi's! Smeltz!!

 

I think Smeltz gonna score a goal and crush Italy to pieces.

 

Don't understand why the Italy/Paraguay thread is locked already, but I'm confident that Paraguay will win. 2-1.

As for this game, Italia 5 New Zealand 0.