Nah he'll be back. He's just taking time off from the national team. He'll be back for the Euro qualifers
Ronaldo is just taking a break until Euro qualifying. He did not retire from the national team. As for today's game, If I was Mancini I would never call up Immobile again. We should be up at least 1-0 if he didn't miss that sitter after Insigne's long range shot. Otherwise, Italy is completely dominating this game. They are showing that the Poland match was no fluke.
Same issue has the past games where everything is there but the goal. We have great possession but it's a little excessive at this point. I would shake something up by taking out Jorginho. Portugal have been pure piss! I can't imagine what the post CR era will look like
Deserved it for playing a hack like Immobile. Every time he does his usual mediocre efforts, the players heads drop more and more.
I say this knowing these games mean shit all, BUT in all Honesty...If Italy cannot beat this version of Portugal, at home, Must win, sold out stadium, well, dire straits for Italy....is almost unbelievable how far they have dropped,,,,sad almost....say all you want about how much they dominated in 1st half, like lipstick on a pig.
I'm surprised Mancini's first sub was to put in Lasagna...who is even worse than Immobile. At least Ciro performs well for his club. Lasagna is mediocre in every facet/competition possible. Berardi would of been a better sub in that spot. The midfield looked tired from about the 60th minute on as both Verratti and Jorginho became less effective. Pellegrini should of been introduced sooner.
What a terrible game. Just when you think Italy are beginning to figure out a new formula, it's back to the drawing board. It's nice to see Italy dominate the field possession wise, but this style ultimately does not suit us. We don't have the striker to tie the bow together. This team needs above all a world class #9 and a true b2b mid who can play the field and also has a physical presence. Mancini needs another ten friendlies to get more answers.
Maybe now those of you who were saying Italy is superior to the USA will think again: what a mediocre performance that was. Italy would not have scored if they had played all night!
They are just missing a CF. You want to be all negative go ahead. But this Italy is not far off from competing for major titles again. They just need someone up front who can score with some regularity.
Well TBF its not as if the USA is lighting the world on fire either at this moment lol. Two very poor teams.
I am just being truthful. Major titles? come on, try beating 2nd string, and 3rd rate teams at home before we talk about titles.