You really think so? I disagree. I mean yes Portugal are favorites to beat Poland, but I disagree that they are looking scary and you are saying this for sure. Portugal without Ronaldo is like an upper second tier team. So would I say we are at the moment considering the way we have played today and against Ukraine. Did any of you watch the game Portugal vs Poland in Poland? Portugal did not dominate completely. It was a fairly even match. Portugal did definitely create the better chances but one of the goals should never have happened (Fabianski was at fault). The only part that Portugal really dominated was the first 15-20 min of the second half. That was just a great spell from them. Portugal only beat us by one goal, and that was when we were still looking like a terrible bottom table team. Don't get me wrong, Portugal will definitely be favorites, but I wouldn't be so sure to say that they will beat Poland next month.
I saw a good portion of the Poland vs Potugal game (EDIT, my bad, Im talking about the last game they just played). Portugal looked real good man. This is without Ronaldo. Just saying..
C'mon Falvo....behave The midget who represents mediocrity from the MLS didn't play , so what? Still like your stubborn skull though ...lol
Honestly, the way the team celebrated the last goal, you could see it definitely meant something to them.
Bonucci said in an interview the national team has been at Zero point , for a year since they were eliminated from the WC I'm sure this win helped boost their confidence.
Us Canadian azzurri fans will come to know this win as the “TSN Turning Point”. To see how much it meant and the relief to score from open play finally.
Poland tried to attack Portugal more than they did us and were horribly exposed many times during the game. I didn't expect this side to press Poland so much but obviously Mancini had insights from the first game. He's got one lineup worked out now, and in trying to find the ideal #9, I'd be keeping Chiesa and Bernardeschi on either side. I think Chiesa brings what Insigne does in terms of cutting into the middle, but his work rate is a bit better and he's more direct which a proper #9 will benefit from more than some of the tricky dribbling and holding the ball too long. Let Ancelotti work out the kinks with Insigne, but come next month hopefully a good target emerges and is not injured when we play Portugal.
So how about il terzino sinistra viola, Cristiano Biraghi? Only 6 more goals and he will have tied another famous left back!
Well @Rac93 is our favorite Azzurri loving German insider. After France skins them on Tuesday, maybe he'll commit to giving us insights into the trials and tribulations of the B division?
A lot of criticism of a team today that would have won very convincingly had they taken even half of their chances. It's glaringly obvious we lack a reliable #9. Mancini clearly knows this hence why he went with Insigne as the false 9. What was encourage (today and the last game) is how many players we have that are comfortable on the ball. If we could just substitute one of those guys with someone who can actually take his chances, we have something.
@Rac93 take care of Poland down in doc B for us. Maybe u can steal some of their players like the good old days to become relevant again
Who served it up better.... Lasagna with the flick header assist... or an Italian nonna with the lasagna at Sunday family dinner.
Nonna I think in November we will see a combination front three of Chiesa Cutrone Bernardeschi Chiesa Balotelli Bernardeschi Insigne Balotelli Bernardeschi Insigne Cutrone Chiesa Chiesa Insigne Bernardeschi Either way as long as the midfield and back four stay the same we can continue to build on this fluid 433 system. Come qualifying things could be different, hopefully the important players remain healthy.
Bravissimi. Best I've seen from them in a long time. Piedi buoni make a big difference. Barella has changed the complexion of this team. His skill and work rate cover up Jorginho's athletic deficiencies. He's invaluable to the team. A strong number 9 is just want the doctor ordered. It has to be Belotti or Cutrone at this point.
I just rewatch the game, at 72:11 minutes, it was L. Insigne (shirt #10) gave the ball away that lead to Poland ran straight to our net and aim to shot, but then our GK block it, and aim to shot again and it fly over the net. For sure it was Insigne that gave the ball away, I pause and watch it over couple times. Anyone rewatch it? Correct me if I'm wrong. It at 72:11 minutes on the score screen where it show the time (on Sky Sport). But anyways, I enjoy watching the game today. Italy totally deserve the goal today.
Any number 9 that comes into this side would have to be hard working and nimble if we want to maintain our current tempo of play and momentum. Look at the speed and movement from our current front three. That may automatically rule out lazy Balo, Belotti also might slow us down up front. Hmmmm.
Yeah that gameplan seems kinda familiar... I wonder how long before he calls up Tonali or someone with similar characteristics. Without all 3 of Barella/Verratti/Jorgi, we wouldn't be controlling the ball that well.
a #9 doesn't have to be nimble, just effective. Were Vieri, Toni or Pelle nimble? They have to be able to hold up the ball or be a battering ram in the box and get onto the end of the balls and...just finish the damn thing. Immobile is quick and hard working. Is he useful to the national team? The way Mancini had the front three playing, with all of them switching from left, center and right, was an interesting strategy to try and pull Poland out from bunkering and marking them too closely. The problem yesterday was simply finishing. We need someone who's sole job is to take a fraction of the chances they're given.