Our defence isn't what it used to be

Since the 2006 world cup, we haven't had that impregnable defence that we once acquired. We had some bad luck but nonetheless we still got destroyed 3-0 by Holland during the Euros of 2008. We never used to lose by 3 goal margins. That was our heaviest defeat at a major tournament since the 1970 world cup final against Brazil. Since that time it has occurred a lot more for the National team, and at club level. We got spanked 3-0 by Brazil at the 2009 Confederations Cup. We lost 3-0 to Russia in a pre Euro 2012 Friendly although we did go on to make the final, only to lose that 4-0 to Spain. We've copped a 3-0 pasting by Uruguay since then, and well beaten by Germany 4-1 in March 2016. We obviously played them at the Euros and did well drawing 1-1 with our B side and losing only on penalty kicks where if not some insipid show boating by Pelle, probably would have eliminated them. Spain 3-0 in a qualifier for this upcoming world cup, our heaviest qualifying defeat in god knows how long and our first world cup qualifying defeat since 2004 where we fell to Slovenia but won the world cup in 06. We hadn't lost a qualifier since France in September 2006 and that game had some dubious decisions no question. A goal after barely a minute which was offside, and a penalty ruled out when it was 2-1.

Juventus have copped hidings in 2015 and 2017 Champions League Finals against Spanish opposition { Again it's Spain } and were trounced 3-0 in Turin barely a month ago. Roma this morning were humiliated and were lucky just to lose 5-2 after trailing 5-0. They were smashed by Manchester United 7-1 in 2007. Milan in 2009 lost 4-0 at Old Trafford and going back before 2006 gave up a 3-0 lead in the champions league final in 2005, and a 4-1 first leg lead in 2004 to Deportivo. 2013 Milan were smashed 4-0 in Barcelona after leading 2-0 after leg 1, and in 2011/12 lost 3-0 to Arsenal and almost blew a 4-0 lead after the first encounter.


I'm annoyed that what was once our finest asset has now diminished into one of our weakest. We have never been a high scoring team but could win on the back of a strong defence. Now even that has diminished significantly.


I don't want a good tournament then back to square one or fall back even further. I want the Azzurri to once again be a force where we have numerous good showings and deep runs in major tournaments.

The Federation ********ed us good and proper.

 

Roma have also been ripped to shreds by Bayern and Real in recent champions league years also.


Fix this shit