Mbappe is not a striker he's a winger and probably the best in the world at that. Real really trying to force that square peg in a round hole
Yeah and if you dispossess Jorgi it's off to the races as he has no pace at this point to catch up. I still want to see what a good pressing team does to us. France when they pressed left oodles of space because their players were running around like headless chicken and not maintaining shape. A much more disciplined pressing team like Spain or what Switzerland did to us would be a much better test. I do agree that the quality on the ball was much better than what we showed at the Euros
When? I don't recall Cambiaso dribbling pass anyone. He made a few amazing cutbacks and switched play that led to 2 goals. Defensively, Mbappe and Barcola burned him in the first 5 mins of the game, but then he settled in.
I just watched again Croatia and Switzerland's 2nd goal against us to see something. Di Lorenzo's reaction time is a joke.
Retegui did well yesterday and he should definitely be a part of the squad going forward, but I still believe Camarda should've been selected for these fixtures. I would of definitely given him 20 minutes against Israel. it's not like we would be leaving a prime Del Piero or Baggio behind...Kean and Zaccagni aren't good enough anyway. Neither would've made the team if Chiesa, Zaniolo, and Berardi were fit or healthy. It was actually the perfect set of circumstances to introduce him. But alas, we'll see him no sooner than 23 if the past is anything to go by....
I like Udogie (he's the one black Italian who deserves to be in the squad instead of giving the impression that some ulterior motive is behind his selection), but Raspadori's goal was more about Jack's craftiness and horrible French defending then anything Destiny did. He will get his chances in the future, but I think Di Marco should be starting for this next international cycle......
Guys, it’s great that we beat France, but how seriously should we look into this? After all it’s only the Nations League and we don’t know how serious teams are in this. I still have this gut feeling that France was not anywhere near playing their best, and this is not the world class French team we’re used to in world cups. Let’s face it, France did pretty terrible in the last Nations League as well.
You mean us? Yes I know, but the Euros probably is a better measure of how good we are than the Nations League.
He’s decent. Not a defensive dynamo, but usually well placed. His biggest skill is his passing ability. After this season he should be ready for a top team I don’t hate Locatelli. My stance was his exclusion was merited. Whether or not he was there last summer wouldn’t have changed Italy’s fortunes and people are kidding themselves if they think the opposite. That said, I think he can get back into the team this year and I hope he does
After the way we played Switzerland, it didn’t look like we could beat San Marino. Now we beat the team that reached two World Cup finals in a row 3-1 in their house and people are still finding ways to spin into a negative.
LOL @ Maignan's comments Wonder if he included Gigio over him in the only 2 Italy players that could get into the France team. But he's correct -- absolutely nailed it when he attributed to have said that France's attitude was partially to blame. It was the same attitude Italy had against Switzerland. A few tweaks of players and a attitude adjustment was all it took. Imagine that. Deschamps comments to me were more telling when he said that France pretty much resigned themselves to defeat after 20 Minutes but more surprisinly was that Gli Azzurri dominated them physically. OK, not prime France as they had 2 players making their debuts. Even if Italy had 1 debutant themselves to start and another, Marco Brecianini, who came on later. Hoping for a 0-0 or 0-1 for Belgium on Monday in France. Not to flog a dead horse but Di Lo... Somethings gotta give. Wonder how young Savona does in a 3-man back line. So far at Juve, we've played a flat 4 through 3 matches. I too have written on here that Pellegrini needs to cede way. At best I'd have him as a substitute. I think what Balzandi does at Roma will shape the Italy team as well. Losing faith in Colpani. Want 3 Points tomorrow. Anything less would be an embarrassment. Calafiori has left the team due to that injury when Dembele rolled into him. What a joke.
It's just some bruising on his calf, nothing serious. Buongiorno will probably get the start and I'm ok with that.
Gigio needs to be smarter After the match the was explaining why he was protesting the French goal -- he didn't have his gloves completely on. WTF? According to him he is used to the Referee motioning to both GK's prior to sounding the whistle if they are ready but this Referee didn't do so this match. Turns out Gigio has a ritual prior to every match at the Parc where he goes behind goal and gives certain accredited media who he has becomes friendly with and who are regulars, daps before he gets in his goal prior to Kick Off. Don't how many daps he was giving away but according to Gigio he didn't have his gloves on properly. Of course don't let it take away from the fact just how soft Di Lorenzo was. For not attacking the ball and especially his body shape, then conpletely wiffing in what appeared to be an attempted back pass. Gigio is too experienced to be making this mistake. Start the ritual earlier and he needs to remember that in Internationals, match officials are assigned from all over.
this is why having Buongiorno Califiori Bastoni is a great thing. Someone of quality is always going to be in there. In the Bonnucci Chiellini Barzagli era there were no good replacements for these 3. We had to naturalize the likes of Paletta and Toloi`at times. We have not had this quality of depth since the early 2000s.
yes it's ridiculous. while France were not great going forward in the euros they did not allow many goals. Even Spain struggled to break them down. a draw would have been a very good result a 3-1 win where France kinda didn't even really score or threaten the goal much is superb. It is one thing to defend well but to transition out of a back three build and retain the ball and make decisive passes and clinical finishing is impressive against any side let alone France in Paris with their best 11. It was a very Conte Italy like performance and certainly our biggest win since beating Belgium in 2021 (spain and england were technically draws). It proved this side has more goals in them with a 352 and that Retegui Raspadori are useful pieces when given space to run into. so many positives to take from this performance. we were not only poor going forward in the euros but very shaky at the back especially against the Swiss where we completely collapsed to their press. on both ends of the field you have to award an A.
This is wild to me. OK, Ref should probably motion if GK's are ready but Gigio has to be ready. Not to say of course that he would have stopped it. @Azzurrifan87 as a former GK and GK Coach, what say you on this? Should the Ref motion to the GK if he or she is ready? Look at Donnarumma on the France goal, he didn’t even have time to put on his gloves before Barcola was in alone 😯😭(@JoueursItalia) pic.twitter.com/OVIAXvyASo— Italy Focus 🇮🇹 (@theitalyfocus) September 8, 2024
Very interesting. Should a motion be made? I think it is being phased out of the game even at amateur youth levels. It would be nice, but I think it's a remnant of the past. And that's 100% on Gigio. Embarrasing to be honest, after seeing that footage. You've got to be locked in...that's your domain. And you're off hugging people without your gloves off? Gloves should be on before you even trot out. I highly question Gigio about what on earth he was doing not completely ready. I get it..i'm stuck in the 80's-90's mindset when I was coached. and it's a reason I no longer coach because I struggle to relate with players of this era. But motion or not, that's ridiculous from Dolla.
Even though next opponent is of a historically less pedigree than France, I do think we'll see a difference without Calafiori. I saw he was consistently graded at a 6.5, but he was dynamic on the football. Almost like having a modern Baresi or Beckenbauer in there, pushing the ball forward up the field around pressing players. We're going to see a difference tomorrow and also I think Calafiori should have graded at least at 7.
Yup. Even more he wants to continue on his routing by smacking his studs against the post. WTF? Di Lorenzo again. Normally Defenders take away the inside and show the Attacker the outside. But not Di Lorenzo! Was he expecting Bastoni to leave Mbappé to double team? Come on. What is this shit?
Pellegrini sent home as well. Think Brecianini will start. Kean already told he will start. I imagine Zaccagni will feature, not sure if will start.
He seems to have a little more strength in holding up the ball and presence. Pellegrini unfortunately plays like a luxury player in the Ozil mold without being spectacular enough with his use of falir and technique to justify his place. Colpani is another that has this issue of very little physical presence. Hopefully Brescianini can go from strength to strength under Gasperini but long term I would not mind just seeing Tonali and Barella as box to box and Ricci or Fagioli behind them.