The Official Euro 2012 Thread

[Motociclista]

Now . ...

the game with Spain will be a different issue. Italy had a laps in defense and Spain got it in.

Once ... they are dangerous.

[ThePikeman]

Originally Posted by Motociclista

Just pokin at ya ...

Doesn't really work. I am not emotional enough about football for that.
We got Merkel as reserve player in another game.

[JNRobert]

Well, I'm ordering dinner in and guess what's on the menu



Italy were magnificent today - there is something about the German's that brings the best out in them. I know it's bad form to quote yourself, but. . .

Originally Posted by JNRobert

Of course, you never know particularly at international tournaments. Balotelli seems to be knocking on the door and is due a big game

And what a big one it was. That second goal of his I thought was going to break the old onion bag and keep going all the way to the Russian Far East. Fantastic!

Low really screwed the pooch on the tactics but in the end his defence let him down. The Greeks had already shown the German's were vulnerable (which is why I expected the Spanish to beat them if they made the final) but the Italians really went at them. The first goal was just silly defending. The second was the Italian mid-field running amok and Balotelli finally showing form.

We'll see if they haven't shot their wad and peaked too soon. We've yet to see a truly great performance from the Spanish in this tournament perhaps they're saving the best to last.

Can't wait

[JNRobert]

Originally Posted by Wildman

Did the Italians deserve it? Were Germany a bit shit?

Yes

[Wildman]

Originally Posted by JNRobert

Yes

[Motociclista]

Originally Posted by JNRobert

Well, I'm ordering dinner in and guess what's on the menu



Italy were magnificent today - there is something about the German's that brings the best out in them. I know it's bad form to quote yourself, but. . .



And what a big one it was. That second goal of his I thought was going to break the old onion bag and keep going all the way to the Russian Far East. Fantastic!

Low really screwed the pooch on the tactics but in the end his defence let him down. The Greeks had already shown the German's were vulnerable (which is why I expected the Spanish to beat them if they made the final) but the Italians really went at them. The first goal was just silly defending. The second was the Italian mid-field running amok and Balotelli finally showing form.

We'll see if they haven't shot their wad and peaked too soon. We've yet to see a truly great performance from the Spanish in this tournament perhaps they're saving the best to last.

Can't wait

I expect to see a heck of a game.
Total failure of a team? A fight to penalty kicks? Who knows ...

[BMW Kurt]

[Motociclista]

Originally Posted by BMW Kurt

PRICELESS!!!!

[BMW Kurt]

Originally Posted by Motociclista

PRICELESS!!!!

May well be! Germany may cut off all future travel funds for the Italian team.



Sorry, I did not mean to go all CSM here!

[Motociclista]

[JNRobert]

Time to start speculating about Sunday. In the group stages Del Bosque was as cunning as a fox and wore the Italians out and then brought on Torres and Navas in a more traditional winger / CF in the last third of the game. If it wasn't for Torres' poor finishing it would have worked a charm too.

This is an Italian team with more self belief than that game two weeks ago and I'm expecting them to go at the Spanish as they did the Germans. The Portuguese showed how flustered the Spanish can be if you press them and given Pirlo's control and Balotelli's confidence I would expect a storming first half with the Italians laying siege.

If they go in at half time level pegging then it has to swing in Spain's favor particularly given how they completely out played Portugal in extra time. The big problem for the Spanish as always is finishing - Silva in particular has for me wasted chances that Villa would have been far more ruthless with. I think Busquets and Xavi have been underperforming too (to their standards) so they'll need big games.

So for me I'd bring on Pedro, Fabregas and Navas in the second half. Maybe start with Torres or Llorente to throw the Italians off and then absorb the first half punishment.

Of course I remember the Italians doing exactly that to the Germans in the 2006 WC and beating them 2-0 with late goals on the break.

I might add a few more comments as I pull them out of my ass think of them.

[Motociclista]

The battle will be at midfield.
That is where you choke the opponent.
If the Spaniards let Pirlo play (like the Germans did) they will be in trouble.

1-0 for Italy.

[RaY YreKa]

Originally Posted by Motociclista

1-0 for Italy.

Not a bad prediction imho.

[JNRobert]

Originally Posted by Motociclista

The battle will be at midfield.
That is where you choke the opponent.
If the Spaniards let Pirlo play (like the Germans did) they will be in trouble.

1-0 for Italy.

Spain play nine midfielders so they've got this sown up

As much as I like Spain, if they do get beat I hope it's by an Italian side that plays open attacking football. If the Italians revert to type and park the bus with a lot of shirt pulling and all the rest of it, I'll be an unhappy camper.

[JNRobert]

Italy

Buffon, Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo, De Rossi, Balotelli, Cassano.
Subs: Sirigu, Maggio, Ogbonna, Thiago Motta, Balzaretti, Di Natale, Giaccherini, Borini, Giovinco, Diamanti, Nocerino, De Sanctis.


Spain

Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta.
Subs: Valdes, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran, Pedro, Torres, Negredo, Mata, Llorente, Santi Cazorla, Jesus Navas, Reina.

So, pretty much the line-up from the first game and Spain have no CF.