Italy awakens this morning fortified for their match with Germany by Wales' stunning upset of heavily favored Belgium, and with the Cinderella story of Iceland on everyone's lips. Can the Azzurri dispatch the favorites, too?
The media over here (I'm in Rome) invoke the Spanish conquest as evidence of an Italian resurgence, and with good reason. But resting on laurels won during the last contest is always bad policy in sports. I sense the same kind of feeling here that I had before that tilt with Spain - everyone happy to be there, surprised by this resilient Italian squad, but not really expecting to advance. We shall see.
Meanwhile, RAI 1 is showing the replay of Wales/Belgium right now, and I get to see the game I missed last night. What a tremendous team victory that turned out to be.
The Germans have ridiculous name brand power however. Forwards and midfielders are surgical. I think in their back end is where I see the weakness until you get to Neuter. I think this plays into the Italian style of defending and then counter attack.
Italy- 3
Germany- 2
Italy is playing like a machine right now. I'm going out on a limb with Motta being out for this one. But The Azzurri are playing so well on the counter while the Germans look a bit formulaic (as always but not as explosive). I think they get 2 by the end of the first, give up one early in the second, add another transition goal from Eder on a break and park a bus, giving up one more.
Forze.
I think they'll be fierce today and will surprise Germany with their attack (as they've done to every opponent save one all tournament). But I don't think they'll be able to break through 3 times. I also don't like playing 3 in the back against a team as ferocious as Germany: too many open lanes for them.
I'm going to say Germany 3, Italy 1 and hope I'm wrong.
I think they'll be fierce today and will surprise Germany with their attack (as they've done to every opponent save one all tournament). But I don't think they'll be able to break through 3 times. I also don't like playing 3 in the back against a team as ferocious as Germany: too many open lanes for them.
I'm going to say Germany 3, Italy 1 and hope I'm wrong.
Funny....the logical side of me has your exact same number. But Italy has a spunk I haven't seen since the World Cup win. 2 early goals off of counters> park the bus> goal by Germany before the half> quick goal by Italy to open the second, with the Italians holding off the Germs for all but one more goal in the second is how both teams have played either way this far.
Italy has an unseen spunk in this tourney. Getting help from unexpected sources like Eder and Giaccherini
I'm pretty sure Thiago Motta is out.
Chin up - this has happened through the tournament :) Nobody searches.
Don't make me believe...
1) ESPNFC: England has not contacted the US about Jurgen Klinsmann
Despite the title, the article seems to hint about a Jurgen move. He is a legend at Spurs, so he has some history in London. And London bookies having him at 7-2 to take the job is always a hoot!
2) Manchester United legend Eric Cantona wants to be England’s next manager
It's probably tongue in cheek, but this is must watch YouTube. You will laugh, and laugh again! "I will never lose to a frozen island!". How could the English FA resist? CANTO-YES!
3) Men in Blazers review the England/Iceland game
Make sure you are recovered from Cantona, because this is also hysterical (are they drunk doing this??). "Land of Eng vs. the Land of Ice" is just one classic line. A must!
Quote:
way to bury my semifinals thread
Chin up - this has happened through the tournament :) Nobody searches.
Haha, I'm just ball busting.
UConn, I did get over to Wagon Wheel Thursday afternoon, but Paul wasn't around. I asked about Maine Beer Company and the young man (SW Asian, I think, not the two college kids) kept drawing a blank, my knees buckled, but then I said the magic letters, MO, and the shock of recognition shot through him, so I have those two bottles in the fridge. Also, 2 Roads, a buck cheaper, picked up some nice Reposado, but no Alpines, no Sip of Sunshine or Happy Birthday...had no idea of that upper parking lot.
Cool, thanks
Klinsmann to England??????
A second (Boston) Tea Party! ha ha
Does conte show another wrinkle? Are the Germans a bit tight playing the Italians? Can de Rossi go?
I think winner today wins tourney.
Forza Azzurri!!!
UConn, I did get over to Wagon Wheel Thursday afternoon, but Paul wasn't around. I asked about Maine Beer Company and the young man (SW Asian, I think, not the two college kids) kept drawing a blank, my knees buckled, but then I said the magic letters, MO, and the shock of recognition shot through him, so I have those two bottles in the fridge. Also, 2 Roads, a buck cheaper, picked up some nice Reposado, but no Alpines, no Sip of Sunshine or Happy Birthday...had no idea of that upper parking lot.
Cool, thanks
Klinsmann to England??????
A second (Boston) Tea Party! ha ha
Colonel, never a sustained run with the French national team because let's be honest, for all of his genius he's a tad batshit. Up and down career with France, including calling one coach "a bag of shit". I think maybe two tournaments of sustained play.
After the kung-fu kick - if you don't know he jumped into the crowd at a game and kicked a Palace heckler in the chest - he was essentially done with the team, even though he was still in his prime in 1995. The Zidane generation was coming, and that allowed France to say au revior to Ginola as well, since both had huge egos. Worked out in 1998 for them.
Terrible stadiums
lack of funds
betting scandal
ruined the league
Happy to see italy get a shot to be back on top. 06 world cup was a top 10 day of my life
I remember buying it on some obscure cable box service in 2000. It didn't kick in immediately and I missed Figo's long distance goal against England.
Terrible stadiums
lack of funds
betting scandal
ruined the league
Happy to see italy get a shot to be back on top. 06 world cup was a top 10 day of my life
We had a table of 20 at La Mela on Mulberry Street, what a fun day the 06 final was. This Italy team is not nearly as talented as the 06 team, but Conte is like a 12th man on the field.
Quote:
used to be on pay per view. It's amazing how things have changed.
I remember buying it on some obscure cable box service in 2000. It didn't kick in immediately and I missed Figo's long distance goal against England.
2004 final was watched on PPV. Every other game you had to get on satellite or get an audio stream via the BBC.
We had some French friends as house guests summer of 1998, and an old buddy of mine from school then living in Brasil, so of course we had to take in the final--I was rooting for the underdog les Bleus all the way, a satisfying shocker, Zidane in the lead. Then came 2006...yo mama, yo sister...thank you Materazzi.
Where is your bar?
Love watching these two teams play
I really appreciate Buffon again watching him. Class, class, class.
This one is on Pelle. That was a straight choke and the worst penalty I've see
Congrats to Italy. They played well. Too bad it was a quarter final...
Quote:
Germany's kind of sleptwalked through this tournament, no?
This one is on Pelle. That was a straight choke and the worst penalty I've see
Yes, but Mueller's wasn't much better - lackluster and timid.
If France is the opponent in the semi finals they better look out. France has talent and will punish the Germans when they come forward.
That might be the worst penalty of all time when you include the goofy ass run up.
Germany was the better team and deserved to advance anyway. Iceland is a nice story, but I'd love to see a France-Germany semi.
That might be the worst penalty of all time when you include the goofy ass run up.
Germany was the better team and deserved to advance anyway. Iceland is a nice story, but I'd love to see a France-Germany semi.
Saying Germany was the better team is dumb. It was pretty even, except for 2 minutes in which Italy's concentration fell off and Germany scored. The game was a tactical battle and deserved to go to penalties. Unfortunately Italy didn't convert. Shit happens. No need to be a douche about it.
I really wish Varane was healthy & Benzema wasn't a moron. France & Germany would be a much better game. France would be a much tougher opponent with those two. Benzema is a huge upgrade over Giroud. Varane is a upgrade over Laurent Koscielny & Adil Rami.
Quote:
Zaza penalty...HAHAHAHA.
That might be the worst penalty of all time when you include the goofy ass run up.
Germany was the better team and deserved to advance anyway. Iceland is a nice story, but I'd love to see a France-Germany semi.
Saying Germany was the better team is dumb. It was pretty even, except for 2 minutes in which Italy's concentration fell off and Germany scored. The game was a tactical battle and deserved to go to penalties. Unfortunately Italy didn't convert. Shit happens. No need to be a douche about it.
I'm sorry your team lost, and I was rooting for Italy fwiw. That said, I think it's fair to say that Germany deserved to go through.
Gomez should have made it 2-0, and it probably should have been 1-0 before it was, but Florenzi I believe made an amazing save with his cleat to deflect the ball wide. That's not even factoring in that the Italy goal was on a fairly non threatening play. No idea what Boateng was thinking there.
Agreed. I think this was the first time you saw Italy's lack of talent upfront really hinder them. No Candreva either really stymied their attack.
Quote:
In comment 13019316 Jon in NYC said:
Quote:
Zaza penalty...HAHAHAHA.
That might be the worst penalty of all time when you include the goofy ass run up.
Germany was the better team and deserved to advance anyway. Iceland is a nice story, but I'd love to see a France-Germany semi.
Saying Germany was the better team is dumb. It was pretty even, except for 2 minutes in which Italy's concentration fell off and Germany scored. The game was a tactical battle and deserved to go to penalties. Unfortunately Italy didn't convert. Shit happens. No need to be a douche about it.
I'm sorry your team lost, and I was rooting for Italy fwiw. That said, I think it's fair to say that Germany deserved to go through.
Gomez should have made it 2-0, and it probably should have been 1-0 before it was, but Florenzi I believe made an amazing save with his cleat to deflect the ball wide. That's not even factoring in that the Italy goal was on a fairly non threatening play. No idea what Boateng was thinking there.
Bullshit. Italy's chances were just as dangerous as Germany's. You could easily say they should have converted when Giaccherini was played onside late in the first half. And Florenzi deflected a ball that was going narrowly wide.
The game deserved to go to penalties, and the more talented squad won. Italy stifled the Germans, and Germany stopped most chances Italy had when trying to bypass the midfield to start an attack.
Buffon is one of my all time favorite players. He's just tremendous.
With that said I thought Germany was slightly better today. Draxler missed a wide open Muller who probably buries that shot. Nothing wrong with getting slightly outplayed. They went to PKs with the current World Cup Champions.
With that said I thought Germany was slightly better today. Draxler missed a wide open Muller who probably buries that shot. Nothing wrong with getting slightly outplayed. They went to PKs with the current World Cup Champions.
Don't forget Gomez having a wide open Muller right on the doorstep and deciding to have one himself. Buffon made a great save. That was a certain goal. Seemed that Germany had the better chances.
Peculiar statement especially after getting to PKs in a QF of a tournament nobody expected them to get out of the group stage in
Nice blanket statement based on nothing. Chiellini has been one of the best players in the tournament, and Bonucci isn't far behind. This generation isn't as good but they've been better than France.
Quote:
Italian football no longer produces the likes of Totti, Del Piero, Nesta, Canavaro - et al..... The talent level is not on par with Germany, Spain and France. Conte was great this tournament - but Italian football is dead...
Peculiar statement especially after getting to PKs in a QF of a tournament nobody expected them to get out of the group stage in
What's peculiar? The talent level in Italian footbal has diminished tremendously. You want to compare the talent level 10 years ago to today? It's not even close.
Quote:
In comment 13019418 JPinstripes said:
Quote:
Italian football no longer produces the likes of Totti, Del Piero, Nesta, Canavaro - et al..... The talent level is not on par with Germany, Spain and France. Conte was great this tournament - but Italian football is dead...
Peculiar statement especially after getting to PKs in a QF of a tournament nobody expected them to get out of the group stage in
What's peculiar? The talent level in Italian footbal has diminished tremendously. You want to compare the talent level 10 years ago to today? It's not even close.
Many called this the worst Italian team in a major tournament. They could easily be in the Semifinals.
Italy doesnt rely on individual players. They play within their system.
Quote:
Italian football no longer produces the likes of Totti, Del Piero, Nesta, Canavaro - et al..... The talent level is not on par with Germany, Spain and France. Conte was great this tournament - but Italian football is dead...
Nice blanket statement based on nothing. Chiellini has been one of the best players in the tournament, and Bonucci isn't far behind. This generation isn't as good but they've been better than France.
Based on nothing? Conte himself has admitted as much in all of his press conferences. Granted, it's more of a critique of the up-and-coming generation versus the older vets, but it's definitely a fair point.
Italy and other countries still playing exemplify that.
I'd much rather watch that than all star Bullshit.
I also don't think he's talking strictly this tournament. I just think he's saying as a whole Spain & France are producing better players then Italy. Whether they play for a Italian club or outside of that country.
More talented Italian teams haven't gotten out of the group stage.
Quote:
In comment 13019418 JPinstripes said:
Quote:
Italian football no longer produces the likes of Totti, Del Piero, Nesta, Canavaro - et al..... The talent level is not on par with Germany, Spain and France. Conte was great this tournament - but Italian football is dead...
Nice blanket statement based on nothing. Chiellini has been one of the best players in the tournament, and Bonucci isn't far behind. This generation isn't as good but they've been better than France.
Based on nothing? Conte himself has admitted as much in all of his press conferences. Granted, it's more of a critique of the up-and-coming generation versus the older vets, but it's definitely a fair point.
To say Italian football is dead is a stretch. They were very good in this tournament. There are transition periods when teams aren't as strong due to the mix of generations - look at the Dutch (and the Greeks).
More talented Italian teams haven't gotten out of the group stage.
You can't compare the 06 team to this Italy team talent wise. There is no Totti, Del Piero, Canavaro, Nestta or Guttuso - Conte was very good and made Italy compete, but they are no longer the same as years passed.
They had the better scoring chances and the goal the conceded came on a lapse in judgment not often seen by Boatang.
Italy fought hard, but at least from the play on the pitch, they weren't the better team - and yet, they could have advanced.
Tis was an awful exhibition of penalty shots...
If Italy had more first choice players, they would have played Germany off the field.
Conte gave a presser this morning and choked up as he talked about his players. The Italian press corps gave him an ovation.
Conte gave a presser this morning and choked up as he talked about his players. The Italian press corps gave him an ovation.
Pirlo was a unique player - nearly impossible to replace him, although the combination of Verratti and Bonucci can do a decent job passing the ball.
Striker-wise, absolutely. No real dangerous threats up front. They also haven't had a viable option to play between the lines up front since Totti.