Antonio Conte (108 Viewers)
- Thread starter Dostoevsky
- Start date
- Tags goat coach
Im not even worried whoever they play, this EURO has no standout team anyone should fear, but you literally can choose between an easy path to the final and playing 3 of the best teams in the world. Only an idiot would not try to win 2nd place in that group 
This is too much
Now, Conte is an idiot for winning the group?
This is too much
This is too much
People here, me included, were saying before the tournament even started that winning 2nd place should be the goal, to have an easy path to the semifinal. Spains loss makes it even easier, literally not one team better than Italy on that side of the draw. How stupid can you be to not see this
The problem is that telling your players to lose or even draw a game is not really something a coach should do. It would be very destabilizing for the team especially for a team which thrives on team spirit and winning mentality. Conte would lose all credibility in front of his players if he was to do that as it completely contradicts what he is trying to bring into that team.
But he doesent really have to tell his players to lose or draw, hes a coach who knows how to get the needed result and knows how to set up his tactics for a draw so thats what he should have done. Zaza sub was a mistake for example, could have put on Immobile, its still an attacking sub but with less danger of scoring a goal. The funny thing is, they were even playing like they are going for a draw, minimal attacking threat all game, subs in a defensive CM for an attacking wingback, basically apart from the goal that was a classic grinding out the result game, and the goal came out of nothing. a draw was enough for them to qualify 100% and would give them excellent chances to finish 2nd, he should have known that and going into the end phase of the game with 0-0 gave him exactly what he needed for that
I agree that Conte went to the game with the minimum target being a draw and a certain qualification but I don't agree that one should in anyway try to make his team play badly and lose points on purpose. This EURO format sucks though it's stupid that we even have to speculate with such things just use the CL format where they draw the matches after each round. A team that potentially has 9 points after the group stage should be facing one of the best thirds not one of the best seconds.
The format is garbage, agree, but one has to be able to make some calculations before each game and see what result benefits him more. This is basically choosing between a certain final appearance and a likely earlier exit were talking about, no matter how much intentionally drawing or losing isnt really a saint thing to do, you have to know what result benefits you more in the long run and go for it. You have to take such factors into consideration before each game, otherwise you end up going up against current European and World Champions and the host nation which are all the top 3 favorites according to anyone who follows international football even a little
