Azzurri Thread (87 Viewers)

[Joe]

Balotelli is a very useful player. Him and Cassano should start next match but if they aren't producing Prandelli MUST sub them. That's the best attacking duo Italy has. Giovinco and Di Natale come next. Borini won't get playing time.

 

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[Halabalu]

Yes.. It seems delusional to let Germany play in second 1\4 match while their possible rivals play in two days after in the last one. And Spain is facing the same problem! Only two days to have a rest.
According to such occasions it seems to be imposible to beat German !!!

 

[Vinny Del Pogba]

They could really use a fully fit Rossi. :/

 

[Gabriel]

They could even use Di Vaio.

 

[enzo]

Well, Germany has more days to rest, but Italy has the euphoria. Beside that, Montolivo most likely gained self esteem and there is still Di Natale and Giovinco on the bench. I know what some of you think of Gio, but with his low balance point, he is hard to tackle and a great danger for Germany's defense.

 

[Halabalu]

Well, Germany has more days to rest, but Italy has the euphoria. Beside that, Montolivo most likely gained self esteem and there is still Di Natale and Giovinco on the bench. I know what some of you think of Gio, but with his low balance point, he is hard to tackle and a great danger for Germany's defense.

If Mertezaker plays Gio could easily slide between his legs !!!

 

[Juliano13]

Balotelli is a very useful player. Him and Cassano should start next match but if they aren't producing Prandelli MUST sub them. That's the best attacking duo Italy has. Giovinco and Di Natale come next. Borini won't get playing time.

nice troll

 

[Gabriel]

If Mertezaker plays Gio could easily slide between his legs !!!

There's no chance in hell Mertesacker will play.

Lahm - Badstuber - Hummels - Boateng

 

[Joe]

nice troll

No troll.

If you can't see what Balotelli does to the opponent's backline, you're blind. He and Cassano are our best strikers and they should always start.

 

[enzo]

No troll.

If you can't see what Balotelli does to the opponent's backline, you're blind. He and Cassano are our best strikers and they should always start.

If they would only score.

 

[Halabalu]

There's no chance in hell Mertesacker will play.

Lahm - Badstuber - Hummels - Boateng

I know ! It was a joke ! I've gust imagined how he do it with Mertezaker and it made me smile a little bit !

 

[Joe]

If they would only score.

And the others can? There's nothing that proves Cassano and Balotelli shouldn't start.

 

[DIECI]

And the others can? There's nothing that proves Cassano and Balotelli shouldn't start.

They should start.... Cassano is our 2nd best creator for himself and others out there after Pirlo, Balotelli has been very dangerous everytime he touches the ball.... I think he's been a bit unlucky with his shots but hes created shots on goal. Vs the Germans they will get chances because we will have some counter attacks for sure.... what concerns me is our defense and defensive midfield. What is Prandelli's plan for that? Is Chellini playing? DeRossi? we need all our heavy guns!

 

[AndreaCristiano]

They could really use a fully fit Rossi. :/

Amen! yet on here he isnt rated as quality

 

[Ahmed]

Here's something...

Apparently the English are much better prepared physically than the Italians? What changed? I thought Italy did look tired in the groups but last night they played with swagger.

pace was a lot slower in this game, played the old Italy style we are used to seeing rather than the high tempo pressing game seen earlier.

 

[Red]

Here's something...

Apparently the English are much better prepared physically than the Italians? What changed? I thought Italy did look tired in the groups but last night they played with swagger.

It's playing 4-3-1-2 that helps a lot, I think.

With 3-5-2 pretty much all the running had to be done by the midfield five.

With 4-3-1-2 the two fullbacks do their share so the bulk of the running is shared between six.

It's also a system that allows you to do more of the defending in midfield, in relatively safe areas, where 3-5-2 tends to require a lot more of the defending to be done from the defenders as it is tougher for the midfield to sheild them as well.

Also, Prandelli has started to make better changes as the tournament has gone on and brought on appropriate players at appropriate times against England.

As for England, it's just a really hard slog playing with everyone behind the ball the whole game. Particularly tough for the midfield two who were heavily outnumbered.

 

[Joe]

What do you guys think is better vs Germany? A 4-3-1-2? or a 3-5-2?

 

[Ahmed]

3-5-2 definitely.

 

[JCK]

4-4-2 Diamond against Germany.

 

[Ahmed]

Chiellini back for Germany?
By Football Italia staff

Giorgio Chiellini is reportedly on track for involvement in Italy’s semi-final this Thursday, despite suffering a thigh strain only a week ago.

The Juventus man picked up the first degree strain in his left thigh when in action for the Azzurri in their final group game of Euro 2012 last Monday against the Republic of Ireland.

The injury forced the player to sit out Sunday evening’s quarter-final win over England and there were doubts about his ability to recover in time for the semi-final and even final, should Italy make it.

First degree strains usually require 20 days to recover from, yet the player has already returned to training, having taken part in running and ball-work exercises this morning with Italy’s other players who did not play last night.

Italy face Germany in the second semi-final of the competition this coming Thursday night at the National Stadium in Warsaw. The final will be held next Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.