Azzurri Thread (111 Viewers)

[DIECI]

I $#@!ing hate Spain, but against Italy I want them to win.

I don't think the spaniards are scared now as some were saying yesterday, they're so arrogant nowadays that I bet they feel Italy should fear them, not the other way around.

Spain is a far different opponent than Germany though and Italy won't get to dominate play in midfield against Spain's 5 (maybe 6 mfs) Pirlo is a master while De Rossi and Marchisio are good but they will have to come against Xavi, Xabi, Iniesta, Busquets, Silva and maybe Fabregas. It's too much I'd say. Expect Italy to soak up the pressure.

With that said I hope Spain gets a striker on the field with enough time and not in the 70th minute, I don't think del Bosque will start a striker like Torres or Llorente, and $#@!ing Negredo shouldn't play.

Italy on the other hand could exploit Arbeloa's footballing ability on the counter but they will need to get the ball back and get it to Pirlo first.

we could hold the ball vs Spain, we showed it in the 1st game where we created many chances and controlled the ball for good parts of the game, mostly in the 1st half and before the goals... We also played them very well in Bari when we won 2-1 in the friendly last year. The way I see it is Spain is still a graet team but not as great as they were 2 and 4 years ago and even then they won but how convincing were their wins? 1-0 vs Germany and 1-0 vs Netherlands right before PKs. I think they are on a slight decline, after winning so much while Italy are on an obvious upswing which will peak at the WC in 2014.... I've said all along, this tournament is a warm up for that, a chance to get experience and learn how to play together on the world stage. Don't forget this team has only played together for what 5 games max?

 

Buy on AliExpress.com

[frick]

Too bad the schedule favours their opponent... again! Italy won't last 90 minutes, if it's going to ET either Spain will score or it'll go to PK.

 

[Gabriel]

Downside to what you say is that I don't see Pirlo showing this kind of form 2 years from now, and your midfield could turn from an almost World class midfield to a just very good one.

This game is at a different price though, Spain also started WC 2010 slow, they lost iirc. But now they're in the final and they will take things more seriously, Italy did well against Spain up until they scored, then Spain pushed the accelerator, specially after they got Torres in, you could see Italy was suffering and failing to cope with the Spanish play.

 

[ZoSo]

Downside to what you say is that I don't see Pirlo showing this kind of form 2 years from now, and your midfield could turn from an almost World class midfield to a just very good one.

This game is at a different price though, Spain also started WC 2010 slow, they lost iirc. But now they're in the final and they will take things more seriously, Italy did well against Spain up until they scored, then Spain pushed the accelerator, specially after they got Torres in, you could see Italy was suffering and failing to cope with the Spanish play.

People also said Pirlo was finished.

 

[Gabriel]

I've never said that, and his ability is one you don't lose with the passing of time, but he'll be what? 35? 36? You can see that a player changes a lot during that 2 to 3 years specific age period, just ask ADP.

If he gets injured during that period it will take longer to heal, his fitness won't be as good, etc.

 

[ZoSo]

He's still going to be very good in 2014 if he's the best MF in the world at age 33.

 

[DIECI]

I've never said that, and his ability is one you don't lose with the passing of time, but he'll be what? 35? 36? You can see that a player changes a lot during that 2 to 3 years specific age period, just ask ADP.

If he gets injured during that period it will take longer to heal, his fitness won't be as good, etc.

don't worry, when we sign Veratti, Pirlo will teach him everything and he will carry on the torch .... but don't forget, the way Pirlo plays he could play at this level for another 5 years, he doesn't use speed, quickness or athleticism, its all in the brain

 

[ZoSo]

I seriously doubt Verratti will be as good as Pirlo. Verratti will be a very good player if he is half as good as Pirlo. Pirlo is arguably the best deep lying playmaker ever and one of the best Italian players ever.

 

[Lapa]

I can smell gold already...

...no wait, it was just this golden colored beer that I'm drinking. Move along.

 

[ZoSo]

 

[Flamez]

btw, Cassano and Balotelli's situation with Prandelli remember me of Vucinic (and Bonucci)'s with Conte. The coach never lost the faith in his bets, and it has finally paid off in the end. Let's see if these two can keep the momentum and take the euro to Italy, like Vucinic and Bonucci were capable to do it in the last 2/3 months of the season.

same goes for Prandelli's 4-3-1-2 and Conte's 3-5-2.

 

[Alex-444]

 

[Trequartista]

 

[Albertmare]

Not funny , They all have had better scoring record then balo .

you wouldn't even like balo if he wasnt called up and preaaaseee he just scores 3 goals from +- 50 shot on target or off target in these past 5 matches .

 

[am0110]

Forza JuveItalia

 

[AndreaCristiano]

Not funny , They all have had better scoring record then balo .

you wouldn't even like balo if he wasnt called up and preaaaseee he just scores 3 goals from +- 50 shot on target or off target in these past 5 matches .

Ummm what?

 

[pitbull]

Not funny , They all have had better scoring record then balo .

you wouldn't even like balo if he wasnt called up and preaaaseee he just scores 3 goals from +- 50 shot on target or off target in these past 5 matches .

come on Albert

 

[Albertmare]

sorry , this is the complete facts , he has had 20 shot off target and 10 shot on target before vs Germany games , i cant deny he is good but overestimating this idiot guy is meh .

 

[AndreaCristiano]

sorry , this is the complete facts , he has had 20 shot off target and 10 shot on target before vs Germany games , i cant deny he is good but overestimating this idiot guy is meh .

How about at man city. C'mon man RVP did shit in this tournament and people rate him so high after one great season

 

[Alex-444]