Azzurri Thread (46 Viewers)

[Bjerknes]

I actually watched the interview after the game and it wasn't Pirlo (or Pazzini who was sitting next to Pirlo in the interview) who brought up the Spain comparison, it was something the interviewer asked them.

Pirlo and Pazzini both said they are AIMING to play like Spain and admire that style of football and wish to emulate it, but Spain are on another planet at the moment.

Again, context.

OK then, in the context of the interview, with the reporter asking them about playing like Spain, if they would have drawn or lost, the same question would probably not have been asked. So that leads us to believe that the Spain comparison was only brought up because they beat Estonia 3-0 and had loads of possession, which is what I originally thought was the case.

Thank you for clarifying.

 

Buy on AliExpress.com

[Bjerknes]

Oh, and apologies for calling Pirlo a douche. It's the fanboys and the media who are at it again.

 

[Albertmare]

And ROFL @ Alvins new account. He's toned down the crazy and thinks he's an Australian from the country town of Wagga Wagga.

Wangga Wangga town

 

[Trequartista]

I actually think that this Azzurri team can do well at the Euro. Yes, this team is one of the worst in its history(2010 is the weakest) but I believe that the overall quality of football has decreased since 5-6 years.

I can't see Italy beat Spain but I think that they can do well against pretty much anyone else, in Europe at least.

I really like Prandelli, he is a great coach.

 

[Bjerknes]

but I believe that the overall quality of football has decreased since 5-6 years.

:confused2

I'm sorry, but these sort of statements just reek of sour grapes.

 

[ALC]

I actually think that this Azzurri team can do well at the Euro. Yes, this team is one of the worst in its history(2010 is the weakest) but I believe that the overall quality of football has decreased since 5-6 years.

I can't see Italy beat Spain but I think that they can do well against pretty much anyone else, in Europe at least.

They'll probably do alright but you have to consider how far a some other European teams have fallen. Germany, Holland and Spain are the only places with good teams right now. France has fallen into a very bad funk also and England is never worth mentioning during the playoffs. Portugal's very hit and miss, they would annihilate Italy on a good day but lose in another one. Russia, Turkey, and Czechoslovakia and even Greece all were some of the toughest teams you could play and could never be counted out but now are a joke.

But anyways, what I'm trying to say is, I wouldn't be surprised if the Azurri make it past the group but I don't see them going further than that.

 

[Trequartista]

:confused2

I'm sorry, but these sort of statements just reek of sour grapes.

It's my opinion, I have no problems with you disagreeing with me.

Yeah, I think that football is not as good as it used to be, and this is not only about Italian football.

 

[ALC]

:confused2

I'm sorry, but these sort of statements just reek of sour grapes.

It's definitely changed, some might view it as good, others as bad. It's not as competitive though.

 

[Bjerknes]

They'll probably do alright but you have to consider how far a some other European teams have fallen. Germany, Holland and Spain are the only places with good teams right now. France has fallen into a very bad funk also and England is never worth mentioning during the playoffs. Portugal's very hit and miss, they would annihilate Italy on a good day but lose in another one. Russia, Turkey, and Czechoslovakia and even Greece all were some of the toughest teams you could play and could never be counted out but now are a joke.

But anyways, what I'm trying to say is, I wouldn't be surprised if the Azurri make it past the group but I don't see them going further than that.

I'd argue that in 2006 Brazil and Argentina were weaker than they are now, along with Germany who had home team support which buffered their tournament. Holland weren't that good in Germany and France was a one-man team. England is also arguably stronger now with a better manager and their players in their prime. And when you add present-day Spain to the mix, if anything the international game has gotten stronger.

 

[Kasaki]

It's definitely changed, some might view it as good, others as bad. It's not as competitive though.

This happends in all aspects of life imo. Eventually money begins to play a role and club teams hog all the resources (which fair play hopes to fix) , international sides are able to provide better facilities/youth squads etc.

As far as Euro 2012, it's too soon to tell for italy but I see them going past group then maybe quarters

 

[Bjerknes]

It's definitely changed, some might view it as good, others as bad. It's not as competitive though.

How so? You can't make a statement like that without backing it up. It looks like Treq's post.

 

[Kasaki]

How so? You can't make a statement like that without backing it up. It looks like Treq's post.

Spain - Finally playing at full potential, have gotten much better
France - They've been going through a rough spell which imo began in 06.
England - Have always continued to fail in tournaments and there group form never usually translates to tournament form
Netherlands - I think they've gotten better, not sure about there youth talents, but there curret squad is one of the best. They should have won the world cup , but thats speaking in hindsight. Look for them to improve
Germany - Producing great talent like usual , however this time they are producing talent at a fast rate. There growth mirrors that of the Bundesliga, a lot wasn't expected from them last World Cup but alot will be come Euro's
Italy - Same issue as france, how ever they seem to be recovering a lot better, the only issue is production of talent. Kind of reminds me of Juventus - Liverpool the last two seasons


In summary , the big teams haven't really improved expcept for maybe three of them. The minnows (greece, croatia, slovakia etc) took advantage of bad form in 2010. I don't expect those types of teams to compete in the Euros

 

[ALC]

I'd argue that in 2006 Brazil and Argentina were weaker than they are now, along with Germany who had home team support which buffered their tournament. Holland weren't that good in Germany and France was a one-man team. England is also arguably stronger now with a better manager and their players in their prime. And when you add present-day Spain to the mix, if anything the international game has gotten stronger.

Brazil of 2006 was mediocre by their standards, I got carried away and was thinking of the last almost 20 years. France always had a good team, it's just that Zidane had a freak month in 2006 and carried the whole team in his back. Take away Zidane and that team demolishes their current one. Germany's always good, and England showed how good they are. A 4-1 drumming is unacceptable. Italy has still fallen the most so I only think they'll make it past the group stage and then get lose.

Portugal is a world beater on their day as they've displayed but their inconsistency turns me off. So imo. Spain, Netherlands, and Germany are the top teams in Europe and the rest are just meh. This WC showed it. I'm amazed the semis had 3 European teams after the displays Latin America put forth.

 

[ALC]

How so? You can't make a statement like that without backing it up. It looks like Treq's post.

I said on my post to Tre how the underdogs from Europe don't really stand a chance anymore. Greece, Turkey and Czechoslovakia being some of them. Other than Germany, Spain, or Netherlands, do you see any other teams able to win the Euro? Same goes for club football. ManU and Barcelona have had two fucking finals in three years. Barcelona almost always makes it. All leagues are dominated by at most two teams. Barca in Spain, Inter in Italy and United with Chelsea in England. Inter finally lost for a change thank God.

 

[Bjerknes]

The 2006 France had the dunce Domenech who is a complete whackjob and terrible coach. Zidane did incredibly well bringing them that far, even for his calibre.

Kasaki, if you don't think a smaller footballing nation will make waves in the Euros, then you haven't been watching them over the years. Chances are somebody will, like Greece in 2004 and Russia in 2008. Even in Euro 96 the Czechs came out of nowhere to compete. The same sort of stuff is said every year and folks keep getting proven wrong.

 

[Kasaki]

The 2006 France had the dunce Domenech who is a complete whackjob and terrible coach. Zidane did incredibly well bringing them that far, even for his calibre.

Kasaki, if you don't think a smaller footballing nation will make waves in the Euros, then you haven't been watching them over the years. Chances are somebody will, like Greece in 2004 and Russia in 2008. Even in Euro 96 the Czechs came out of nowhere to compete. The same sort of stuff is said every year and folks keep getting proven wrong.

I didn't / don't consider russia to be minnows. As far as Greece and Czech those were some great sides. Maybe a team like belgium can get far but only because of there young/promising talent.

 

[Bjerknes]

I said on my post to Tre how the underdogs from Europe don't really stand a chance anymore. Greece, Turkey and Czechoslovakia being some of them. Other than Germany, Spain, or Netherlands, do you see any other teams able to win the Euro?

Similar stuff is said every four years, I don't really pay attention to it. Sides can change quite a lot in two years of international football and you can never discount talent. Next year, will someone beat an in-form Spain? Probably not. But that doesn't mean a smaller nation can't make the final.

 

[Bjerknes]

I didn't / don't consider russia to be minnows. As far as Greece and Czech those were some great sides. Maybe a team like belgium can get far but only because of there young/promising talent.

If Belgium can get their act together as a team they might be able to.

 

[ALC]

There is that mystery factor that plays in so we'll have to see. I rock at WC predictions but Euro always throws me off for some reason

 

[Gabriel]

I don't know how Croatia doesn't do well with Modric, Kranjcar, Eduardo, Corluka etc? They have good players and one would expect them to do good. Same as Serbia.

I love teams that come and challenge out of nowhere in the Euros.