Azzurri Thread (79 Viewers)
- Thread starter Marceℓℓo
- Start date
Garbage second half performance. Absolutely disgraceful. They were clearly happy to hold on to a 1 goal lead, which was always going to backfire.
And I still stand behind what I said, Italy should have taken a prima punta. Yeah say what you want about the quality of Matri but Id rather have him on attacking crosses, than 5 foot nothing midgets like Cassano, Di Natale and Giostinko.
Ah well, tournament over for Italy. They're gonna lose or draw with Ireland, which will render the result of the other game useless anyway.
And I still stand behind what I said, Italy should have taken a prima punta. Yeah say what you want about the quality of Matri but Id rather have him on attacking crosses, than 5 foot nothing midgets like Cassano, Di Natale and Giostinko.
Ah well, tournament over for Italy. They're gonna lose or draw with Ireland, which will render the result of the other game useless anyway.
i am really mad at most of the players for not stepping up the urgency until the 80th minute.
we should have had at least 3 goals by halftime and cassano could have gone earlier...
i don't get how maggio was still playing... pepe could not have done worse than him. totally clueless and could not get anything done.
we should have had at least 3 goals by halftime and cassano could have gone earlier...
i don't get how maggio was still playing... pepe could not have done worse than him. totally clueless and could not get anything done.
You say it again, I'm going to agree again. There are stamina issues in midfield, which is resulting in a lot of longer balls during the second half. The team needs that target man in reserve, Matri definitely should have been included.
While DDR has played very well, getting Barzagli back would be huge and not just because he's so solid; it would provide the quality midfield depth Italy are currently lacking.
I don't think Italy is done at all, though. Ireland will probably come in to the match winless, which is obviously very dangerous, but Cassano and Balo are due. I think the team will get it done.
While DDR has played very well, getting Barzagli back would be huge and not just because he's so solid; it would provide the quality midfield depth Italy are currently lacking.
I don't think Italy is done at all, though. Ireland will probably come in to the match winless, which is obviously very dangerous, but Cassano and Balo are due. I think the team will get it done.
I know exactly what will happen from here.
Spain will beat Ireland tonight.
Then Italy will beat Ireland next round. But Spain and Croatia draw 2-2 which means we will be out - the only score which would guarantee that Spain and Croatia both go through.
Then Italians will then complain about match fixing! i.e another Euro 2004 scenario where Sweden and Denmark played out a 2-2 in exactly the same scenario.
Can you imagine how ironic that would be given the build up to the tournament!!!!!!!
Spain will beat Ireland tonight.
Then Italy will beat Ireland next round. But Spain and Croatia draw 2-2 which means we will be out - the only score which would guarantee that Spain and Croatia both go through.
Then Italians will then complain about match fixing! i.e another Euro 2004 scenario where Sweden and Denmark played out a 2-2 in exactly the same scenario.
Can you imagine how ironic that would be given the build up to the tournament!!!!!!!
Typical 2nd gear performance in the second half by Italy, did nothing with the ball and just spent the game trying to deal with crosses. 1-0 was never going to be enough, because if you sit back and try to soak up pressure against an ultra physical and direct team, facing duel after duel and cross after cross, then eventually something will break for them, someone will make a mistake, you always get at least one good chance and the guy took it. Chiellini made a ridiculously rookie mistake that he will make every 30 games, and that's all you need.
Croatia needed few real chances to score, Italy wasted several, and the pitty-patty nonsense around the area by Cassano et al was like watching Arsenal. There were clear shots to be had, real scoring chances. It was almost too easy at times, they knew they could create chances so were not clinical. Second half was just a non-event from an Italy perspective. They dealt with most of it but their apparent comfort at 1-0 was false.
So nothing changes, Italy again making it difficult for themselves. Croatia gave it their all and deserve the point.
I think if Spain beat Ireland as expected then Spain and Croatia can play out a draw in the last game and both go through, which is great. Although I expect Spain will be too arrogant with the Barcelona contingent to settle for a draw there.
Croatia needed few real chances to score, Italy wasted several, and the pitty-patty nonsense around the area by Cassano et al was like watching Arsenal. There were clear shots to be had, real scoring chances. It was almost too easy at times, they knew they could create chances so were not clinical. Second half was just a non-event from an Italy perspective. They dealt with most of it but their apparent comfort at 1-0 was false.
So nothing changes, Italy again making it difficult for themselves. Croatia gave it their all and deserve the point.
I think if Spain beat Ireland as expected then Spain and Croatia can play out a draw in the last game and both go through, which is great. Although I expect Spain will be too arrogant with the Barcelona contingent to settle for a draw there.