I don't if it is a mental problem or a fitness issue, team looks exhausted after 60-70 minutes.
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Azzurri Thread (78 Viewers)
- Thread starter Marceℓℓo
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Bit of both. Italy took the lead on all three matches. Their mentality, I guess, forced them to retract after taking the lead. But even after Spain and Croatia equalized, Italy didn't have the legs to fight back and it looked more likely that they'll concede a second rather than score themselves. So it's the typical Italian "lets rather keep the 1:0 instead of attacking for a 2:0" combined with a fitness issue. The fitness issue in the Italian team was noticed by the other coaches. Bilic talked about it.
Balzaretti had a good game yesterday but I really did hate Abate, Maggio is far better despite looking out of place too.
Felt like apart from Marchisio last night, the Italian midfield was not playing around Pirlo (the person this team is built around) but playing their own game. De Rossi kept attempting long balls, Thiago Motta kept coming deep to collect possession pushing Pirlo in weird areas. Abate was not a threat at all, and defensively doesn't offer much either, so bye bye to him. Again, poor attempts to retain possession and a lot of nervous and hasty long balls played by the team, even by the Juventus players who often don't do that. Prandelli needs to calm these boys down.
Cassano and Di Natale did well to keep creating chances because if they weren't doing well it could have been even worse. 3-5-2 might be ruined now Chiellini is injured so I think we're going to see 4-3-1-2 more often.
Italy were worse against Ireland than they were against both Spain and Croatia (for 60 minutes). One bad display was obviously going to bring up the usual they're average or whatever when Italy actually have strength all over the pitch, but didn't play to their potential against the weakest team in the competition, yet played significantly better against the strongest team.
Felt like apart from Marchisio last night, the Italian midfield was not playing around Pirlo (the person this team is built around) but playing their own game. De Rossi kept attempting long balls, Thiago Motta kept coming deep to collect possession pushing Pirlo in weird areas. Abate was not a threat at all, and defensively doesn't offer much either, so bye bye to him. Again, poor attempts to retain possession and a lot of nervous and hasty long balls played by the team, even by the Juventus players who often don't do that. Prandelli needs to calm these boys down.
Cassano and Di Natale did well to keep creating chances because if they weren't doing well it could have been even worse. 3-5-2 might be ruined now Chiellini is injured so I think we're going to see 4-3-1-2 more often.
Italy were worse against Ireland than they were against both Spain and Croatia (for 60 minutes). One bad display was obviously going to bring up the usual they're average or whatever when Italy actually have strength all over the pitch, but didn't play to their potential against the weakest team in the competition, yet played significantly better against the strongest team.
this
Andy is right, Italy cannot be considered a good team until they face the almighty Jamaica, Cuba and Antigua & Barbuda 
I hope Croatia stun England tonight, scoring a fluke controversial goal to send the English on their way out of the tournament
---------- Post added 19.06.2012 at 20:06 ----------
Fuck you too
That is clearly the biggest issue this Italian team is facing - along with lacking a true clinical goalscorer. There is some issues with the formation (whether to go back 3 or 4), but I feel they have players who are versatile and tactically astute enough to be able to adapt to any team and situation there in.
You know the thing that concerns me most is France's defense, they probably would get exposed. I don't rate them very highly to be honest, neither as individuals and especially not as a unit. France almost always has to concede against decent opposition. If Blanc can manage to keep the ball and not allow Italians possession(which might prove too difficult) then thats one way to solve the problem.
I think France have a decent shot at winning the whole thing really. Their defense is shaky, but the mid\attack is really good and they have a WC goalkeeper too.
Italy-France is gonna be a GREAT match if it were to happen, but I've always preferred the Italy-Germany games. If they do play each other (Ital-Fr), I'd probably be a neutral on this one, I support both sides and I'd be happy regardless who wins the game......as long as they win the Cup of course.
Italy-France is gonna be a GREAT match if it were to happen, but I've always preferred the Italy-Germany games. If they do play each other (Ital-Fr), I'd probably be a neutral on this one, I support both sides and I'd be happy regardless who wins the game......as long as they win the Cup of course.