good post
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Read.
I said this Juventus is better than that italy, but we have the same slow CBs. Basically.
Also, this barca team is way better than that spain team. Italy should have never lost that horribly to begin with. Now they have a way more compact team
Bonucci has improved leaps and bounds since 2012. IIRC, Chiellini was playing LB to start that game, a position he's horrible in, and was injured previously in the tournament (thigh) and shouldn't have started the final. Sub'd off at 20 minutes.
Our defense is entirely different today. Evra is miles better than Chiellini (and after the sub Balzaretti) at LB. Lichtsteiner is miles better than Abate at RB. Bonucci is much better than 2012 Bonucci. Only 2012 Barza > Chiellini today.
As for the mids. Prandelli played a midfield diamond of Pirlo with Marchisio and De Rossi flanking him and Montolivo in front...
I don't see the parallels, even if our defense is sort of similar. That Spain played without a CF. They played 3 midfielders in attack, up until the 59' when Pedro was sub'd on.
I can't really think of an actual parallel to this game. Barca is unlike any team we have faced in the last couple years, and in all honesty, we're unlike any team they have faced in the last couple years. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.