[EU] The U-21 European Championship (5 Viewers)

[Osman]

Serbia are bit weird, really struggle with attacking, and am I wrong or did he sub in an LB for an attacker?

 

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[Rollie]

Obradovic is in the game now at LB... can't remember who they subbed out. They're actually playing better offensively now, since his introduction. Been pretty impressed with Obradovic... made some nice runs, getting forward a lot. Good touch on his longer passes, and a solid FK. If this is him lacking match fitness, sign me up...haha. He's obviously quality if he's played for the senior team already.

This is actually the first time I've seen him play, so all these comments with a grain of salt.

 

[Osman]

Serbia in overall are very subpar though in this game, I mean Belarus look more dangerous, and they are a very weak team. Serbia might end this tourno without scoring any goals.

 

[Rollie]

Serbia's touch around the box has been very, very poor. The first half was pretty balanced, then the Serbs had the better of play to start the 2nd half, until about the 60th minute or so. Belarus started to show a little more for 15 minutes or so after that, and now Serbia is putting a little more pressure on.

All in all, very back in forth... you're right though, Os. Against a team like Belarus, back and forth doesn't cut it at all. Serbia needs some legitimate strikers... apparently theirs are hurt. I don't know their team at all, really...

 

[Rollie]

Well that was a supremely disappointing game...

 

[Osman]

Indeed, worst one so far, of those I watched (all of this group, other group not so much).

 

[Fellas]

Indeed, worst one so far, of those I watched (all of this group, other group not so much).

Spain for me is the worst team in the tournement.. I read aftonbladet.. they asked all the swedish players, which team is the favourites to win the tournement. 99% of them said Spain.. they are so hyped.

Italy and England in the final

Giovinco show

 

[Esteban]

This situation reminds me much of the Euro 2008. We then also had 3 points after 2 games after starting off with a solid win and then went on to an unfortunate loss after playing well against the big boy of the group (that time Spain won by a last second goal from David Villa). Before game 3 we needed "only" one point against the inferior Russia (that was the common opinion).

I get the exact same feeling this time. I can't help but feel we should get at least one point against Serbia pretty easily and by that qualify for the next round. I hope the players don't feel the same way because that's what kicked us out of the tournament that time; underestimating an opponent that is so much better than what they've shown in the opening games.

 

[AngelaL]

does anyone else feels that this u21 plays a better football,at least less boring than the Azzurri,and im not even being biased..the young defense,the midfield,i see them as a better side,i think they could beat the current azzurri side in a friendly match..
oh,and criscito really should come back,him and bocchetti has been very strong at the back..

Me! The Azzurri should shed some of their dinosaurs and make room for Claudio and Seba! Paolo and Mimmo could break through to the Azzuri too!

Seba was MOTM for me!

 

[Red]

Football is always more open and attractive at U21 level, but that is mostly to do with the opposition not being as disciplined or tactically aware as they are at full international level.

 

[Osman]

Except this italian team, they are one of the most calmly mature (except 1 player) and tactically astute teams around, regardless of youth or senior footie.

 

[Christina]

I missed this game again, damn exams! But it's great Gio played well and they won.

 

[Red]

Except this italian team, they are one of the most calmly mature (except 1 player) and tactically astute teams around, regardless of youth or senior footie.

Sure.

I meant that if the opposition is indisciplined it can be easier to play attractive football.

Serbia and Sweden have both struggled to create chances or get any real rhythm against Italy, because the Italians are very disciplined and well organised.

 

[Esteban]

None of that applies here since Italy didn't play well against either of Serbia or Sweden if we are talking offense. The defensive organisation is another story, it's close to perfect. That's why I see Italy winning this whole thing.

 

[Red]

None of that applies here since Italy didn't play well against either of Serbia or Sweden if we are talking offense. The defensive organisation is another story, it's close to perfect. That's why I see Italy winning this whole thing.

I get the impression that Italy think they can win the whole thing just by being defensively solid.

They seem happy to keep eight players behind the ball, for the most part, and hope the front three can win them the game.

 

[Juventine]

does anyone else feels that this u21 plays a better football,at least less boring than the Azzurri,and im not even being biased..the young defense,the midfield,i see them as a better side,i think they could beat the current azzurri side in a friendly match..
oh,and criscito really should come back,him and bocchetti has been very strong at the back..

For me Bocchetti and Criscito had a bad game. Bocchetti was not calm enough and made 1-2 unwise mistakes. He was also impulsive sometimes. Criscito faced too much pressure for lack of pressing from Italian's midfield and had to deal with several swedish players alone on the band and at the same time had to help with the hole left by Bocchetti. He was not very accurate like he usually is and I rarely saw the good anticipation which should be his strong point. Andreolli was ok and Motta played well.

 

[Rollie]

None of that applies here since Italy didn't play well against either of Serbia or Sweden if we are talking offense. The defensive organisation is another story, it's close to perfect. That's why I see Italy winning this whole thing.

Against Sweden, Italy was clinical from an offensive standpoint. They played over 50 Minutes at 10 men and managed to score while down a man.

Then they sat back and played defense, hence Giovinco's substitution in the 62nd minute, despite the fact that he set up both Italian goals. At one point in time, they were even playing a 4-1-4... obviously not a tactic used if one is intending to score.

Against Serbia, they were unimpressive from an offensive standpoint, that much is true. First game of the tournament, against a very solid defense... it happens...

 

[Esteban]

I get the impression that Italy think they can win the whole thing just by being defensively solid.

They seem happy to keep eight players behind the ball, for the most part, and hope the front three can win them the game.

That is exactly what they are thinking, imo. What happens if one of the three get injured though? Bench looks incredibly thin with Abate as the main man.

 

[Red]

That is exactly what they are thinking, imo. What happens if one of the three get injured though? Bench looks incredibly thin with Abate as the main man.

We'll soon find out given that Balotelli is suspended.

4-4-1-1 with Abate on the right and Giovinco off Aquafresca?

 

[Esteban]

Against Sweden, Italy was clinical from an offensive standpoint. They played over 50 Minutes at 10 men and managed to score while down a man.

Then they sat back and played defense, hence Giovinco's substitution in the 62nd minute, despite the fact that he set up both Italian goals. At one point in time, they were even playing a 4-1-4... obviously not a tactic used if one is intending to score.

Against Serbia, they were unimpressive from an offensive standpoint, that much is true. First game of the tournament, against a very solid defense... it happens...

That is true, Italy did have to take that approach after going one man down. But I'm just not sure this team has another gear. This is probably what it will look like for the remainder of the tournament too.