Euro 2020 (2021)

[fergus90]

They hadn't just 'battered' Portugal, they barely scraped through vs Hungary, having conceded 5 goals in group stage alone.

Midfield is like 1/3 of the side and England is balanced quite a lot better with Germany struggling upfront and England conceding 0 goals. Most bookies still had England as 2nd fav to win the whole thing too

Whilst I did feel confident beating Germany at Wembley, we did ride our luck at crucial points. Werner missing at 0-0, Gosens just missing Kimmich cross, Mullers 1v1 etc.

To be honest, only the Ukraine match have we really outclassed anyone. We?ve got by through just doing enough to get the job done. Of course, it does help that we play the majority of our fixtures at home.

 

[Xaviniesta]

harry maguire has been better than kane or sterling in this tournament. he should win best player if england win it

 

[Mateka]

Well done Southgate for getting England to the final. First one for 55 years and I remember it well. Including the dull goalless opening draw against Uruguay.
Southgate does have this defensive tendency in tournament football. 8 defenders against Germany. So probably at least 8 tonight, hoping Sterling snatch a goal on the break, if not, introduce a ball player or two, in the last 20.
It has worked for him. Though, the 8 defenders is galling when you see who is on the bench.

 

[DonAK]

Well done Southgate for getting England to the final. First one for 55 years and I remember it well. Including the dull goalless opening draw against Uruguay.
Southgate does have this defensive tendency in tournament football. 8 defenders against Germany. So probably at least 8 tonight, hoping Sterling snatch a goal on the break, if not, introduce a ball player or two, in the last 20.
It has worked for him. Though, the 8 defenders is galling when you see who is on the bench.

Another 70 year old with a 20 year old's body?

 

[Mateka]

harry maguire has been better than kane or sterling in this tournament. he should win best player if england win it

Harry MaGuire has played extremely well. Started the tournament late, coming back from injury. The back four of Walker, Stones, Maguire and Shaw have worked together very well, considering their club affiliation.
But man of the tournament for England so far, is Sterling.

 

[Mateka]

Another 70 year old with a 20 year old's body?

You nailed it in one. Well almost.

 

[Nucky]

Forza Italia

 

[Mateka]

Teddy Sheringham was once asked, who he feared the most ‘Italian defenders or English journalists? His reply ‘it’s close, they have much in common.
English players when they step out of line, it is usually the kick out at somebody. But Italians it is the dark arts. At a corner, it as if they invented the arms around the attacker, restricting his movement and keeping him away from the ball.
The defensive Italians with the back four , marking man to man, with the sweeper spare, was a lock that they secured around their opponents, and once was their standard formation.
I hope tonight for an open free flowing game. I hope tonight for 11 men on both sides til the final whistle. I hope tonight for no off the ball incidents.
I expect it to be the opposite. Sadly.

 

[Mateka]

Whilst I did feel confident beating Germany at Wembley, we did ride our luck at crucial points. Werner missing at 0-0, Gosens just missing Kimmich cross, Mullers 1v1 etc.

To be honest, only the Ukraine match have we really outclassed anyone. We?ve got by through just doing enough to get the job done. Of course, it does help that we play the majority of our fixtures at home.

England have had one ingredient in this tournament, that has eluded them previously - luck. All teams need it to win.

 

[Mateka]

Southgate going 3ATB again according to Sky Sports.

Trippier RWB, Walker RCB, Mount supporting Kane and Sterling.

If I am Mancini, I'm playing everything through Insigne and Emerson. Massive shift for those two tonight

It does sound like a Southgate team.

Mancini is a demanding but shrewd manager.

This Italian team is good enough to be champions. 33 unbeaten games.

This English team is good enough to be champions. England, poor at semis but unbeaten in a final

 

[Jenks]

Whatever happens tonight I have to be content with the progress that we've made over the last five years or so. From being eliminated by Iceland at the last Euros, to a semi final exit at the last World Cup, to getting to the final of this tournament. If you'd have asked me before the group stage what would represent success I would have said that winning a knockout game against one of the big nations would be enough, so everything since the Germany game has been a bit of a bonus. I realise from the outside looking in this may seem disingenuous, but it's something that we hadn't achieved for literally decades. I was extremely anxious during the Denmark game, and to an extent before the Ukraine game too, because losing in either of those would have been a disaster. I hope we win tonight, but by contrast, there'd be no shame in losing to this fantastic Italian team. Hopefully there will be no controversy and the best team wins.

 

[Jadentheman]

All the attacking players on the bench. Southgate cynical

 

[Mateka]

All the attacking players on the bench. Southgate cynical

If his team selection was cynical, he is playing the right team.

 

[Devils]

https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1414275370430369793

Bunch of uncivilized street THUGS.

Here's to hoping Italy wipe the floor with these cheating Brits and that Jamaican today.

Forza Italia!

 

[Rory]

Player for player Italy’s xi is stronger. If Southgate utilised the players on the bench that wouldn’t be the case.