Italy

[AnfieldEd]

I never said Croatia or Ireland should be feared, or even that they are brilliant teams.

It's just my opinion that I believe Ireland and Croatia do not need to fear this Italian team and therefore should have the belief that they can get a result, because as Ireland prove in each tournament they play in, they are always hard to beat and that Irish spirit can and will encourage them. Croatia have some good creative and technical players that can also trouble Italy.

So for me 2nd spot is open for grabs.

* Saying that it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Italy beat Spain 1-0 or something like that.

 

[Yugo Count Dante]

Italy has Balotelli who said he will behave


Certainly makes the team more attractive to watch by tenfold

 

[DucdeOrléans]

I never said Croatia or Ireland should be feared, or even that they are brilliant teams.

It's just my opinion that I believe Ireland and Croatia do not need to fear this Italian team and therefore should have the belief that they can get a result, because as Ireland prove in each tournament they play in, they are always hard to beat and that Irish spirit can and will encourage them. Croatia have some good creative and technical players that can also trouble Italy.

So for me 2nd spot is open for grabs.

* Saying that it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Italy beat Spain 1-0 or something like that.

You stated that teams facing Italy have nothing to fear to which I replied that the same can be said about those two teams you mentioned as examples (Croatia and Ireland)

I don't know why you mention all this since nobody here claimed that Italy are favorites as previously mentioned.

I only reacted to your rhetoric which reminded me of all those anti-Azzurri football fans who always like to downplay Italy without having learned the lesson yet (that Italy are way better when nobody believes in them rather when the opposite scenario happens)

But well we shall see how it unfolds when the EURO's start.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Ranocchia and Destro are the last two cut from the squad.

 

[DucdeOrléans]

The final squad selected by Prandelli:

PORTIERI: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St. Germain)

DIFENSORI: Ignazio Abate (Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Obinze Ogbonna (Torino)

CENTROCAMPISTI: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris St. Germain), Antonio Nocerino (Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)

ATTACCANTI: Mario Barwuah Balotelli (Manchester City), Fabio Borini (Roma), Antonio Cassano (Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma).

Destro and Ranocchia axed.

I am more hopeful than I initially thought. It's probably due to the hope and expectations that usually come shortly before a big tournament starts.

 

[DucdeOrléans]

What a horrible week for il calcio italiano and Italia as a whole. Today's earthquake in Emilia-Romagna was unfortunately deadly as the last on in Emilia-Romagna just 9 days ago.

Today's game against Luxembourg that would have taken place in Parma have rightly been cancelled.

A lot of historical sites, churches etc. have unfortunately also been destroyed. Truly horrible.

 

[DucdeOrléans]

What. A. Shitty. Game. That. Was.

 

[woobie]

Well. I for one am happy about how Italy played yesterday. There's certainly room for improvement but the formation wasn't the train wreck I was afraid it might have been. Super happy for Di Natale's goal and rather impressed by how well De Rossi did as a CB.

 

[Sergio]

Well. I for one am happy about how Italy played yesterday. There's certainly room for improvement but the formation wasn't the train wreck I was afraid it might have been. Super happy for Di Natale's goal and rather impressed by how well De Rossi did as a CB.

But remember, 'Ireland and Croatia have nothing to fear from Italy'. Its all well and good Italia playing like that against the best team in the world, but I can really see why Ireland can square up to them and throw caution to the wind and confident of the victory to follow.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

If Barzagli becomes available how do you think the strategy will change? Revert to 4 man defense or keep 3-5-2 with De Rossi as DM?

 

[Sergio]

If Barzagli becomes available how do you think the strategy will change? Revert to 4 man defense or keep 3-5-2 with De Rossi as DM?

Well I hope so, freeing up De Rossi I think will get the best out of Marchisio and allow for that dud Motta to be benched. Other than that though I just hope Di Natale starts next to either Cassano or Balotelli, I don't like both playing together at all really, needs a better finisher and target man to run the line. Only problem is am not sure Di Natale has the legs for a full 90'.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

yeah I said elsewhere I think Balo should be dropped for Di Natale, if it turns out he cannot last 90 min then perhaps Giovinco can relieve him later. Giaccherini seems a weak link too, seemed to misplace a lot of passes.

 

[Sergio]

Giaccherini was really quite poor, the space he gave Navas towards the end was terrifying. But I like him, and with Juve he is more reliable, I think he can be forgiven as suffering a bit of stage fright, I wouldn't replace him just yet.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Suppose so, could have to do with the level of expectation with playing against Spain too. Perhaps against Croatia or Ireland he will fare better.

 

[barcelonista]

It would be typical for Italy to lose against Croatia and draw against Ireland now after that great performance against Spain.