Group A (Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, Wales)

[Disco]

No one loves a full sprint celebration towards the bench more than the Italians

[ponsaelius]

Lovely little flick from Pessina.

 

The all Turin front 3 doesn't look anywhere near as fluid as the first choice but Chiesa devastating on his own. 

[Mike]

On 17/06/2021 at 02:59, HTT II said:

Italy team looking good, they are my dark horses.

 

[NUFCDoog]

Hard to know where Wales are really as it becomes more evident just how bad Turkey are, decent draw with Switzerland, but the Swiss were the better team, win against Turkey doesn't look like it was much and now being outplayed here. No shame in losing to Italy obviously but it's telling.

 

Wouldn't expect them to go much further in the tournament

[Wolfcastle]

Impressed with our tastiness, and inventinveness albeit not playing against much.

Still don't think we'll win it but Mancini's winning me over now - felt anybody could have bludgeoned their way to the title with Man City with that outlay but this is decent.

Had to get it off my chest.

[ponsaelius]

Very harsh that FFS. 

[Sima]

Nah, red all day.

 

 

Edited June 20, 2021 by Sima

[ponsaelius]

Orange card it feels like to me. Harsh I reckon. 

[Bizza]

Deffo a red

[Pata]

Feel like yellow would have been enough.

[Disco]

Shocked that a welsh man who once volleyed someone in the face doesn’t think it’s a red.

[Doctor Zaius]

Chiesa is a lovely player like. 

[Fantail Breeze]

Thought that was harsh. 

 

Shock that Walton was falling over himself to justify it though.

[tgarve]

3 minutes ago, Doctor Zaius said:

Chiesa is a lovely player like. 

Not much end product

[tgarve]

3 minutes ago, Fantail Breeze said:

Thought that was harsh. 

 

Shock that Walton was falling over himself to justify it though.

It was a red

[OoOGazOoO]

I'd be disappointed to be given a red for that, soft!

[Guest neesy111]

That's a red card in today's game.

[joeyt]

Swiss doing much better without the newcastle  lads

[Interpolic]

FFS Bale

[Robster]

That's a sitter that.

[rgk_lfc]

On 17/06/2021 at 04:03, ponsaelius said:

 

I think anybody who has watched Serie A over the last 4-5 years wouldn't be so surprised. This shift has been happening for a long time - and I made the point recently. The decline in overall quality in the league, fewer benefactor owners, and the reduction of financial stakes at play - has actually in my opinion improved the style of football being played across the board. New managers are tending to be much more progressive and free-spirited. It's reflected that Serie A has more goals per games than any other major league last season - higher even than the Bundesliga.

 

This current national side is benefitting from it in terms of both formation and style of play:

• Insigne and Jorginho are basically playing their exact roles they played in Sarri's Napoli. A side that got 92 points playing fantastic possession football. 
• De Zerbi was obviously inspired a lot by Sarri's Napoli - and Sassuolo have played much to the same template. This has benefited with Locatelli and Berardi fitting into the same system.
• Atalanta under Gasperini play a different style of football, are more transitional and rely on the wing-backs. But are still very cavalier in style. Spinazzola came through their academy and made his name playing in that team - and although nominally playing in a back four the system allows him to get forward almost at will.
• Lazio under Inzaghi have generally played entertaining, technical counter attacking football. Immobile has massively thrived as a player in this system and it (along with a lot of penalties) helped him to the Golden Shoe. While he will always miss chances, and is a level down form being a top class player, his movement and energy is a massive asset. 

Mancini needs full credit for picking the best players available, building the side around the player's strengths and in a system they're used to playing in. Lest not forget that when Italy didn't qualify for the World Cup - Ventura had the likes of Jorginho and Insigne (starring for Napoli at that time) but was choosing to not play them. 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the insights. Just curious, has Italy been moving away from their traditional style even before last 3-4 years. Italy were impressive in Euro 2012 under Prandelli - very technical and attacking. Reached the finals where they got mauled by Spain but their performances before the final was very good including a landmark win over Germany. Under Conte in 2016, again they did not look like a traditional Italian side. Their results were - defeated Belgium 2-0, defeated Sweden 1-0, Ireland 1-0, Spain 2-0. They lost to Germany on penalties in the quarter final. A string of impressive performances. 

 

Also, was wondering, if this change happened organically or did the Italian federation provide some guidance or incentives. I remember in the early 2000s Germany decided to revamp the way they developed footballers and all the clubs in the Bundesliga bought into the system. Same with France. 

 

If the FA is serious about England making a mark at the international level, they should also think about this. Look at ways to commit to a common playing style across all clubs. English players have their strengths - the pace, physicality, ability to take quick decisions on the ball. Develop a playing style which maximizes this strength and promote it among all clubs. Start providing more opportunities to coaches like Howe, Graeme Jones rather than PFMs like Bruce, Pardew. 

 

 

[joeyt]

Are turkey the worst dark horses ever

[gbandit]

Mancini playing a blinder here with keeping the whole squad involved 

[LFEE]

Only because they won. Conte did the same 5 years ago and was criticised for it with claims they lost momentum.

[joeyt]

8 minutes ago, LFEE said:

Only because they won. Conte did the same 5 years ago and was criticised for it with claims they lost momentum.

They did beat the champions in the next round like