duo Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Donnarumma is a bad loser Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lxsln Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Odds of Italy taking Iran's place? "We're going after the world rankings!". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaqen Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Donnarumma is such a prick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikky Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 This is what you get when you appoint a dud like Gattuso - bloke is clueless Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Just now, Mikky said: This is what you get when you appoint a dud like Gattuso - bloke is clueless Probably although on a bit of a hiding to nowt with this team tbh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teslact Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Bosnia vs Qatar is one of the Seattle games. Think I'll pass at $800. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikky Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 How many tournaments have Italy now recently missed out on? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ameritoon Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Missing 3 in a row is crazy, especially this one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 3 minutes ago, Displayname said: Most shitty group in the world cup ever then? Qatar group in 22 wasn’t much better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superior Acuña Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 It's even longer since Italy were at a WC as it is since we beat the mackems at SJP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duo Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Just now, Teslact said: Bosnia vs Qatar is one of the Seattle games. Think I'll pass at $800. $800 madness Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Just now, Mikky said: How many tournaments have Italy now recently missed out on? Three world cups in a row. With a Euros win in the middle of that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigmadge Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Just now, Mikky said: How many tournaments have Italy now recently missed out on? Just read three world cups in a row. losing the euro final against them was a crime Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikky Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 1 minute ago, Ameritoon said: Missing 3 in a row is crazy, especially this one Wow - that is crazy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peppe Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 27 minutes ago, Jewel said: He'll get picked even if someone decapitates him. Unfortunately, yes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Italy will probably find lightning in a bottle again with a group of players and a quality manager like they did in 2021 (and to some extent 2016) and it will again gloss over the major need for reform to start producing better players at youth level and trusting them to play in the top flight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewel Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 FIFA should consider expanding the World Cup to 200 teams so then countries like San Marino and Italy will finally get a chance to compete on the biggest stage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moose Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Of course the only times Italy haven't been a complete shitshow in the past 20 years is Euro 2020 & 2012 where they dumped England out both times. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizza Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Italy's last game in the knockout rounds of the World Cup was the 2006 final Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayubeproud Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 I think there's still a slim chance of Iran withdrawing and FIFA decides to let the highest ranked team not to qualify (Italy) to replace them Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 (edited) Italy in 2021 were good though. They went on a 30+ match winning run post the 2018 play off loss up to Wembley and fully deserved to win the tournament. It was the first time a manager had properly trusted the Verratti/Insigne/Immobile generation of players in their best positions, still had the old guard of Chiellini/Bonucci, and young talent in Donnarumma and Barella breaking through. There's only really the last two left from that side, so it's not really comparable to this team. Teams change quickly at international level. The core problem is such an abject lack of depth in player production which means if you don't strike it with a group and system that works, or there is key injuries, you're badly exposed. Something needs to be seriously done ala Das Reboot in Germany post Euro 04 or the St George's Park project and everything England have done right since then. And clubs need to start playing more Italian players at 17/18/19, even if they're not world-beaters, and suffering the consequences of doing so for the greater benefit. The thing with England/France/Germany/Spain now is they have so much depth in players they're basically bulletproof in qualifying. Italy don't have that. Edited March 31 by ponsaelius Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaqen Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Just heard Italy's all time top scorer has 35 goals. That seems really low considering the talent they've had over the years? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heron Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 16 minutes ago, ponsaelius said: Probably although on a bit of a hiding to nowt with this team tbh I'm not sure I agree. Donnarumma is arguably one of the best keepers in the world playing for Man City. You then have Calafiori who is a regular at England's top side. Bastoni, DiMarco and Barella who are all Inter regulars (top of Serie A) and Esposito who regularly gets game time and then a whole host of players who play for top 10 Serie A sides. They're not the Italy of old, for sure, but they should have had more than enough to qualify in my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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