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Group B: 1. Spain, 2. Italy, 3. Croatia, 4. Albania


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1 minute ago, El Prontonise said:

Albanian GK looks decent.

 

Strakosha was great for Lazio for a good few years, he's too good to be warming Brentford's bench imo.

 

 

Edited by JB

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2 minutes ago, El Prontonise said:

Albanian GK looks decent.

On his near post yeah he does - so far they’re the only saves he’s had to make, apart from the two goals that is.

 

 

Edited by Gawalls

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Just now, JB said:

 

Strakosha was great for Lazio for Lazio for a good few years, he's too good to be warming Brentford's bench imo.

He should warm our bench instead 

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2 minutes ago, JB said:

 

Strakosha was great for Lazio for a good few years, he's too good to be warming Brentford's bench imo.

 

 

 


Makes you wonder what the crack is as Flekken is absolutely shite.

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4 minutes ago, JB said:

 

Strakosha was great for Lazio for a good few years, he's too good to be warming Brentford's bench imo.

 

 

 

 

Sure we were linked with him quite a bit, possibly under Rafa?

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2 minutes ago, Disco said:


Makes you wonder what the crack is as Flekken is absolutely shite.

 

We can probably blame a certain German oddball for that.

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Italy had Chiellini and Bonucci for so long that they were basically from a different era of football. Bastoni and Calafiori are actually much better on the ball than either of them, like modern CBs. Not saying they're as good as actual defenders - but it's such an interesting contrast.

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Brilliant to see such a fantastic crowd but hardly surprising. Surprised the BBC didn't make more of it before the game. 

 

To give a bit of context, to anyone who isn't aware. When a huge number of ethnic Albanians fled Kosovo during the war in the late 90s a lot ended up in Germany (almost half a million) , hence why so many are present. Given the huge crimes committed against ethnic Albanians during the war,  it explains why those outside of Albania tend to be so proud to be  Albanian. Many ethnic Albanians from North Macedonia & Albania have also moved to to Germany  during the 90s (IIRC Shokran Mustafi's family were from Tetovo in North Macedonia and he posed with the World Cup trophy while making the Albanian eagle symbol with his hands). 

 

This game is particularly important given Albania's link to Italy. Following the fall of Communism in Albania, a HUGE amount of Albanians fled to Italy by sea (a decent amount fled to Italy during communism too). Those that broke into the Italian embassy to claim asylum in the early 90s are part of the spark that ended the communist regime in Albania too.  it is still a place where a huge number of Albanians live and work (rich Albanians also travel to Italy for healthcare/education etc too). Albania was also occupied by Italy under Mussolini, the main street in Tirana and many of the buildings on it we're built by Italians. Therefore, Italian is the most common second language among the older generation. There is also an older, more traditional Albanian community in southern Italy, the Arbereshe. 

 

It is also  one of the few places in the world where the Premier League is not the biggest foreign league too. Serie A is probably the most popular league, until betting was banned (in 2019, online betting is now legal again) Albania was full of betting shops which showed every Serie A game. 

 

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9 minutes ago, Disco said:


Makes you wonder what the crack is as Flekken is absolutely shite.

He's a bit of a twat. Has fallen out with past Albanian managers too. Sylvinho seems to like him though.

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4 minutes ago, ponsaelius said:

Italy had Chiellini and Bonucci for so long that they were basically from a different era of football. Bastoni and Calafiori are actually much better on the ball than either of them, like modern CBs. Not saying they're as good as actual defenders - but it's such an interesting contrast.

 

Bonucci could play a fair bit to be fair, certainly had a good passing range. 

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He was fine pre match like, either been going mental during the first half on the tabs or he's coming down with something like, be home by next week 

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Just now, Jaqen said:

 

Bonucci could play a fair bit to be fair, certainly had a good passing range. 

 

Good ball striking ability but would say he was solid on the ball rather than a ball playing defender as such. Outstanding at everything else basically though when it comes to defending.

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Makes me appreciate Chiellini and Bonucci even more considering they weren't quick but never had to sprint to make a tackle

 

 

Edited by Menace

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