Final: Spain vs Italy

Throughout the tournament, Prandelli's substitutions have been far from great. It's just that it paid for the first time - They nearly did against Croatia.

Yes, Prandelli simply should have played the 3-5-2 as a 4-3-1-2 is simply NOT suited to Italia from the get go despite the success.

Italia actually came out the better team against Espana with the use of the 3-5-2. Prandelli simply should have stuck to that against Espana.

danyjr wrote:Anyone else thinks Italy would have been better off playing 3-5-2 or is it just me?

Italy would've been FAR better off playing a 3-5-2 IMO. And I thought it was an obvious decision to make, which is why I'm still shocked that Prandelli didn't do that.

Maybe strange to say, but I think Pirlo helped us a bit today.

We had less time on the ball, which essentially gave us some more freedom , for the first time today I think we advanced the ball up the pitch quickly because defensively Italy is a little vulnerable wuth Pirlo as their deepest player and weak fullbacks.

Might sound crazy but I think it was a crucial element of the game today, and helped Xavi to be more direct and forward with his play.

Than you Andrea Pirlo, for relieving us of the burden of the ball and giving us the freedom to use it

Xaviesta tonight

Hope this result takes at least SOME fuel out of the fire that is Xavi vs Pirlo.

Wow, Spain tonight. Earlier in the day I was pretty neutral either way cause I don't like Italy and Spain's recent play disappointed me (secretly I was still for Spain) but they put on an exhibition. Great football.

This Spanish team is something else in NT football.

Le Samourai wrote:Maybe strange to say, but I think Pirlo helped us a bit today.

We had less time on the ball, which essentially gave us some more freedom , for the first time today I think we advanced the ball up the pitch quickly because defensively Italy is a little vulnerable wuth Pirlo as their deepest player and weak fullbacks.

Might sound crazy but I think it was a crucial element of the game today, and helped Xavi to be more direct and forward with his play.

Than you Andrea Pirlo, for relieving us of the burden of the ball and giving us the freedom to use it

You make a controversial but I think excellent point. With other teams their DMs shackled Xavi above all else. Since Pirlo doesn't play that kind of role and he was the player in Xavi's position, it was a big advantage for us. If someone had mentioned this before the game started we would have to call that fellow a genius.

Boring boring Spain thrashed Entertaining Italy tonight.

Sorry I just couldn't help saying that.

lmao

messixaviesta wrote:

Le Samourai wrote:Maybe strange to say, but I think Pirlo helped us a bit today.

We had less time on the ball, which essentially gave us some more freedom , for the first time today I think we advanced the ball up the pitch quickly because defensively Italy is a little vulnerable wuth Pirlo as their deepest player and weak fullbacks.

Might sound crazy but I think it was a crucial element of the game today, and helped Xavi to be more direct and forward with his play.

Than you Andrea Pirlo, for relieving us of the burden of the ball and giving us the freedom to use it

You make a controversial but I think excellent point. With other teams their DMs shackled Xavi above all else. Since Pirlo doesn't play that kind of role and he was the player in Xavi's position, it was a big advantage for us. If someone had mentioned this before the game started we would have to call that fellow a genius.

What if you thought about it but did not say it fearing a GL meltdown

The Italians were fatigued...
Jordi Alba's goal was the difference...
he saw that they were tired which is why he ran through the middle...

Well Done to Spain but like I was yesterday, FORZA ITALIA!

Le Samourai wrote:Maybe strange to say, but I think Pirlo helped us a bit today.

We had less time on the ball, which essentially gave us some more freedom , for the first time today I think we advanced the ball up the pitch quickly because defensively Italy is a little vulnerable wuth Pirlo as their deepest player and weak fullbacks.

Might sound crazy but I think it was a crucial element of the game today, and helped Xavi to be more direct and forward with his play.

Than you Andrea Pirlo, for relieving us of the burden of the ball and giving us the freedom to use it

yh...take shots at Pirlo now...
regardless...he's the man of the tournament

Le Samourai wrote:
What if you thought about it but did not say it fearing a GL meltdown

Good point.

Not taking a shot at him, just something I think contributed to how the game went. Unless you feel I'm underrating Pirlo's defensive prowess......

I mean, I would assume that this is the reason many called for the 3-5-2 in the first place.

Brady2Moss wrote:Prandelli made a noob move by making all his changes before the 60th minute, especially with the players he had on the pitch (being old and all).

Well,
Chiellini's substitution was definitely not his choice
Di Natale actually made an impact, and if he was wearing his Udinese jersey then he would have scored a brace tonight
Motta for Montolivo just turned out to be unlucky as Motta picked an injury

7amood11 wrote:

danyjr wrote:Anyone else thinks Italy would have been better off playing 3-5-2 or is it just me?

Italy would've been FAR better off playing a 3-5-2 IMO. And I thought it was an obvious decision to make, which is why I'm still shocked that Prandelli didn't do that.

That formation requires more running by the 3 defenders and the Italian team was already tired. The 48 hours less rest than the Germans killed them. They also had a day less rest than Spain. Prandelli did what he could. Then playing with 10 men for a third of the match made any chance of victory ridiculous.

shame italy lost but proud of them nevertheless. spain is spain they were always clear favourites because they have great champions.

but italy came from nowhere, to restoring the pride of italian football, only they were 1 game short from being a magnificient team. def. my team of tournament.

italy has now built a good platform for world cup campaign, they definitely needs some tweaks in squad, youth upgrades that will come in time. but prandelli would have learnt this lesson and i hope he can lead italy to world cup final in brazil , i hope that opponent would be spain with their best squad. i want to see them against italy again.

unfortunately for italy, azzurrini though they have magnficient talents like insigne veratti el sharawwy gabbiadini, ciro ferrara team hasnt been able to get the best out of potential these kids have, like perluigi casiraghi did. i am hoping starting from azzurrini they do well, also in club level, because spain are so good from core, from their current team all the way through their youth, and their youth have been equally impressive. from there spain are superior to everyone else.

but i am convinced italy are going to be better. italy missed giuseppe rossi criscito santon as well, i hope other players who were so close to getting call up like cigarini astori de ceglie they all do well for the future.

Casillas
Ramos
Pique
Alba
Busuests
Alonso
Xavi
Iniesta
Fabregas
Torres
Pedro
Silva
Arbeloa
Brilliant game and it was a game that we didn't totally dominant...

RealGunner wrote:lmao

paxtonpale wrote:Casillas
Ramos
Pique
Alba
Busuests
Alonso
Xavi
Iniesta
Fabregas
Torres
Pedro
Silva
Arbeloa
Brilliant game and it was a game that we didn't totally dominant...

You played against 10 men for a third of the match. Let's not go overboard. This is probably the first time that it has happened in a final.

David Silva:

Jordi Alba:

Fernando Torres:

Juan Mata:

casillas was excellent, had 2-3 vital fingertip saves when the match was still young, could have been a completely different match if another keeper was in net.

Di Natale is like bad luck for Italy, never performed with the Azzuri. Fatigue and prandellis wrong subs screwed italy up badly.

Luca wrote:

Brady2Moss wrote:Prandelli made a noob move by making all his changes before the 60th minute, especially with the players he had on the pitch (being old and all).

Well,
Chiellini's substitution was definitely not his choice
Di Natale actually made an impact, and if he was wearing his Udinese jersey then he would have scored a brace tonight
Motta for Montolivo just turned out to be unlucky as Motta picked an injury

Yeah, but every one knows that you do not use all your substitutions before the 60th minute, especially being down by 2 goals, with the chance of the game going into overtime (had Italy equalized). A good gambler never reveals all his hand at once...

Prandelli went full retard, and everyone knows you do not go full retard.

Brady2Moss wrote:

Luca wrote:

Brady2Moss wrote:Prandelli made a noob move by making all his changes before the 60th minute, especially with the players he had on the pitch (being old and all).

Well,
Chiellini's substitution was definitely not his choice
Di Natale actually made an impact, and if he was wearing his Udinese jersey then he would have scored a brace tonight
Motta for Montolivo just turned out to be unlucky as Motta picked an injury

Yeah, but every one knows that you do not use all your substitutions before the 60th minute, especially being down by 2 goals, with the chance of the game going into overtime (had Italy equalized). A good gambler never reveals all his hand at once...

Prandelli went full retard, and everyone knows you do not go full retard.

Prandelli, who was great up to the final, had some real 'facepalm' moments tonight. It started with having chiellini start ahead of Balzeretti. Turned out to be a big mistake. Then he puts on Motta for Montilivo. I was like wtf. Italy was looking to score. Di Natale missed an absolute sitter. Prandelli takes out Montilivo for Motta who only lasts 5 minutes. Game over.

Could've been worse, it could've rained.