Yeah, I can't make my mind up about which striker to start either. One thing is for sure, if Balo fails this game, he can expect to be benched v Ireland.

Call me stupid but I don't think it matters which one of Di Natale or Balotelli starts. Both could theoratically have a good game.

Yeah, I don't think either one is better suited as an impact sub than the other. The only difference is that Di Natale converted, while Balo was walking the dog.

Modric ? Bitch please ..He will be eaten alive by Marchisio and Motta..And DDR Chello and BonBon will prove that Mandzukic & Jelavic are mediocore players.
And Ballotelli will score !!!

Modric won't have a good game and italy should win especially if they defend like they did against spain

atm balo or di natale doesn't matter imo but for the rest of the competition balo needs to find his form . Hope Balo will start , he must gain confidence

Di natale is good thg.

Is there any reason Di Natale and Balotelli could not start together. It's quite possible that Cassano gets benched in the wake of his quotes on the topic of potential homosexual footballers. In that case Di Natale and Balotelli could start to gether with Cassano and Giovinco as super subs. I honestly think this is the best idea atm, as Balotelli has the ability to create something brilliant, and Di Natale is an absolute predator.

As for Modric, I'm going out on a limb and saying he's not going to be a big influence on the game. THis is not because he "doesn't play well in big matches." It's because the system will neutralize his role. Mandzukic and Jelavic will be marked by Bonucci and Chiellini, leaving DDR to eliminate Modric.Most likely, he'll be neutralized well before he gets to DDR, as Marchisio, Motta and Pirlo are one of the best midfield trios in the tournament. (Motta is a half-decent substitue for Vidal )

If Croatia has any hope of threatening, they need to involve the wingers in the final third. I can see them getting a goal, but only from a one-off mistake on the part of an Italian defender.

Italy: 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 19-Leonardo Bonucci, 16-Daniele De Rossi, 3-Giorgio Chiellini; 2-Christian Maggio, 8-Claudio Marchisio, 21-Andrea Pirlo, 5-Thiago Motta, 13-Emanuele Giaccherini; 10-Antonio Cassano, 9-Mario Balotelli////

Croatia: Croatia: 1-Stipe Pletikosa; 11-Darijo Srna, 5-Vedran Corluka, 13-Gordon Schildenfeld, 2-Ivan Strinic; 7-Ivan Rakitic, 8-Ognjen Vukojevic, 10-Luka Modric, 20-Ivan Perisic; 17-Mario Mandzukic, 9-Nikica Jelavic///

Referee: Referee: Howard Webb (England)

Balotelli is looking good again. Howard Webb's just upset Croatia by not giving a penalty !

Pirlo

so many Ich

THE MAESTRO STRIKES AGAIN!

Marchisio best in the field for me, monstrous in both attack and defensive phases.

Again two brilliant attempts that deserved goals!

Pirlo got the goal but even so, Marchisio

there are too many ich out there i feel itchy

:{Mr.Mustachio! wrote:Marchisio best in the field for me, monstrous in both attack and defensive phases.

Again two brilliant attempts that deserved goals!

Pirlo got the goal but even so, Marchisio

hope he gets a goal...he deserves it!

howard webb .... stupid referee....

does absolutely nothing to stop fans from throwing fireworks, does nothing at srna, plenty of clear free kicks not given.... rubbish.... !!!!!

proud of what italians have done so far, even though they conceded a goal to croatia, ....

leemhuis wrote:

deadrave wrote: i really cant see italy winning i think it will be a draw

LOL. You are consistent.

I think the linesman was wrong twice against Italy.

Croatia deserved the point for the way they played in the 2nd half.

danyjr wrote:I think the linesman was wrong twice against Italy.

yeah di natale was on side...

howard webb blew ths game up ... even in first half cassano was open clear when croatian CBs colided with each other and webb gives free kick to croatia.... rubbish... he sucks!!!!


azzurri have their own share of blame for loosing a bit of concentration in second half but nonetheless every time italy were good to go in counterattack referee blew up for unnecessary reasons

this could be really difficult for italy. they gotta beat ireland , they shouldnt be missing too much opportunity when they had chances....

C.Marchisio #8 wrote:Chello will prove that Mandzukic & Jelavic are mediocore players.

Wondering who was more mediocre.

Italian midfield lacks creativity, they had no answer to croatia in the second half.

JespSwe wrote:howard webb .... stupid referee....

does absolutely nothing to stop fans from throwing fireworks, does nothing at srna, plenty of clear free kicks not given.... rubbish.... !!!!!

proud of what italians have done so far, even though they conceded a goal to croatia, ....

Oh come on, at least show some gratitude. After all, without that free-kick on Balotelli that-never-was, Italy would never have scored.

manduzukic was amazing.... actually both ST looks really good. and bilic is so underrated as coach.

draw is fair result i guess but.... f.... k howard webb...

Brady2Moss wrote:

JespSwe wrote:howard webb .... stupid referee....

does absolutely nothing to stop fans from throwing fireworks, does nothing at srna, plenty of clear free kicks not given.... rubbish.... !!!!!

proud of what italians have done so far, even though they conceded a goal to croatia, ....

Oh come on, at least show some gratitude. After all, without that free-kick on Balotelli that-never-was, Italy would never have scored.

lol,, how many opportunity did italy create in first half??? they deserved lead. croatia did well in second half, and i give them credit but webb was awful really. linesman as well. we know referees mess up the spectacle....

draw is fine... italy need to be more clinical...