Re: UEFA U21 European Championships (Israel, June 5th - June 18th)

by barca 2011 Fri May 17, 2013 10:29 am

Spain haven't announced their squad but if they give guys like Thiago, Koke, Inigo, Tello and Deulofeu a call-up they should have no trouble. And if Deu lights it up like he has the Liga Adelante he should no doubt make the first team next season.

by Jay29 Fri May 17, 2013 1:00 pm

ynwa wrote:Arsenal people, question on Henri Lansbury. He was rated highly by you lot. Is he out on loan or was he sold? If on loan, any chance for the first team next year?

We let him go to Nottingham Forest in the summer. I think he had the talent to make it in Arsenal's first team but I suppose there was too much competition in the midfield and the management didn't think he had progressed enough during his loan spells.

He'll end up in the Premier League someday, but not as an Arsenal player, unfortunately.

by Jay29 Mon May 27, 2013 2:35 pm

Spain's squad is in:

Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United FC), Diego Mariño (Villarreal CF), Joel (Wigan Athletic FC)*.

Defenders: Marc Bartra (FC Barcelona), Dani Carvajal (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Nacho Fernández (Real Madrid CF), Álvaro (Real Zaragoza), Iñigo Martínez (Real Sociedad de Fútbol), Marc Muniesa (FC Barcelona), Martín Montoya (FC Barcelona), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla FC).

Midfielders: Thiago Alcántara (FC Barcelona), Ignacio Camacho (Málaga CF), Sergio Canales (Valencia CF), Asier Illarramendi (Real Sociedad de Fútbol), Isco (Málaga CF), Koke (Club Atlético de Madrid), Pablo Sarabia (Getafe CF).

Forwards: Álvaro Morata (Real Madrid CF), Rodrigo (SL Benfica), Iker Muniain (Athletic Club), Cristian Tello (FC Barcelona), Álvaro Vázquez (Getafe CF).

And the Netherlands:

Goalkeepers: Marco Bizot (FC Groningen), Nick Marsman (Go Ahead Eagles*), Jeroen Zoet (RKC Waalwijk**).

Defenders: Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse***), Daley Blind (AFC Ajax), Mike van der Hoorn (FC Utrecht), Kelvin Leerdam (Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Bram Nuytinck (RSC Anderlecht), Ricardo van Rhijn (AFC Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord).

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Leroy Fer (FC Twente), Marco van Ginkel (Vitesse), Adam Maher (AZ Alkmaar), Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven), Tonny Trindade de Vilhena (Feyenoord).

Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Ola John (Benfica), Luuk de Jong (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Florian Jozefzoon (RKC Waalwijk), Jürgen Locadia (PSV Eindhoven), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven)

by Great Leader Sprucenuce Mon May 27, 2013 2:38 pm

That Spain team is probably the best U21 squad of all time Laughing

by Jay29 Mon May 27, 2013 2:43 pm

Their defence doesn't look too strong to me, though that might be irrelevant seeing as how most teams won't be able to get the ball off them.

by Arquitecto Mon May 27, 2013 4:18 pm

Why no Mattia Perin? Or is he already fix for the senior squad?

Midway through the season in Pescara's 12th change of managers he was benched out of a fallout with 1 of the 12 and 3/4ths way to the season his fall-out was near permanent bar the last 3-4 games. It resulted in senior La Nazionale manager Prandelli to leave him out due to his lack of fitness and subdued performances caused by lost confidence and bench time through his attitude. As a whole his season, bar the few mistakes he was excellent and saved Pescara countless times. Truth is with Marchetti and Sirigu behind Buffon it is near impossible for him to get a chance.

OT: Disappointed with the omissions of Ander (who likely will be called up for Senior), Pardo ( :facepalm:

), San Jose, Aurtunexte, and a few others but whatever.

Lopetegui's 4-2-3-1

De Gea
=Carvajal-Bartra-Iñigo-Moreno-

-Illaramendi-Thiago-
-Isco-Canales-Muniain
Rodrigo

That's literally our best line-up as not much debate here (unless you count the exclusions.

Lopetegui doesn't play style attuned to VDB and all that possession crap. Its closer to a Clemente style of football using the obvious Basque principles which have carried U-21 for years now through the previous managers as well.

So proud of our strength in U-21 as only Italia and England come close to this line-up.

by free_cat Mon May 27, 2013 4:26 pm

And deulofeu and Jese weren't called up? Good, he can rest, but he is def better than Sarabia or Alvaro Vazquez. Or maybe there a U-20 tournament or something?

Spain should win this, only germany with Draxler, Gotze, Gundogan, Kroos, etc could win them.

by Jay29 Mon May 27, 2013 4:31 pm

I look at that backline and see the potential for exploitation. I don't know much about Carvajal, but I do know that Moreno is excellent going forward and weak defensively. Bartra/Martinez doesn't look the strongest partnership, either.

Sounds cliche, but that definitely looks like a side that could be exploited by set-pieces.

Still, they look fearsome going forward. Both full backs are effective in forward areas and that midfield easily trumps anything else in the tournament.

If England were to face them, they'd have no chance.

Speaking of England, Shaw and Townsend have both pulled out the squad, so Jack Robinson (Liverpool) and Nathan Redmond (Birmingham) have been called up. Still waiting on who's replacing McManaman.

by Arquitecto Mon May 27, 2013 4:34 pm

GoonerJay29 wrote:I look at that backline and see the potential for exploitation. I don't know much about Carvajal, but I do know that Moreno is excellent going forward and weak defensively. Bartra/Martinez doesn't look the strongest partnership, either.

Sounds cliche, but that definitely looks like a side that could be exploited by set-pieces.

Still, they look fearsome going forward. Both full backs are effective in forward areas and that midfield easily trumps anything else in the tournament.

If England were to face them, they'd have no chance.

Speaking of England, Shaw and Townsend have both pulled out the squad, so Jack Robinson (Liverpool) and Nathan Redmond (Birmingham) have been called up. Still waiting on who's replacing McManaman.

Carvajal basically has been the best Rightback in the Bundesliga as you might be wondering about Azpi, yet the latter in called up in seniors. Carva is a massive potential and we're glad to have for the Euros. Bartra I took due to his aerial ability & composure with the ball which is needed in a Basque style of the U-21's while Inigo simply has been the best Spanish CB without a doubt alongside Ramos. He'll be commanding the backline and be heavily relied upon in attack ala Hummels for Dortmund

by halamadrid2 Mon May 27, 2013 4:45 pm

free_cat wrote:And deulofeu and Jese weren't called up? Good, he can rest, but he is def better than Sarabia or Alvaro Vazquez. Or maybe there a U-20 tournament or something?

Spain should win this, only germany with Draxler, Gotze, Gundogan, Kroos, etc could win them.

they were both called up to the u20 tournament this summer

by Red Alert Tue May 28, 2013 10:00 am

Don't underestimate the Dutch.
That midfield trio in van Ginkel, Strootman and Maher. Proud

Defence is quite solid too. I didn't watch much of the Bundesliga last season but I rated Luuk De Jong before his move. Not too sure how he's gone but he's capable of winning games on his own.

GoonerJay29 wrote:
ynwa wrote:Arsenal people, question on Henri Lansbury. He was rated highly by you lot. Is he out on loan or was he sold? If on loan, any chance for the first team next year?

We let him go to Nottingham Forest in the summer. I think he had the talent to make it in Arsenal's first team but I suppose there was too much competition in the midfield and the management didn't think he had progressed enough during his loan spells.

He'll end up in the Premier League someday, but not as an Arsenal player, unfortunately.

Thanks for the response and sorry for the late reply. Won't be surprised if a Norwich or a WBA type to sign him in the summer then. Having a promising young player as depth is great if the price is right. Especially if he was rated highly but just couldn't compete against the best midfield (arguably but they are for me) in the league.

by Jay29 Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:37 pm

The competition kicks off today with Isreal vs Norway at 17:00 (GMT).

Teams:

Isreal
Kleyman; Dasa, Gotlib, Ben Harush Twatha; Kabha, Biton (c); Golasa, Kaibat, Dabbour, Barouch

Norway
Nyland Haskjold; Elabdellaoui, Semb Berge, Strandberg, Hedenstad; Johansen, Eikrem, Kondradssen; de Lanly, Berget, Pederson

by Arquitecto Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:44 pm

England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce said tomorrow’s opponents Italy “are an outstanding attacking force.”

The European Championships kick off in Tel Aviv on Wednesday at 19.30 UK time, opening Group A which also includes Norway and hosts Israel.

“The Italians are an outstanding attacking force, they have some real outstanding forward players, good experience, well-organised team and very hard working side as you would expect,” said Pearce in his Press conference.

“They will make a good impression on this tournament, I’m sure about that.”

The Azzurrini include Liverpool striker Fabio Borini, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti and Napoli starlet Lorenzo Insigne.

“Our squad have got their tails up, they’re bright and look sharp, they’re pleased to be here and are looking forward to the first game.

“When we start our journey every two years we sit our players down and talk about winning the tournament.

“We’re here to win and I’ll be disappointed if the seven other teams didn’t have the same objective.

“Once I get 23 players behind me on an aeroplane, they are the ones I want to go into battle with. This group have a great spirit about them.”

In pertaining to Italia v England as both of their first match in the Euros.

Nice to see Pierce praises Italia. I have great respect for U-21 and I'm confident it'll be quite the spectacle since Italia under Mangia play very attractive football.

by Onyx Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:49 pm

Is there a reason why there's only 2 groups in this tournament?

by Tomwin Lannister Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:51 pm

Anybody know the Italy U21 call ups?

And have they perhaps smuggled Giovinco and Insigne on the team hmm

by halamadrid2 Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:57 pm

spain u21 vs russia u21 tomorrow will be a cracker

by Jay29 Wed Jun 05, 2013 5:05 pm

AbraKebabra Alacalamb wrote:Anybody know the Italy U21 call ups?

And have they perhaps smuggled Giovinco and Insigne on the team

From the opening post:

Italy

Goalkeepers: Francesco Bardi (Novara), Simone Colombi (Modena), Nicola Leali (Virtus Lanciano);

Defenders: Matteo Bianchetti (Hellas Verona), Cristiano Biraghi (Cittadella), Luca Caldirola (Brescia), Marco Capuano (Pescara), Marco Crimi (Grosseto), Giulio Donati (Grosseto), Paolo Frascatore (Sassuolo), Vasco Regini (Empoli), Simone Romagnoli (Spezia);

Midfielders: Andrea Bertolacci (Genoa), Francesco Fedato (Bari), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Luca Marrone (Juventus), Fausto Rossi (Brescia), Jacopo Sala (Hamburg), Nicola Sansone (Parma), Riccardo Saponara (Empoli), Marco Verratti (Paris St. Germain);

Forwards: Fabio Borini (Liverpool), Mattia Destro (Roma), Manolo Gabbiadini (Bologna), Ciro Immobile (Genoa), Alberto Paloschi (Chievo).

by Tomwin Lannister Wed Jun 05, 2013 5:17 pm

Nice one.

Not a bad line up.

Looking forward to seeing how Immobile and Marrone do.

by RealGunner Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:10 pm

England Under-21s: Butland; Clyne, Caulker, Dawson, Robinson; Henderson, Lowe, Shelvey, Redmond; Sordell, Wickham.

by Jay29 Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:12 pm

What an awful team that is. :facepalm:

by Gil Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:13 pm

What a shit team. Not watching anymore.

by RealGunner Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:14 pm

All the decent players are on the bench scratch

by Jay29 Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:17 pm

Goalkeeper and back four are fine, and I can understand Zaha not starting since he's not completely, but what about Chalobah, McEachran, Hughes or Ince?

We're up against a strong technical side, so Pearce just abandons our best technical players and plays a team that looks set-up for direct football with a target man and crossers. How exciting.

by Great Leader Sprucenuce Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:19 pm

RealGunner wrote:England Under-21s: Butland; Clyne, Caulker, Dawson, Robinson; Henderson, Lowe, Shelvey, Redmond; Sordell, Wickham.

UEFA U21 European Championships (Israel, June 5th - June 18th) - Page 2 Stuart-pearce-england

by Gil Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:21 pm

This is where the English setup suffers the most. We still having clueless dinosaurs like Pearce or Noel Blake coaching our youngsters.

Size and strength will always be favoured over skill and teams will always be set up "not to lose" and nicking one off a set-piece.

by ExtremistEnigma Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:23 pm

3 Liverpool players. Proud

No injuries, hopefully.

Ince is suspended. Should've started with McEachran though.. I like that fella.

Butland
Clyne - Wisdom - Caulker - Robinson
McEachran - Henderson - Shelvey
Zaha - Wickham - Ince

I think this is the best possible lineup.

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