March friendlies

The international break is on and there are some good games up.
We can talk here about all the frienlies.

Italy-Spain tonight.

Probable formations:

Italia (3-4-3): Buffon; Darmian, Bonucci, Acerbi; Florenzi, Thiago Motta, Parolo, Giaccherini; Candreva, Pellè, Eder.
(Sirigi, Perin, De Silvestri, Antonelli. Astori, Ranocchia, Rugani, Jorginho, Montolivo, Soriano, El Shaarawy, Bonaventura, Bernardeschi, Zaza, Insigne, Okaka).

Spagna (4-3-3): Casillas; Juanfran, Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Azpilicueta; Thiago Alcantara, San José, Fabregas; Mata, Aduriz, Morata.
(De Gea, Sergio Rico, Mario Gaspar, Nacho, Bartra, Jordi Alba, Koke, Sergi Roberto, Isco, Alcacer, Silva, Nolito, Pedro).

Italy trying out a 3-4-3 with new players due to injuries (Chiellini, Barzagli, Marchisio, Verratti)
Spain doing some experimenting with the squad too. I'm shocked Casillas is still starting.
Should be a fun match.



PS.
I thought it'd get more attention in this section and there is no club football going on. We can delete it/move it if its not right.

I really need to watch more Serie A. Watching the line up and genuinely only recognise about 6 names in their 1st 11.

I'll keep it here for now. I will probably move the thread when the international break is over.

Looking forward to Germany vs England on Saturday and Republic of Ireland vs Switzerland tomorrow

Doc wrote:I really need to watch more Serie A. Watching the line up and genuinely only recognise about 6 names in their 1st 11.

Its a weak starting 11. At full strength it should look more familiar. But from the new ones (the ones I feel are less recognizable):

Florenzi (@Roma) is there to stay. Very dynamic player, goes anywhere on the right side of the field.

Candreva (@Lazio) has been one of Italy's best performers for years. Complete player. RW/LW/SS/RWB/RM soft touch and great vision.

Parolo (@Parolo) very solid CM, box to box. Won't likely be a starter but is the "first sub" at CM. Good at making runs from the midfield.

The others: Pelle (Soton), Eder (Inter), Acerbi (Sassuolo), Giaccherini (Bologna) are average. All solid, but not outstanding players.

Conte is f*cking retarded

To be exact, the names I honestly recognise and know to some degree are Buffon, Darmian, Candreva, Bonucci, Motta and Florenzi. The latter being a fine footballer I must add, just not quite sure which position he really plays.

Casillas... Unbelievable

Hapless_Hans wrote:Casillas... Unbelievable

Every coach has his peculiar ideas - look at Jogi Löw and Prinz Poldi XD

Italy vs Spain ffs
Time to cancel that sleepover at my imaginary GF if u ask me

Man those Spain-Italy line ups look depressing. Where have all the good players gone?

Who is San Jose btw?

rincon wrote:Who is San Jose btw?

Used to be a Liverpool player

FML. Didn't see the lineups that sleepover is still on I suppose.

DDG starts instead of Casillas

Ramos wow

Different beast for Spain

Vital from Ramos, so close to an won goal though

Good save from De Gea. Awesome game

DDG with a save from Candreva's shot

ufff how did Pelle not connect on that

halamadrid2 wrote:Lol that Spain line up

How in the world can VDB insist taking some players that were last good in 2013 is beyond me. Too many washed up players in there

Surprised VdB didn't call up Senna and Capdevila

And now Italy with a close chance, Pelle just off it

Florenzi with a shot/pass/make of it what you will

Conte ffs
when is the last time we look this good in a friendly and with so many subs?
Spain hasn't had a shot yet I think

Also, San Jose actually looks legit

No Xavi, No Villa and Spain is back to it's pre-2008 success.

The gameplan has worked perfectly but If we don't score soon then Spain is gonna get confident and find their game.

Giaccherini out for Bonaventura or Eder out for Insigne/El Shaarawy.

Candreva our best forward as he always is in recent years. Florenzi very good. Darmian has been excellent at CB, Astori as well. Parolo and Motta have been controlling the mid but they lack edge.

Spain looks clueless. Pique and Ramos their best players so far. De Gea hasn't had to do much but looks solid. Morata and Aduriz look dangerous but their midfield has been too shaky.