EURO 2016 France - Group E

rincon wrote:They are more than good.

Nainggolan, Witsel, Hazard, De Bruyne, Curtois are very good players. Then you have Lukaku, Batshuayi, Origi, Mertens as options. Only their defense is bad cause they have no fullbacks but Curtois offers guarantees (as he showed again against Italy).

The problem is their coach is terrible and wasting this team.

You are just listing names.

There needs to be a balance, there's real no quality CM who can open up defence among those players, no real stopper in midfield either. No real change of pace on the flanks to open space for others and their #1 striker is 1 in 5 at international level.

When i look at a football team i look for certain things:

Does it have a reliable back 4? does it have a DM who can protect said defence?, does it have pace in wide areas to open up space for the central players and give delivery to the strikers? Does it have a reliable goal threat? does it have a passer who can open up chances for others?

If a team doesn't have those things then it's horribly balanced, the problem i find with most people they look at the names without considering whether the combinations in the team flow together.

Belgium has pretty much none of these and you wonder why they struggle, as said the coach is nowhere near the only issue with this team and getting a good coach in won't get anywhere close to what's expected of them by itself.

Dembele - Nainggolan
Mertens/Carrasco - De Bruyne - Hazard

that's a midfield that's well capable of opening up defences, but instead Wilmots is choosing to play Fellaini as a 10 and the overrated Witsel over Dembele, who is in the form of his life. The coach is by far their biggest issue.

What Art Morte posted ^

I don't think Belgium is stacked but they are certainly a very good squad being wasted by Wilmots.

They have good players on almost every position with some great ones in key places (GK, MF, AM, W). Give a good coach that team and they could take out anyone.

Think of what Sabella did with Argentina in the world cup. He didn't have particularly good defenders (Mascherano played DM) but he played order and tight lines at the back to give room for their attacking talent to work upfront. Belgium can do the same thing. Play at the back and have De Bruyne launching counters with Nainggolan, Hazard, Carrasco, etc.

If things go as expected, Italy would be better off finishing second in the Group. If Italy finished 1st they will probably get Spain or Croatia. If they finish 2nd they would probably get Hungary or Portugal.

Two draws next for Italy?

Not just one of Spain or Croatia in Ro16 but potentially Germany in the quarters.

So yeah, its better for Italy to finish 2nd which i think they will.

(click to enlarge)

So it seems Darmian will be dropped and he will replaced by Florenzi.

The rest of the team remains unchanged according to various reports.

Italy haven't been great so far. Their passing has been very wayward.

Sweden having a lot of the game in Italy's half but have yet to create a decent chance.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

This game is so terrible

Has a 0-0 written all over it

Italy haven't been great so far.Theirpassinghas been very wayward.

Sweden having a lot of the game in Italy's half but have yet to create a decent chance.

Its like watching Conte's Juventus all over again against inferior teams.

Italy not looking very sharp Conte needs have a quick glare with plyers at HT

S wrote:This game is so terrible

Has a 0-0 written all over it

2 shots, none on target for Italy. No shots period for Sweden.

Technically absolutely awful.

Does that count as a shot for Sweden?

Italy not looking very sharp Conte needs have a quick glare with plyers at HT

He has players like Insigne,SES and Bernardeschi on the bench.Wouldnt hurt to bring them on and sub out scrubs like Pelle and Giach.

English commentator moaning about Italy's manhandling in the box

Sums up this game

I want these last 45 mins back

S wrote:

Italy not looking very sharp Conte needs have a quick glare with plyers at HT

He has players like Insigne,SES and Bernardeschi on the bench.Wouldnt hurt to bring them on and sub out scrubs like Pelle and Giach.

Agree.
Still a glare or two wouldn't hurt imo

S wrote:English commentator moaning about Italy's manhandling in the box

Sums up this game

BTW are u watching Hindi commentary. How's it?

Can't believe there are people that think Conte is a top manager

Absolutely brainless from his selections to his tactics.

italy look shite

man this tournament is so inconsistent, can't call it

at this rate iceland will win it all imo

Sweden are awful. Fully expect Belgium to thrash them.

@Lucifer, not bothering with that. Even the commentary has been bad. Add to that, with Deco's 'punditry', been an awful start to the matchday so for. Guy can barely speak English ffs

Firenze wrote:italy look shite

man this tournament is so inconsistent, can't call it

S wrote:English commentator moaning about Italy's manhandling in the box

Sums up this game

That commentator sounded like he was about to cry

These reactions are giving me whiplash from the quick 180s I see in this forum on a daily basis.

I wonder if people struggle to form their own opinions, don't remember what they said just days ago, or think it's pragmatic to switch sides and adapt to each context. Bringing in the obvious, "I called this and I called that and I told you so reactions". Meanwhile, I'm sitting here like if you make 100 predictions, all to the extremes, eventually you'll get a couple right. But anyways, that's my futile attempt at pleading for rational logic, which I'm confident will not be heeded.

Anyways, poor first half overall. Italy looks content to let Sweden have the ball. Sweden doesn't really look like they know what to do with it when they have it. Game screams of a draw but we'll see what happens. I'd like a win because it means that Italy can relax against Ireland.

Luca wrote:These reactions are giving me whiplash from the quick 180s I see in this forum on a daily basis.

I wonder if people struggle to form their own opinions, don't remember what they said just days ago, or think it's pragmatic to switch sides and adapt to each context. Bringing in the obvious, "I called this and I called that and I told you so reactions". Meanwhile, I'm sitting here like if you make 100 predictions, all to the extremes, eventually you'll get a couple right. But anyways, that's my futile attempt at pleading for rational logic, which I'm confident will not be heeded.

Anyways, poor first half overall. Italy looks content to let Sweden have the ball. Sweden doesn't really look like they know what to do with it when they have it. Game screams of a draw but we'll see what happens. I'd like a win because it means that Italy can relax against Ireland.

Join date : 2011-06-05

It's not exactly a new thing lol, i have formed an opinion anyway Woy is bringing it home imo.