U-21 Euro 2021

England?

The France manager here is a complete numpty. He has an overwhelming talent advantage against literally everyone... yet sets up the team like an underdog.

We're literally INTENTIONALLY making all the games competitive lol.

I caught the first half of the England game last night and good lord were they poor. They can still qualify if they beat Croatia and Portugal beat Switzerland but frankly they might be better off staying home.

I maintain the talent level is still good enough to be competitive, but there's no real framework in place to get the most out of the players. Throughout qualifying, England were a 60%+ possession team playing 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 but this was against poor opposition. As soon as the quality of opposition stepped up, England couldn't keep the ball at all, which suggests to me their entire plan resolved around quality individuals rather than a specific structure designed to keep the ball.

Portugal are good, as I thought. Can keep the ball, have a solid defensive structure and have individual quality like Trincao and Pote.

Italy - Spain was a very contested game. Much more play in midfield that chances. Frattesi hit the post and until the 70' there was probably not more than one other good chance. The main problem was that the ref completely let the game spin out of control, calling a foul for every dive. Then at the end there was an episode were somehow he got almost everything wrong. Cucurella dived to get Scamacca sent off, Rovella dived to get Cucurella sent off, then Rovella was also shown a second yellow

Both teams look likely to qualify in the end. We have to beat Slovenia which normally should be fine, but now there are injuries and 4 suspensions.

3 of the best midfielders are out: Rovella, Tonali, Ricci. So the only 3 midfielders available will have to play. Delprato is also suspended in defense, and more importantly Scammaca is suspended in attack.

A few players keep shinning, suspensions aside, Rovella, Scammaca, Carnesecchi, Frattesi, Delprato. Signing Rovella is looking better and better. Carnescchi looks like he can return and fix Atalanta's problems in goal.

Rincon, I agree. But frankly, I can’t take anything for granted with either of our NT teams. The talent is there (on both teams), but the play is so inconsistent!

Edit - i wasn’t too clear re our NT teams! I was referring to both Under 21 and Senior Spanish teams.

This Italy U-21 is very poor about talent, just think that CF is Cutrone
Last  U-21 was very good instead, but it 's been wasted under Di Biagio

Nah its not like the last U21 that was stacked, but the talent is fine. The biggest stars aren't on the team but there are enough exciting players. Cutrone is boring in attack but at least there are Scammaca and Raspadori. The midfielders and the wingbacks look great, hope we can finally get better wingback at senior level.

3-0 to Slovenia now

Hapless_Hans wrote:England?

England

Benched Curtis Jones for 2 games only for him to get the winner in the only game he starts, benching him over Tom Davies.

England U21 deserves it lmao. Proven CL and PL player with a great G+A ratio on the bench

The U21 euros return. Knockouts start in 10 minutes


FORMAZIONE PORTOGALLO: FUORI LEAO—   

(4-3-1-2): Diogo Costa; Dalot, Diogo Queiros, Diogo Leite, Tomas Tavares; Gedson Fernandes, Daniel Bragança, Vitinha; Fabio Vieira; Gonçalo Ramos, Dany Mota.

ITALIA, FORMAZIONE UFFICIALE—   

(3-5-2): Carnesecchi; Lovato, Delprato, Ranieri; Bellanova, Frattesi, Rovella, Pobega, Sala; Raspadori, Scamacca.

Wow ok, would have missed it, thanks!

Talk to me about the Italy team, who are these guys, whom to look out for

Let's see what Spain's U21 is up to these days...

Doc wrote:Let's see what Spain's U21 is up to these days...

The title of the stream lied to me! It's Italy vs Portugal, let's see what Italy is up to apparently.

Bicycle kick goal in 5 minutes

Hapless_Hans wrote:Wow ok, would have missed it, thanks!

Talk to me about the Italy team, who are these guys, whom to look out for

The biggest players are not with the U21 this time. Zaniolo, Donnarumma, Kean, Tonali, Gabbia, Ricci, etc. So this is a bit less talented and younger team for it. They play well, better coached than the last group.

The striker pair is interesting, Scamacca and Raspadori are both promising and already playing in Serie A. Raspadori particularly looks very nice.

Rovella I like a lot. We signed him in the winter for ~20m and left him at Genoa on loan. Frattesi performs in youth tournaments but I'm not sure if he will be much at top level.

Lovato is already a starter in Serie A as well.

Bellanova is a technical wing back, good to watch.

Anyway Portugal is certainly the favorite.

hey Germany is playing too

ah right Wirtz ended up at the U21 after not being included in the senior squad, that makes sense

Just seen the other results

Netherlands 2-1 France
Spain 2-1 Croatia

Per usual, France U-21 is managed by a total incompetent... the players are top-level so they really don't care about a U-21 tournament (they want to go on vacation)...  and we flop lol.

Doesn't bode well for the olympics honestly. We'll see.

Doc wrote:

Doc wrote:Let's see what Spain's U21 is up to these days...

The title of the stream lied to me! It's Italy vs Portugal, let's see what Italy is up to apparently.

Are you watching?

Great match. 3-3 and into extra time now

rincon wrote:

Doc wrote:

Doc wrote:Let's see what Spain's U21 is up to these days...

The title of the stream lied to me! It's Italy vs Portugal, let's see what Italy is up to apparently.

Are you watching?

Great match. 3-3 and into extra time now

I am and totally loved the comeback. Was hoping they pulled off the winner as 4 strikers in 30 minutes extra time is playing with fire.

Oh and as I write, down to ten men. Jeez.

Ffs another red card.

2nd yellow to Lovato. Gonna be a long ET

Man, Italy did so well to come back, this is gonna be tough for the lads.

Doc wrote:

rincon wrote:

Doc wrote:
The title of the stream lied to me! It's Italy vs Portugal, let's see what Italy is up to apparently.

Are you watching?

Great match. 3-3 and into extra time now

I am and totally loved the comeback. Was hoping they pulled off the winner as 4 strikers in 30 minutes extra time is playing with fire.

Oh and as I write, down to ten men. Jeez.

I was thinking tbe same. Then he took out Scamacca for Ricci to return to a normal system

But now without a defender and with Sottil (winger) as wingback it looks too difficult.

what the hell is going on there

Penalties!