EURO 2020 - Group A

Hope Berardi is fine

He better be fine lol... Bernardeschi touched 2 balls so far and ruined them

Do 3 teams from the same group still qualify or did they change that awful rule?

Damn, Chiellini took away my prediction with that stop on Burak XD

Chiellini imperial tackle perfect second half

There is 4 best thirds. Turkey will finish last tho

Casciavit wrote:Do 3 teams from the same group still qualify or did they change that awful rule?

4 best still qualify to make it 16

This italy side is so perfectly balanced. If there is a team that can win a tournament without having a single star player then it's Italy.

Mancini's evolution as a coach is just so interesting. He has nearly a different style for each team he helms, but keeps the same principles.

But this reminds me of Capello's England who were brilliant through the journey from qualification to group until the important stages where they flopped and this team has yet to really face a large challenge let alone a big team victory (correct me if I'm wrong)

That was honestly a bit surprising seeing such a good Turkey side get bodied like that. Just reminds me that qualifiers are a farcry from the actual tournament.

Solid stuff from Italy though. Wasn't spectacular and it didn't need to be.

Arquitecto wrote:Mancini's evolution as a coach is just so interesting. He has nearly a different style for each team he helms, but keeps the same principles.

But this reminds me of Capello's England who were brilliant through the journey from qualification to group until the important stages where they flopped and this team has yet to really face a large challenge let alone a big team victory (correct me if I'm wrong)

The biggest test was probably in Amsterdam. Beat Netherlands 0-1 but should have been a wider victory.

This Turkey team is ass, 39 year old Burak Yilmaz running at defenders, brainless Hakan showboating sideways and back passes whilst pocketed by Locatelli, shoddy fullbacks getting ripped apart. Its a wonder they've been unbeaten for so long.

We'll how other teams fare in the first stage, but Italy look like a devastating side, we'll see if the Bidone mentality seeps in once they face a huge side.

Anyway I predict Italy to dominate the group stages, beat Denmark or Russia comfortably in the last 16 and then crash out to the first great team they face.

I always have memorable Italy moments in Euros. From Totti's magic and Del Piero's misses, the ridiculous fixed Denmark/Sweden draw sending Italy home, group of death as world champions, Balotelli's incredible semi final goal and iconic celebration, to Zaza's legendary penalty. Here's hoping for more.

Love the way this team plays. The weakness remains the attack, even with 3 scored today. I’m a fan of the formation and the high press. Barella, Jorginho and Locatelli were so great

M99 wrote:Anyway I predict Italy to dominate the group stages, beat Denmark or Russia comfortably in the last 16 and then crash out to the first great team they face.

That's not how it works anymore, the bracket is fucked




Austria/Ukraine then potentially Belgium in quarter finals. I think they are beatable.

2nd half was quite entertaining. Ruined by Savage on commentary though.

Wales look uninspiring compared to Euro16. Switzerland need to finish better.

On Italy:
Kinda reminds me of our rebuilding process in 2006. Young lads who put the necessary effort into. You just need them to find their chemistry at some point deep in the tournament. Bonucci was the only sore sight for me.

On Italy the only thing i wished was Zaniolo was there, along with Gianluca Mancini, as well as Faraoni or Di Marco there. i understand di lorenzo is doing well though atm for Italy.

Also Riccardo Orsolini ahead of Bernandeschi anyday tbh. this italy side still got past embryonic stage and they got still potential to be better

Di Lorenzo is the best RB we have imo. Better than Florenzi. Calabria would also be there if not for injury.

Di Marco could be there instead of Palmieri. Spinazzola is clearly the best LB though.

Bernardeschi clearly is not in any form that merits him bring there. Does well for Mancini, runs a ton, and plays on both sides, so he is called up. But Politano should be there instead.

Very nice that Immobile played well and scored, hope he carries the confidence he has had in the last few matches for Italy. He is finally in top form for Mancini.

Nice also that each of the 3 strikers scored (Berardi caused the own goal) and assisted each other too. Signs of a functioning team.

Bernadeschi is in because somehow like Fabio Grosso he just turns it up for Italia and is usually great for the team so it does make sense though given his confidence is so shot by now no idea what he will be able to produce.

Dominating display of possession and pressing.

Many ball recoveries due to the extended spells of possession. Hardly any moments of bad decisions and great movement with the ball. I like the Dynamics on both sides of the field, especially when Di Lorenzo came in.

Barella offers good movements and rotations with Berardi, which allows for him to come inside. Plus with insigne who comes inside, its very difficult to defend because players are appearing in different areas at different moments. You cannot win the ball when this is done this well because you are constantly doubting who's responsibility each player is. Was just a really strong performance and I was thinking, this is without Veratti.

But for all that being said, its not an Italian performance without elite defending and Cheillini's tackle at the end was tremendous. I like nothing more than defenders who actually want to defend.

rincon wrote:Di Lorenzo is the best RB we have imo. Better than Florenzi. Calabria would also be there if not for injury.

Di Marco could be there instead of Palmieri. Spinazzola is clearly the best LB though.

Bernardeschi clearly is not in any form that merits him bring there. Does well for Mancini, runs a ton, and plays on both sides, so he is called up. But Politano should be there instead.

I think we should have called Darmian tbh
Solid player , B+ player and came from his best season in career. And experienced too, he had already played a very good at Euro 2016.
I don't rate Dimarco, just a good foot but for the rest meh.. I didn't even want him back at Inter

Ramsey with the misses, can't believe Jjuve ever gave this fraud a contract.

I take full credit.

That pass by Bale omg