Agreed.It's interesting that Italy has now gone back to it's roots and finding great success so far in this tournament. Italy/Sweden was one of the worst football matches I had seen in ages, with Italy being quite simply incapable of setting any sort of offensive rhythm in the match. A huge contrast to the way schooled England so badly at the last World cup.
Prandelli tried to make Italy a build it from the back, ball playing team and the results were so-so at best (Reaching the final in 2012 but getting destroyed once there) and the pitiful WC two years ago.
Make no mistakes, this Italian team is built to take down better teams. I don't know if they can handle Germany but there is zero doubt in my mind that they would defeat France.
Well you can't just dismiss that piece-for-piece Germany is superior in a majority of positions. It's a fact.This is probably the weakest Italian squad in a very long time but that still hasn't stopped them from performing at the level they did against Belgium and Spain. We likely won't see Italy having the lion's share of chances and meaningful possession, but they are still the best team defensively and possess a strong resolve and tactical superiority due to Conte's fantastic work. This is the one game where having a stronger squad offers little advantage for Germany.
Agreed.
I think they're going to be a thorn in anybody's side because of their heart and defensive resolve. They just can't create much of anything going forward, but that hasn't stopped anybody before.
Well you can't just dismiss that piece-for-piece Germany is superior in a majority of positions. It's a fact.
I think this game will be really stressful for Germans and German supporters.
De Rossi is still reporting as injured for Italy... with Thiago Motta suspended for this game, I have no idea how Conte is going to plug that whole. There is nobody who can really replace them in center mid.
Italy's performance at this tournament to date should tell you that the actual players don't matter.
1-0 Germany. Yes Italy is their kryptonite, but this German machine is just too strong for a weaker than usual Italy squad (I know they are getting the results, but the talent gap will show in this one).
I know that I have been harping on this, but I would really like to see Insigne get a start. If Germany is going to press high, I'd like to see Insigne drop back deeper and pick the ball up in the midfield and carry it into the final third. Since a lot of the quality youngsters were left at home and Marchisio is hurt, Insigne is the most dynamic player Italy have.
I think he can take advantage and create in those open spaces. I'm just hoping Conte will follow through and do it and not go stupid with someone like Sturaro.
Hector and Kimmich : That's where Italy might have the edge.
Germany hasn't looked stellar. I mean if you wanna say they haven't given upa goal then true but outside of the Poland game I expected more in the efforts.
If Spain could've gotten Bonucci suspended for this match I'd feel a lot better. He is hands down the best Italian with Veratti and Marchisio out.
Now we should do much better against them than Spain or Belgium since we're more skilled and better organized; but we really need an early goal in this one as well.
Kimmich is a boss. I'm much less worried about him than I am Kroos-Khedira; unless jogi's clever enough to take Gomez off and play Weigl behind that midfield duo.
Insigne and Sturaro have different roles. Sturaro is mostly likely starting, considering De Rossi/Motta are both out.
I do somewhat agree, though. I thought he should have started the tournament over Eder but I can't see Conte doing that now. The only other option would be to play Insigne at LM but this means Darmian would have to play on the right and I'd rather have Florenzi there(since Candreva is probably out). I'd also rather have De Sciglio starting at LM over Insigne. They could always put De Sciglio as RM, instead of Darmian, but that's his weaker side, IMO.
Eh. Northern Ireland was disappointing; but I expected a 4-2 against the Ukraine and we got the two goal differential in that match. I was expect a loss to Poland yet we avoided that result. And against Slovakia we almost even looked good.
Hector and Kimmich : That's where Italy might have the edge.
Kimmich is a boss. I'm much less worried about him than I am Kroos-Khedira; unless jogi's clever enough to take Gomez off and play Weigl behind that midfield duo.