Euro: R16: Italy v Austria, 6/26/2021

[Savi]

Venue: Wembley, London
Kickoff: 15:00 EST, 21:00 CET

Italy
- Group A winners (3-0-0)
- Beat

Turkey 3-0
- Beat

Switzerland 3-0
- Beat

Wales 1-0
- Top goalscorer(s): Ciro Immobile, Manuel Locatelli - 2
- Comes into this game on a 30-game unbeaten streak
- Also have an 11-game win streak going
- Oh and haven't conceded in 11 straight games either
- ..and they're the first team ever to start a EURO with three straight clean sheets, sheesh we get it, you're good

Austria
- Group C runners-up (2-0-1)
- Beat

North Macedonia 3-1
- Lost

Netherlands 0-2
- Beat

Ukraine 1-0
- Top goalscorer(s): 4 players have scored 1 goal

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[Eisen]

Venue: Wembley, London
Kickoff: 15:00 EST, 21:00 CET

Italy
- Group A winners (3-0-0)
- Beat

Turkey 3-0
- Beat

Switzerland 3-0
- Beat

Wales 1-0
- Top goalscorer(s): Ciro Immobile, Manuel Locatelli - 2
- Comes into this game on a 30-game unbeaten streak
- Also have an 11-game win streak going
- Oh and haven't conceded in 11 straight games either
- ..and they're the first team ever to start a EURO with three straight clean sheets, sheesh we get it, you're good

Austria
- Group C runners-up (2-0-1)
- Beat

North Macedonia 3-1
- Lost

Netherlands 0-2
- Beat

Ukraine 1-0
- Top goalscorer(s): 4 players have scored 1 goal

Really the first team to not get scored on in the first three? That surprises me.

 

[koyvoo]

Italy has been super impressive. The one doubt, if someone wants to find one, is that it has been quite some time since they’ve faced an elite team.

I’d say they’re clearly ready for that challenge, but it won’t be coming in this match.

 

[Incubajerks]

"...il Piave mormorò, non passa lo straniero."

 

[StevenF1919]

Locatelli likely to be left out of the starting XI, through no fault of his own. You can't leave Verratti out, especially after his performance against Wales. Will be interesting to see if Chiesa starts over Berardi.

 

[cgf]

If Austria get it just right, they could pose Italy some real problems...but that's not exactly likely to happen.

 

[Savant]

Locatelli likely to be left out of the starting XI, through no fault of his own. You can't leave Verratti out, especially after his performance against Wales. Will be interesting to see if Chiesa starts over Berardi.

I’d keep Locatelli and drop Barella but maybe that’s just me

 

[misterchainsaw]

Really the first team to not get scored on in the first three? That surprises me.

I think it's "not to get scored on in the first 3 and win all 3 games" because a quick look at wikipedia shows both Germany and Poland did it in Euro 2016, but tied each other 0-0.

Germany actually made it 4 straight in the round of 16 before conceding to Italy in the quarters in a 1-1 PK win.

 

[cgf]

I think it's "not to get scored on in the first 3 and win all 3 games" because a quick look at wikipedia shows both Germany and Poland did it in Euro 2016, but tied each other 0-0.

Germany actually made it 4 straight in the round of 16 before conceding to Italy in the quarters in a 1-1 PK win.

That was the last time we still had a prime Hummels & Boateng + Neuer *sigh*

 

[Juve]

I’d keep Locatelli and drop Barella but maybe that’s just me

Locatelli likely to be left out of the starting XI, through no fault of his own. You can't leave Verratti out, especially after his performance against Wales. Will be interesting to see if Chiesa starts over Berardi.

Let them duke it out with 19 century dueling pistols. Who ever wins gets to start.

 

[Savant]

Let them duke it out with 19 century dueling pistols. Who ever wins gets to start.

If I was Italy I just would not want to give up that much height in the midfield

 

[StevenF1919]

I’d keep Locatelli and drop Barella but maybe that’s just me

Barella is arguably their strongest player. Locatelli has played well but he doesn't have that game breaking ability that Barella has.

 

[Incubajerks]

Locatelli should be the one starting, but seems like Verratti will start and btw this is a nice problem. I think Berardi plays over Chiesa.

 

[luiginb]

Berardi should definetely play over Chiesa, he adds that hustle that Chiesa's game misses, while being just as dangerous going forward. I have no idea who I'd drop from that midfield though, wouldn't want to be in Mancini's shoes there.

 

[Juve]

It's a hard choice to make, but a good problem to have. They are all fantastic midfielders. The crazy part is I don't remember the last time any Italian or Italian fan had this kind of debate.

 

[AB13]

I would go Barella as a two way creative b2b workhorse, Locatelli as the regista and Veratti as a ball progressor. Jorginho on the bench. Could drop Veratti for Jorginho though. Barella and Locatelli need to start on current form.

 

[Savant]

Barella is arguably their strongest player. Locatelli has played well but he doesn't have that game breaking ability that Barella has.

That’s fair too but that’s also kind of why I would want him off the bench. Inter played him off the bench a decent amount too. Don’t know if Italy can really “go wrong” necessarily though

 

[Savant]

I would go Barella as a two way creative b2b workhorse, Locatelli as the regista and Veratti as a ball progressor. Jorginho on the bench. Could drop Veratti for Jorginho though. Barella and Locatelli need to start on current form.

Yeah but I also don’t think that Mancini is trying to drop Jorginho

 

[cgf]

Italy should win, but I can't help feeling like Austria has it in them to cause the Italians problems. Especially since they finally got their balance right in that last match with Grillitsch in those deeper areas freeing Alaba to join Sabitzer, Liamer, Baumgartner & Lainer in supporting the striker...though I would go with unKoller over Arnautodouche at the 9, and they still need to play Lienhart over Dragovic's corpse next to Hinteregger.

 

[John Price]

 

[Evilo]

I would go Barella as a two way creative b2b workhorse, Locatelli as the regista and Veratti as a ball progressor. Jorginho on the bench. Could drop Veratti for Jorginho though. Barella and Locatelli need to start on current form.

Verratti was MOTM in the only match he played.
Anyway, it seems Locatelli is the benched one.

 

[AB13]

Verratti was MOTM in the only match he played.
Anyway, it seems Locatelli is the benched one.

Yeah Veratti should play but he was motm in his first game in a long time. There are still concerns over match fitness. I think Locatelli needs to play though, he offers more muscle than the others, especially Jorginho. Veratti - Locatelli - Barella is the best option quality wise while Jorginho, Locatelli and one of Barella and Veratti makes sense if you want two pass first controllers. Italy are blessed in midfield.

 

[member 305909]

Austrian football seems to have come back from some low point as I recall that at the time when Austria cohosted the 2008 euros and were therefore exempt from qualifications there were some complaints that it was unfair that such a dire team was in the tournament.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

I think if Austria advanced here, it'd be one of the biggest upsets in Euro history.

 

[Gobben]

Let them duke it out with 19 century dueling pistols. Who ever wins gets to start.

Why not swords?

"Signore, you are in the hands of death."

When your goalie is Don A. Rumma, you know you are in a good place.

"Trying to score on me? You'd better rethink those plans."