UEFA EURO 2016 - Final Tournament

[eyetest is useless]

The markets are usually a decent predictor...

You could make some dough laying them

 

[jcbio11]

why is italy ALWAYS in the toughest group??? like clockwork

Think about it. It's a tough group because they're in it. I am not worried for Italy, they'll pull through. I don't see them blowing it like the 2010 World Cup group stage (Paraguy and Slovakia went through, Italy eliminated).

 

[cgf]

Let's not forget that four 3rd placed teams make the 2nd round as well..so really one win may actually be enough to qualify.

I actually have been completely forgetting about that.

 

[MrFunnyWobbl]

Netherlands gunna win

 

[GreyWind*]

Netherlands didn't qualify?

 

[Tylers Dad]

Think about it. It's a tough group because they're in it. I am not worried for Italy, they'll pull through. I don't see them blowing it like the 2010 World Cup group stage (Paraguy and Slovakia went through, Italy eliminated).

They may pull through groups but that's a stretch, they're not as good as people think they are.

 

[Luigi Habs]

They may pull through groups but that's a stretch, they're not as good as people think they are.

I think if Conte relies on the young guys Italy may do well.

I would like them to play 4-3-3 with Insigne-Pelle-Berardi up front (I doubt he'd do that though, he'll probably have Candreva there). In midfield he has a bunch of young guys he can rely on, but Verratti for creativity and De Rossi for experience should be the 2 main pieces. Other options include Bertolacci, Marchisio, Sturaro, Florenzi. On defense, Darmian, Bonucci, Chiellini should be solid. Left Back is a question mark though. I just hope he doesn't play with 3 guys on defense.

Other young guys I'm hoping he calls up as well: Perin, De Sciglio (he's been bad for a couple of years now), Zaza, Gabbiadini, Immobile, Vazquez, Baselli, maybe Sansone and Shaarawi but the latter seems to be busting.

I just hope he drops the old guys who won't bring much to the team, as much as I like Pirlo but he has no business being in the squadra azzura anymore, same with Montolivo, Barzagli.

 

[Tylers Dad]

I think if Conte relies on the young guys Italy may do well.

I would like them to play 4-3-3 with Insigne-Pelle-Berardi up front (I doubt he'd do that though, he'll probably have Candreva there). In midfield he has a bunch of young guys he can rely on, but Verratti for creativity and De Rossi for experience should be the 2 main pieces. Other options include Bertolacci, Marchisio, Sturaro, Florenzi. On defense, Darmian, Bonucci, Chiellini should be solid. Left Back is a question mark though. I just hope he doesn't play with 3 guys on defense.

Other young guys I'm hoping he calls up as well: Perin, De Sciglio (he's been bad for a couple of years now), Zaza, Gabbiadini, Immobile, Vazquez, Baselli, maybe Sansone and Shaarawi but the latter seems to be busting.

I just hope he drops the old guys who won't bring much to the team, as much as I like Pirlo but he has no business being in the squadra azzura anymore, same with Montolivo, Barzagli.

4-3-3 should be decent. I would field Insigne/Sharaawy, Pelle, Florenzi; Verratti, De Rossi, Marchisio; De Sciglio, Chiellini, Bonucci, Darmian; Perin/Sirigu.

But Candreva is going to be put in for sure as is Parolo, Buffon.

 

[Tylers Dad]

Either way if Conte relies on the younger guys they still won't win much, but I say field them now for the Euro and play them together and let them come back for World Cup in 2018 a bit older and with the Euro experience under their belts.

 

[ViD]

Would like to see Russia vs Ukraine in play offs. Can't imagine the intensity.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Joachim Low has already named his Euro provisional squad, seems as only these 31 players will be considered and nobody who catches hot form in the second half of the season, unless I read wrong

Goalkeepers: Bernd Leno, Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp, Ron-Rober Zieler

Defenders: Jerome Boateng, Emre Can, Erik Durm, Matthias Ginter, Jonas Hector, Benedikt Howedes, Mats Hummels, Shkodran Mustafi, Antonio Rudiger, Sebastian Rudy

Midfielders: Karim Bellarabi, Julian Draxler, Ilkay Gundogan, Sami Khedira, Christoph Kramer, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle, Bastian Schweinsteiger

Forwards: Mario Gomez, Mario Gotze, Max Kruse, Kevin Volland

 

[Bures Elbow]

I'm really excited about Portugals young midfield

Andre Gomes and Joao Mario have both been exceptional this season, and Bernardo Silva seems to have recovered from starting the season injured and missing out on pre-season with his last few performances more similar to the highs of last year.

Add in William Carvalho, Moutinho, and Tiago, and its really solid.

Coentrao has been superb as well, getting over the injuries and split 50/50 starts at Real Madrid. Rapheal Gurreiro as his sub is thrilling, another really talented young player.

Cedric has been very good at Southampton at RB, and coupled with Vieirinha from Wolfsburg we have a solid RB tandem.

Pepe/Fonte/Carvalho(who when used sparingly and when well rested is still very good) znd the young paulo oliveira from Sporting make a good CB core.

The problem is upfront as per usual. Ronaldo is reaping the consequences of not rehabilitating that left knee properly in the world cup year..a shadow of his former self so far this season

 

[Evilo]

I like Guerreiro better at LB.

 

[Eye of Ra]

4-3-3 should be decent. I would field Insigne/Sharaawy, Pelle, Florenzi; Verratti, De Rossi, Marchisio; De Sciglio, Chiellini, Bonucci, Darmian; Perin/Sirigu.

But Candreva is going to be put in for sure as is Parolo, Buffon.

Motta should be a lock. He is fantastic in PSG and have great chemistry with Veratti.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

I would be terrified to play against a midfield of Motta, Verratti, and De Rossi... No amount of shin pads would be protection enough

 

[Tylers Dad]

I would be terrified to play against a midfield of Motta, Verratti, and De Rossi... No amount of shin pads would be protection enough

Imagine Nesta/Maldini behind those three. That defense would be insane.

 

[SenorDingDong]

I think if Conte relies on the young guys Italy may do well.

I would like them to play 4-3-3 with Insigne-Pelle-Berardi up front (I doubt he'd do that though, he'll probably have Candreva there). In midfield he has a bunch of young guys he can rely on, but Verratti for creativity and De Rossi for experience should be the 2 main pieces. Other options include Bertolacci, Marchisio, Sturaro, Florenzi. On defense, Darmian, Bonucci, Chiellini should be solid. Left Back is a question mark though. I just hope he doesn't play with 3 guys on defense.

Other young guys I'm hoping he calls up as well: Perin, De Sciglio (he's been bad for a couple of years now), Zaza, Gabbiadini, Immobile, Vazquez, Baselli, maybe Sansone and Shaarawi but the latter seems to be busting.

I just hope he drops the old guys who won't bring much to the team, as much as I like Pirlo but he has no business being in the squadra azzura anymore, same with Montolivo, Barzagli.

Giovinco is a must for this Italy squad.

 

[Eye of Ra]

I would be terrified to play against a midfield of Motta, Verratti, and De Rossi... No amount of shin pads would be protection enough

De Rossi is not so good anymore.

Buffon
Barzagli - Bonucci - Chiellini - Darmian
Soriano - Veratti - Motta
Insigne - Eder - Giovinco

 

[Live in the Now]

I'd play Marchisio over Motta.

 

[Evilo]

Not me. This season's Motta is playing the best football of his career.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

De Rossi is not so good anymore.

Buffon
Barzagli - Bonucci - Chiellini - Darmian
Soriano - Veratti - Motta
Insigne - Eder - Giovinco

I was referring to that midfield in terms of exclusively the collective greasiness of the three of them

 

[Moncherry]

If that's an accurate depiction of what Italy's line-up will look like this summer, then that is painfully average by their standards.

 

[Munchkin10]

De Rossi is not so good anymore.

Buffon
Barzagli - Bonucci - Chiellini - Darmian
Soriano - Veratti - Motta
Insigne - Eder - Giovinco

Personally I would put gio in the middle and put Candreva where gio is now. Pull eder to the subs.

 

[Panteras]

is Buffon going to be the Jagr of football? I feel like he's been playing all my life

 

[Tylers Dad]

is Buffon going to be the Jagr of football? I feel like he's been playing all my life

I really hope not. I want Sirigu or Perrin to take his place.