Giovinco is a gutless little shit.
Japan hit the post and the bar.
Italy are a rabble but it all stems down to dreadful selections and tactics from Prandelli.
That was superb from De Rossi. He has been Italyâs best player tonight.
Dreadful performance however and Prandelli can have no complaints if he gets savaged by the media tomorrow.
[quote=âIl Bomber Destro, post: 789216, member: 1052â]That was superb from De Rossi. He has been Italyâs best player tonight.
Dreadful performance however and Prandelli can have no complaints if he gets savaged by the media tomorrow.[/quote]
Japan have been robbed here.Kagawa and Honda have been outstanding.
Wasnât overly impressed with Honda to be honest. Kagawa was immense as was Nagatomo.
We need Cassano back, we need to start picking natural left backs, we need to get the balance right in midfield, (tonight we started with four ball playing central midfielders but nobody who wants to make the runs from midfield) we need to start selecting our best attackers. If Italy donât solve these problems by next year - we wonât be lasting very long over there.
[quote=âIl Bomber Destro, post: 789219, member: 1052â]Wasnât overly impressed with Honda to be honest. Kagawa was immense as was Nagatomo.
We need Cassano back, we need to start picking natural left backs, we need to get the balance right in midfield, (tonight we started with four ball playing central midfielders but nobody who wants to make the runs from midfield) we need to start selecting our best attackers. If Italy donât solve these problems by next year - we wonât be lasting very long over there.[/quote]
Honda really stepped up near the end IMO. Kagawa was absolutely brilliant and combined well with Nagatomo. There was a 15 or 20 minute spell in the second half where Kagawa totally ran the game.
[quote=âFagan ODowd, post: 789191, member: 706â]I backed the handicap draw at 9/4 -1.
Need two more goals from Italy.[/quote]
Wahey
Signing in for Tahiti v Spain, I predict goals in this one.
Bandage would get a game in goals for these lads.
Handicap was -8!!!
Credit them, they held out about as long as we did last Summer. 1-0 Torres.
Keeper is at it. 
Shame he let in that early one, only for that theyâd be doing quite nicely here.
Thats a class finish from Silva.
And the floodgates start to open.
A Tahiti corner and they put all their players marking the keeper
Italy take on Brazil this evening in what will effectively be a match to decide who plays Spain or Uruguay in the semis.
De Rossi is suspended and Pirlo and El Sharaawy out through injury. I think this a good thing for us, Pirloâs absence means Montolivo will take on the focal point of the Italian midfield, something that he has deserved the opportunity of. The Italian media suggest he will be joined in midfield by Marchisio and Aquilani, which is another positive as both players have been heavily criticised in the press for their performances so far - although both have been deployed out of position in a tactical system that did not suit them. Tonight there are no excuses however, we are also likely to see Candreva and Cerci/Diamanti flanking Balotelli in attack. Again I think this gives us much more balance in the side. Abate and De Sciglio are likely to be the full backs. I think Maggioâs international career should have come to an end by now.
Iâm expecting a much improved performance from the Japan game, it just irks me that the logical set-up is only being introduced due to fatigue, suspensions and injuries.
Have RTĂ explained why Brazilian first choice centre back DantĂŠ isnât in their first choice team?
Unbelievably poor start from Italy who have given the ball away 3 times in their own half in the first minute and relied on a good save and a wonderful tackle to keep Brazil out.
Awful start by Italy, Aquilaini and Montolivo giving the ball away in dangerous positions.