[QUOTE=āEsteban de la Sexface, post: 959118, member: 2695ā]I think Henderson will be tasked with Pirlo, bud. He has a decent engine, Pirlo will play him like an accordion though. The problem with Pirlo running the game from deep is you need options for him to play a killer ball. Balotelli isnāt clever enough to get in behind. If England play a deep line with Gerrard Sitting and Milner cutting off the left, theyāll try soak it up and hit Italy when they are tired with 20 left, bringing on pace from the bench - like Sterling and Barkleyā¦
My prediction is a boring as fuck nil all, with a small possibility of a 1-0 tan win if Woy has the balls to go for it with 20 to go[/QUOTE]
Iām hoping Baines starts, Candreva will absolutely murder him (figuratively speaking). We also have full backs who could run all day and love attacking so there will be plenty of outlets for Pirlo and De Rossi. Iām predicting weāll run the show in midfield like Euro 2012 and wear England down, throw Cassano on around the hour mark and let him tear the English to shreds.
Montolivo is a huge loss however, Iām gutted that heās not available.
[QUOTE=āIl Bomber Destro, post: 959121, member: 2533ā]Iām hoping Baines starts, Candreva will absolutely murder him (figuratively speaking). We also have full backs who could run all day and love attacking so there will be plenty of outlets for Pirlo and De Rossi. Iām predicting weāll run the show in midfield like Euro 2012 and wear England down, throw Cassano on around the hour mark and let him tear the English to shreds.
Montolivo is a huge loss however, Iām gutted that heās not available.[/QUOTE]
If Woy is stupid enough to play a pressing game then that gameplan will work. If England try win the ball back high up the pitch they are fucked. If they concede the possession and defend their 18 yard box, I donāt think yeāve got the penetration (yurt) to break them down. First group game, neither side will want to lose. Itāll be a snorefest.
Pirlo destroyed England in 2012 because Rooney lacked the discipline and application to disrupt him. Hence some chat about them actually playing a midfielder like Henderson further forward in Pirloās zone ahead of Gerrard and AN Other with Rooney shunted wide and Sturridge upfront.
On balance I think England will start Rooney centrally behind Sturridge again. I prefer the idea of playing Sterling in there (as Liverpool used to good effect in the latter half of the season). Either way, Sterling should definitely start whether itās in that central area or on the right. Iād worry about De Sciglio facing him if heās the Italian left back.
[QUOTE=āBandage, post: 959229, member: 9ā]Pirlo destroyed England in 2012 because Rooney lacked the discipline and application to disrupt him. Hence some chat about them actually playing a midfielder like Henderson further forward in Pirloās zone ahead of Gerrard and AN Other with Rooney shunted wide and Sturridge upfront.
On balance I think England will start Rooney centrally behind Sturridge again. I prefer the idea of playing Sterling in there (as Liverpool used to good effect in the latter half of the season). Either way, Sterling should definitely start whether itās in that central area or on the right. Iād worry about De Sciglio facing him if heās the Italian left back.[/QUOTE]
Milner will start. Johnson is ripe for a hole opening, so Woy will play Milner to protect him. WellShit will start on the left with his pace, with a view to him not joining in attacks and fucking them up. Basically there to stop Abate attacking.
Dude, I donāt know if you are Italian or what, but you are seriously overestimating the Italian team. This fella will destroy him and destroy the next fella.
Seria A is mediocre and ye are a dire team to watch, ye certainly wonāt be destroying anyone.
[QUOTE=āEsteban de la Sexface, post: 959239, member: 2695ā]Milner will start. Johnson is ripe for a hole opening, so Woy will play Milner to protect him. WellShit will start on the left with his pace, with a view to him not joining in attacks and fucking them up. Basically there to stop Abate attacking.
Dude, I donāt know if you are Italian or what, but you are seriously overestimating the Italian team. This fella will destroy him and destroy the next fella.
Seria A is mediocre and ye are a dire team to watch, ye certainly wonāt be destroying anyone.[/QUOTE]
Iām not overestimating the Italian side, the fact that we have players like Rossi and Destro who canāt make the squad tells you of the quality we possess. The fact is players like Candreva, Barzagli, Cassano, De Sciglio and Cerci are all highly underrated players and Prandelliās Italy have been the most entertaining national team to watch over the past 4 years.
You are really overestimating the side if you think they are the most entertaining national team to watch.
The Dutch, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, France, Portugal all play a more exciting brand of football.
They are the most entertaining to watch because you are a fan and are Italian. To the neutral they are a dull watch my friend. I know it is impossible for you to have an objective opinion here, same with me and the Limerick hurlers.
[QUOTE=āEsteban de la Sexface, post: 959257, member: 2695ā]You are really overestimating the side if you think they are the most entertaining national team to watch.
The Dutch, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, France, Portugal all play a more exciting brand of football.
They are the most entertaining to watch because you are a fan and are Italian. To the neutral they are a dull watch my friend. I know it is impossible for you to have an objective opinion here, same with me and the Limerick hurlers.[/QUOTE]
Clearly you have seen very little of Italy under Prandelli if you think teams like Spain, Portugal, France, Holland or Brazil are more exciting to watch. They are anything but dull. All their games in the European Championships and Confederations Cup have been open exciting games.
[QUOTE=āEsteban de la Sexface, post: 959257, member: 2695ā]You are really overestimating the side if you think they are the most entertaining national team to watch.
The Dutch, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, France, Portugal all play a more exciting brand of football.
They are the most entertaining to watch because you are a fan and are Italian. To the neutral they are a dull watch my friend. I know it is impossible for you to have an objective opinion here, same with me and the Limerick hurlers.[/QUOTE]
Spain more entertaining than Italy. Fuck sake when is the last time you saw either team play?
I watch a game with my eyes pal, not yours. I happen to think that Spainās possession game and the clever movement of their players is a joy to watch.
Brazil - Neymar, Oscar, Hulk etc are all capable of doing something spectacular to get you off your seat.
Robben running at a full back does it for me.
Ronaldo is self explanatory
Aside from Pirlo dictating the game - he is the best player iāve ever seen in the flesh- Italy just donāt do it for me. Balotelli, on his day, in fairness. But those are few and far between
We have a few friends coming over on Saturday night to watch the Italy v England game so we have decided to have some food and drink based on each country.
Anyone opting for Italian has Bruschetta for starters with Veal Marsala for mains and a Tiramisu for dessert all washed down with a nice Prosecco.
Anyone going for the england Iāve got in six cans of Stella and a vindalooā¦
De Sciglio out of the England game. It was very foolish of Prandelli to bring only three full backs, none of whom are natural left backs. Now he will have to opt between Darmian and Chiellini at left back, I hate it when Chiellini is shunted out there.
The centre backs really could be any of the three. Barzagli would be first choice to partner Chiellin there but heās had a lot of niggles and didnāt take part in many of the friendlies coming in, Bonucci would usually be next in line but Paletta has been in much better form.
Iām annoyed that Prandelli didnāt learn from Euro 2012 and choose 4 full backs, I donāt think there is a position on the pitch which requires more endurance than a full back, especially with the way Italy play and width they provide for us in attack. Chiellini is our best centre and you shouldnāt be shifting him around to plug holes, heās also not very comfortable going forward. Iād prefer Darmian to start at left back tomorrow but weāll see what happens.
[QUOTE=āEbeneezer Goode, post: 959707, member: 1785ā]We have a few friends coming over on Saturday night to watch the Italy v England game so we have decided to have some food and drink based on each country.
Anyone opting for Italian has Bruschetta for starters with Veal Marsala for mains and a Tiramisu for dessert all washed down with a nice Prosecco.
Anyone going for the england Iāve got in six cans of Stella and a vindalooā¦[/QUOTE]
i find this difficult to believe
who are these āfriendsā and what time are they arriving at?
[QUOTE=āIl Bomber Destro, post: 961157, member: 2533ā]Ranocchia isnāt in the squad, pal.
The centre backs really could be any of the three. Barzagli would be first choice to partner Chiellin there but heās had a lot of niggles and didnāt take part in many of the friendlies coming in, Bonucci would usually be next in line but Paletta has been in much better form.
Iām annoyed that Prandelli didnāt learn from Euro 2012 and choose 4 full backs, I donāt think there is a position on the pitch which requires more endurance than a full back, especially with the way Italy play and width they provide for us in attack. Chiellini is our best centre and you shouldnāt be shifting him around to plug holes, heās also not very comfortable going forward. Iād prefer Darmian to start at left back tomorrow but weāll see what happens.[/QUOTE]
Darmian has no experience though, youād worry for him. Was Ranocchia not brought to Brazil to cover for any potential injuries? I read somewhere that he was. Iād prefer if they recalled Pasqual, a natural left back. Maggio wouldnāt do on the left.