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+--- Thread: Group-D - WC 2014 (/showthread.php?tid=615)
RE: Group-D - WC 2014 - Aficio - 06-15-2014
Yeah. And Italy can only defend well with a bus against a bunch of naive kids. I don't really dislike the strategy, but if Italy are afraid of defending with proper defenders, that's the big problem.
Anyway, good result, but the next opponent is not an easy one. Their coach is a fox, and Italy don't perform against small teams.
RE: Group-D - WC 2014 - ZvonimirBoban - 06-15-2014
This is the most mediocre Italy and England NT in recent times.
RE: Group-D - WC 2014 - xudong - 06-15-2014
(06-15-2014, 01:13 AM)ZvonimirBoban Wrote: This is the most mediocre Italy and England NT in recent times.
particularly for Italian defense. I have never seen so many mediocre players in such an important match.
RE: Group-D - WC 2014 - Nalx - 06-15-2014
(06-15-2014, 01:13 AM)ZvonimirBoban Wrote: This is the most mediocre Italy and England NT in recent times.
While I agree that neither team has world class player but despite it all am I the only one thinking this game was entertaining?
RE: Group-D - WC 2014 - Best-Pundit - 06-15-2014
What are you guys talking about? Italian played a great game. Chellini was good. He should play as CD and LB position should be given to Abate or DES. Even England played a good game. Italy will reach the semis ... now I am sure! (and lose to Argentina gracefully)
RE: Group-D - WC 2014 - ZvonimirBoban - 06-15-2014
(06-15-2014, 06:44 AM)Nalx Wrote:(06-15-2014, 01:13 AM)ZvonimirBoban Wrote: This is the most mediocre Italy and England NT in recent times.
While I agree that neither team has world class player but despite it all am I the only one thinking this game was entertaining?
The game itself is entertaining, yes. But to see likes of Jagielka, Welbeck, Parolo and Candreva playing for England and Italy...
RE: Group-D - WC 2014 - Aficio - 06-15-2014
I enjoyed the match.
Both teams are in transition phase, Italy were more lucky to have Pirlo who was more visible than Gerrard.
RE: Group-D - WC 2014 - ACMILAN1983 - 06-15-2014
(06-15-2014, 06:44 AM)Nalx Wrote: While I agree that neither team has world class player but despite it all am I the only one thinking this game was entertaining?
No you're not alone, I thought the game was very entertaining.
Italy are very good technically and their possession play is one of the best in the tournament. Problem is the lack of pace throughout the side, which is a real strength of the young England players.
I like Prandelli's idea to double up going forward on the right with Darmian and Candreva, Baines was overwhelmed and couldn't cope, while Rooney and Wellbeck failed to support him. Pirlo and Veratti were fantastic imo, as was Thiago Motta when he came on. Sirigu also deserves a mention for his really good performance.
England's problem is they have a weak defence, too much inexperience and experienced players who just fail to perform at International level (Rooney). Sterling, Sturridge, Wilshere and Henderson offer hope for the future, but they haven't developed to compete with more experienced quality opponents.
Italy's got some excellent experienced players and some real quality prospects coming through. I was talking to my brother on them and while we both agree the defence is the weakest part of the side, he thought it was the fullbacks while I said it was the CBs. Honestly, I felt I was proved right yesterday, Chiellini (although playing fullback) was terrible and has never been that good for Italy. Barzagli is decent at best and Paletta was all at sea for much of the match. The midfield also lacks a little balance, as Pirlo doesn't track back and Marchiso and Candreva were often both caught too high up, meaning the counter was deadly.
That said, DES's return and the prospect of seeing him and Darmian at fullback positions is an exciting prospect. However, I've often spoken about nations not living up to their traditional identities in this world cup, Italy certainly aren't showing they have completely forgotten the art of defending.
I also watched Uruguay - Costa Rica and must say the Uruguayans were disappointing in every respect. If they continue like that then England and Italy will get through the group comfortably.
RE: Group-D - WC 2014 - Nalx - 06-15-2014
I think Uruguay is similar to Italy in 2010. Their team, or at least the core of it, certainly have reached their peak when they reached the semifinal in last World Cup and won Copa America. They even needed a play-off to qualify for this World Cup.
RE: Group-D - WC 2014 - Mystik - 06-15-2014
I also found the game very entertaining as well. Italy did not cope well with the pace of the England attack at all and if England used their chances better, the results could have been quite different. Pirlo did well in the offensive phase but was very pedestrian in defense..watching players run past him (as always). Darmian was a stand out player for me IMO. I was impressed with how he wasn't scared to attack and create chances for himself. He did get caught out at the back one or two times but overall I thought he did well for someone who got his second cap yesterday.