Group-D - WC 2014

[Ace]

Kind of World Cup related, or so the Media portrays it... Prandelli has just signed a 2-year extension with the national team

http://www.football-italia.net/49676/off...news-italy

[xudong]

I wonder if there was ever any slight chance of Milan getting Prandelli.

[Aficio]

@Zeekay: I like both players. They are true professional and good men.
IMO, England only had a chance in 1998 when they possessed all the things they yearn for: a great pair of forwards at top form (Shearer & Owen), bags of creativity (Scholes & Beckham), and a solid GK in Seaman.

[Best-Pundit]

@Zeekay: I like both players. They are true professional and good men.
IMO, England only had a chance in 1998 when they possessed all the things they yearn for: a great pair of forwards at top form (Shearer & Owen), bags of creativity (Scholes & Beckham), and a solid GK in Seaman.

I wish i a bit older in 1998 to really enjoy that Argentina victory over England. But man, that 2002 defeat of Argentina to England made me sick to death. Still don't understand why that effort of Batistuta didn't go in and England won

[Aficio]

Well, I must say both were equally bad in 2002, and England won just by a dubious penalty. That was hurt for Argentina, but they didn't make it pass group stage, so they can only blame themselves.

IMO, 1998 hurt the England deeper, because that was the only time their so-called Golden Generation shined. Owen can not repeat the form that helped him receive Best Young Player Award. Beckham became the leader who led his team to nowhere. Scholes was underestimated with the rise of equally bad duo G & L. Shearer just got worse with age. And GK position has been being mistake-prone.

Anyway, though Argentina and England are great rival, I think they can sometimes drink together in consolation. Because since 1990, both haven't reached semifinal once.

EDIT: I've heard a not very interesting info. Since WC1954, the forwards from Milan only scored 3 goals for Azzurri: Gilardino & Pippo in 2006 and Massaro in 1994

[xudong]

Well, I must say both were equally bad in 2002, and England won just by a dubious penalty. That was hurt for Argentina, but they didn't make it pass group stage, so they can only blame themselves.

IMO, 1998 hurt the England deeper, because that was the only time their so-called Golden Generation shined. Owen can not repeat the form that helped him receive Best Young Player Award. Beckham became the leader who led his team to nowhere. Scholes was underestimated with the rise of equally bad duo G & L. Shearer just got worse with age. And GK position has been being mistake-prone.

Anyway, though Argentina and England are great rival, I think they can sometimes drink together in consolation. Because since 1990, both haven't reached semifinal once.

EDIT: I've heard a not very interesting info. Since WC1954, the forwards from Milan only scored 3 goals for Azzurri: Gilardino & Pippo in 2006 and Massaro in 1994

That should change this year. I can see Balotelli scoring two penalties.

To be fair, Milan was never known for great Italian strikers. Italy NT never scored too many goals anyway either. 1994 was our best year, and in one match (against Mexico?) we had 7 (or 6?) Milan players start the game, but they were mostly defenders and midfielders other than Massaro who did score. :d

[Ace]

Well, 40 minutes into the match vs Ireland... and there goes half of Italy's midfield, which puts Prandelli into less dilemma on who to cut from the squad.

Montolivo and Aquilani both injured in the first half, with Monti almost certain to miss the world cup!

[reza]

For Montolivo reports say broken tibia.

[Best-Pundit]

This Montolivio news has really made me sad
I am going to miss the real desire to support Italy this time.
I hope Abate can do some good job representing AC Milan. I am hopeless regarding Balotelli, but I only want him to perform so that his market value goes up and he is sold and I don't have to go through the misery of watching my favorite AC Milano lead by him.

[Ace]

There's De Sciglio who looks set to play as a Left Back, with the only one covering his position is Chiellini... Darmian and Abate will probably rotate the Right Back position?!