- 11 Jun 08, 09:30 AM
Vienna
It looks as though the winner of Euro 2008 will be a team that plays expansive, attack-minded football rather than one that places a great deal of emphasis on defence and grinding the opposition down.
That's what I hope will happen anyway. Portugal, Germany, Netherlands and Spain have all impressed with their style of play in the opening round of group games.
For me, the biggest surprises were the Dutch. I knew they were capable of playing such good, attractive football, but to do it against the Italians and win 3-0 was some achievement.
Before the tournament began, I wondered if Marco van Basten's side might fall victim to the kind of infighting that has damaged their chances in the past, but so far there are no signs of disharmony. Let's hope that continues and they carry on playing the free-flowing football you associate with teams in orange.
As for Spain, the other big winners in round one, well, what can you say? In David Villa and Fernando Torres, they have a cutting edge most sides would envy.
Their partnership shows real understanding: they feed of each other; they know how the other one plays; and they work hard for each other. It helps enormously that they have a brilliant supply line from midfield. Senna, Iniesta, Silva and Xavi were fabulous in the 4-1 defeat of Russia.
But the Spanish are not infallible. Russia did create a number of chances. How will the Swedes fare against Villa and Torres? We will find out on Saturday.
The biggest disappointments so far have been France. What surprised me most as I watched their goalless draw with Romania was their inability to make things happen. I blame the coach, Raymond Domenech, to some extent. He was not able to change the dynamic of the team when it became clear they were finding it hard to break down the Romanians.
I'm not writing off the French just yet, but we will need to see a big improvement when they pay the Netherlands on Friday if they are to have any hope of triumphing in Vienna on 29 June. If Thierry Henry is fit, I expect him to play.
Friday is a big day for Italy, too. Despite their humbling by the Dutch, I expect Roberto Donadoni's team to bounce back. They possess some world-class players who will be eager to prove a point. I still think they are capable of reaching the semi-finals and ultimately winning Euro 2008, but they must beat Romania.
A final word for co-hosts Switzerland and Austria. I think they've raised a few eyebrows with their displays so far. They were both unlucky not to get something from their matches against the Czech Republic and Croatia respectively. That said, I still don't think they will make it beyond the group stages.
Quarter-final predictions:
Portugal v Poland;
Germany v Czech Republic;
Netherlands v Sweden;
Spain v Italy.
Now it is your turn. Let me know what you think the line up will be for the last eight...
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Trying not to be too biased, but I think the Dutch look stronger than the Spanish (and the Germans probably stronger than them both...)
Spain played some exciting football but, like you say, the Russians had a lot of chances at the end -- Spain looked weak, poor and sloppy for the last 10 minutes. I think a stronger team will kick them off the park.
I was worried about the Dutch defence before the tournament, but it looks stronger than the Spanish.
The Germans...
Well, is it for them to lose?
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Of course I do disagree!:-)
Re: the quarter finals I agree with Germany, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic, but in my opinion:
- Russia will be able to overtake Sweden - that's going to be the game of the group!
- Croatia is much better than Poland, just like Italy they cannot play that poor again
- noone can really suggest any kind of end result right now in the Group of death. Italy's back four was worse than the same of Romania and France so it just might happen that the two participants of the 'probably dullest game of EURO2008' is going thru. That would be fun...:-)
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I think it will be:
Portugal vs Croatia (Croatia will come good)
This match will be a replay of Portugal vs Holland with the free-for-all-red-cards-and-yellow-cards-too
Germany vs Czech Rep
The Czechs will cause a minor scare as they have revenge on their minds since Euro 1996
Holland vs Russia
Holland's biggest test if they are to win the thing. Coming up against Hiddink is not the best thing to happen after coming out of the group of death...
Spain vs France
France will continue the same style play which bored us through the world cup and this will frustrate the perennial underachievers so much that they will implode.
Semis:
Portugal vs Germany - Penalties and I won't want to call it.
Holland vs France - I won't call it - I don't want to jinx it!
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I think its hard to compare the favourites. For example, Portugal (and France) were the only 'favourites' that faced a team that could actually defend.
The Dutch faced a team that was sluggish (I could hear the bones cracking at some point). The Spanish looked weak in the back but overpowered up front (didn't help much that the Russian defence was really awful) and Germany looked solid overall.
Matchday 2 will probably change that, and by pure coincidence: in every group (except C) the teams with three points will face each other.
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I personally don't think it is any surprise that the teams that played the best football (well certainly attacking) had a minimum of 1 world class passer in their midfield.
As you mentioned, all of Spain's midfield were passing beautifully, Holland have Sneijder, who for me is the best passer of a football in the world (I saw him several times for Ajax and regardless of range/difficulty his passes invariably found his team mate's feet) and I only caught glimpses of the Germany game but the passing looked particularly impressive (my glimpses were not long enough to make out who made the passes).
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Point worth making - England would have been slaughtered by any of Portugal, Germany, Spain or Holland. They all played much better than England have played in many years.
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Not sure about Italy. I love 'em - have supported Italy at every major championship since 1982, but they have never been lumped like they were the other night.
Italy traditionally feed on adversity - like they did in World Cup 1982 and 2006 - but those were traditional, solid betting and match fixing scandlas, not the simple getting hammered. In 1994, they lost the first game to Eire, but it was 1-0 - not 3-0 and was against the run of play.
I just fear the team, without Cannavaro, with the over-rated Luca Toni up front - don't have the weapons. (Toni scored millions in the Bundes-league, easily weaker than Serie A, La Liga or the Prem.)
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Largely agreed with the entry, with the exception of Italy.
I know Romania are preferable opponents when it comes to "bouncing back", but Italy are looking disturbingly like the France side that crashed out at the groups stage a few years back.
France taking on the Netherlands will probably be the match of the next three days. The men in orange have drawn some attention after what many consider a flattering scoreline, and with one or two blog writers quietly tipping them for glory this next game should provide an insight into their overall chances and the relative ability of France.
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Good call Gav. I think u got the quarter finals spot on. I wud even predict the semis as being:
Portugal v Germany
Holland v Spain (com'n the Dutch)
providing Spain don't self destruct so their players can take an early wee holiday as usual and also that the Italians don't have the legs to carry them forward being so old + the amount of games catches up with them.
I also thought that Donadoni's tactics were all wrong against the Dutch on Mon nite. he was playin a 4-3-3 where the midfield could barely run the length of themselves + are very slow. Perrota, de Rossi + Aquilani would have covered more ground all be it tehey wouldn't have been as effective on the ball. Ambrosini is the biggest waste of space in world football.
Anyway you've herd enough of me on my rant against Italy. Donadoni will learn from his mistakes + Italy will make it.
I feel like Garth Crooks after such a long comment. Although i haven't referenced to Mozart or Galileo, have I?.
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The dutch side looks good however their defence is also not as strong as you may think. Italy may or may not hit back but in anycase i dont think that they can win it. Spain , althougth they played well, looked very dodgy at the back and i feel that a good attacking side will have a real go at that. Germany just look like 1 strong unit as well as the Portuguese. Its all very open at the moment and dont forget we have only now just seen rond 1. Lets have a better look after the second group games.
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Italy will come back strong after the Dutch incident. The defeat will help them in the long run and I predict a Germany - Italy final.
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middle aged spurs geezer...toni scored superbly in italy for 3 seasons before going to the bundesliga...something like 0.7 goals per game in 3 years
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Im italian thru and thru and was stunned by the azzurri performance. Losing cannavaro is a major blow but watching the team lose all discipline after a farcical first goal was sad. The manager is inexperienced and poor and made awful decisions. Camorensi should not be playing and de rossi should start instead of an old ambrosini that contributes nothing to a team except holding pirlo back. All italians know that zambrotta should be on the right and grosso on the left and cassano and toni upfront. They will now struggle and cant see us beating romania let alone France which we must do to possibly qualify!!!! Up to players and give captaincy to Gattuso not the keeper!!! We made dutch look good. Forza italia, wake up and play chellini at centre half!!!!!
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Gavin.
Here's your big chance to influence "Style".
You say you enjoyed the style of the named sides and you think that one of those will win the tournament.
Surely England need to look at the style and try to adopt it, because it's enjoyable to watch and it might win something.
One thing that is immediately obvious about the above mentioned style, which is nothing like the English style, is that the use of the long forward punt is kept to a minimum, and is almost used as an element of surprise.
Of course you can only avoid the heavy use of this tactic if you are comfortable on the ball and your colleagues make themselves available to you for an easy short / medium length pass. These have a higher chance of completion and hence you retain possession.
The point is that it's not just the midfielders who have this mentality. On the continent a good defender is someone who is comfortable on the ball and find an easy pass / make themselves available for an easy pass. In England a good defender is someone who gets the ball and clears his lines.
The Holland vs Italy game was fantastic for ball retention and pass completion. From front to back. It wasn't the 100 mph game that we get in the Prem and what England always play, but it's what wins tournaments and our style clearly doesn't. It often doesn't even get us to the tournament.
As for predictions, you only have to go off Gary Lineker's definition of football. "A game where 22 men kick a ball around for 90 minutes trying to score goals. Then the German's win".
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Riccardo - I agree with your comments about Camoranesi. He shouldn't be in the starting lineup.
I think Donadoni wanted to keep the Milan trio in midfield because they are a well oiled unit (although not too apparent v the Dutch) - hence why he left out De Rossi. De Rossi is the better player (if he can stay on the pitch).
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In reply to #14
Too right.
It's about drawing the forwards in by playing little triangles between the defenders* -- make the attackers back off and then play the ball forward.
England seem to rate defenders who get the ball and charge forward, leaving them out of position and ultimately without the ball (Cole); ones who knock the ball long to no-one (Ferdinand); or ones who hoof the ball into touch (Terry).
(* this isn't a new or "foreign" thing -- we were taught to play like this at school in the 80s. Pass and move, wasn't that the Liverpool groove... :D were did that ethos go?)
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Quarter finals -
Portugal v Croatia, Portugal to win
Germany v Turkey, Germany to win
Holland v Sweden, Holland to win
Spain v France, France to win
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why is it that after just signing up for bbc blogs, my 2 year old 606 account has just been put into pre-mod as if it is a new account?
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I think you've got it spot on Gav.
Why is everyone doubting Italy? After an abysmal 1st half they came at the dutch and started to play excellent football.
Admittedly the defence looked dodgy but after he brought on Grosso (who is brilliant), put Zambrotta (who is brilliant) at RB and put panucci in the centre, Italy looked a different side and only got caught for the 3rd goal as had committed so many forward (rightly so).
I thought Matterazzi could fill Fab Can's boots but I was wrong, he can't keep his cool. The man for the job is Panucci - wise and experienced - if he can steady the ship in defence, Italy will have no probs.
They showed flashes of why they are World Champions in that second half.
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I can't believe Italy played the same Milan midfield that was so comprehensively outplayed by Arsenal a few months ago. Pirlo is quality but Ambrosini and Gattuso have lost it.
Meanwhile, Camoranesi never had it, I have never understood why he gets so many games.
Both the Domenech and Donadoni need to ditch the old-timers and get some dynamism back in their teams.
France have the better squad in my opinion and will qualify for the next round.
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This may sound crazy but i don't think people are giving Sweden enough credit! When a team like Greece put 10 men behind the ball and run the clock down from the first minute and pray they scrap a one nil, it takes character and patience to win! We seen France give up against a stubborn Romania and how many times have we seen england get frustrated and resort to the good old hoof up to an overrated crouch or Rooney! I think Gavin you've got the quarter finals right, Italy will top Group C, as we seen in qualifying Romania have Holland's number, the dutch got 1 point from Romania! Holland will still go through as France look like the geriatrics they are...thuram? Spain is once again a puzzle, will they implode or finally come good? I think Sweden are the dark horses other than them it seems to be between Germany and Portugal!
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Gavin
Agree with your QF line up predictions apart from Poland. Would have Croatia in there instead. Just wondering if you had some divine intervention on your choices, if so I might reconsider before heading down the bookies.
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"They showed flashes of why they are World Champions in that second half."
They tried to kick the Dutch of the park in the second half!
A harsher ref would've even given Ruud a couple of pens.
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Italy is still an excellent team, but their weak spot is when you do (energy consuming) forechecking. Maybe the defense of the Dutch isn't that great but it says a lot that 2 of the Dutch substitutes were attackers for attackers (or attacking midfield).
I hope Holland will play Sweden or Russia. Spain is great but a lot of these players tend to get homesick when being abroad too long. (although nowadays a lot of players got used to it, playing in the UK).
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I think it takes a brave man to write off the italians! they have a knack of doing well in tornaments even when playing out of sorts just like the germans do. its that winning mentality they have.
The scoreline flattered the dutch - two goals were scored on the counter attack. The balance of italy clearly wasn't right - they need their two wingers to play much higher up the pitch to give luca toni some support. and with a player like Pirlo they will always create chances. They are not out of the running yet!!
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#16
Sounds like we're on the same wave-length.
Your comment about Rio is only true when he's playing for England. He has a fantastic pass completion ration for United (albeit a lot of passes are sideways to Vidic) but it is down to the midfielders making themselves available or an attacker dropping off so that the longer ball can at least go to feet rather than a 50/50 chance (actually 20/80 chance against the better defences) punt into the air.
The continental midfielder is invariably a great receiver. Instant control and quick first touch lay-off. To make those "little triangles" that you talk about is what Paul Scholes has been making possible for a decade, and now Michael Carrick is taking over this roll. I would have thought that this would be right up Cappello's street, but not only is Carrick being sidelined by England, there are plenty of supporters at Old Trafford, who don't value ball retention and moan when he just plays a ball retaining pass, rather than always turn and chip it over the top.
I hate to say this, but the reason England have poor pass completion and hence poor ball retention is because our usual midfield are interested in high tempo, get the ball forward, good engine, box to box, run hard-shoot hard (how many more cliches can I use here) Prem football.
We've tried it every tournament since 66 without success. Is anyone in the England camp ever going to realise that this is NEVER going to work?
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Over on the 'Euro 2008 on WCB' blog, they've picked their best XI from the opening round of matches. Worth a look.
http://euro2008.worldcupblog.org/news/our-starting-xi-round-1.html
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riccardoitalia08 - spot on. I have never seen such a weird team selection for italy and that includes euro 96. The don has been found out, Italy will now crash out of the tournament, Lippi will return.
France are a poor, poor side who have been punching above their weight for the last 5 years, Holland were made to look good, Spain will dream of the beach and fade at a crucial point. Germany I can not understand why they are so highly rated - someone please explain. Portugal are the new France, they think they are better than they really are and do like a tumble.
I for one miss England - if only for the wags
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Perhaps the Dutch defenders aren't the best in the world, but defending is done not by 4 but by 11 players ! So, they "just" have to try to keep the ball as far away as possible from their own defense.
I know waht Lineker sais about the game of football. Years ago Johan Cruijff said about the Italians: "it is not possible to win against them, but you can lose from them". He has been proven wrong. Let's see and hope Lineker is proven wrong too.
The predicted quarter finals look OK. Although I expect Croatia to qualify instead of Poland.
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Call me Crazy, I still believe Italy will win the Euro cup. They have enough talent.
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Well, the thing about that Italy v Holland game is that Holland at times played in a Italian style...score goal, absorb then counter and they did so superbly.
Most of the teams have been better qualty than England if I'm honest, Portugal, France were poor but then Romania were very resilent and deserve credit for that. They had 3 chances on the overlap to get the ball in quickly vs France but ignored the person in a bit of space each time and each time it petered out.
Sweden played well, and I think they get less credit as a team than they are due. Kallstrom is a skilful player, so is Wilhelmsson. Ibrahimovich's goal was excellent set up from a pass by Larsson I think. Greece's defence was poor show, but in the first half they tried to get forward on the odd occasion and actually looked quite dangerous when they tried once or twice. A team with 2 wing backs and 3 strikers on the pitch should be more attacking really.
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Find it hard to see Croatia not reaching the last eight, but would probably agree with your thinking otherwise.
All those who write off the Italians do so at their peril - Toni got into enough goalscoring positions against the Dutch and Van Der Sar made enough cracking saves to suggest that they will be able to break down Romania and then take on the ageing French defence.
If Toni gets a bits of 'in the hole' support, probably from Del Piero, and Pirlo sparks up, then they have just as good a chance of winning the tournament as everyone said they had before their first game.
I reckon Italy vs France, which you'd ordinarily expect to be a tight game decided by a single goal either way, may well turn into a high-scoring thriller - will definitely be sending the kids to bed by 744pm next Tuesday!
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Here we go again! After one game everyone is jumping on Holland, Spain and Germany bandwagon. This article reminds me the articles written about Holland, Spain, and
Argentine after their first couple of games in last world cup. Spain and Holland will not get far.When you see a team like Spain and Holland play a good game like they did yesterday, you will have to ask (1) Would their defense survived if the other team had either little more class or little more punch, (2) would they so easily break down more experience, faster and stronger defenses.
Answer is no. Fortunately for Spain they won't face a strong such a team until the QF. Holland 3-0 score is flattering. Italy was misfiring and their backs are little too old to cope with COUNTER ATTACKING of a fast and young Dutch team. No such
luxary for Holland in next 2 games.
Mark my words, Holland will not beat Romania nor the French.
In Copa America after watching Argies thrash Mexico I came out convinced that there was no way they would beat Brazil and predicted a thrashing of Argies, cause I noticed Mexicans very easily carved up a slow Argentine defense, and Argies goals came when they caught Mexicans on counter attacks.
For all of those who are bashing France, let me remind you that newly anointed Best team in the world Holland were made to look far worse by Romanians. Holland scored ZERO gaols in 180 minutes against Romania and 90 of them were at home.
And unlike the French who played poorly on offense but were never threatened all the same, Dutch were actually outplayed by Romanians.
As far as Spain goes, well I remember they also ran circles around a much better Ukraine side. Ukraine team (much like the Russian), lso exposed Spain's defense but failed to score.
Italy are done cause they are in a tough group. France looked solid (laugh if you want), but France looked to be the strongest team so far. . Holland and Spain look suspect (I know most of you will shake your head). Italy are unfortunate.. they would have still had chance if they were in a different group. Germany always looks strong against second tier teams. Portugal looks to be strongest of Group A and B.
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re/ middle-aged spurs fan, 11.29am:
I think it's highly debatable whether the Bundesliga is weaker than Seria A or La Liga but what's certainly wrong is your statement about Toni. if Seria A really is so much better as you say, how come Toni has scored 97 goals between 2003 and 2007 for Palermo and Fiorentina? it remains to be seen how Italy recovers but I would never count them out, just like Germany.. the sides from both countries generally have the grit, determination and nerves to do well under pressure.. it's not like France convinced and obviously one should expect Italy to beat Romania now that they really have to...
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Picking the eight strongest teams for the quarter finals after already witnessing the first round matches?
Not much of a prediction right?
Who does Gavin think will win the tournament?
A side note, if England made this tournament I seriously doubt they would have got past the group stages (if they took Russia's place). Need to change the England team its just the same flops who lost in the last two major tournaments...changing the manager is not gonna be enough.
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Italy were appalling on all fronts against the Dutch at the start, and the Dutch had an amazing night where everything went right for them. However, Italy became more threatening when a certain player came on : Del Piero, he was running at the Dutch defence with a lot of heart, and that certainly looked more hopeful than what any of the French produced against Romania.
As for the quarter-finals, it all depends on who wins the second games, because for some teams they have to win this 2nd match phase or they face being eliminated, whereas if teams who have won in the 1st phase, and lose in the 2nd group match phase, then the group becomes wide open. Therefore, I still think there is more action to come. Bring on the the 2nd group match phase!
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Why am I reading peoples opinions of who has played well at this tournament and now it is slowly turning into IF England were there?
Its like you love to keep reminding people of the fact you didn't qualify, stop going on about it, enjoy the tournament and then start worrying about the World Cup. You have one of the best managers in the world so you can talk about them as much as you like once you are actually part of the conversation.
Fair point?
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I'm not worried about the Italians, I just think they had "one of those days".
The 1st goal could easily not have been given; the second any team in the championship would have conceded. The third came following a save of the very highest quality from VDS.
Pirlo missed a free kick by inches (that amusingly David Pleat described as "a complete waste". VDS was nowhere near it.
I think Toni should have had a pen too.
Don't get me wrong, the Dutch were very classy, but there was a far bigger gap between Spain and Russia than Holland and Italy. Infact, Italy had much the better of the 2nd half.
What they really need to do is get rid of Camoranesi, allow Pirlo to run things in midfield, get Del Piero alongside Toni and find someone at the back to organise Materazzi like Cannavaro would.
See Donadoni, I've done it for you!
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In reply to those people mentioning Holland lost and had a draw in the group stages against Romania.
They indeed only got 1 point but the match in Romania was when the group was already decided.
The French will not be a match for the Dutch IF (a big if) the Dutch can perform like they did against Italy. Then they might again lose against Romania but who cares? It could mean both France and Italy can pack their suitcases.
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Further to my earlier point, Romania outplayed Holland in Amsterdam making all the early running while shackling them later and they also beat them in Bucharest and had more chances when they had what was a patched up side.
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In response to Post 39, I don't think the group was decided by that game, the way it turned out with Holland losing in Belarus had Bulgaria won in Albania, Holland would be kicking their heels either on beaches or back in Holland.
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QF Lineup:
* Portugal v Croatia
* Germany v Czech
* Netherlands v Russia
* Spain v Italy
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Dear Friends
I agree with Gavin assessment of EURO 2008 after having seen all teams playing. In particular, I would like to underline a few points with regards to the Holland–Italy match. In my view, the way the media reacted was emotional, since 3 goals against the World Champions obviously make the headlines. However, the result does not tell the whole truth. Italy had more chances then Holland, but failed to turn them into goals and also made many defensive mistakes, and this is why they deserved to lose, because defending well and taking chances is part of the game. But the 3-0 score does not represent the value of the two teams. Football matches are often made by a few episodes, and one of this was the first Holland goal, which was scored in offside position: the rule describes the defender going out the pitch deliberately, which Pannucci did not. In my view, the first goal changed the strategy of the game, with Italy compelled to go forward in the attempt to score and, in so doing, they were hit on the break.
By the way, in past the Italians were often criticised for their passive defending attitude (called Catenaccio) and for only using the counterattack – and despite the fact that they are not playing that way anymore, (during the last World Championship, which they won, the Italian goals were scored by 20 different players, including several defenders), the stereotype remains and they were still criticised on this before the Holland-Italy match last Monday: well, no one single word of criticism to Holland for playing Catenaccio after scoring the first goal against Italy and hitting on the break, which is exactly what Italy used to do.
Back to the Italian chances to pass the group stage and win EURO 2008, I agree with Gavin, they are still good, since Italy have very talented players and a lot of options on the bench: I would not be surprise to see De Rossi, Grosso, Del Piero and Cassano being the first choice for the match against Romania on Friday.
With regard to the other teams, it is true that Germany, Spain and Portugal and Holland were impressive during the first matches, but we have to consider the poor performance of their opponents. I remember that at the last World Championship the media were making a lot of noise about the great Brazil, and above all about Argentina after the first few matches - they were counting the number of passes they were making before scoring wonderful goals: but then, their game was reduced to little as soon as they met stronger opponents. Having said that, I believe that, on paper, Germany, Spain, Holland, Portugal and Italy are the best candidates for the title, shame that four of them are on the same part of the table and will have to meet too soon
Ciao
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Post #39
The group had not been decided by that time. It was actually in the next gameday that it had been decided, and it could have even taken longer if Bulgaria would have won against Albania.
Post #43
I'm not sure which media you are referring to when you say they are overreacting. My personal reaction to Italy's game was that they were scared after receiving the first goal. That led to their precipitation and receiving a second. After all, we all know Italians do not like to chase. I hope you noticed how even after half-time (so supposedly after they were all supposed to calm down) Buffon was still yelling at one of his team-mates. Truth be told, the Italians are suffering because they are playing with pretty much the same team as two years ago. It's far too long to not become predictable, not to mention they are getting older and lacking the mental state from 2006 (after Calciopoli).
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"U11148453: Mark my words, Holland will not beat Romania nor the French. "
You will be proven wrong! Of course the Dutch were lucky with the way their match against Italy went. But you are underestimating the mental side of football.
It took a real team effort to beat this Italian side in this fashion (they were humiliated). Van Basten seems to have instilled a real spirit into this team, which had been lacking in the recent past. They were willing to sacrifice themselves completely for the team and worked their socks off!
And now they have (again!) the fortune of playing against an unspirited French team, who are very unlikely to turn their abismal team effort against the Roms into something positive. Especially when looking at the stars!
I am not saying Holland will win this tournament for sure but I think their performance against the Italians is being underestimated. Mark my words, you will be proven wrong.
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I believe after the first round of results, that the quarter final line up will be;
Portugal v Croatia
Germany v Turkey
Holland v Sweden
Spain v Italy
I can see the final being Germany v Spain but there is still a long way to go.
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To Post 44
Dear Friend
The media did overreacted, because they often only look at the score: the last two Dutch goals were score just seconds after Italy had great chances but failed to score: had they scored, there would not have been counterattacks leading to the Dutch last two goals. But those were not the only Italian chances. As a matter of fact, technically speaking, Italy dominated the second half of the match.
I agree that the Italians are not used to chasing, and this may have affected their lucidity when they had to defend the counterattacks: in fact, they should not have allowed the Dutch to break, they should have played the pressing on the first Dutch with the ball, and they should have marked better in their area. But in this, I see a big factor in the absence of Cannavaro, the real brain of the Italian defence.
Another factor, at least during the first half of the match, was the cleaver pressing by Holland on Pirlo, the only Italian playmaker on Monday: in doing so, the Dutch paralyzed the Italian attacking game. Also, with the absence of Totti, who was the second playmaker on the top part of the pitch, the strikers had nobody else to serve them: this was the big coach mistake, because he left on the bench potential playmakers such as Del Piero and Cassano, who are strikers on their own right, but are also capable to play behind the other strikers as playmakers. Another mistake was not to use Grosso, who is in splendid form and can make think happen from the left side of the pitch. The last mistake was the coach decision to choose the AC Milan trio Ambrosini, Pirlo, Gattuso, thinking that, because they play together the whole year, this would be a great advantage, forgetting that this same trio failed to take AC Milan further in the Champion League: he should have chosen the most fit and talented, and one of them is De Rossi
I am sure that we will see a lot of changes on the Friday Italian line up
Ciao
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according to stugotz 100 everyone any good is rubbish so will not win the tournament...
hmm
Greece again?
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After today's match Portugal are clearly not the favourites any more.
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Greetings Gavin et al ! I for one, do think the Italians will go through and the quarter finals will be
Portugal v Poland
Germany v Czech Replublic
Holland v Sweden
Italy v Spain
Semi
Portugal v Germany
Holland v Italy
Final
Germany v Italy ! You heard it first ...
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I read all the italians comments and i get so angry that everyone (except the blinkered Juve fans) thinks camoronesi is just awful and cannot play in a wide role, actually cant play in any position for italy but doonadoni just cant see it!!!! He stuck by his Milan pals past and present (panucci and ambrosini) both 35 now when de rossi the future captain of roma and italia sits on the bench as we get over run and pirlo isolated!!! whoever said gattuso is past it is mad, he just playing in a team which has no balance at mo!!!! Lets keep dreaming, two wins and I bet we would top the group but more realistic is Italy beating Romania and praying Dutch get at least a point v france so we are in pole position going into last game!!!! Then in QF anything can happen!!!! Bring Lippi back and play cassano and acuilani more!!!!what he got to lose except his job (I hope)...forza italia
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"After today's match Portugal are clearly not the favourites any more."
Since when were Portugal ever the favourites?
I've the feeling that the Romanian game will be harder for the Dutch than the French one.
Having said that, before the tournament, my office money went on...
Netherlands
Italy
France
Romania
It feels about the right time for a Dutch-German final, and that's what I'm still hoping for...
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Germany v Italy final no doubt about it
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