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Euros 2020 (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter BonScot
- Start date
FlushBlack
Straight
Let the games begin
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TeamNapoli
Straight
so honest opinion.. betting with your head and not with your heart does England deserve to be the favorite in the final against Italy?
Chippy McChiperson
Straight Flush
I think so, both teams are playing well, but it's a home game for the Three Lions.
I've seen different bookmakers have different teams down as the favourites. For me, there's merit to both being favourites:
England: an absolutely huge home advantage; a stronger starting XI on paper (this is very open to debate, however) and bench.
Italy: best team in the tournament so far — by far; play better as a unit than England (IMO); incredible unbeaten run that looks as though it is going to be extremely hard to end; less pressure on them to win this as a nation (the expectation and pressure for England to win, in front of a home crowd, might just get to them).
Chippy McChiperson
Straight Flush
I actually thought Spain looked better than Italy. I also think England has more athletes.
That's true. However, I think Italy have been far superior to Spain over the course of the entire tournament — and I wasn't entirely convinced by England's performance against Denmark.
My worry is that if England replicate that first half against Denmark on Sunday, Italy have enough quality to get a couple within the first 45 minutes. I'd argue that, from a defensive point of view, this is the first time Southgate's men are going to have to deal with a truly potent attack in this tournament.
Unless they're 100% switched on from the whistle, Chiesa, Immobile and Insigne might have a field day.
Also, athletes in what sense, sorry?
Chippy McChiperson
Straight Flush
Perhaps, but I'd argue Germany scored had a pretty potent attack and England shut them down. I mean the only goal they've conceded over the course of the tournament was a 35 yard free kick. As much as I hate to say it as a Liverpool fan, Maguire has been immense.
Chippy McChiperson
Straight Flush
I think England has more young guys with a ton of speed, that can cause problems. Whether Southgate decides to play them is another story.
Yeah, I was going to say that about Germany — but I just don't feel as though Werner is firing on all cylinders enough for them to be classed as potent.
Agree that Maguire has been a different level this tournament. I still feel as though Pickford and Stones are due a howler, however.
Ahhhh, gotcha! There are so many brilliant sub-stories within the context of this game — Southgate's team choice being one of the most potentially contentious, like you alluded to. Like you said, the quicker, more youthful players are going to be key to breaking down Italy's defence; personally, I think you have to start Grealish or Foden, potentially both.
OP
OP
BonScot
Straight Flush
Home advantage is massive. Hopefully both teams turn up and put in a performance.
Italy have been the best team in the tournament and a joy to watch.
England are boring but they get results.
Going to be interesting but I have a feeling of impending dread that England will sneak it with another dodgy VAR decision.
Beginning to wish I hadn’t started this stupid thread
Italy have been the best team in the tournament and a joy to watch.
England are boring but they get results.
Going to be interesting but I have a feeling of impending dread that England will sneak it with another dodgy VAR decision.
Beginning to wish I hadn’t started this stupid thread
If you wanna throw some coin on England, I'll take Italy, Chippy.
In the end...it's just going to hurt more to lose in the final for England...NO WAY they going to beat Italy.
The hardest match England had to play was Denmark...and it took them 120min.
Belgium won against them and Portugal and Italy beat Belgium fair & square.
Then Italy beats Spain...
Ps. it's obvious that Fifa wants England to win
The hardest match England had to play was Denmark...and it took them 120min.
Belgium won against them and Portugal and Italy beat Belgium fair & square.
Then Italy beats Spain...
Ps. it's obvious that Fifa wants England to win
Chippy McChiperson
Straight Flush
Sure, $20?
Chippy McChiperson
Straight Flush
I mean if you’re going to use the transitive property, Germany beat Portugal and England beat Germany…
Want to do another $20 ?
And should England by some miracle still take the cup...then good on them with all the Covid & self inflicted Brexit sh*it they had to endure
Chippy McChiperson
Straight Flush
SureWant to do another $20 ?
And should England by some miracle still take the cup...then good on them with all the Covid & self inflicted Brexit sh*it they had to endure
You can send it now and save you the humiliation...or we'll settle on Sunday
Booked.
OP
OP
BonScot
Straight Flush
Them: Who are you supporting tomorrow?
Me: Italy
Them: Really? What part of Italy are you from?
Me: Glasgow
Me: Italy
Them: Really? What part of Italy are you from?
Me: Glasgow
Marius L
4 of a Kind
Have a feeling Italy will take it down, but expecting and hoping for a fun match. My heart does not sway one way more than the other on this one. I hesitantly like both teams, lol.
TeamNapoli
Straight
For the record; as crazy as this sounds I am routing for Italy. I hope they find a solution for the left fast attack that Spinazzola gave Italy. They did some experimenting in the Spanish game but nothing I thought cleared the bar. Emerson did try but we will need a better performance from him, hopefuly the Spanish game shook off any anxiety that a replacement player feels when taking over for a superstar.
When Denmark was in attacking mode they kept England on their heels, it was only when Denmark decided to defend the lead and take up a defensive posture is when England was actually making strikes at goal. So for this reason I hope Italy doesnt take up a defensive posture and leave Insigne and Immbolie as the quick counter strike. Waiting for official line up to see what Maestro Mancini has up his sleeves.
Italian papers dont see a major change to line up and the Predicted line-up: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
i wouldnt be surprised if Belotti actually starts over immobile and they run a false 9
Of course this is all for not if the ref sucks!!!
When Denmark was in attacking mode they kept England on their heels, it was only when Denmark decided to defend the lead and take up a defensive posture is when England was actually making strikes at goal. So for this reason I hope Italy doesnt take up a defensive posture and leave Insigne and Immbolie as the quick counter strike. Waiting for official line up to see what Maestro Mancini has up his sleeves.
Italian papers dont see a major change to line up and the Predicted line-up: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
i wouldnt be surprised if Belotti actually starts over immobile and they run a false 9
Of course this is all for not if the ref sucks!!!
FlushBlack
Straight
I bet with both (heart 1st, mind you I’m Sicilian and turn Fabio every 2 yrs,) under Mancini Italy are playing a new style of football (for Italy), which complements their defence. Mancini could be on the verge of doing what Cruyff done for Barca’s team in the early 90’s and changing the Italian game for the better.
Southgate has done wonders with the England team since he was appointed and I only wish we had a Harry Kane.
Gonna be a cracking final.
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I really find it odd that people think Southgate has done wonders with England.I bet with both (heart 1st, mind you I’m Sicilian and turn Fabio every 2 yrs,) under Mancini Italy are playing a new style of football (for Italy), which complements their defence. Mancini could be on the verge of doing what Cruyff done for Barca’s team in the early 90’s and changing the Italian game for the better.
Southgate has done wonders with the England team since he was appointed and I only wish we had a Harry Kane.
Gonna be a cracking final.
He has one of the best squads in the world to work with and hasn't won a trophy yet, and the style of play he's had England playing over the past few years has been completely uninspiring given the talent at his disposal.
Perthmike
Straight Flush
Well he's taken England to the semi final of the world cup and now the final of the Euros.
And yes the squad is great, but we always have a great squad on paper and end up doing absolutely crap.
So take a bow Sir Gareth Southgate. It's coming home.
I hear ya, but I think that's our problem as a society in Britain: our mentality of "getting far in a tournament is a job well done" is what has actually stopped us from winning trophies in a lot of sports.
When we got knocked out in the 2016 semis against Portugal, I saw it as us falling at the penultimate hurdle, personally. What's "doing well" if we don't actually have a trophy to show for it?
I think if England do cross the line tomorrow, then we'll see a seismic change in English sporting success going forward.
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