Marchisio swapped passes with Abate down the right and pulled an out-swinging cross to De Rossi. Standing centrally 30 yards from goal, the Roma midfielder caught the ball on the bounce with a spectacular left foot shot, cutting across the ball, and it thundered off Hart's right post. Johnson played a one-two with Milner before slaloming his way in between Balzaretti and De Rossi, he passed to Young as he drifted inside the box, Young laid off to Milner and his low centre clipped off Bonucci's heels and fell to Johnson, he got the ball caught in his feet but nonetheless got off a shot, Buffon slapped the ball down with his right hand before jumping to catch it before Rooney could follow-up. Fantastic save. Buffon punched out a Milner cross straight to Parker but he dragged his admittedly ambitious shot wide. Abate made a brilliant clearance to deny Rooney as he threw himself at a Johnson cross on the edge of the six yard box. The Italian defence stuffed a Milner cross and Pirlo picked up the ball in his own box, he strode forward 20 yards then chipped a longball to Balotelli, who was played onside by Johnson, Balotelli pulled the ball down then touched it to his right and Terry steamed in with a trademark block tackle as he shot. Montolivo, standing side on, dropped a glorious first time pass over the England defence and with the ball bouncing Balotelli leapt in the air and volleyed but failed to trouble Hart with a tame shot. His passed up a third chance ten minutes later. Cassano headed a Pirlo cross down into the six yard box but Balotelli shot over as Terry and Lescott dived in with tackles.
Marchisio turned the ball back into the box after Hart punched out a corner and De Rossi shot wide from six yards. De Rossi caught Hart by surprise with a ferocious shot from distance, Hart parried, Balotelli trapped the ball before shooting - straight at his Man City team-mate and Montolivo volleyed the rebound over. Young had a chance on a rebound after Abate sliced a cross but shot at Carroll's backside - so he can hit a cow's arse with a banjo. De Rossi made way for Nocerino on 80 minutes and he had a late chance to win it but Johnson made a super block tackle after the Milan midfielder killed a Marchisio cross with his left and volleyed with his right. In what would have been the greatest travesty in football since Cardozo failed to convert that penalty against the fucking Spanish at the last World Cup, Rooney caught Pirlo napping, played a one-two with Carroll and spread the ball wide to Young, Young played in Cole on the overlap, Cole overhit his cross, Carroll headed down and Rooney shanked an overhead kick way over.
In the first period of extra time Diamanti, who had replaced an out of sorts Cassano, clipped the outside of a post with a cross and in the second should have prevented a shoot-out but ballooned over Balzaretti's centre.
PENALTY SHOOT-OUT
Balotelli - bottom left after a stutter
Gerrard - carbon copy without the stutter
Montolivo - Prandelli's pet shoots wide of the left post
Rooney - To the left again, hit with pace but at a poor height
Pirlo - A PANENKA but very low! Goal of the tournament, well amost
Young - Smashes the ball against the underside of the crossbar
Nocerino - Bottom left again, Hart's face pulling routine isn't working
Cole - Right of centre, Buffon simply fell to catch it
Diamanti - To the right again
All of Italy's penalties were to Hart's right - the same area Nasri beat him for the France goal. A definite weakness.
Italy should have won this in normal time. A victory by a three goal margin wouldn't have flattered them. They produced the best football of the tournament. Hodgson should have sat Parker on Pirlo. Allow him to dictate play and you're asking for trouble. England went toe to toe with Italy for about 15 minutes then retreated. When was the last time a team that was playing for penalties actually lost a shoot-out?
Germany have two extra days rest on Italy but unless the game goes to extra time that won't be a factor. I strongly fancy Italy. Boateng is a weak link. I don't think Ozil can handle being pressed which leaves mighty Schweinsteiger. Germany probably won't put a man on Pirlo so as long as Cassano doesn't turn in a performance like this, Italy will cause Germany, who haven’t looked too good at the back, all sorts of problems. Prandelli still hasn't got his selections right. Montolivo is a bit like Aquilani, he's a soft touch and not good enough for this level. Nocerino has to play.
Benny <Be...@soccer-europe.com> wrote:
> Italy should have won this in normal time. A victory by a three goal > margin wouldn't have flattered them. They produced the best football of
> the tournament.
The best football, or their best football?
Ciao,
SM
-- http://www.gourockviews.co.uk I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting. But it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously. Douglas Adams
> Marchisio swapped passes with Abate down the right and pulled an
> out-swinging cross to De Rossi. Standing centrally 30 yards from goal,
> the Roma midfielder caught the ball on the bounce with a spectacular
> left foot shot, cutting across the ball, and it thundered off Hart's
> right post. Johnson played a one-two with Milner before slaloming his
> way in between Balzaretti and De Rossi, he passed to Young as he drifted
> inside the box, Young laid off to Milner and his low centre clipped off
> Bonucci's heels and fell to Johnson, he got the ball caught in his feet
> but nonetheless got off a shot, Buffon slapped the ball down with his
> right hand before jumping to catch it before Rooney could follow-up.
> Fantastic save. Buffon punched out a Milner cross straight to Parker but
> he dragged his admittedly ambitious shot wide. Abate made a brilliant
> clearance to deny Rooney as he threw himself at a Johnson cross on the
> edge of the six yard box.
Rooney headed over, I dont think Abate touched the ball.
On Sunday, June 24, 2012 9:45:43 PM UTC-4, Benny wrote:
> Germany have two extra days rest on Italy but unless the game goes to > extra time that won't be a factor. I strongly fancy Italy. Boateng is a > weak link. I don't think Ozil can handle being pressed which leaves > mighty Schweinsteiger. Germany probably won't put a man on Pirlo so as > long as Cassano doesn't turn in a performance like this, Italy will > cause Germany, who haven’t looked too good at the back, all sorts of > problems. Prandelli still hasn't got his selections right. Montolivo is > a bit like Aquilani, he's a soft touch and not good enough for this > level. Nocerino has to play.
Italy plays well enough to be competitive against Germany but I doubt they can win without a fully functioning striker, and Balotelli is not it. Of the 3 chances he had in the 1st half a more technical and quicker striker like Di Natale would have put away at least 1.
Not complicated, England not good enough. The effort was there, but their qualities and the coach are limited. I do think theyll be better in 2014. Still at least the team was likeable, humble, and scrapped.
Oh, Parker is one most overrated players in the world. Him and Modric. How Alonso frustrates Benny is how Parker frustrates me.
In this tourny they looked worse on paper (and hence expectations were lower) and yet they played with more enthusiasm and were more entertaining to watch.
The last two WC's the lineup appeared loaded but the team was flaccid and lifeless. They look to be going in the right direction anyways.
> Not complicated, England not good enough. The effort was there, but their > qualities and the coach are limited. I do think theyll be better in 2014. > Still at least the team was likeable, humble, and scrapped.
> Oh, Parker is one most overrated players in the world. Him and Modric. How > Alonso frustrates Benny is how Parker frustrates me.
On Jun 24, 10:01 pm, hs...@der-ball-ist-rund.net (Sven Mischkies)
wrote:
> Benny <Be...@soccer-europe.com> wrote:
> > Italy should have won this in normal time. A victory by a three goal
> > margin wouldn't have flattered them. They produced the best football of
> > the tournament.
> The best football, or their best football?
You're giving Benny's azure tinted glasses too much benefit of the
doubt.
Sven Mischkies (hs...@der-ball-ist-rund.net) wrote:
: Benny <Be...@soccer-europe.com> wrote:
: > Italy should have won this in normal time. A victory by a three goal : > margin wouldn't have flattered them. They produced the best football of
: > the tournament.
: The best football, or their best football?
It didn't look pretty, and their shooting betrayed them (and they were
painfully risk-adverse in shooting, too many tame ones or no-chancers),
but they pwned the midfield. That's what you have to do to beat
Germany. You have a good chance for a 1996... they play you down but
forget to score and it's 0-0 after 90 mins. Then anything can happen.
On Monday, June 25, 2012 3:45:43 AM UTC+2, Benny wrote:
> 24 June 2012
> Italy for about 15 minutes then retreated. When was the last time a team > that was playing for penalties actually lost a shoot-out?
> Ummm, no. Not even close. Italy was merely pretty decent
> aganist a very mediocre side.
Germany and Portugal played crap sides - Greece and the Czechs. Spain created what 2 chances against an awful France side. Italy played against a very, very strong defensive team and created numerous chances.
> Italy plays well enough to be competitive against Germany but I doubt they can win without a fully functioning striker, and Balotelli is not it.
> Of the 3 chances he had in the 1st half a more technical and quicker striker like Di Natale would have put away at least 1.
Two of those chances were from balls over the top and one from a cross. It's much more difficult making a 30 yard pass through traffic. If Motta doesn't play Italy lack height in midfield and that's why Balotelli is important.
The best football. I'd like to see your nominations and please don't pick Spain v Ireland or Germany v Greece because thrashing shit sides doesn't count.
On Jun 24, 9:24 pm, Chagney Hunt <ess...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jun 24, 10:01 pm, hs...@der-ball-ist-rund.net (Sven Mischkies)
> wrote:
> > Benny <Be...@soccer-europe.com> wrote:
> > > Italy should have won this in normal time. A victory by a three goal
> > > margin wouldn't have flattered them. They produced the best football of
> > > the tournament.
> > The best football, or their best football?
> You're giving Benny's azure tinted glasses too much benefit of the
> doubt.
Its of course bullshit. Italy played the best foootball of the
tournament to be unable to score in 120 minutes against a crap English
team which had Wayne Rooney in it. Spain of course is the best team of
the tournament with or without a striker. Benny and most of you hate
them, but they are VERY GOOD even without David Villa.
And I dont think Germany has much chance against Spain even if they
overcome the Italian jinx.
On Jun 24, 10:12 pm, d...@no.email.thankstospam.net (DK) wrote:
> In article <js8fs9$rb...@dont-email.me>, Benny <Be...@soccer-europe.com> wrote:
> >Italy ... produced the best football of the tournament.
> Ummm, no. Not even close. Italy was merely pretty decent
> aganist a very mediocre side. This was first time ever I rooted
> for Italy. Too bad they never managed to score. Balotelli is
> rubbish.
On Jun 25, 8:05 am, Benny <Be...@soccer-europe.com> wrote:
> On 25/06/2012 03:01, Sven Mischkies wrote:
> > The best football, or their best football?
> > Ciao,
> > SM
> The best football. I'd like to see your nominations and please don't
> pick Spain v Ireland or Germany v Greece because thrashing shit sides
> doesn't count.
The best matches so far
Portugal-Denmark
Germany-Netherlands
Germany-Denmark
Spain-France (Spain were rubbish in the group stages but seem to have
picked up when it mattered)
Benny <Be...@soccer-europe.com> wrote:
> On 25/06/2012 03:01, Sven Mischkies wrote:
> > The best football, or their best football?
> > Ciao,
> > SM
> The best football. I'd like to see your nominations and please don't > pick Spain v Ireland or Germany v Greece because thrashing shit sides
> doesn't count.
On Jun 25, 9:05 am, Benny <Be...@soccer-europe.com> wrote:
> On 25/06/2012 03:01, Sven Mischkies wrote:
> > The best football, or their best football?
> > Ciao,
> > SM
> The best football. I'd like to see your nominations and please don't
> pick Spain v Ireland or Germany v Greece because thrashing shit sides
> doesn't count.
If you are going to make rules then let's make a more basic one: You
cannot qualify for best football if you cannot put a single goal away
in 120 minutes against a crap side.
On Jun 25, 9:05 am, Benny <Be...@soccer-europe.com> wrote:
> On 25/06/2012 03:01, Sven Mischkies wrote:
> > The best football, or their best football?
> > Ciao,
> > SM
> The best football. I'd like to see your nominations and please don't
> pick Spain v Ireland or Germany v Greece because thrashing shit sides
> doesn't count.
You were the only one to rate England as high as third best in the
tournament in Anders's "You Decide" poll. In your defense, several
others ranked them between #4 and #7. Anders and MH and I ranked them
#10 through #12, which, after yesterday's display by England turned
out to be a more proper assessment of their class.
Teams who can make a case for having played better football : Portugal
when they defeated the Netherlands. Spain when they played France.
Sweden when they played France. Germany when they played the
Netherlands.
Remember that if this had been a first round match, Italy would have
only earned 1 point.
> If you are going to make rules then let's make a more basic one: You
> cannot qualify for best football if you cannot put a single goal away
> in 120 minutes against a crap side.
Benny <Be...@soccer-europe.com> wrote:
> On 25/06/2012 15:02, Alkamista wrote:
> > If you are going to make rules then let's make a more basic one: You
> > cannot qualify for best football if you cannot put a single goal away
> > in 120 minutes against a crap side.
> England are not a crap side.
IMHO:
Keeper: Good
Full backs: Very good
Centre backs: Good
Defensive midfield: Erm... Below average. Creative midfield: No, nonexistant. They gave up on that to shore up the
defense.
Wingers: Average. Speedy, but no end product.
Strikers: Average. Very. I guess Rooney should do better, but he never
does for England, with Welbeck we'll see how he develops.
Crap may take it too far, but they are not markedly better than Sweden
or the Ukraine, not with this team.
I think Hodgson did this the wrong way. Instead of 4-4-2 he should have
gone 4-2-3-1 (surely there must be someone who can play as a DM? They
brought only one to the tournament with Parker, and he isn't real one)
to give Gerrard license to roam, and Young and Walcott (or AOC) on the
wings in a more aggressive role. Then add a striker to fit the opponent
- Carroll for those weak in the air, Welbeck or Defoe for speed and
Rooney for versatility.
Dunno if this is related or not:
Chelski's performance in the CL was an aberration, they got far luckier
than Greece in 2004 (who were defending much better) and should have
lost all of their last 3 games by a good margin. They are not a role
model.
> You were the only one to rate England as high as third best in the
> tournament in Anders's "You Decide" poll. In your defense, several
> others ranked them between #4 and #7. Anders and MH and I ranked them
> #10 through #12, which, after yesterday's display by England turned
> out to be a more proper assessment of their class.
>
> Teams who can make a case for having played better football : Portugal
> when they defeated the Netherlands. Spain when they played France.
Spain square passed the ball to death and barely troubled the French goalkeeper. Spain played like Greece.
> Sweden when they played France.
A France side that don't carry a threat going forward.
> Germany when they played the Netherlands.
Netherlands 3 losses. Laughably poor defence.
> Remember that if this had been a first round match, Italy would have
> only earned 1 point.
And there's a world of difference between playing in a group game and in the knockout stages.
> Full backs: Very good
> Centre backs: Good
> Defensive midfield: Erm... Below average.
> Creative midfield: No, nonexistant. They gave up on that to shore up the
> defense.
> Wingers: Average. Speedy, but no end product.
> Strikers: Average. Very. I guess Rooney should do better, but he never
> does for England, with Welbeck we'll see how he develops.
> Crap may take it too far, but they are not markedly better than Sweden
> or the Ukraine, not with this team.
They beat both. Sweden have on exceptional player and 10 duds. Ukraine don't even have that.
> I think Hodgson did this the wrong way. Instead of 4-4-2 he should have
> gone 4-2-3-1 (surely there must be someone who can play as a DM? They
> brought only one to the tournament with Parker, and he isn't real one)
> to give Gerrard license to roam, and Young and Walcott (or AOC) on the
> wings in a more aggressive role. Then add a striker to fit the opponent
> - Carroll for those weak in the air, Welbeck or Defoe for speed and
> Rooney for versatility.
>
> Dunno if this is related or not:
> Chelski's performance in the CL was an aberration, they got far luckier
> than Greece in 2004 (who were defending much better) and should have
> lost all of their last 3 games by a good margin. They are not a role
> model.
>
>
> Ciao,
> SM
Last time England reached the KO stages of a major tournament they were whacked 4-1 and looked horrific in defence. There showing here was a marked improvement. Hodgson has only been in charge for 2 months. You start at the back and then work your way through the rest of the team.
