Belgium v Italy - 2nd July - 8pm - Munich

[StriderHiryu]

Just now, That_Dude said:

Can't believe how direct Italy are. Mancini has done a terrific job no matter the results. 

Best Italy team I’ve seen in terms of playstyle. They control the game, sustain attacks, the full backs bomb on all game long. 
 

Mancini was in charge of Man City with a blank chequebook but didn’t play this well. Other than the diving, I am in love with this team. This is as good stylistically as any international team I’ve seen since maybe Brazil with Cafu / Roberto Carlos / Rivaldo. 

[Guest StevieLynex]

Just now, That_Dude said:

I quite lied the '94, '06' and '08 ones but you're right, this one is special.

Incredible transformation, bearing in mind they failed to quality for the last World Cup

[Foxxed]

Italy look the best team of the tournament

[Guest StevieLynex]

Just now, StriderHiryu said:

Best Italy team I’ve seen in terms of playstyle. They control the game, sustain attacks, the full backs bomb on all game long. 
 

Mancini was in charge of Man City with a blank chequebook but didn’t play this well. Other than the diving, I am in love with this team. This is as good stylistically as any international team I’ve seen since maybe Brazil with Cafu / Roberto Carlos / Rivaldo. 

Brazil of 1982 vintage surely

[trabuch]

1 minute ago, That_Dude said:

I quite lied the '94, '06' and '08 ones but you're right, this one is special.

82

[RowlattsFox]

Minus the traditional play acting, there is lots to like about Italy. Belgium still well in this though. 

[StanSP]

So close again! 

[Raj]

This is nearly as good as watching an England game!!!

[Ian Nacho]

Doku looks a very good player. Can he play on the right?

[Mrfox452]

Immobile has been awful…so greedy as well

[Fox in the North]

Chaldi injured already!

[Guest StevieLynex]

Just now, Raj said:

This is nearly as good as watching an England game!!!

More shots on goal in the past five minutes than we have had in the first four games

[Finnegan]

Like Immobile a lot but it's not quite come off for him so far. Won't be surprised if he's going off here with Belotti coming on. 

[KingsX]

Dennis coming on

[Guest StevieLynex]

2 minutes ago, Ian Nacho said:

Doku looks a very good player. Can he play on the right?

Okey Doku

[StriderHiryu]

Just now, StevieLynex said:

Brazil of 1982 vintage surely

That one was before my time so I’ll take your word for it! Would love to have seen that team, Brazil 1970, Magical Magyars of Hungary, Dutch total football at the time. 
 

My favourite team in my lifetime was AC Milan under Arigo Saachi who set the foundation for high press football with Gullit, Van Basten etc. Best international team was probably Spain but felt Brazil and this Italy team are better to watch. Italy in 2006 under slipping were very good also!

[That_Dude]

2 minutes ago, StriderHiryu said:

Best Italy team I’ve seen in terms of playstyle. They control the game, sustain attacks, the full backs bomb on all game long. 
 

Mancini was in charge of Man City with a blank chequebook but didn’t play this well. Other than the diving, I am in love with this team. This is as good stylistically as any international team I’ve seen since maybe Brazil with Cafu / Roberto Carlos / Rivaldo. 

Yeah, pretty much. All their players aren't afraid of the ball and they're so easy on the eye. 

 

I think that Mancini would've won them the CL if they gave him work 2-3 more seasons.

[Vacamion]

 

Gwon Dennis.

 

[whoareyaaa]

Dennis the Mennis

[Chester Dontlie]

It's Dennis the menace! 

[Izzy]

Love all the Italian coaching staff wearing shirts and blazers.

 

The trendy bastards

[foxile5]

Has Chadli just gone on and off?! 

[trabuch]

Get in. I'm back on Belgium's side now. (I'm sorry Italy - I love you dearly, but my club rules my heart)

[Parafox]

10 minutes ago, That_Dude said:

The previous 16 teams formula was awesome. The Euros couldn't get any tougher and I looked forward to it much more than the WC.

I agree. 32 is too much. It involves taking on weaker teams which is dull and laborious to watch. It's about financial generation for EUFA. I do wonder how the money will trickle down from international to grass roots teams. 

[That_Dude]

4 minutes ago, trabuch said:

82

Too young to remember that one, but even after watching some of their games on video, I can't say that I'm a big fan. Their win over that great Brazilian team had enormous consequences on the way football would be played in the next decades.