Did Dudek do that face though? I remember he just danced, somehow. Czech did it to an extent against Bayern.

Well the face was Hart's little bit, I guess (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Glad to see that you're finally ackowledging that Monto is more than just an average player that we managed to pick up. He's always been a great talent but usually he's someone that performs at the level that his team is performing in, which is why he's basically fallen off the map at Fiorentina since the start of their downfall.

Add to that the fact that he was playing behind the front 2, which is also another important point, and it proves that he can play that position, one bad game there against Russia does not change that


That entire midfield was great. The headlines are about Pirlo, but he wouldn't have been able to do that without the other 3 around him who constantly moved around him. Covered for him when he pushed up.

Imo, De Rossi was just as impressive as Pirlo last night, maybe not as flashy, but the work that he does is immense. Marchisio and Monto were just great as well. Totally overran the English midfield


Same here

I saw a couple of post from Ash and Kurt with the "I told you so vibe". But no one could predict that Italy would come out like that. Or the fact that England would play like a rich man's Stoke!!

I feel a bit vindicated after watching Italy revert back to the system that got them to this tournament unbeaten. A classic 4-3-1-2 was always the way to go to utilise the talent they have. Abate was just on another level tonight, so happy to see him constantly improving like this. Hopefully he'll get back for the Germany game as I don't know what they would do without him, even Maggio is a bit of a liability at the back when playing with a flat 4 at the back. I also did say that Italy usually improve a lot more as the competition progresses.

As for the game getting borng because of the slow buildup from Italy... WTF?? The game was boring because England would not push more than one player up and Italy had to move through a wall of white shirts to get anywhere near England's penalty area. The game was boring because England had not intention of playing once they saw that Italy were far more superior on the ball. It was like watching the weekly dose of Milan matches against the bottom table sides. I agree that matches these days have become boring because of the tiki taka BS but that certainly wasn't the case here.

As for the semis, Germany are a ruthlessly efficient team while Italy don't even have a bite in them. The finishing is so poor. Balotelli is not good enough for this level. How many more chances should he miss before Prandelli gets that in his head. And if Abate and DDR aren't going to be available than it will be an even tougher ask, as I don't know who would be able to acuupy those positions, especially at RB with Maggio out.

That being said, Germany do have some defensive issues, which we saw against Greece. Their FBs aren't really that good, especially Boateng, while Lham can be a bit suspect on certian occasions. We'll see what happens, but I can see them being very fired up after the last time they met in the World Cup

http://football-italia.net/20386/thiago-mo...es-italy-recall

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

We must not hasten however. Talent? Sure, Gilardino was talented as well. That's not the point.
As a kid he became famous as a lethal long range shooter. Yesterday he did well in that department, and also created much. But, the creative part was coupled with Pirlo. Pirlo made him look even better then he was; as soon as Andrea started to show signs of exhaustion in the extra time period, Montolio also started fading. Then Marchisio and Nocerino stepped up; but the point is - Milan needs another maestro for Monto to succeed fully. Alone, or with Emanuelson/Boateng/Traore/Constant - I'm not so sure.

He's the Muntari of this NT.

If he starts because DDR is still injured then Germany will run riot


You can't compare a poor man's Pippo Inzaghi with Monto. He's always been talented but as I said, he tends to drop off to the rest of the team's level, he's not really one to rise and carry the team, which is why he's never really hit the big leagues imo.

But at Milan he'll be sarrounded by brilliant players, not just Pirlo. And Monto had been playing the entire game as well, maybe he was tired as well and not just because Pirlo started to fade...

He combined with the rest of the midfield amazingly well, and exchanged some nice plays with Cassano, his awerness to pick out a pass is what always caught my eye about him.

Yawn. And your team needed refereeing help to hold on against Denmark and get out of the group.

Get back to your cave, troll.


Let's get things right here, rich mans Stoke? Englands 2only good chances in the same started from our own 18 yard box and were passed up the pitch. Italy's best chances were long balls from Pirlo over the top to Balotelli.

Like I said before, Hart had 8 saves to make in 120 minutes. Don't kid yourselves with the idea that our goal was under total seige the entire game. That's what I mean by 'boring', they played possession stuff like Spain without really threatening much.

As for not being able to predict how the game would go, funny, Me and Ash said exactly that and apparently it was some sort of psychology. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Jun 25 2012, 05:10 PM

2 Birmingham fans talking about yesterdays game.

(IMG:http://i.imgur.com/N3wjx.jpg)

Errr... what? Weird how that team seemingly attracts every retard in the City.

I don't know why you like stats so much especially when they are as useless as this one. Italy hit the post twice, had a couple of shots not too wide from goal, Montolivo missed one from point blank range, Nocerino had a great chance that was blocked from inside the box etc. Hart did not have to make a save for any of that, does that mean his goal was not under pressure? How so? I'm not saying Italy had a ton of great chances or anything just that this stat could not be more irrelevant when you're talking about how much pressure a team were under.

By the same logic that you count the 2 that hit the post, in what way was our goal under pressure? One was a hopeful effort from range, the other wasn't even a shot.

And despite you claiming the above, some still don't think our defensive performance was superb. It's certainly one of the best I've seen at the Euros for quite some time. To be under that much pressure, but to make sure your keeper has nothing to do all game, says a lot for the defense.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Jun 25 2012, 06:12 PM

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

That too is irrelevant in my view. So Rooney's last minute overhead kick did not put Italy under pressure because it was off-balance and hopeful? It's just not right.

As I said above I don't think England played good team defense. The midfield was too slow and passive. Individually, there were a couple of great displays, namely from Terry and Lescott.

In what way is an effort 10 yards from goal hopeful? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Are you seriously comparing a shot at goal in the box with a cross from 20-odd yards that happens to hit the post? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Agreed, 2010 was a shambles. I enjoyed '08 though, lots of great games and late drama, particularly early on.


It was still mildly entertaining, nice to see Asia get thrown into the football spotlight, a continent that clearly does love it's football. Unlike some that are now going to be hosting, no names mentioned *cough* Qatar.


Are you actually trying to kid yourself here? I said quote "Italy should win, comfortably" and you came back saying it was psychological. I wrote about 3/4 posts after too confirming that no, we aren't great or anywhere near the level of the Italians. At least admit that you were wrong or overestimated England, there's no way you can now claim 'no-one predicted this'...

Quote.


+1.

He won't admit he's wrong. He'll probably still say Juve can't win the title even now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(I'm just messing with you han)