[kurtsimonw]

I don't think he does really. Everyone has bad games but has Ronaldo ever not scored in a tournament? Over a 50 game season a game in which he can't finish doesn't matter when he follows it up with a hat-trick. At the Euros where there aren't any bad teams and you only play 3/4 games it's going to stand out more of course.

RvP, Robben, Ribery, etc have all had awful tournaments so far - it happens. Just like players like Bendtner, Gomez, Lescott are doing well despite not really being great players at all.

[Zed.D]

I understand what you're saying, but you have to agree not living up to his potential in the Euros could hurt his chances of winning Ballon d'Or. there's pressure on him to perform in these important games and so far he hasn't.

[acid911]

How does Arsene or Holland coach not see this? Van Persie is much better in an SS role than a pure striker..

+1. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) At least the Holland coach will find this out at his own expense it seems. Unless they qualify.

[Fillipo Simone]

RvP, Robben, Ribery, etc have all had awful tournaments so far - it happens. Just like players like Bendtner, Gomez, Lescott are doing well despite not really being great players at all.

What I can't understand is that you put two average or mediocre players in the same box with Gomez? You're really biased against German players; otherwise you'd already looked at his ratio and stats (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[han2503]

So Italy Croatia today...

Nervous about this one, especially if Prandelli goes with the same line up as he did against Spain. Spain were toothless while something tells me that Croatia will be roothless if the Azzurri put in the same defensive display.

At least if he wants to insist on a 3 man defense, play a proper left wing back, not Giaccherini

Also, Thiago Motta has to come out for Nocerino, he's just too blah to make any impact

[Fillipo Simone]

Croatia has won the last 4 or 5 matches against Italy, so there is a bit of hope. Otherwise, I'd say Italy is the clear favorite.

[han2503]

Croatia has won the last 4 or 5 matches against Italy, so there is a bit of hope. Otherwise, I'd say Italy is the clear favorite.

What?

No way are they the clear favourites. I think Croatia atm are a far more cohesive unit then Italy.

I think Italy have the better overall quality on paper, but I think I've learnt my lesson about judging things based on paper.

[Danny]

Croatia has won the last 4 or 5 matches against Italy, so there is a bit of hope. Otherwise, I'd say Italy is the clear favorite.

Come on Croatia!

[dst]

So Greece can still go through... I'm sure Santos is already making up a plan! Maybe we can boot the ball from all around the field more... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

we're going down! I just hope we play decently no matter the result... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

I understand what you're saying, but you have to agree not living up to his potential in the Euros could hurt his chances of winning Ballon d'Or. there's pressure on him to perform in these important games and so far he hasn't.

Messi's not showed up in any International competition and it doesn't seem to hurt his chances.

What I can't understand is that you put two average or mediocre players in the same box with Gomez? You're really biased against German players; otherwise you'd already looked at his ratio and stats (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

He plays in a team he completely dominates. I don't exactly think Lewandowski is World class, but he's the front man in a team which dominates and scores lots as a result.

[acid911]

What I can't understand is that you put two average or mediocre players in the same box with Gomez? You're really biased against German players; otherwise you'd already looked at his ratio and stats

Ha, for a second I seriously thought it was some other Gomez. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Not the Mario one, he's been an absolute beast these past few years and that's practically hard to deny for anyone. I mean, forget the ratio and stats, even if we see that he is the main striker of the German national team, who starts every match, come on!

Nervous about this one, especially if Prandelli goes with the same line up as he did against Spain. Spain were toothless while something tells me that Croatia will be roothless if the Azzurri put in the same defensive display.

Haha, toothless and ruthless, nice one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Wait a minute. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Messi's not showed up in any International competition and it doesn't seem to hurt his chances.

True that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) The Sneijder snub still gives me shivers. He was the absolute beast of a player that season.

[han2503]

Haha, toothless and ruthless, nice one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Wait a minute. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

I was going for the alliteration there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

Prandelli to play the same XI that started the Spain game seems to be the general opinion.

[acid911]

I was going for the alliteration there

Yup, that's why I couldn't say it was a typo, mistake or grammatical error. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/graduated.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

He plays in a team he completely dominates. I don't exactly think Lewandowski is World class, but he's the front man in a team which dominates and scores lots as a result.

Lewandowski at BVB/Poland = Gomez at Stuttgart. So your theory is incorrect.