So, how did our boys do?

Anyone watching Brazil-England?

Neymar is so selfish it's ridiculous.

I've not seen him a lot aside from his 2 games vs England, but he's nowhere near good enough for a top European team.

He's better than Messi, according to Pele.

What a goal Chamberlain!


I know.. but there must be a reason why every big team was after him. we'll see what happens but one thing is certain, he must change big time. he's not a team player at all.

It's not just Pele, everyone's hyping him. he hasn't done anything, yet he's a big star (name) already. oh how I'd love him to flop and become the next Robinho

What a goal Rooney!!! haha

Apparently Nike had a big hand in where he went, how ridiculous is that? I don't like all this 3rd party ownership stuff that seems to be big in Brazil.

FT, 2-2. much better 2nd half...

Neymar tonight = flop.

Paulinho looks good, wouldn't mind him at Milan if selling Pato to Corinthians gives us an advantage or something.

I'll take that. First half we were terrible and Joe Hart saved us, no pun intended. Second half much better and 2 brilliant goals.

Much, much better 2nd half. We actually had a go, it was a friendly so the way we were going in the 1st half was utterly pointless.

Happy with that result & more importantly the performance in the friendly. Now if only we could remove Theo from the first XI - even better, the squad.

Agreed all round. I think Theo does perform well for Arsenal sometimes, but aside from maybe 2 games, he's just not good enough at the highest level.

If we're going to go with this 4-2-3-1 I'd rather have Milner/Rooney/Ox as the 3. All very different players.

Imagine the reaction if this was an English keeper.

Who was it? German I suppose, yes?

US beat Germany 4 : 3.

Oh yeah, forgot I wasn't allowed to criticise certain nationalities for making laughable mistakes. I'll need a list to be sure.

I don't think Fillipo meant it that way.

Really Kurt, what's the problem? It was a simple question.

To me it sounded like a jab at me making fun of a German, but okay. Then yes, it's ter Stegen.

No, I didn't know who it was since I knew Neuer wasn't with them.

Fair enough. Apparently the Germans took a very, very weak team. I think it's a bad result for both teams really.

It'd be nothing surprising. that said, Joe Hart was brilliant last night.

Yeah, was good to see him back to somewhat like his best again last night.

I can't see Brazil winning the World Cup next year, I think it's too early for some of their players. At Wembley we outplayed them and then yesterday, despite us only turning up for 45 minutes, they still couldn't beat us and we're hardly the best team in World football.

Between Spain, German and Italy I think.

Yeah. Neymar said England aren't a threat. while I don't disagree with that completely (with all respect), I think Neymar missed the part where Brazil aren't a contender themselves anyway.

I think if anyone makes the mistake of under-rating England, they're in for a surprise. I think Roy's England, might be a lot less flamboyant, but he makes teams that are quite hard to beat.

This Brazil is an embarrassment to what they represent in the world of football.

England winning the world cup or something? I wouldn't mind that kind of surprise! I'm not England's biggest fan, but as long as Spain don't win it AGAIN, I'm fine.

Italy or Germany for me, as always.

Maybe we should check this cause he looks like one!


Neymar who? The kid also missed the part where he is irrelevant.

Haha, same here.

We always seem to have the same taste when it comes to who we support.

Italy winning it and equaling Brazil IN Brazil would be epic, a dream for every Azzurri fan.

Btw, I just realized Brazil are 17th in FIFA ranking, below the likes of Colombia, Switzerland and Belgium.

Yeah, very true

Holland and Italy.

Same but Italy first of all. If they are out then Holland.

England, then Italy, then anyone but Germany and Argentina. Don't really want Spain or France winning either currently.

Angelo Ogbonna and Andrea Ranocchia are the notable names to miss Cesare Prandelli’s cut for the Italy squad to take to the Confederations Cup.

In a delayed announcement on Monday evening, Prandelli has listed the 23-man squad to take to this summer’s tournament in Brazil.

Alongside the two young defenders Ogbonna and Ranocchia, goalkeeper Michael Agazzi, midfielders Giacomo Bonaventura and Andrea Poli and forward Marco Sau are also omitted.

Luca Antonelli pulled out earlier today having suffered an ankle injury during Friday’s friendly against San Marino, whilst Pablo Daniel Osvaldo was removed from the original 31-man roster in a disciplinary move.

The squad notably lists Riccardo Montolivo, Stephan El Shaarawy and Andrea Barzagli, a trio that had missed Friday’s San Marino encounter through injury, with Barzagli today still seen as a real doubt to recover from struggles with an Achilles.

However, all three took part in Monday’s second training session, have made the cut and will prepare for the Azzurri’s trip out to Brazil this summer, preceded by a World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic this Friday evening.

Italy squad for the Confederations Cup

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain)

Defenders: Abate (Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli)

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), Cerci (Torino), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus)

Forwards: Balotelli (Milan), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus)

I know it's only the Confed, but only 1 real DM?

Prandelli's infatuation with Giaccherini is one the biggest mysteries of this world.

I hate it when coaches pick players based on who they play for. He started 10 damn games for Juve!

I don't think it's because of Juve. It seems as if they were in love.

Nice to see a strong Milan representation with the Azzurri again, all of them being young. Can't wait to see if Cristante and Poli (if he comes) can make the cut and become regulars.


Yeah, such a terrible player.


I don't think that's the case, it's obvious he sees something in him that none of us see. I mentioned this in the other thread where people were discussing him replacing Allegri. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a better tactician than Allegri and a great man manager, but he does make certain decisions that cause head scratching.

As for who I support. It's Italy all the way, and if they go out I just watch and support the lesser of the 2 evils playing. England though would be the team I like to see lose most (mostly because of how people over here either support Italy or England so it's almost like there's a rivalry here when either team plays in the big tournaments)

At least the England supporters aren't just gloryhunters.

===================================================

Japan score 90th minute penalty to draw 1-1 with Australia, making them the 1st team to qualify for the World Cup.

Italy probable line-up against Czech Republic:

Buffon; Abate, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini; Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio; Montolivo; Balotelli, El Shaarawy.

Link

Now that's interesting. Montolivo as AM and El Shaarawy as SS. Let's see how the latter fares in a more central position.

I wonder how many coaches it will take to realise Chiellini is not a LB. I know Barzagli is practically undroppable with his performances this season and that Bonucci is liked because of his passing, but you either play 3 at the back or drop one of them. No point in trying to force the 3 of them into a back 4.

Will take a bit of an interest in the Confed cup as there's nothing else to watch this time of year.

Looks great. Can't wait to see SES and Balo as a duo up front, something we haven't been able to see.


Agreed. And anyways, Chiellini is better than both of them put together, but if you have to pick one then you have to drop knuckle head Bonucci for sure

Bonucci is not good enough, he should be dropped. I don't understand why Prandelli didn't call Criscito or Santon. The only true LB they have is De Sciglio, and even he's a righty.



+1

It's far better than it's club equivalent I think. Spain-Tahiti should be a laugh.


I think his range of passing is good for a CB, but that's about it. He's a sweeper for Juve and he works well there, but in a back 4 I agree with you.

Does Criscito play often? I know he had some off field trouble for the Euros, has he made it back in the team since?