So, anyone attending?

Nah, I honestly don't feel all that excited about it, it's probably that Azzurri squad that has me so depressed about the whole thing. Plus it's a tricky group and we might just end up seeing a repeat of the World Cup.

Man, you're really depressing lately.

I am, France-Albania on the 15th in Marseille.

I know...

Football has left me feeling that way. At least in the past if the Azzurri were sucking there was Milan or it was reversed. Now it's just suckage on all fronts.


Great to hear, hope you have a great time!

Cheers. I'm flying tomorrow for a couple of days wandering in Paris, then I'm gonna take the train to Marseille. Kinda worried about any potential terrorists attacks cause I'm super-paranoid in nature, but hopefully all goes well.

Will keep you in my thoughts mate

Hopefully everything goes smoothly for the entire tournament.

Have you guys seen who'll be Conte's successor? My God.

hmm

Ventura. I thought he went straight into retirement, but...

So today Albania and Swiss clash, I am really looking forward to this game, especially to T.Xhaka - G.Xhaka duel. The Swiss NT is clearly a favorite but personally I think that Albania can achieve something from this game, or at least I hope so.

Don't remind me. Tavecchio is clueless. Conte was a bad choice and this one is even worse.

Which games are you guys watching today? I'll try to catch them all. Definitely watching the England one tonight though

Official lineups for Albania NT vs Swiss NT:

Albania NT XI: Berisha, Mavraj, Cana, Agolli, Hysaj, Kukeli, Xhaka, Abrashi, Roshi, Lenjani, Sadiku.

Swiss NT XI: Sommer, Djorou, Rodriguez, Schar, Lichtsteiner, Xhaka, Xhemaili, Behrami, Shaqiri, Mehmedi, Seferovic.

So, there are 5 Albanians in Swiss staring XI.

As for Albanias XI, I think that De Biasi chose the best, maybe Id give Gashi a start before Sadiku but lets see.

By the way, I read that Mavraj is fasting Ramadan, so Im curious to see if that will influence his game.

I'm always watching all games.

Ventura has a track record of getting teams with young players and sub par talent to over perform. He's perfect for the Italy squad of today.

Perfect my ***. What works for Pisa and Perugia, usually never does with big teams.

Feeling for you guys from Albania. Should have at least got a point. Very unlucky, stupid beginners mistakes by Berisha and Cana.

Thanks. In the first quarter of the first half we were looking like amateurs, including Canas mistake. But then the squad reacted very well. Even though Sadiku and Gashi should have scored in their great chances, I am pleased with teams efforts and I think that we can aim for a win against Rumania. Apart from his first mistake that led to the goal, Berisha was the best player for Albania. Hysajs and Lenjanis apparances should be noted also, both with a mark above 7.0 for me.

Italy doesn't have the talent to be a "big team" on the international stage right now. Just take a look at the midfield and attack that Conte brought to France. It's a sad group. The talent in Italian midfielders drops off a cliff after Verratti and Marchisio. The attack is even worse. Maybe Ventura will be able to help some of the decent younger players grow into their role before 2018.

Well the 3 o'clock kick offs will be a major b!tch for me as I work till 4. Even worse that Italy have one of the games in that time slot and the one on the 22nd will coincide with this work get together thing they've organised. So I'm a bit out of luck with the fixture list in terms of Italy but I will definitely try to watch as many games as I can


Well I really don't see that of any consequence when it comes to the NT. What he does with mid-table sides will never translate with big teams, especially not at the International level where you don't have nearly a fraction of the time that you get with a club side. It's why managers who are top man managers in club football rarely ever translate that type of influence when they cross over to coaching a NT. Think of Capello for example. Conte has been a let down as well imo, even taking into account that he's basically coaching his Juve team and still there isn't a fraction of the same cohesion as there was clearly evident while he was with Juve


Agreed


Agree. Though Albania deserved a lot better and in the end that final end product was the difference between the 2 sides. Even when down to 10 men they were still very impressive imo


But traditionally Italy are a big team with high expectations. And as I said, he's not going to have the same influence as he does when working all season with a club side. National football is a completely different beast to club football and the man after Conte should have been a more careful and well thought out decision considering the state of the talent pool.

Disappointing result. But that first half was the best 45 minutes I've ever seen by England. Should've won 3/4-0, but wasn't to be. Though it never is for us.

Apparently France are completely unprepared from a policing standpoint. Worrying, considering the terror threat across the country.

I think it is more a case they are full prepared for the terror threat near the stadium since you have an exclusion zone and are being checked thoroughly way before you get to the stadium. Hopefully nothing happens.

Good luck today, Fillipo.

Today Im cheering for Turkey. Croatia have some great players and they are favorites but in my opinon Turkey also can win this one.

A loss for Turkey is a victory for everyone. Good job Croatia.

I like how UEFA have warned the English and Russian FAs that any more fan trouble and the teams could get kicked out. How terrible of the English fans being attacked.

Isnt this racism ?

Either I get a ban for racism, for being happy a team lose. Or I expect an apology from you, because being accused of being a racist is not something I take lightly.

Come on guys! Let's not bring such an issue anywhere near here. d'Arc, I'm very certain kurt was not referencing race in any way shape or form when he made that comment so let's please not bring such a sensitive issue here.

Thanks. We should have won with a bigger margin, but anyone. A solid start.

English media raving about Perisic's performance. He was superb.

If you say so. But I dont think a Turkish Milan fan would feel the same if it was part of our forum. I know I would feel like that if someone said the same thing about Kosova or Albania. Cheers.

But wait. It really doesn't add up, what you're saying. Kurt was referring to how Turkey played today. I don't think any honest Turk (Milan fan or not) would be pleased with the way his team stood on the ground today or what was displayed. No?

This comment has nothing to do with the level of gameplay that Turkey showed on the field. Eitherway, I just felt irritated by that comment, if you dont feel the same it is your opinion. I know that I would feel quite unpleased if someone in this forum said that a loss for Albania is a victory for everyone.

We all have our reasons. My first hand experiences, viewing experiences and experiences of people I know are all very negative in regards to Turkish football. Whether it's coming to my city and attacking families, stabbing tourists to death because they have an English shirt on, fans showing support for terror related deaths in Europe or their players "kick first, play football later" attitude on the pitch. I know people from the US, Bulgaria, Greece who have negative feelings towards Turkey in football - the less they are involved in big tournaments, the better IMO.

Anyway.

A good win for Germany tonight. I think defensively they do not look good at all. Ukraine are mediocre at best and should've scored a few. But I would say overall they put up the overall best showing so far. England played very well, but sloppy defending cost us, but our first half was probably the most dominant 45 minutes by a team so far. Croatia also very impressive and Wales didn't play particularly well but they were effective. Albania and Switzerland were quite equal and both played decent. I think France were bad, Romania were just as bad, Poland did what they had to do but NI are easily the worst so far so it is hard to judge. Ukraine had a good 10 minutes, but otherwise their midfield looks completely invisible both with and without the ball.

Still some big teams to play though. Belgium-Italy is probably the most interesting game of the first round of games.

Traditional strength is irrelevant. Maldini and Baggio aren't taking the field in France. Unless there is some serious development or revelation in the next two years, Ventura will be coaching a team that will be far from the favorites conversation in Russia. Who would be your choice for the position? I'd love for Ancelotti but he's not interested in it just yet. My guess is that he'll be the coach for 2022.

hmm...

I am really not interested to start a debate, also Im not interested in reading your intentions because if you were sincere then you wouldnt have to exuse yourself.

As for the behavior of the Turkish fans that you mentioned, I wont fall into cheking if the stories that youre telling are true or not, but if we go by that logic, are not England fans even more `fanatics` ? They proved that in their long history, but also in Euro 2016. Ref: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...n-a7077911.html

Does that mean that I can make the same comments about Englands NT and Englishmen ? I would never do it because that wouldnt be fair and my comments would be xenophobic.

As for the people from the countries that you mentioned and their opinion towards Turkey, of course they dont see it with their best eye, its like asking an Albanian to give an opinion about Serbs. You expect him not to be biased?

Eitherway, Im not interested to continue this, I leave it to your conscience.

I must admit I was hoping for Ukraine to upset Germany. I thought Yarmolenko running at Hector would cause them problems. It did, but not enough to make the win.

I think Sheva argued Milan should buy Yarmolenko but i doubt we will try , he will probably go to Tottenham or some club over there.

There would be nothing wrong with it. I'd argue we're the most disliked national team there is. Do we care? I've also not said anything about Turkish people, just that I don't like their football fanatics and team, so don't put words in my mouth. I also expect their to be clashes at tournaments. Russia have been the worst so far, they attacked England fans in the stadium, two are in critical condition and over 30 injured. But I'm probably not allowed to dislike them, either.

Don't like it. Put me on block. I'm certainly doing the same with you and your shocking accusations. Any decent person would apologise, obviously you don't fall in to thar bracket.

There. As mod, I hereby record this as kurtiepoo's clarification. I'm sure this clears what he meant by the original statement. So can we consider this issue closed?

I'd happily take Yarmolenko as an upgrade over Sharaawy. Trouble is he is a proper winger. We would have to play the Cruyff diamond or something to make it work. I really can't handle one more season of our team learning a new formation only to realise we suck at it.


--RB----CB---CB-----LB-----
--------HoldMid--------------
---RCM-----------LCM--------
-------False9/#10------------
--WingFwd1-----WingFwd2---

Conte couldn't have picked a more uninspiring side from the already meagre picking he took over there. Only person left to complete the mediocrity show is Motta

Giaccherini, Candreva, Parolo, Eder, Pelle. What a joke!!

JACKY BOY!

Well that shut me up

Darmian has sadly been the worst one out there, followed by Parolo and Candreva equally

Glad the Juve defence + De Rossi are doing their job and keeping the difference makers in the Belgian squad quiet so far

I find it hard to take your opinions on certain players performances seriously.

Candreva been a huge outlet all game long and caps it off with a superb assist.

Next time I'll slander the entire squad. Even Gigi

He was absent in the first half, but I agree that he provided a good outlet. Especially when we've been pegged back

DS should be playing instead of Darmian if Conte plans on using either of them on that left side. Darmian seemed totally out of it there while DS takes to it more naturally