The same could be said of this England team. What have we ever achieved in the last 20 years as an international team? Look at how much easier our run to the final has been. Italy put out Belgium and Spain. We put out Ukraine and Denmark. I wish English fans would be realistic. I expect us to lose Sunday so am ready for it. There are levels to this game. Italy are miles ahead.
Is that the same Bonnuci and Chiellini who were part of the Italian side that didn’t even qualify for the last World Cup?
Italy have looked like the best team from day one. Austria probably gave them their biggest scare. I think on paper they have a better team than us but in a one off cup final? Who knows I’d argue Chelsea have a better team than Leicester and Manchester City have a better team than Chelsea. The league table would back that up. We all know Leicester beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final and then Chelsea beat Manchester City in the Champions League final.
If your being coached poorly you will get poor results. Look at Chelsea under Lampard and under Tuchel, night and day. Sometimes a good coach is all it takes to get the best out of players.
But you claimed Italy would do better because they have won more big trophies, which they haven't, then claimed that only trophies playing for the national team counted, which they also haven't won any.
Italy as a team have won more big trophies like the World Cup in 2006. It is in the DNA of Italy to win trophies. We have won nothing as a nation, not even got to the final of a World Cup or a European championship and suddenly think we are going to win it. No chance. Mancini is too good a manager and has his team too organised to let Southgate get one over on him.
It’s 2021. Not sure what the relevance is to an Italian side who won the World Cup 15 years ago. We’ve got a player in our squad who was only born in 2003. Do the current Italian squad have any concrete links with the 06 team? Like players on the coaching staff? Germany have won the a World Cup more recently than Italy and we beat them. France are the current World Champions and well...need I say more.
Hard to call this one. Italy have played very similar to Denmark this tournament but are obviously technically superior and probably physically too. Denmark looked completely gassed by the 60th minute as a result of a very intense tournament. Despite not creating any clearcut chances because of poor delivery and fatigue there were enough moment where Denmark could have hurt England. I think Saka should start again and have Kane dropping deep like he did yesterday, he's not going to win in a battle vs Chiellini and Italy isn't going to concede a stupid foul every time Kane runs with ball like Denmark did. But dropping deep to ask the ball and then exploiting the pace from Saka and Sterling can hurt the Italians. The biggest issue for England will be midfield, Rice and Phillips have been solid but you'll need people who can keep and pass a ball, this game screams for Henderson. I'd even go as far as playing a Henderson, Bellingham, Mount midfield but I doubt Southgate will do that. It wlll be interesting to see if Mancini drops Immobile because he's been a liability in these last 2 games. If England can limit the Veratti, Chiesa, Barella and Insigne they should be good for the win. I wouldn't bet against Shaw and Walker on the wings winning their respective battles but in midfield it's going to be tougher. 2-2 AET Italy win on Pens although I would love to see Kane lift that trophy and shut up all the critics.
Indeed. The same logic was being applied to Southgate. Despite the results getting us through, we were playing football no one wanted to see. Thankfully changes were made and the last 3 games, in particular Ukraine, we have played good stuff and he's rightfully being credited for it.
Going to be a very tough game but we have plenty of depth in this squad and that gives me faith about going into extra time again. Not sure what I'd do with the team, I thought Saka got bullied a little last night but he also set up the first goal. I'd want more from Rice and Phillips, I felt they were too weak in the first half, though they did improve as Denmark tired.
We need big players for a big occasion. I reckon Henderson should start, he's got the experience of pulling out the performances when it matters and is one of the few players in the team who has similar experience at club level to what is happening on Sunday. His style and what he brings will also suit playing against Italy.
Disagree. Outside of the Scotland game Southgate has got it spot on in every game this tournament, just because you didn't like the football being played doesn't change that.
I’d start with Rice and Phillips still, weather the storm and when Italy start to tire, it’s time to put Henderson on to take control of the game.
