England v Italy, Quarter Final, Build up and Match Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

England v Italy (Sunday 24th June, 19:45 KO, BBC 1)

On the back of good defence, England have notched up 2 wins and a draw, confounding the majority of expectations along the way. The unexpected bonus of topping Group D has given them a game against Italy, not Spain, and England have a glorious chance of reaching their first semi-final in 16 years. Italy haven't really started yet and their sole win was against a poor Ireland team but they did manage an impressive draw against the Spanish. The winners will play Germany.......or maybe Greece.

My prediction: England 1-0 Italy

Come on England!

[EnglishReign]

I don't know, we've done well being outnumbered in the stands so far!

Come on England!!

[Duty281]

And I see the sad and bitter Scots are joining in, one has just texted into the BBC:

"The streets of Dundee are jumping. You can't move without seeing the famous tricolore and all anyone can hear is canto deli Italiani being belted out proudly, come on lads we can do it!!!!!"

Pathetic.

[Duty281]

Rumours that we're starting an unchanged team according to the BBC.

[EnglishReign]

And I see the sad and bitter Scots are joining in, one has just texted into the BBC:

"The streets of Dundee are jumping. You can't move without seeing the famous tricolore and all anyone can hear is canto deli Italiani being belted out proudly, come on lads we can do it!!!!!"

Pathetic.

Just a bit of fun there mate, the only Italian thing they're doing in Dundee is eating pizza out of bins.

[JamesLincs]

forget the scottish, they cant do anything of note. got my england shirt on, ready to go! nervous excitement

[Josiah Maiestas]

I suppose we often do it to the Aussies and the Germans, so this is Scotland and Welshes way of 'evening it up'. Nothing can come close to being as embarrassing as their World Rankings though.

[Duty281]

90 minutes till kick off!

[Duty281]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl0oQgAX-6k&feature=related

Highlights of the last time England won a European Championship Quarter-Final.

[mystiroakey]

I suppose we often do it to the Aussies and the Germans, so this is Scotland and Welshes way of 'evening it up'. Nothing can come close to being as embarrassing as their World Rankings though.

what do we do to the aussies or germnas?

[JamesLincs]

heading out now, enjoy the game everyone. and come on england!

[Crimey]

It is an unchanged side.

[Duty281]

Unchanged. If it goes to Extra Time, I like the options we have. Walcott, Oxlade, Carroll, Defoe and Jones can all play a part off the bench. We will do this, come on England, for Queen and Country!

[Duty281]

Mario starts for Italy.

[Crimey]

I imagine the changes would be Walcott, Oxlade and Carroll, as long as there are no injuries.

[Crimey]

Mario starts for Italy.

Very surprised.

Apart from the chances of him imploding, I just don't think he offers a lot to the Italians.

[Duty281]

Mario starts for Italy.

Very surprised.

Apart from the chances of him imploding, I just don't think he offers a lot to the Italians.

Yep, I'm surprised as well. Di Natale offers a lot more as shown in Italy's game against the Spanish.

[Duty281]

I'll probably be back at HT to post a quick comment but until then, cheerio. Come on England!

[mystiroakey]

COME ON ENGLAND. COME ON ENGLAND...

[Crimey]

I think Italy are playing 4-4-2, but all the midfielders are central midfielders, Parker and Gerrard will be busy. Rooney, Milner and Young need to help out.

[Guest]

I think this is a 50-50 game, despite Italy's better overall tournament record of the past.

I just hope it doesn't come down to a contentious penalty decision, a contentious sending off or penalties!

I am expecting to see a highly tactical game. May the best team win.

[Guest]

I'd expect Parker to be all over Pirlo like a rash but I just hope he's not too sloppy with his tackles.

[Leff]

I think Italy are playing 4-4-2, but all the midfielders are central midfielders, Parker and Gerrard will be busy. Rooney, Milner and Young need to help out.

4-3-3 if Montolivo comes as a forward?

[Leff]

Yep, I'm surprised as well. Di Natale offers a lot more as shown in Italy's game against the Spanish.

Shock factor?

[Crimey]

I think Italy are playing 4-4-2, but all the midfielders are central midfielders, Parker and Gerrard will be busy. Rooney, Milner and Young need to help out.

4-3-3 if Montolivo comes as a forward?

Obviously it will be more fluid than a strict 4-4-2, but there is very little width in the Italian side if we can keep their full backs back.

[Leff]

For England, if Gerrard and Parker get overloaded by Italian midfield, will Rooney step back to help them out?

[azania]

I hope football wins. Should football win, the country to go to the semis will be Italy.

ITALIA ITALIA.

[Crimey]

For England, if Gerrard and Parker get overloaded by Italian midfield, will Rooney step back to help them out?

He needs to.

[mystiroakey]

az can you just support italy because you prefer them- football wins if its a good game and the best team wins. Stop being annoying

[mystiroakey]

wheres that welsh wrongon steffan!!

Az your gonna have to take his place

[Leff]

Buffon looks like Sara Errani's long lost brother, or is the other way that Errani looks like Buffon's brother?

[eirebilly]

Just popping on here to wish England and their fans the very best of luck tonight. I really hope that England win. I have been very impressed with the pashion shown by this group of players. Its been tears since i have seen an England football side show this pashion.

Best of luck all

[Guest]

Just popping on here to wish England and their fans the very best of luck tonight. I really hope that England win. I have been very impressed with the pashion shown by this group of players. Its been tears since i have seen an England football side show this pashion.

Best of luck all

Cheers. Top man.

[Leff]

De Rossi, what an effort from so far! Well done, Hart.

[mystiroakey]

thanks billy


omg what danger signs!!

that would have been goal of the tourny

[mystiroakey]

how the heck do you miss that!!- we carved em

[Leff]

Almost a goal for England. Good effort by Johnson.

[mystiroakey]

good pressure by england- come on lets make it count

[Leff]

Missed opportunity. Rooney should have.

[mystiroakey]

probally the best 20 mins england have played for years.. but gotta make it count. we should not be afraid of this team. grab the game by the balls lads.. come on

[Leff]

Nice block by Terry there.

[Leff]

What a pass from Montolevo! Balotelli's shot wasn't powerful enough.

[Leff]

Cassano and Ballotelli had 3 chances so far.

[mystiroakey]

engalnd ahve had theer share and all.

but italy getting right back in this. I think carrol is gonna be on second half

[Leff]

Cassano and Balotelli have combined well to hit half a dozen shots. It's been all Italy in the past 20 minutes. England not creating any opportunities.

[Crimey]

Rooney still lacking sharpness.

We're playing almost as if Carroll is on the pitch when we attack, did the same against Ukraine, put balls into the box but there isn't really anybody to attack the ball.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Welbeck needs to hold the ball up better.

Anyway here's the plan. Hold on till 70 mins, then bring on The Ox and Walcott and pure pace abuse them

[Guest]

We need a lot more from Gerrard second half. The seems to be passing him by.

As for Milner, well enough is enough.

[Duty281]

After De Rossi hit the post early on, England have looked good on the ball. There's a silkiness, a sharpness, Rooney and Welbeck are linking up well. Let's hope we start the second half with a bang, come on England!

[mystiroakey]

the positive is that england havent looked that comfortable for donkies years..

we have created- but we have commited alot of players , probloem is then our defense is weaker.

this is in the balance still

[Leff]

After De Rossi hit the post early on, England have looked good on the ball. There's a silkiness, a sharpness, Rooney and Welbeck are linking up well. Let's hope we start the second half with a bang, come on England!

Have we watched the same game? Italy took control in the last 25 minutes or so and all England did was chasing and defending.

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