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!

[azania]

England are playing to their strengths and as a result are murdering football. How many times has Hart simply launched the ball upfield? How many long passes to Welbeck in the hope that he can flick it on to a runner? Why are these over=paid prima donas afraid of simply passing it to a white shirt? Where is their composure on the ball?

[mystiroakey]

yeah yeah- are you actually wacthing the game

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

England are playing to their strengths and as a result are murdering football. How many times has Hart simply launched the ball upfield? How many long passes to Welbeck in the hope that he can flick it on to a runner? Why are these over=paid prima donas afraid of simply passing it to a white shirt? Where is their composure on the ball?

All Italy did for the first 25 mins is hoof it. Are they murdering football too?

[mystiroakey]

leff what ever italy did second alf off the half- england did first half of the half.

anyway time to start again

[Guest]

Lucky, very lucky.

[azania]

England are playing to their strengths and as a result are murdering football. How many times has Hart simply launched the ball upfield? How many long passes to Welbeck in the hope that he can flick it on to a runner? Why are these over=paid prima donas afraid of simply passing it to a white shirt? Where is their composure on the ball?

All Italy did for the first 25 mins is hoof it. Are they murdering football too?

No they didn't. Pirlo is the best player on the field and he isn't playing holywood balls.

Lucky England. They may do a Chelsea and win by luck.

[Guest]

Englands poor passing is letting them down.

[Guest]

John Terry saves England again.

[Guest]

How much luck are we having?! Makes you wonder...

[Guest]

England can't keep the ball at the moment.

[Crimey]

As much as I hate it constantly being referenced. This is very much akin to Chelsea's Champions League run. Let's hope it has a similarly happy ending.

[Leff]

Joe Hart is looking like a boxer taking hard punches. We have seen Italy 3 shots since half time.

We need pace. England looking pretty stretched there. Too many escapes.

[Guest]

What's wrong with their football studs, they're sliding all over the place.

[Leff]

Not even one yellow card yet. A bit surprising.

[mystiroakey]

good we need the change

[Crimey]

Walcott and Carroll coming on, good decision I think.

Walcott will be able to stretch them, Carroll gives more presence in the box.

[Leff]

Carroll and Walcott coming in?

[Crimey]

I'd take off Rooney and Young, but I imagine it'll be Welbeck and Young.

[Guest]

The Italians are in their element, very comfortable on the ball, moving it about - there seems to be very little pressure on them in the midfield.

[Leff]

First time in this game, that signature Balotelli shot, didn't go in.

[GG]

Di Natale needs to come on.

[Crimey]

I think Milner probably had his best game of the tournament for him so far, unlucky to go off.

[mystiroakey]

yeah agreed- and its been gerrards worst

[Guest]

Young does it again - loses the ball in a promising situation.

[Leff]

Di Natale needs to come on.

Who goes? Balotelli?

[Guest]

Theo and Carrol causes problems for the Italians.

[Leff]

Some energy there with Carroll. First shot taken by England in a long time.

[Crimey]

The centre is too crowded, but Young and Milner aren't good enough to utilise the wings.

It's too hard for Gerrard to grab the game when Pirlo is dictating it and De Rossi enforcing it with Marchiso and Montolivo adding flair. It's very hard to control the game.

[Guest]

Italian b&sturds fouling and diving.

[Crimey]

I am worried if Di Natale comes on, he's the player who would be able to finish the chances they have been creating.

[GG]

Di Natale needs to come on.

Who goes? Balotelli?

Not sure to be honest, but I rate Di Natale very highly. Great finisher.

[Leff]

Pirlo is looking like the conductor of an orchestra.

[Guest]

Another Italian dive!

[mystiroakey]

we needed tyo make the change and it has made a difference so all good from my pov

[Josiah Maiestas]

Players are getting tired now. Joe Hart just hoofs the ball everytime, what chance do you have with keepers like that? Gerrard has been invisible, so has Rooney. They have no patience to keep the ball a bit, only few mins until Italy score.

[Guest]

Gerrard - cramp?

The old workhorse might be breaking down. Shame we didn't have Lampard as back-up.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Defenders can't even play the offside rule.

[mystiroakey]

good time out from gerrard there

[Guest]

Players are getting tired now. Joe Hart just hoofs the ball everytime, what chance do you have with keepers like that? Gerrard has been invisible, so has Rooney. They have no patience to keep the ball a bit, only few mins until Italy score.

This does my head in Josiah. Why not roll it out to your full back and keep possession? Fundamental.

[Josiah Maiestas]

I had some hope with them after 25 mins on the clock, they have just been siinking into the abyss since then.

[Guest]

John Terry by far England's best player.

[mystiroakey]

this has gotta count!! come on england

[Leff]

Diamanti for Cassano. Prep for extra time and pks?

[mystiroakey]

gonna admit this game is driving me nuts

[Josiah Maiestas]

Italy are totally dominant. Greece had more going for them vs Germany than this, ughh..

[Leff]

De Rossi leaving too.

[Josiah Maiestas]

BUT.... with Walcott on the pitch you never know, could spark some players into life. This England team are looking like the Wolves team that got hammered every week.

[Leff]

Di Natale not in yet?

[Guest]

Strange game now - Italy totally dominant.

[mystiroakey]

much better lads-- italy get a yellow as well. free kick in a dangerous position

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