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

by Duty281 Thu Jun 21, 2012 2:18 am

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!

by azania Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:39 am

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?

by mystiroakey Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:42 am

yeah yeah- are you actually wacthing the game

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:42 am

azania wrote: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?

by mystiroakey Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:43 am

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

anyway time to start again

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:48 am

Lucky, very lucky.

by azania Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:48 am

Olly wrote:
azania wrote: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.

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:49 am

Englands poor passing is letting them down.

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:52 am

John Terry saves England again.

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:52 am

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

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:54 am

England can't keep the ball at the moment.

by **Crimey** Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:54 am

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.

by Leff Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:55 am

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.

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:56 am

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

by Leff Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:57 am

Not even one yellow card yet. A bit surprising.

by mystiroakey Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:58 am

good we need the change

by **Crimey** Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:58 am

Walcott and Carroll coming on, good decision I think.

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

by Leff Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:58 am

Carroll and Walcott coming in?

by **Crimey** Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:59 am

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

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:00 am

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.

by Leff Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:01 am

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

by GG Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:02 am

Di Natale needs to come on.

by **Crimey** Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:02 am

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

by mystiroakey Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:04 am

yeah agreed- and its been gerrards worst

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:04 am

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

by Leff Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:04 am

GG wrote:Di Natale needs to come on.

Who goes? Balotelli?

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:05 am

Theo and Carrol causes problems for the Italians.

by Leff Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:06 am

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

by **Crimey** Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:06 am

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.

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:06 am

Italian b&sturds fouling and diving.

by **Crimey** Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:07 am

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

by GG Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:08 am

Leff wrote:
GG wrote:Di Natale needs to come on.

Who goes? Balotelli?

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

by Leff Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:08 am

Pirlo is looking like the conductor of an orchestra.

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:08 am

Another Italian dive!

by mystiroakey Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:08 am

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

by Josiah Maiestas Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:12 am

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.

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:13 am

Gerrard - cramp?

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

by Josiah Maiestas Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:13 am

Defenders can't even play the offside rule.

by mystiroakey Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:14 am

good time out from gerrard there

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:15 am

Josiah Maiestas wrote: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.

by Josiah Maiestas Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:16 am

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

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:16 am

John Terry by far England's best player.

by mystiroakey Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:16 am

this has gotta count!! come on england

by Leff Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:18 am

Diamanti for Cassano. Prep for extra time and pks?

by mystiroakey Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:20 am

gonna admit this game is driving me nuts

by Josiah Maiestas Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:20 am

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

by Leff Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:20 am

De Rossi leaving too.

by Josiah Maiestas Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:21 am

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.

by Leff Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:22 am

Di Natale not in yet?

by Guest Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:22 am

Strange game now - Italy totally dominant.

by mystiroakey Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:22 am

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

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