Euro 2020 Thread (11th June-11th July)

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Starts in under a week. Might be a fun summer of football to lift the gloom of the previous 12 months.

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Outright Odds:

Portugal to defend their title? France to go one better? Germany return to prominence? Belgium finally get it right? England bring football home? Or will Scotland shock the world?

[owen10ozzy]

Wow ...yep negative nancy is back for the night after seeing that line-up im afraid everyone.

What a downright uninspiring selection that is. Two of our 3 best players in terms of influences on games not being selected (Grealish was never going to be...but Saka is absolutely puzzling).

I didnt expect Southgate to go for it in the slightest, we all know he isnt that way inclined at this point...but if I was Mancini id be looking at that and thinking "my lord thats a man whose worrying about what we possess and nothing else"

I pray to god that Southgate makes me eat my words...serves me a large slice of pie to the face and allows you all to mock me.

I didnt think we would win even with a line up similiar to the Semi Finals (2-1 Italians if we went with those tactics/line up)...Kane and Sterling will be far too isolated i think and Italy will dominate the midfield and possession. 3-1 Italy...there 3rd goal coming on a counter attack after we push for an equaliser late into the game.

[Soul Requiem]

Seems unnecessarily negative but should still have enough to win.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Really quite emotional as it builds up.

I think we'll lose, but equally I know we can win.

[owen10ozzy]

Ive got to say even putting aside the tactics and selection im not sure where anyone gets this idea we should have enough to win...(yes we can but sometimes its said as if "if we show up we have more than the italians"

Italy unbeaten in 33...scored 86 (when do you hear of an Italian team who are that free scoring) & conceded just 10.

England havent put together a run even close to that under Southgate (or under anyone else for that matter)

Then the tactics....Pace & mobility (not just moving but tempo with the ball) is thrit weakness...so we take out a player who runs at players and always looks for a quick positive, forward ball. Just quite baffling to me.

[Soul Requiem]

Belief perhaps Owen rather feeling the need to be needlessly downbeat, just a thought.

[Duty281]

Yeah, I'd have made Italy favourites even if England had gone into this with what I consider to be their strongest team and shape (back four with Saka playing). The Italians have beaten Belgium and held off the Spanish, reaching a performance level England haven't touched yet. But this poor selection means I reckon Italy are about 70-30, maybe 75-25, favourites now, not 60-40.

I enjoyed Shearer's obviously prepared bit about how the Italians play with a high line and are vulnerable to pace...yep, so England are only playing one quick attacker!

Going to need an immense performance from most of the 11 to get through this one. Come on, En-ger-land!

[owen10ozzy]

Belief perhaps Owen rather feeling the need to be needlessly downbeat, just a thought.

Im hoping England get the job done as ive said....my point was the way in which people say it...doesnt come across as belief but this arrogance we are actually a better outfit than Italy and if we turn up & perform at 100% we win.

(By people i mean collegues and general public ive spoken to not actually on here where i feel it is more hope than expectation)

[alfie]

Nice start

[Duty281]

That's an interesting start!

[owen10ozzy]

Pie at the ready!!! Get in England....

Not gung ho...press for a 2nd though

[Riggs]

According to the ITV commentator Luke's goal is the fastest scored in Euro finals history.

[Dirtydave]

Does anyone else think Kane's stock has dropped during the Euro's...

He has flopped around ridiculously at times, including twice tonight already.

I hope england keep this up, but I'd love to see Kane showing his strength and power he has for Spurs.

[owen10ozzy]

Well....very comfortable 1st half overall. Southgate proving me wrong...

Taken the sting out of the game after the goal, played clever however would caution that it began to move towards Italy gaining ground and looking bit dangerous in final 10-15...

Balance between trying to control and being to negative now needs to be found in the 2nd half. I imagine Saka/Sancho will get a showing at around 60mins to pose a counter pace threat..

So far so good though!

[Riggs]

Italy underperforming at times making it easier for England to do something about it.

[alfie]

They are taking care to keep pressure on Kane whenever he gets the ball...don't blame them

Sterling not quite doing what he's done in the earlier games (yet) Prefer to see him back on the left. But not sure how they would reorganise that.
Italy looking much more dangerous latter part of that half.

Think they need another goal.  But reckon they could get one...

[Duty281]

Decent 45 from England. Got the early goal and have held it fairly comfortably since. Italian midfield is getting swarmed, Phillips doing excellently with that, and the Italian full-backs are currently not providing enough support to aid them.

England are defending compact and deep, the main worry is the outball. Kane is getting constantly getting beaten in the air (will be total domination once he tires around the 65th minute) and looks a frustrated figure in isolation. He needs two quick men playing off him to get more space. England are essentially getting penned in with no way out - that could be the main theme of the second half, then England will have no answer if Italy get an equaliser (bit like England/Portugal 2004). Interesting tactical shape with Kane playing as virtually a number ten, but Rice and Phillips making more forward runs than usual.

Italy, very odd from them. They seemed to start out nervous and unsure of themselves, which I wasn't expecting. They struggled with England's early press; I thought they would have learnt lessons from the Spanish game. But they have settled and are getting a foothold. Chiesa looking the most dangerous and Immobile starting to find pockets of space.

Not sure where I see England's second goal coming from at the moment. But only a 45 minute rear-guard away from lifting a trophy (an actual trophy, not Le Tournoi or the FA Summer Tournament!).

Just saw the stats - 65% possession for Italy, just the one attempt for England. This is like the 2012 meeting except in that one Glen Johnson missed a good early chance and it finished 0-0 AET. A different full-back has taken the early chance for England today.

[alfie]

Have to not give away any more close in free kicks ! That's two they've got away with...

[owen10ozzy]

When Italy have their CBs 15 yards inside Englands half its time to accept England are setting up to see this out. So dangerous!

[Duty281]

Amazed at how much the Italians are lacking composure as another poor shot goes a mile wide. Very un-Italian.

Barrella and Immobile off. Intriguing changes from Mancini.

[owen10ozzy]

Why on Earth have we suddenly stopped even trying to tackle...literally standing off!....Press the ball once in the final 3rd at least.

[Duty281]

Seems like only a matter of time before Italy score. Chiesa ambles into the box and doesn't even get closed down. Good save from Pickford.

28 minutes to hold on.

[alfie]

Pickford another vital save...

Need to get some time in the other half or all this pressure is going to produce something for Italy sooner or later...

[alfie]

As I said...

Messy goal but Italy won't care.

Level and all to play for. Grealish time ?

[owen10ozzy]

Well that was coming wasnt it....

Call me negative or miserabke all you like....its always the same. Score...sit and defend...allow teams to wrestle control! Difference is...do it against classier opposition they will make you pay.

And now...we will very much struggle to wrestle control back. Game was getting away from us and Southgate did nothing!

[Duty281]

Yeah, that was inevitable, alas. Never going to keep this Italy side out for a full 90.

Time for Southgate to earn his corn. Changes needed otherwise England are hanging on for penalties.

[Duty281]

Well that was coming wasnt it....

Call me negative or miserabke all you like....its always the same. Score...sit and defend...allow teams to wrestle control! Difference is...do it against classier opposition they will make you pay.

And now...we will very much struggle to wrestle control back. Game was getting away from us and Southgate did nothing!

Doesn't matter who the England manager is, England always try and hang on to leads against big sides. Rarely works.

England have quality technical players...why not use them?! It doesn't have to be a back 7 with hopeful punts up to Kane. It can be better than this.

Italy have dominated this, in truth.

[Duty281]

Saka on for Trippier. Good positive change.

Henderson on. England need that type of leadership. Rice has put in an intense shift. But Italy are close to a winner...

[alfie]

Not Grealish but Saka.

Still only level , you chaps. Keep the faith...

[owen10ozzy]

Not Grealish but Saka.

Still only level , you chaps.  Keep the faith...

Difficult when youve seen occur time and time again. England all at sea...looking shaky...no control of the game at all and Italy are masters of keeping control of the game.

Jenas...be brave...press higher...erm yeah that should have been done even at 1-0 up.

[Duty281]

Won't happen, but DCL needs to come on because England have no outball.

Jenas bemoaning England's energy levels...it's because England have chased the ball for most of the game!

[owen10ozzy]

Its essentially like the famous Pirlo show game all over again except its not one player running the show..

The stats are frankly embarassing to see; love to get the thoughts of my friends & collegues who stated "England have enough to see them off".

[alfie]

Italy are rather good , of course. Never going to out possess them : but need to mount some attacks - make them defend. Their defence isn't foolproof either...

[Duty281]

Chiesa having to go off. Another little boost for England. Saka playing more as a wing-back than a winger since he came on. Into stoppage time...

[Riggs]

A blatant red

[Duty281]

Dismal performance from England. Lucky to get to ET, in truth. Phillips has been brilliant in defence.

Euro 2012 QF and the Euro 2020 final - spot the difference? Equally insipid performances from England. At least Roy had the excuse of working with scraps and no preparation time.

If England get to penalties, they win. Because Southgate's a lucky boy.

Any chance of getting Grealish or Sancho on? It's so frustrating that England have brilliant technical players in their arsenal, but they're reduced to this mess. Italy are good, no denying that, but there's no need to be this negative.

[Duty281]

A blatant red

Definitely not a red. But Italy may have escaped one in the first-half for a two-footed lunge.

[alfie]

Ah well we knew it would be extra time , did we not ?

Fifty fifty I think. They will have the possession.we have unused ammunition on the bench...

[owen10ozzy]

Italy are rather good , of course.    Never going to out possess them : but need to mount some attacks - make them defend.  Their defence isn't foolproof either...

Agreed...but this isnt the Italy of 90s or 00"e .....no where near good enough man to man to have 70% possession. That comes off tactics pure and simple.

England simply havent got a way back into the game at this point...got 10 mins of bbc team failing to talk about the limitations of England/Southgate but quick enough to purr over them.

That Italy goal looks worse every time...3 England defenders failed to deal with it. Awful.

Our best bet is Pens....never thought id say that

[owen10ozzy]

Ah well we knew it would be extra time , did we not ?

Fifty fifty I think. They will have the possession.we have unused ammunition on the bench...

Subs that Southgate will go to either to late or wont make the correct ones..

Spot the pattern...

Jenas nail on head then....combined age of 70+ the Italy CBs and not been tested

[Duty281]

I can only think Grealish is carrying an injury because he has been so under-used in this tournament. He's on now, though.

Italy haven't started this ET period particularly well, but England not exactly going at them.

[Duty281]

15 left. Come on, England, go for it. Italy's attacking endeavour has been greatly reduced since Chiesa trudged off, it's there to be won.

But Latin Frank talking about 'digging in'. There's the usual problem with English football.

[Riggs]

I knew this would be tight.

[alfie]

Fifteen minutes left. Still game on.

Harry M gives away a free kick in a dangerous spot...

And...breathe.

[Duty281]

England actually on top now. Goodness!

[Duty281]

That should be red for Jorginho. Serious foul play.

[Riggs]

Oh god, flipping pens.

get ready to chew your nails.

[Duty281]

Christ, absolute basics that you don't make substitutions when defending a set-piece! Nearly cost England.

Anyway the hosts hang on for penalties. Stupid way to decide a tournament. When Italy won it in '68, they drew AET and it went to a replay. And they lost the 94 World Cup on pens.

Have faith in Southgate's lucky charms. But on the basis of the full 120, Italy deserve it. Jorginho should have seen red; as he's a key penalty taker that could be a costly error.

[alfie]

Ah well . Penalties it is.

Hate this way of settling a tournament but nothing better ever devised.

Teams don't usually win two penalty shoot outs in a row. Hoping that continues

[Dirtydave]

Good luck to England!

[Duty281]

Ah well . Penalties it is.

Hate this way of settling a tournament but nothing better ever devised.

Teams don't usually win two penalty shoot outs in a row. Hoping that continues

England have won their last two shoot-outs, albeit not at this tournament!

Swiss beat the French on pens. Spanish beat the Swiss. Italians beat the Spanish. Will the pattern continue?

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