Group C: D-Day/Matchday 3 [Preview]

[treble41]

A lot of us are hoping that the Dutch hand the Romanians a win, or Romanians earn it, either way it'd knock Italy/France out. But there are a lot of scenarios so Soccernet explains what might happen and who might go through:

Group C

Holland's barnstorming displays against Italy and France mean they have already qualified as winners of the group. But it's far more complicated for second place between Romania, Italy and France.
For Romania the task is simple. If they pick up three points against what is likely to be a below-strength Dutch side they will be through. Romania and Holland were grouped together in qualifying with Romania taking four points from the two meetings. If Romania lose they can only stay in the competition if France and Italy finish goalless, but even that has conditions. If they draw they need Italy and France to draw also.
Italy and France, as mentioned, must rely on Holland taking points off Romania. In that event the winner of the Italy-France match will go through. Should Italy and France draw and Romania lose, then all three sides will be level on two points. The first decider is head-to-head, and when three teams are involved a mini-league is created. The results for the Netherlands are ignored. As Italy have a goal difference of 1-1 and France 0-0, then France cannot overtake Italy in the event of a draw. Italy will always remain ahead of them on goals scored. So France have to win to stand a chance of reaching the quarter-finals - any other result and they are out.
If Italy and France draw 0-0 and Romania lose, then Italy and Romania will have identical records in the three-team mini league. It will then go down to goal difference. If Romania lose by fewer than three goals they will qualify.
If Romania were to lose by more than three goals then Italy would finish second. If they lose by three goals it will be decided on goals scored. A 0-3 defeat will mean they have an identical scoring record of 1-4 with Italy, so the positions would be decided on co-efficient. Italy's co-efficient is 2.36 and Romania 2.25, so under the 0-0/0-3 scenario it would be Italy who go through. However, if Romania lose by three goals at a ratio of 1-4 or greater then they would finish second by virtue of goals scored. Clear? Basically, If France and Italy draw 0-0 Romania have to lose by fewer than three goals or 1-4 and upwards by ratio. Now, if France and Italy draw 1-1 or any greater number then Italy will go through as they will have scored more goals than France or Romania in the three-team mini-league.

 

[treble41]

So what midfielders will start for Italy? Pirlo's a given but who else? Gattuso? nah. Ambrosini? De Rossi should. Perrotta wasn't very good. Camoranesi's important. Maybe Di Natale will play the winger role again.

 

[Sevillista]

So what midfielders will start for Italy? Pirlo's a given but who else? Gattuso? nah. Ambrosini? De Rossi should. Perrotta wasn't very good. Camoranesi's important. Maybe Di Natale will play the winger role again.

F*ck De Rossi.

I only care that Italy does not advance.

 

[Help?]

Man, if Holland give Romania the win, Italy and France will be soooooooooo pissed.

 

[thetrooper37]

I think Romania can more than earn the win. Especially since the Dutch 11 won't be in full strength

 

[$teauA]

Dutch ain't giving us s*it. We have to go out there and earn the victory! One of the main reasons why I don't believe the Dutch will take it easy is because of their results against us in qualifying (0-0 and 0-1). Everyone knows that the Dutch are a goal scoring machine yet we held them to 0 goals in two matches, that had to have hurt their egos a bit and I'm sure they'll want to come out and prove that those games were nonsense. Saying all that, I hope we kick their asses , HAI ROMANIA!!!

 

[treble41]

The problem is that they're playing their 2nd squad supposedly. This is a double edged sword. On one hand, they won't score or maybe won't have the chemistry of van Nistlerooy/Kuijt/van der Vaart/Sneijder/Persie/Robben etc BUT these guys will be out to prove themselves and maybe get to play a larger role in the later stages, players like Huntelaar certainly will. So they won't take it easy unless van Basten said 'go out and lose' which I doubt.

 

[4ndr3i]

It will be a hard game for us, but we have the strength to beat them. I would love to see France and Italy out and everything is possible so fingers crossed for tonight.

 

[Johnny_Big]

Funny is if Romania draw and Italy and France draw as well. Romania goes in front with 2 points .

 

[Zlatan]

We're not going to give anyone the win. Marco has already stated he will just play to win as always, to not lose the momentum we're in right now.

 

[adialex]

Funny is if Romania draw and Italy and France draw as well. Romania goes in front with 2 points .

neah, we already have 2 points, another draw will mean 3 points for us

 

[dimo]

klass jan huntelaar to prove he's the next great dutchman and to send the romanians home, and cassano to send italy to the quaters.

klass, please dont fail me

 

[Johnny_Big]

neah, we already have 2 points, another draw will mean 3 points for us

Yeh, my mistake, but a loss by one goal of difference and France and Italy drawing would get you to the next round. Now that's funny

 

[4ndr3i]

If France and Italy have a 0-0 draw, we can even lose by 2 goals and still qualify.

 

[treble41]

No Malouda for France...but they are starting Clerc and Benzema's back in.

Italy's benched Camaronesi and Perrotta gets a run in. Gattuso's back in too and Cassano instead of Del Piero starting.

 

[Ubik Valis]

Au revoir.