The Azzurri Thread

[Rocky]

More than that, though, we need a pure center-forward. Haven't had a truly world-class one since Vieri. Toni was in hot form but he never really delivered at this level.

 

[Arnau]

You miss Zambrotta and Panucci

 

[Rocky]

We're missing great players all over the pitch. Even our defenders aren't made like they used to be.

 

[Juventino]

Juve's defense does look incredibly solid as a unit, and they're showing that for Italy aswell. The Juve block at the middle is what allows Pirlo to excell (with De Rossi too of course). Italy's defense looked shaky without Chiellini at the start of the game, but Bonucci and Barzagli got their act together. I'm sad Chiello won't be fit for Germany, that's just going to be an incredibly hard game.

But yes, no Cabrini or Scirea. :P

 

[Sir Calumn]

More than that, though, we need a pure center-forward. Haven't had a truly world-class one since Vieri. Toni was in hot form but he never really delivered at this level.

Rossi could be that man I think

 

[Rocky]

They are great as a unit. Still though, not as good as defenders of years past. But you could say that for the game on whole, quite frankly.

 

[Rocky]

Rossi could be that man I think

I'm talking a pure CF though, not a guy like Rossi who plays off one.

 

[Arnau]

 

[Juventino]

Was Pep Guardiola around at Brescia that year too?

I just hope that we can stop talking about Cassano and Balotelli now. This is the tournament of Andrea Pirlo. On a pure footballing level they're not even in Pirlo's league. World Cup victory, Champions League titles with Milan, lifting Juve to a Scudetto after two miserable 7th place finishes, and he just put on another master class... What a player.

 

[Rocky]

I think he arrived after Pirlo left for Milan.
Edit, yep I'm right.

 

[newbie original]

Italy are the only team that can beat Spain. They have the patience to soak up with Spain's boring pass-for-89 minutes game plan. Germany can't do that.

4 best teams of the tournament in semifinals. Thats weird

On paper, you would have replaced Portugal by the Netherlands.

Portugal has not been one of the 4 best teams of the tournament. They have just been the luckiest. They are going to get smashed by Spain.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Portugal has not been one of the 4 best teams of the tournament. They have just been the luckiest. They are going to get smashed by Spain.

Please, Holland were awful. I agree with Arnau.

I don't think this is a great Italy team, but you guys seem to thrive when the odds are against you. Now, in 2006 I thought you were a really good team, not a fluke via an easy draw, but you have a chance to prove the same thing in a few days against Germany. I will say one thing, Germany concede a LOT of goals, and Italy might not be as talented, but they can DEFINITELY beat Germany (as usual... unfortunately). Don't think you can beat Spain, but Germany can be careless, and Italy are the kind of team to exploit that.

 

[Filipower]

Yes because beating the EURO record for shots on post/bar is SO lucky. What the **** are you basing that statement on?

 

[Jaboldinho]

Think Croatia is closer to Italy than Holland is to Portugal when it comes to somebody being in the top 4 teams of the tournament.

 

[Rocky]

Chiellini back for Germany?
By Football Italia staff

Giorgio Chiellini is reportedly on track for involvement in Italy’s semi-final this Thursday, despite suffering a thigh strain only a week ago.

The Juventus man picked up the first degree strain in his left thigh when in action for the Azzurri in their final group game of Euro 2012 last Monday against the Republic of Ireland.

The injury forced the player to sit out Sunday evening’s quarter-final win over England and there were doubts about his ability to recover in time for the semi-final and even final, should Italy make it.

First degree strains usually require 20 days to recover from, yet the player has already returned to training, having taken part in running and ball-work exercises this morning with Italy’s other players who did not play last night.

Italy face Germany in the second semi-final of the competition this coming Thursday night at the National Stadium in Warsaw. The final will be held next Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLEASE!!!!!!

I would be so much more confident of our chances if he does come back.

 

[Xifio]

getting Giorgio back would be huge ... hopefully De Rossi's going to be fine too ... and Abate as well (considering Maggio's suspended) ...

 

[Haarithan]

UEFA Champions League 2011-12 semis:

Chelsea - Roberto Di Matteo (Italy)
Bayern Munich - Juup Heyneckes (Germany)
Real Madrid - Jose Mourinho (Portugal)
Barcelona - Pep Guardiola (Spain)

Semifinalists in Euro 2012 - Italy, Germany, Portugal & Spain.

We all know which nation's manager won the Champions League then.

 

[Haarithan]

"Reports suggesting if Chiellini is healthy tomorrow and Abate isn't, Chiellini will play left-back and Balzaretti switched to right-back."

- Matteo Bonetti

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I will say one thing, Germany concede a LOT of goals, and Italy might not be as talented, but they can DEFINITELY beat Germany (as usual... unfortunately).

Hello.

 

[Rocky]

Where are the Cassano and Balotelli haters?