Couldn't watch the last Italian game. Think I'm supporting them from here on out.
Day 6: Finland vs Russia | Turkey vs Wales | Italy vs Switzerland
- Thread starter Samid
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
Has any other national team in the world got a manager as good as Mancini, though? He could be at a top club in one of the big leagues. Southgate is more Bournemouth or Watford.
I dunno, I think they play with great energy and spirit but there's a certain quality in the final third that's missing. I reckon the first quality team they play and that'll be it for them.
I get the feeling Italy are blowing their load early. I think they'll get beat in the first knockout round by Belgium.
insigne is running riot on the centre/left
Yeah our midfield options are pretty dire. Main thing that sticks out when you look at our squad.
They haven't conceded a goal in about 950 minutes and haven't lost a game in ages... They're genuinely a very good team since Mancini took over. Makes a huge difference when an actual good club manager takes over a country, like when LvG had Netherlands in 3rd place in 2014.
Glory hunter. I bet you've never even eaten pasta before.
The one fear I would have with Italy is their CBs look like they can be bullied/outrun in big spaces on the counter. But that's not a huge worry for the round of 16 unless Belgium is the runner up there and they have to deal with Lukaku on the break or Martinez is wild enough to throw Doku and Lukaku up top and see if they can terrorize Italy on the break when Spinazzola goes forward in particular.
That dummy 
Swiss really should just put Mbabu on the left, no right foot at all but not really his fault.
Do Italy have any knock out games in Rome, going to be very tough to beat at Olimpico.
Do Italy have any knock out games in Rome, going to be very tough to beat at Olimpico.
Mount, Rice and Kalvin Phillips is good but yeah, no real controllers there. I worry about the damage Italy's fullbacks could to our defence, but our attack ought to be a devastating if it clicks. Luke Shaw and Grealish should 100% make up the left-side, though. Trippier is surely not an option when the knockout rounds come around.
Italy have been excellent again. Mancini has done a great job.
I feel as if they haven’t practiced what to do when on a break. About three or four times the runners stay stagnant and the left sided attacker just doesn’t pass it into space
Pah-ster?
Surely Belgium and Italy will both top their groups, though?
We saw it against Croatia we had no one to take pressure off the team in the midfield by getting a foot on the ball
Stark contrast to Italy with jorginho and locatelli controlling games surrounded by relentless runners in front who win the ball back quickly. Not to mention their best cm verrati isn't even playing yet. A good midfield builds a platform. We have options up top and down the side. Not so much in the middle and at cb.
Deschamps should get a big job, made the CL final with Monaco. I don't like his style or choices much, but he's had a strong managerial career. Nobody else really stands out, even though Enrique had great success at Barca.
Nice bit of Stardust there.
Quality might be enough to compete but Immobile and Insigne are just dumb as footballers… so many wtf, lateral or unorthodox movements that lead to wasted chances. On the contrary, Berardi is even too direct and vertical. I really think Chiesa and Belotti will be badly needed in the knock out stage.
Looking forward to seeing the cast members of cocoon from the Italy defence try and handle Dan James pace on Sunday.
Swiss played better the last few minutes, but Italy has controlled the flow.
That pass by Locatelli was something else.
That pass by Locatelli was something else.
Mounts not a cm.
Rice sits in front of the back 4 is a decent passer at best. And Phillips is a pressing player once again with decent passing at best.
I don't even know why tripper was an option in the first place for lb
Full back is one of our strengths
Two good lbs in form and he played neither. Not to mention walker was horrible the other side.
I got criticised for saying England lacked capable players in the centre of midfield, especially in comparison to the top sides.
*shakes fist at screen* Damn you all ! damn you to hell !!
*shakes fist at screen* Damn you all ! damn you to hell !!
Locatelli casually putting in a 0/10 performance here.
Haha
Haha
Yeah, probably. Belgium weren't great but tough to see them not topping the group.
I'm seriously impressed by what I've seen of Italy so far tonight. Was not expecting it from them. I know they had a comfortable scoreline in their first game, but I missed it so couldn't really comment. But I really enjoyed that first half. I'm surprised at how good they are going forward.
Capello?
Granted, it worked out more often than not with your Hitzfeld, Lippi, del Bosque, Hiddink, but then last two WC were won by Loew/Deschamps and last Euro by Fernando Santos, so not exactly foolproof.
They are probably due a good tournament though.
Wasn't convinced with Belgium the other night yet they have Lukaku. Give him chances and he'll take them.
Italy were very good in the first half and i'm honestly surprised by the style of football they are playing as it isn't like a typical Italian team. Manchini has them playing quick passing football with great interplay and interchanging of positions.
Their pressing against the 3412 of the Swiss has been brilliant and very organized to the point that the Swiss are having a very difficult time even building any slight bit of possession.
Their pressing against the 3412 of the Swiss has been brilliant and very organized to the point that the Swiss are having a very difficult time even building any slight bit of possession.
He'll be in a midfield three, though, and he'll be tasked with harrying the likes of Barella and Jorginho and finding space in behind them (in the event that we come up against Italy, obviously). Phillips would press but also be expected to hold his position and be disciplined, Walker will need a hand keeping a lid on Spinazzola.
England have some good individuals but I don't think as a team we can work as a hard and pass as well the other big nations. Will be interesting to see how well we can cope. Reminiscent of United at club level looking on at a higher level of professionalism. Luckily some nations do seem a bit lacking upfront.
Jorginhos passing through the lines is fantastic
Locatelli is some player.
Wonderful strike from Locatelli.
Beautiful
We need to sign this Locatelli guy
What a goal
Great goal!