I watched the Belgium/Itlay game with my 12 year old son. He was looking forward to seeing Belgium as they have the greatest number of young stars (so far as FIFA16 is concerned, anyway). He was convinced they were going to easily beat a 'weak' Italian side. I told him that, in over 40 years of watching Euros and WC's, I couldn't remember a rubbish Italian team - though I can easily recall periods when the Spanish, French, Dutch teams were poor and even the German side were crap for a while, following reunification. (My first memory of England was 1970 and they made me cry. It's been downhill, mostly, since.) Am I wrong or have I forgotten a really poor Italian side of the last 40-odd years?
Between winning the WC in 2006 and Euro 2012 they had been pretty poor competitively. Went out of Euro 2008 in the QFs (which seems decent, but they were pretty poor, were ) and finishing bottom of their group at the 2010 World Cup and third in the 2014 World Cup, with us finishing last. They also went out at the group stage of the Confederations Cup in 2009. They went out in the group stages of Euro 96 and Euro 2004 and didn't even qualify for Euro 92.
Italy are my dark horses and I posted this on a BBC site days before the tournament got underway...Smug or what! I haven't a clue why the so called 'experts' dismiss Italy all the time..Just shows what a bunch of no-nothing numpties they are, doesn't it..?
Dark horses? Pfft. I have them better than that, as this post made on the day of the opening game shows.
Just the 13 others you didn't mention then...Just saying like. I put down Spain, Germany as my 1 and 2 with Italy as my other fancy...I didn't mention the other 21
Sorry but how can Italy ever be 'dark horses'? They've been world champions 4 times and must be the 2nd most successful European national side. I guessing here but I probably watch more Italian football than anyone on here and it was stupid for anyone to write them off, even without Marchisio, Veratti and their best attacker Giacamo Bonaventura. But they won't win it, so don't feel too smug. I bet on them to win last night and also belgium not to qualify, I won't be smug yet.
I think they could win it, surely beating Belgium like they did is a decent enough form guide. Wouldn't surprise me if it was a France Italy final with both teams passion overcoming arguably more talented teams like Spain and Germany.
I can't believe Pizza Peepers still exists! I haven't lived in Hull for well over 20 years but the last place I lived was Lomond Rd on SBW and PP was the brand new take away.
I used to spend lots of time running up and down the tenfoot on Lomond Road, my grandma lived down there.
Whenever Italy do well they always start slowly and build. I'm an Italian football fan, but I think they've peaked with yesterday's performance. They're too lacking at left back and in the 2 striker positions. The same applies to centre mid, with Veratti and Marchisio out if Di Rossi gets injured or suspended - which he will - then Motta is not the same player. They also lack creativity with only really Candreva and El Shaaraway the genuine sparks. They'll reach the Quarters, semis at absolute best.
I reckon they will get to semis at least. El Shaarawy a great player to be keeping in reserve. My worry about them is too many yellow cards at the back, do they have the strength in depth to manage without the likes of Bonucci and Chiellini?
