[Football] England v Italy UEFA Euros qualifier 7.45

[ManOfSussex]

The only reason I haven't said that they're the worst Italian side we've ever fielded (even though I was tempted) is because it's become a bit of a trope in Italy in the last 10 years to say "This is the worst Italian side in history" each time we see the line-up for a new match, and so there's really no point in saying it anymore haha. I'm sure the next one will also be the worst Italian side in history.

First time England have won in Italy since 1961 - and there's been far better England sides go to Italy since then than this one.

 

[Triggaaar]

Phillips was shite
78% pass accuracy.
2 dribbles attempted, 0 successful.
6 ground duels, 1 successful.
2 aerial duels, 1 successful.
Possession lost on 10 occasions.

He hasn't played all season, so what would you expect?

 

[Easy 10]

I'm not. I've been accused of being a Southgate fanboy.

I analyse matches from a neutral perspective. Pleased England won, but tonight felt more like a friendly match. England very average and Italy utterly bewildering in the first half.

A win is a win. And this is, what should be, the toughest task out the way. That said, England have no other route than the top two, so this group is still an interesting one.

It was like a typical 1-0 away win at Port Vale in the 90s. Get on the train and think 'that was rubbish, but who cares ? we won'. And then crack open a tinny.

That was in no way like a friendly match IMO. Nobody was strolling about. There was high intensity from both teams, tackles flying in. Very good first half from England, an attritional second half as we were never going to have it all our own way. Kane was the best player on the pitch, everybody put a shift in and worked their bollocks off for that win.

Qualifiers are never classics, its about getting the job done. Thats the hardest game out of the way and we've max'd it. I think some people seem to forget how routinely shit England have been previously in these type of games.

But until we actually win the EC or WC, nothing will EVER be enough. There will still be some dilberts "boycotting" the Finals because of their blind hatred of Southgate, Kane and England in general.

Bo-ring.

 

[Eeyore]

The only reason I haven't said that they're the worst Italian side we've ever fielded (even though I was tempted) is because it's become a bit of a trope in Italy in the last 10 years to say "This is the worst Italian side in history" each time we see the line-up for a new match, and so there's really no point in saying it anymore haha. I'm sure the next one will also be the worst Italian side in history.

Italy were the best side in the Euros. They deserved to win (and I backed them at the bookies which rather pleased me).

But tonight they looked like a team that had no preparation at all. England were very average and still got past them.

 

[Sepulveda]

Yeah it's interesting how well Italy do consistently. I posted that they were as bad as I have seen, but you could've said that over the last ten or so years. Yet, they're always there or thereabouts. They're a results machine.

We usually put more effort in during tournaments, if we manage to get to the tournaments in the first place and then get out of the group stage. Thing is, it's difficult to get results without a striker, and that's the situation we've been in recently. Euro 2020 was something of a miracle given that Immobile was nonexistent.

 

[Eeyore]

He hasn't played all season, so what would you expect?

Worries me that a player who hasn't played all season starts in midfield.

 

[The Fits]

...

But until we actually win the EC or WC, nothing will EVER be enough. There will still be some dilberts "boycotting" the Finals because of their blind hatred of Southgate, Kane and England in general.

Bo-ring.

With Brighton it's simple. You support Brighton. I support everyone involved with the club unless they do something I perceive to be unacceptable, be that performance or behaviour.
But with England not all us have the same loyalty that we feel to Brighton, to the club itself. I'm English by default. And you could argue that I'm Brighton by default too as I was born into both. But with England it's not simply a case of supporting the club come what may. I'm not as invested. I don't think everyone is. Some people are proud of being English and that extends to the football, they have the same kind of blind loyalty they have for their club side, maybe even stronger in some cases. But there's many of us that don't.
The comment about Kane is spot on. As a Brighton supporter he is a bully and a cheat. I don't change my opinion about him when he plays for England. I accept he is a wonderful football. But a cheat is a cheat.

 

[Easy 10]

Kane IS a cheating ****
But we all know that already
Or is it deemed ok for England But Not against Brighton

I don't have to want to meet him for a pint, but we're lucky to have a world class striker to call upon. If there was no Kane, then I dunno who we'd have had as our No9 these last few years when we've pissed qualifying and gone deep in tournaments.

Short and selective memories. Just seems to be "on trend" to slag off England, despite this being the most talented and united group of players since...well, probably since I've been watching.

 

[Sepulveda]

Italy were the best side in the Euros. They deserved to win (and I backed them at the bookies which rather pleased me).

But tonight they looked like a team that had no preparation at all. England were very average and still got past them.

We didn't have a great side at the Euros either, we only had a better backline, a more in-form Spinazzola and Chiesa wasn't out injured. Immobile was also there in theory but not in practice. We haven't had a really good side in a while, and I keep thinking we sorely miss a striker. Having said that, if we'd played the whole match like we did in the second half we would have probably gotten a draw out of this.

 

[PeterT]

We didn't have a great side at the Euros either, we only had a better backline, a more in-form Spinazzola and Chiesa wasn't out injured. Immobile was also there in theory but not in practice. We haven't had a really good side in a while, and I keep thinking we sorely miss a striker. Having said that. if we'd played the whole match like we did in the second half we would have probably gotten a draw out of this.

On another note, why did Juve play in all black the other week at home to Sampdoria?

 

[Easy 10]

With Brighton it's simple. You support Brighton. I support everyone involved with the club unless they do something I perceive to be unacceptable, be that performance or behaviour.
But with England not all us have the same loyalty that we feel to Brighton, to the club itself. I'm English by default. And you could argue that I'm Brighton by default too as I was born into both. But with England it's not simply a case of supporting the club come what may. I'm not as invested. I don't think everyone is. Some people are proud of being English and that extends to the football, they have the same kind of blind loyalty they have for their club side, maybe even stronger in some cases. But there's many of us that don't.
The comment about Kane is spot on. As a Brighton supporter he is a bully and a cheat. I don't change my opinion about him when he plays for England. I accept he is a wonderful football. But a cheat is a cheat.

BHA will always be my priority.
Doesn't mean I don't give a shite about England, or actively want to see them fail. Seems like some people are literally itching to see England screw things up so they can stick the boot in. Its so tiresome.

 

[BN9 BHA]

 

[maresfield seagull]

I don't have to want to meet him for a pint, but we're lucky to have a world class striker to call upon. If there was no Kane, then I dunno who we'd have had as our No9 these last few years when we've pissed qualifying and gone deep in tournaments.

Short and selective memories. Just seems to be "on trend" to slag off England, despite this being the most talented and united group of players since...well, probably since I've been watching.

Nah just be aware some people may have other loyalties ?
Instead of selective memories
fair play though England won away in Italy
in a meaningful competition with 10 men
Luke Shaw was a dumb arse getting 2 yellows so quick though

 

[BN41Albion]

Worries me that a player who hasn't played all season starts in midfield.

Fair play we won in Italy and Naples of all places, but christ its absolutely ridiculous that a player who hasn't played all season started in midfield, let alone worrying

 

[ManOfSussex]

Worries me that a player who hasn't played all season starts in midfield.

And he doesnt even select in the squad a Serie A winner in Fikayo Tomori.

 

[banjo]

Trying to look like RDZ.

 

[Sepulveda]

On another note, why did Juve play in all black the other week at home to Sampdoria?

Because Sampdoria had a white away kit, so we wore our black away kit in order not to create confusion.

 

[ManOfSussex]

Because Sampdoria had a white away kit, so we wore our black away kit in order not to create confusion.

Random question as you're here as a Juve fan - John Charles - is he the greatest Juve legend of all time?

 

[um bongo molongo]

Kane IS a cheating ****
But we all know that already
Or is it deemed ok for England But Not against Brighton

Yes. In the same way Maupay was a shitehouse but he was our shitehouse

 

[Sepulveda]

Random question as you're here as a Juve fan - John Charles - is he the greatest Juve legend of all time?

He is a Juve legend, probably not the greatest in the minds of fans but he's well loved