[Football] Zzzwitzerland Vs Zzzpain / zzzbelgium Vs Zzzitaly

[Herr Tubthumper]

It’s a bit naive calling the Italians out for gamesmanship when the country is crying out for Grealish, and a front 3 of Kane, Stirling and Grealish. Jeez just in wind direction and all 3 could go down. The Italians got the job done. They were the better team, not their fault the ref made some cock-ups.

Very much this.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

As far as international tournament knockout football goes, a very entertaining game. If you didn’t enjoy that not sure what point there is tuning in?

If you enjoy watching grown men roll about cheating ok. Ref was poor should have booked them especially the one on the ground when they scored.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

As far as international tournament knockout football goes, a very entertaining game. If you didn’t enjoy that not sure what point there is tuning in?

Agreed.

I found it absorbing, entertaining and a lot more quality on show than England Germany IMO.

 

[KeegansHairPiece]

If you enjoy watching grown men roll about cheating ok. Ref was poor should have booked them especially the one on the ground when they scored.

It’s been going on for 40 years. I’d say this tournament has less theatrics than Italia90. If this annoyed you, what football tournament hasn’t?

 

[Stat Brother]

Thank god Grealish will inspire England tonight and we can forget about all this diving and gamesmanship nonsense...










...oh.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

It’s been going on for 40 years. I’d say this tournament has less theatrics than Italia90.

100% agree and that is why lasts nights game wasn’t great, as Italy returned to type.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Absolutely!

Southgate will do a tactical number on them. Grealish will show them how gamesmanship is really done and Sir Harry Kane will knock in a hat trick [emoji123]

Can’t see it.

They’ve got a better manager, better defenders, better midfielders and we’ve both got an Immobile striker up front.

 

[KeegansHairPiece]

100% agree and that is why lasts nights game wasn’t great, as Italy returned to type.

But tournament football has always had this, going back to ‘66 even. I didn’t think the Italians were any worse than say Spurs or someone in a PL game. Didn’t stop me enjoying a really good game.

 

[AmexRuislip]

And the award for best Euro performance goes to........

If you enjoy watching grown men roll about cheating ok. Ref was poor should have booked them especially the one on the ground when they scored.

[tweet]1411053578266066951[/tweet]

What a woose

 

[BN41Albion]

Can’t see it.

They’ve got a better manager, better defenders, better midfielders and we’ve both got an Immobile striker up front.

Took extra time for them to beat Austria.

You never know!

 

[Sorrel]

Italy were less defensive than the bad old days - and while I can see how the delaying tactics they used wind people up, they were very effective for the last 15 minutes. They can do "game management" like few other teams can.

And they scored two great goals, while Belgium did not approach that - and deserved to go through. I hope they beat Spain, too.

 

[vagabond]

Can’t see it.

They’ve got a better manager, better defenders, better midfielders and we’ve both got an Immobile striker up front.

I was being tongue in cheek [emoji6]

But I dunno. Would it be a crazy shock if we beat Italy? It’s a one off game. We’ll be at Wembley, at home. Southgate has found a way to make us incredibly hard to beat or even score against. That a hallmark sign of teams who win these things.

Italy are a hugely impressive team, we all know that. But in a one off game? No reason why we couldn’t get a result.

Let’s get to the final first though…

 

[BN41Albion]

I was being tongue in cheek [emoji6]

But I dunno. Would it be a crazy shock if we beat Italy? It’s a one off game. We’ll be at Wembley, at home. Southgate has found a way to make us incredibly hard to beat or even score against. That a hallmark sign of teams who win these things.

Italy are a hugely impressive team, we all know that. But in a one off game? No reason why we couldn’t get a result.

Let’s get to the final first though…

I agree mostly, but don't forget pickford has made some excellent saves at crucial moments in a few games... Our player of the tournament so far for me...

 

[Bodian]

I agree mostly, but don't forget pickford has made some excellent saves at crucial moments in a few games... Our player of the tournament so far for me...

But isn't that part of it? Pickford seems not to have the friability he has at club level - and if that's down to Southgate, then let's credit him for it. Having a confident keeper is precisely what makes some teams hard to beat - look at us with Sanchez compared to earlier in the season.

 

[Guinness Boy]

But isn't that part of it? Pickford seems not to have the friability he has at club level - and if that's down to Southgate, then let's credit him for it. Having a confident keeper is precisely what makes some teams hard to beat - look at us with Sanchez compared to earlier in the season.

Weird isn't it? I was "anyone but Pickford" going in because he's SO fragile at club level but he's proved me totally wrong. Been fantastic so far.

 

[jcdenton08]

But isn't that part of it? Pickford seems not to have the friability he has at club level - and if that's down to Southgate, then let's credit him for it. Having a confident keeper is precisely what makes some teams hard to beat - look at us with Sanchez compared to earlier in the season.

Mmmm friability

 

[Machiavelli]

Weird isn't it? I was "anyone but Pickford" going in because he's SO fragile at club level but he's proved me totally wrong. Been fantastic so far.

Agree completely. For too long, he's been a pumped up fool, over-emotional and oh so reminiscent of Joe Hart. This tournament, he's been the player that has gone up most in my estimations. He's been seeing a psychologist this year, I gather.

 

[Lethargic]

Agree completely. For too long, he's been a pumped up fool, over-emotional and oh so reminiscent of Joe Hart. This tournament, he's been the player that has gone up most in my estimations. He's been seeing a psychologist this year, I gather.

I put it down to maturing under Anchelotti think he has had a good influence.

Sent from my CPH2173 using Tapatalk

 

[vagabond]

I agree mostly, but don't forget pickford has made some excellent saves at crucial moments in a few games... Our player of the tournament so far for me...

Absolutely. We’ve all seen make some howlers at Everton, but for whatever reason the guy is immense for England, never let us down.

 

[BN41Albion]

But isn't that part of it? Pickford seems not to have the friability he has at club level - and if that's down to Southgate, then let's credit him for it. Having a confident keeper is precisely what makes some teams hard to beat - look at us with Sanchez compared to earlier in the season.

Yeah, very true.