Euro 2012 - Knockout Stages

[Maguire]

England Italy looks like the hardest to call.

What are the odds?

I looked this morning - barely anything in it, all three results about 2/1 (iirc England were 3.0 and Italy 2.86)

[daswonder]

See, Cassano and Balatelli just don't give me much of a fear factor. Decent players of course, and Pirlo is still a clever player, but not the threat he was a few years back from what I've seem of him.

Hope Roy and his boys think the same (although I doubt it) then we stand a better chance from the start.

Cassano and Balotelli will give Terry and Lescott nightmares with their movement, always thinking a few steps ahead, always on the move and attacking from all angles.

As for Pirlo, he dominated the midfield against a Spain team that had the Barcelona quartet and has laid on 3 of Italys 4 goals (assisted 2, scored 1) so not the same threat?

I only see us being weak in defence when comparing our team with England, seeing as our best defender is likely out of the game with an injury (Chiellini) although it looks like Barzagli will come back so at least we have a defender for a defender replacement.

[From Despair To Where?]

unfancied teams

Only one team on that list has never played in a European Championships final.

And only 2 have never won it and again, it's not Greece or Czech Republic.

[Maguire]

unfancied teams

Only one team on that list has never played in a European Championships final.

And only 2 have never won it and again, it's not Greece or Czech Republic.

Czech Republic have never won it....

[TBM]

Czech Republic have never won it....

Or is it cos they were Czechoslovakia back then?

[Maguire]

Czech Republic have never won it....

Or is it cos they were Czechoslovakia back then?

well done

[paultheroyal]

Milner to do a Ronaldo and wind his team mate up i.e. Balotelli, Rooney to chip in and red card shown to Balotelli!! Wont take much.

[Hoop Blah]

See, Cassano and Balatelli just don't give me much of a fear factor. Decent players of course, and Pirlo is still a clever player, but not the threat he was a few years back from what I've seem of him.

Hope Roy and his boys think the same (although I doubt it) then we stand a better chance from the start.

Cassano and Balotelli will give Terry and Lescott nightmares with their movement, always thinking a few steps ahead, always on the move and attacking from all angles.

I don't think either are as good individually as Ibrahimavich or Benzema or as as a pairing as the threat from the French forward line and, apart from a few long shots, neither caused them too much hassle. Balatelli isn't all that, despite what he might think, and I don't think Lescott will too worried by him (if he plays that is, wasn't left out for the last game?).

As for Pirlo, he dominated the midfield against a Spain team that had the Barcelona quartet and has laid on 3 of Italys 4 goals (assisted 2, scored 1) so not the same threat?

I'm not saying he isn't good, I just don't think he's as good a player as he was. His return in assists and goals is obviously helped by his role in the side and how he dictates things. I do worry he'll have a few too many cheap chances to shoot from distance, England's weakness so far IMO, but if he plays as deep as he traditionally has done then he shouldn't worry Hart too much. He is still Italy's key man though and it may need Rooney to keep an eye on him if we don't want to give him too much time on the ball whilst we sit so deep.

I only see us being weak in defence when comparing our team with England, seeing as our best defender is likely out of the game with an injury (Chiellini) although it looks like Barzagli will come back so at least we have a defender for a defender replacement.

This is probably the weakest Italian defence I can remember. I'm not sure we have that much up top to trouble them too much, but we'll see. I can't see it being a high scoring game.

[Mr Angry]

I can easily see the England v Italy game going to penalties.

[Hoop Blah]

I only see us being weak in defence when comparing our team with England, seeing as our best defender is likely out of the game with an injury (Chiellini) although it looks like Barzagli will come back so at least we have a defender for a defender replacement.

This is probably the weakest Italian defence I can remember. I'm not sure we have that much up top to trouble them too much, but we'll see. I can't see it being a high scoring game.

Oddly, that defence has apparently been setting new records for lack of goals conceeded during qualification, only letting in two goals (quite a weak group though I'd have said).

Penalties it is then!

[Zaretsky]

I'd penalties looks probable. A word of caution to those who'd say 'this isn't the team that won the world cup' - that team wasn't very fancied either after the match fixing scandals. Chiellini will be a big loss though (arguably the single best performance of the tournament against Spain, last time around).

I also loved the fact that the BBC commentators were talking about Balotelli as though he's the only wildcard/maverick and didn't make any mention of Cassano's antics. Dismiss those two at your peril.

[Gordons Cumming]

The way I see it...........

1) Balotelli is a twat. Waste of space and wouldn't have him anywhere near my team.

2) Italy will have most of possession and we'll try to hit them on the break.

3) Walcott or Oxdale-Chamberlain will start.

4) Our parked buses will get a parking ticket.

[blindedbythelights]

[John Madejski's Wallet]

[Gordons Cumming]

Idiot.

Why is it always him?

[Compo's Hat]

Have a strange feeling the Czech's might do something tonight.

England's problem is dealing with Pirlo. The two central midfielders are likely to sit deep so does that mean Rooney picks him up without the ball? Have to say Italy do lack a plan b so far inthis tournament despite changing formations in the last game.

[Gordons Cumming]

Maybe it was first to 50 and he won?

[southbank1871]

Bit scrappy so far, can't see past a Portugal victory in this one, I'm going 2-1.

[soggy biscuit]

Why is this commentator pronouncing every s in a Portuguese players name as a sh?

[TBM]

Yeah I noticshed that