Euro 2020

[IthacaMatt]

England still has to get past the Danish feel good story first.The Danes are playing really good football right now as well.

Southgate has been setting them up very defensively, and they have been amazing in that regard. It has cost them much in the attack, though.

Switching from essentially 7 defenders to "only" 6 free up that extra guy in attack, created more combinations, more possibilities, and they crushed Ukraine. I think against Denmark, he does the same and plays 4-2-3-1. It gives Kane more support, keeps him a bit farther up the pitch, where he's more dangerous.

What's happening to Kane is what happened to Rooney, slightly before his decline as an elite striker; he started playing deeper and deeper in midfield, trying to find the game.

But for now, it gets someone like Grealish or Mount or Foden into the game against Denmark. Those guys create moments.

If they get by Denmark, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see them return to 3 center backs and 2 holding midfielders (7 at the back, essentially), and play a defensive struggle against Italy, whose defense has also been lights out. England has the speed and quality to hit on the break a bit more than Italy does. I think England's finishers are better.

 

[Noexcuse]

Southgate has been setting them up very defensively, and they have been amazing in that regard. It has cost them much in the attack, though.

Switching from essentially 7 defenders to "only" 6 free up that extra guy in attack, created more combinations, more possibilities, and they crushed Ukraine. I think against Denmark, he does the same and plays 4-2-3-1. It gives Kane more support, keeps him a bit farther up the pitch, where he's more dangerous.

What's happening to Kane is what happened to Rooney, slightly before his decline as an elite striker; he started playing deeper and deeper in midfield, trying to find the game.

But for now, it gets someone like Grealish or Mount or Foden into the game against Denmark. Those guys create moments.

If they get by Denmark, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see them return to 3 center backs and 2 holding midfielders (7 at the back, essentially), and play a defensive struggle against Italy, whose defense has also been lights out. England has the speed and quality to hit on the break a bit more than Italy does. I think England's finishers are better.

Italy needs to find an elite finisher before World Cup to be considered a serious contender. There are a number of younger players coming up through the ranks who may be the answer but it’s hard to imagine they will emerge before next year. I know it’s fashionable to criticize Immobile but he’s been pretty terrible at the international level. Balotelli was the great hope but such a wasted talent. Esposito if he keeps pace is probably 3 years away. Scamacca is a possibility, he just needs more run. If Italy’s midfield is at full strength I think their short quick passes will put a lot of stress on the England defense.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Italy needs to find an elite finisher before World Cup to be considered a serious contender. There are a number of younger players coming up through the ranks who may be the answer but it’s hard to imagine they will emerge before next year. I know it’s fashionable to criticize Immobile but he’s been pretty terrible at the international level. Balotelli was the great hope but such a wasted talent. Esposito if he keeps pace is probably 3 years away. Scamacca is a possibility, he just needs more run. If Italy’s midfield is at full strength I think their short quick passes will put a lot of stress on the England defense.

If we can make the finals of the Euros, we can certainly make the World Cup Final. The World Cup is basically the Euros' serious contenders plus Argentina and Brazil.

What I think you are suggesting is that we need an elite finisher at the #9, rather than an elite finisher in general. We have any number of elite finishers in the midfield, at present, as illustrated by some of the goals that we have scored in this tournament. We could use an elite finisher at the #9 as neither Immobile nor Bellotti are going to make us forget Schillaci or Rossi anytime soon.

The international game does not set up well for Immobile, especially with Italy dominating possession and the other team tending to bunker and trying to strike on the counter. Ironically, yesterday's game was tailor-made for Immobile, with Spain playing high pressure with a very high line, but a striker is only as good as his service and yesterday's was awful.

Credit Spain. The Barella-Verratti-Jorginho trident is really good and there was simply no possession to be had. I thought Spain would have more possession but I was thinking 55-45/60-40, not 70-30.

I really think Italy missed Spinazzola yesterday and will miss him in the final, regardless of whom Italy plays.

He and Insignie complement each other really well. Insignie's strength is cutting inside and either shooting, combining or providing the final ball. Spinazzola effectively functioned as the winger. Spinazzola was never doubled so he always had a 1 v 1 match-up. Conversely, his mere presence on the wing afforded Insignie more space to cut inside. I don't think it was a coincidence that Insignie was not nearly as effective yesterday as he was in prior games.

 

[Noexcuse]

If we can make the finals of the Euros, we can certainly make the World Cup Final. The World Cup is basically the Euros' serious contenders plus Argentina and Brazil.

What I think you are suggesting is that we need an elite finisher at the #9, rather than an elite finisher in general. We have any number of elite finishers in the midfield, at present, as illustrated by some of the goals that we have scored in this tournament. We could use an elite finisher at the #9 as neither Immobile nor Bellotti are going to make us forget Schillaci or Rossi anytime soon.

The international game does not set up well for Immobile, especially with Italy dominating possession and the other team tending to bunker and trying to strike on the counter. Ironically, yesterday's game was tailor-made for Immobile, with Spain playing high pressure with a very high line, but a striker is only as good as his service and yesterday's was awful.

Credit Spain. The Barella-Verratti-Jorginho trident is really good and there was simply no possession to be had. I thought Spain would have more possession but I was thinking 55-45/60-40, not 70-30.

I really think Italy missed Spinazzola yesterday and will miss him in the final, regardless of whom Italy plays.

He and Insignie complement each other really well. Insignie's strength is cutting inside and either shooting, combining or providing the final ball. Spinazzola effectively functioned as the winger. Spinazzola was never doubled so he always had a 1 v 1 match-up. Conversely, his mere presence on the wing afforded Insignie more space to cut inside. I don't think it was a coincidence that Insignie was not nearly as effective yesterday as he was in prior games.

Yes at the 9. Agree on Spina. Also adept at winning back the ball which is not something Emerson is particularly good at. Barella and Veratti were run ragged chasing the ball yesterday. I don’t think we will see that on Sunday. I also think Italy miss Florenzi on the right. He was in excellent form going into the tournament and was linking up well with the Berardi on that side of the field before he got hurt.

 

[CanadianSU]

If we can make the finals of the Euros, we can certainly make the World Cup Final. The World Cup is basically the Euros' serious contenders plus Argentina and Brazil.

What I think you are suggesting is that we need an elite finisher at the #9, rather than an elite finisher in general. We have any number of elite finishers in the midfield, at present, as illustrated by some of the goals that we have scored in this tournament. We could use an elite finisher at the #9 as neither Immobile nor Bellotti are going to make us forget Schillaci or Rossi anytime soon.

The international game does not set up well for Immobile, especially with Italy dominating possession and the other team tending to bunker and trying to strike on the counter. Ironically, yesterday's game was tailor-made for Immobile, with Spain playing high pressure with a very high line, but a striker is only as good as his service and yesterday's was awful.

Credit Spain. The Barella-Verratti-Jorginho trident is really good and there was simply no possession to be had. I thought Spain would have more possession but I was thinking 55-45/60-40, not 70-30.

I really think Italy missed Spinazzola yesterday and will miss him in the final, regardless of whom Italy plays.

He and Insignie complement each other really well. Insignie's strength is cutting inside and either shooting, combining or providing the final ball. Spinazzola effectively functioned as the winger. Spinazzola was never doubled so he always had a 1 v 1 match-up. Conversely, his mere presence on the wing afforded Insignie more space to cut inside. I don't think it was a coincidence that Insignie was not nearly as effective yesterday as he was in prior games.

Yeah. On the whole if Italy can win the euro they are easily my favourite to win the World Cup.

 

[CanadianSU]

While Denmark are underdogs yes they are literally tenth in the world. Don’t think the rankings are accurate but still.

 

[CanadianSU]

Weird half from Pickford but I truely believe that’s a belter from Damsgaard. Nobody stopping that.

 

[CuseLegacy]

England is fun to watch. Nice ball control and passing.

 

[creatorsgam]

Clear PK. Wow.

 

[creatorsgam]

HARRY KANE!

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[creatorsgam]

George “The Animal” Steele looks good for his age.

 

[CanadianSU]

Horrid. Horrid call. That ruined a great game up to that point.

haven’t seen anyone of my footy friends say that was a pen.

 

[creatorsgam]

Horrid. Horrid call. That ruined a great game up to that point.

haven’t seen anyone of my footy friends say that was a pen.

Questioning the pk is fine. “Horrid call” is a bit much for me.

Somewhat ironically the typical theatrics from the Italians, whom have perfected the art of the dive and how to earn a call from/influence the center official, pale by comparison. Makes sense for the final then.

 

[CanadianSU]

Questioning the pk is fine. “Horrid call” is a bit much for me.

Somewhat ironically the typical theatrics from the Italians, whom have perfected the art of the dive and how to earn a call from/influence the center official, pale by comparison. Makes sense for the final then.

I think it was a clear dive. But yeh ur last paragraph is true for sure.

 

[Noexcuse]

I think it was a clear dive. But yeh ur last paragraph is true for sure.

Thanks Maradona (rip).

 

[creatorsgam]

I think it was a clear dive. But yeh ur last paragraph is true for sure.

I was on the phone with a car dealership, so my overall take isn’t strong.

 

[Noexcuse]

England is fun to watch. Nice ball control and passing.

Should be a good game on Sunday. Both teams seem to overcome their previous reputations.

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[rrlbees]

I was on the phone with a car dealership, so my overall take isn’t strong.

Talking to CR huh?

 

[creatorsgam]

Talking to CR huh?

Built a fire in the pit, cracked a beer, waiting for Elsa to come, took out my phone and genuinely lol’d.

Well done, Bees.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Horrid. Horrid call. That ruined a great game up to that point.

haven’t seen anyone of my footy friends say that was a pen.

It was soft, but Denmark were dead men walking in extra time. England would have scored anyway, aside from the penalty.

 

[CanadianSU]

It was soft, but Denmark were dead men walking in extra time. England would have scored anyway, aside from the penalty.

Maybe/probably. But just maybe they could have won penalties, I would have fancied Kasper over Pickford.

it was a bad way to end a great game quite frankly there isn’t much way to spin it in my opinion at least. If I was Danish I’d be a bit upset a remarkable run ended on that.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Maybe/probably. But just maybe they could have won penalties, I would have fancied Kasper over Pickford.

it was a bad way to end a great game quite frankly there isn’t much way to spin it in my opinion at least. If I was Danish I’d be a bit upset a remarkable run ended on that.

I agree about Kasper being better than Pickford at stopping penalties; we saw him stop Kane's attempt.

But there were still around 20 minutes left after Kane's penalty, and Sterling was running past guys like they were standing still. I think an England goal was very likely, had they not somewhat taken their foot off the gas. They looked much better conditioned than Denmark and much fresher, despite Denmark using all their subs.

 

[kirbivore]

Talking to CR huh?