Italia

[forzainter257]

Sweden who lost to Georgia 2-0 is a tough team?

Sweden who defeated Spain

 

[Candreva Crosses]

Sweden who defeated Spain

Defeated Nah, I'll just enjoy the hype about my own country.

 

[FairyTailed]

Maybe because you choke when it gets real? Like teams in Serie A trying to win Serie A these last 10 years e.g. Napoli.

I'm not sure if we actually choke. We just aren't good enough. Under Wilmots we had a peanut brain coach, under Martinez a decent one. Our main squad is (was) really good, but bench was always kind of empty. I'd say our 2-3 loss against France after being 2-0 ahead was an insane choke, but that's a very recent game. Our other tourney choke is vs Wales in like 2016 but that was under Wilmots. One of the worst coaches in existence.

Our 1-0 loss to France and 2-1 to Italy were actually 'fine' games. We just weren't better. We also beat Brazil in that World Cup and came back after almost choking vs Japan. I think how far we got as a squad in those tourneys is fair. Maybe we just never had that extra bit of luck needed.

It might just be Martinez way of offensive play that makes us not lose almost any of the qualifier games. We often play 3-2-5 all game long with even our slow defenders pushing above the half way line.

Anyway, I don't expect anything from us at Qatar - but it'll probably be sad to see the last tournament of our true golden generation. After this it will be back to mediocrity.

 

[thatdude]

I’ve never understood why winning Euros, Copa America, Gold Cup, etc. didn’t qualify you for the next World Cup.

 

[RickyMaravilla'sRightFoot]

I’ve never understood why winning Euros, Copa America, Gold Cup, etc. didn’t qualify you for the next World Cup.

Was just wondering the same. The confederation cup is/ was so stupid (does it even exist anymore)?

 

[ADRossi]

Was just wondering the same. The confederation cup is/ was so stupid (does it even exist anymore)?

No, it's gone forever

 

[FCBarca]

- 6 top seeds* from qualifying play their first match at Home
- Group final venues to be determined by additional draw


Pot 1 of top seeds - divided into 3 groups of semifinals
North Macedonia*
Portugal*
Poland*
Russia*
Scotland*
Italy*

Pot 2 of away NTs
Turkey
Wales
Sweden
Austria
Czech Republic
Ukraine




Only 3 sides to advance to WC after winning 2 matches. Draw on November 26 and playoffs to be played March 24-29, 2022

 

[forzainter257]

It will be tragicomical if Italy, after the European Champions crown and that record breaking streak fails to qualify to the WC. Imagine finishing second in the group and meeting Portugal on playoffs... ffs Giorginho

So this is it.. Italy is to play vs Portugal in final, if they pass North Macedonia and Turkey respectively in semis.

 

[ElDuccio]

 

[RickyMaravilla'sRightFoot]

For fuck sake

 

[Jnr]

I bet Jorginho won't be a penalty taker ANY MOOORE.

 

[brakbrak]

Fucking Jorginho, can't stand having 2 WC in a row without Italy.

 

[thatdude]

A World Cup without Messi or Ronaldo can’t happen. Italy better watch out, the fix is in

 

[crzdcolombian]

A World Cup without Messi or Ronaldo can’t happen. Italy better watch out, the fix is in

Portugal is a shit team with 1 god like player…. Argentina is a god like team with 1 godlike player that makes them a shit team.

I’d take CR7 over any other player ever. Even when he isn’t on the field he makes that team better.

On paper Italy is better they just have to prove it.

The teams aren’t fixed because pot A is a joke….

 

[Candreva Crosses]

Portugal is a shit team with 1 god like player…. Argentina is a god like team with 1 godlike player that makes them a shit team.

I’d take CR7 over any other player ever. Even when he isn’t on the field he makes that team better.

On paper Italy is better they just have to prove it.

The teams aren’t fixed because pot A is a joke….

Did you ever watch a Juve game these last 3 years with Cristiano?

 

[CafeCordoba]

Did you ever watch a Juve game these last 3 years with Cristiano?

Did you ever watch a Juve game this season without Cristiano? At least there's some real struggle to score goals.

 

[brakbrak]

Did you ever watch a Juve game this season without Cristiano? At least there's some real struggle to score goals.

Thats why I never agreed with the bullshit narrative that Ronaldo is hindering their performance. I don't like the dude at all but you know he can always deliver.

Juve is missing him

 

[CafeCordoba]

Yeah. I was a bit on that train in his Juve years but the truth is it was the other guys who were lacking quality. They cost a lot but don't bring enough to the table. Now there's no Ronaldo and still not enough is brought to the table.

 

[brehme1989]

The narrative is that Juventus obtained Cristiano at the expense of destroying their functional midfield, which was one of the best in Europe at the time.

You cannot be serious going with Rabiot, Bentancur, McKennie, Arthur Ramsey and Locatelli...

That's like us with Brozovic, Valero, Gagliardini, Vecino and I'll even add Rafinha to the mix. Still not good enough.

 

[CafeCordoba]

Narrative is Cristiano was bought to win the CL for Juve. But the issue was then they didn't have funds to reinforce the midfield for real. And they went for these free agents like Rabiot and Ramsey (and spent money on their huge salaries).

I don't think anyone has claimed Juve had a functional midfield before Cristiano (and they didn't have Rabiot, Ramsey, McKennie, Locatelli back then).

Or did I misunderstand your point?