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- May 6, 2016
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- raiden
Initially I was very anti the new format with 24 teams.However what this did was to ensure the last matchday of the group stages still had all teams fighting to qualify.In 16 team tournaments I recall quite a few groups being over on Matchday 2 with 2 teams having won their opening games or with 4 points but now even the team which hadn't got a single point was in with a chance of qualification and that made the last matchday very interesting.
On this game itself I feel Conte should take the blame for not changing his tactics and not being brave enough in extra time.My mind goes back to 2006 with both teams at 0-0 and Lippi was brave enough to send in Del Piero and Gilardino [was it?] and Italy went forward and ensured there were no penalties and won thanks to Grosso[and then we gave him a contract and he turned out to be nothing special] as well as Del Piero.I was wondering if Conte would be brave enough and bring in El Sharawyy and Bernardeshi/Insigne and make it 3-4-3 in extra time but instead he was timid and hoped to get lucky on penalties.Imo too many managers are timid in extra time because if they lose on penalties they can blame fate/luck/lottery of the penalties and get away with making speeches about bravery/character/spirit like Conte did later on.
This imo was a German squad that was there for the taking psychologically in extra time with all that burden of not having beaten Italy ever and Italy blew it.
PS- Camoranesi and Perotta [both midfielders] were taken off and 2 forwards Del Piero and Iaquinta were brought in with Gilardino having come in earlier for Toni! Italy had Gilardino,Del Piero,Totti,Iaquinta playing the whole of the 2nd period of extra time!
On this game itself I feel Conte should take the blame for not changing his tactics and not being brave enough in extra time.My mind goes back to 2006 with both teams at 0-0 and Lippi was brave enough to send in Del Piero and Gilardino [was it?] and Italy went forward and ensured there were no penalties and won thanks to Grosso[and then we gave him a contract and he turned out to be nothing special] as well as Del Piero.I was wondering if Conte would be brave enough and bring in El Sharawyy and Bernardeshi/Insigne and make it 3-4-3 in extra time but instead he was timid and hoped to get lucky on penalties.Imo too many managers are timid in extra time because if they lose on penalties they can blame fate/luck/lottery of the penalties and get away with making speeches about bravery/character/spirit like Conte did later on.
This imo was a German squad that was there for the taking psychologically in extra time with all that burden of not having beaten Italy ever and Italy blew it.
PS- Camoranesi and Perotta [both midfielders] were taken off and 2 forwards Del Piero and Iaquinta were brought in with Gilardino having come in earlier for Toni! Italy had Gilardino,Del Piero,Totti,Iaquinta playing the whole of the 2nd period of extra time!