Italy's 33 game unbeaten record

Uwefuchs said:
Italy have probably looked the best team over 6 games in this tournament, saying that they looked tired against Spain and I don't think they've ever looked unbeatable.
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The way I see Italy is they play a high pressure, high tempo game. As the tournament continues they have less in the tank to keep that up. They couldn't do it for 90 mins anyway, now it looks like they can only do it for 60.

We on the other hand are very good at tiring teams out, it's why we get stronger. We are good at switching and working the legs out of the other team. Sterling, Saka, Sancho, when they make their runs with the ball down the flanks it really forces the whole opposition into a sprint to get their back line in a safe position and shut the gaps between their defence and midfield. every dribble and sprint we make will take a bit out of their legs. We also are happy to keep the pitch very big and use that to keep moving the other team.

If we can get through 60mins even then I make us favourites. If we get to 60 mins a goal down, we need to make the right subs at the right time, and not allow them to fall over and win free kicks and roll around. If they score twice in the first 60 then we're clearly in massive trouble and probably can't get out of it, but you never know.
 
red_harrington said:
That goal against Czech where there was an incredible first time cross from Maehle with the outside of his boot was goal of the tournament for me

www.bbc.co.uk

Denmark edge Czech Republic to reach semi-finals

Watch highlights as Kasper Dolberg's well-timed strike helped Denmark beat Czech Republic 2-1 to advance to the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
www.bbc.co.uk

See 1:30
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Yeah that was a fantastic goal.

Maybe its a bit harsh calling them toothless, maybe we played a part in neutralising them.

I just felt that we could have defended 10 yards higher up the pitch at stages yesterday especially earlier in the game, they had no real pace up front and when they did have possession I never felt overly worried.

I don't know if we gave them too much respect or the nerves played a part, but once we went behind we showed that we were capable of controlling the game and creating chances once we upped the tempo.
 
BoroMart said:
If we can get through 60mins even then I make us favourites. If we get to 60 mins a goal down, we need to make the right subs at the right time, and not allow them to fall over and win free kicks and roll around. If they score twice in the first 60 then we're clearly in massive trouble and probably can't get out of it, but you never know.
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I think if we go behind it will be very difficult, the first goal is key.

I watched Italy's game against Spain and their weakness looks like it might be defending against pace from deep areas. If we can get Sterling/Saka/Foden etc running beyond Kane then we might be able to create a few things. I think they'll thrive off defending crosses into the box.

I like Rice and Phillips but I don't think they had their best games last night and they got caught out of position a few times. I think Italy will be looking at that area of the pitch as something they can exploit, thats an area where we need to play really well.
 
Uwefuchs said:
I watched Italy's game against Spain and their weakness looks like it might be defending against pace from deep areas. If we can get Sterling/Saka/Foden etc running beyond Kane then we might be able to create a few things. I think they'll thrive off defending crosses into the box
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Agreed, they read the game so well....but dead ball is a different kettle of fish as the 2 CBs might not be the ones marking our danger men and even if they are they don't get to read the game from a deadball, it's more about reacting dynamically and not getting blocked off and that's where the old warrior might just struggle a bit
 
Kowalski said:
Good post.They are a very good team, however if Kane is not bullied by their old centre halves, England have a strong chance. Also if there is a strong referee who can see through all the playacting and diving from both teams.
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I hope it’s the German ref who did the the game against Ukraine, probably the best in the world at the moment.
 
BoroMart said:
The way I see Italy is they play a high pressure, high tempo game. As the tournament continues they have less in the tank to keep that up. They couldn't do it for 90 mins anyway, now it looks like they can only do it for 60.

We on the other hand are very good at tiring teams out, it's why we get stronger. We are good at switching and working the legs out of the other team. Sterling, Saka, Sancho, when they make their runs with the ball down the flanks it really forces the whole opposition into a sprint to get their back line in a safe position and shut the gaps between their defence and midfield. every dribble and sprint we make will take a bit out of their legs. We also are happy to keep the pitch very big and use that to keep moving the other team.

If we can get through 60mins even then I make us favourites. If we get to 60 mins a goal down, we need to make the right subs at the right time, and not allow them to fall over and win free kicks and roll around. If they score twice in the first 60 then we're clearly in massive trouble and probably can't get out of it, but you never know.
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They were fortunate to beat Austria
 
I predicted Italy would win it from the start - obviously I hope I'm proved wrong on Sunday
They are definitely beatable. They were not great against Austria , and as Coluka said losing Spinazzola will be a big loss - though they did ok without him against Spain
COME ON ENGLAND!!!!
 
3 of the 4 semi finalists are still in transition and not the finished article, I think Italy, England and Spain will be contesting the next 3 major competitions. All three sides have quality young players and are improving but not yet the finished article
 
I watched them in their warm-up games and said at the time they looked very good, albeit against opposition who they arguably should beat. Granted the 4-0 win over the Czech's was decent even though I thought at the time the Czech's fielded a sub par team. Nonetheless, they somehow beat Spain where you could argue they looked second rate, more worrying is whether or not Cheisa can last 60 minutes never mind 90 as he was holding his hamstring in the semi-final win, but in saying that it's the final where literally anything can happen and let's face it Italy are probably the more seasoned opponents even though they failed to qualify for the past two knockout competitions.
 
Im queitly confident.
I think we are quick enough to cause them problems, we have a lot of strength on the bench and now we seem to be able to keep the ball when we need too.
Playing in front of a home crowd will help.
Going to be close but England 1-0
 
We have reached the final and this is something I doubted I would ever see again in my lifetime. The Italians are a world class team and if they win we have still achieved so much to be proud of. The rest of the UK and Ireland will no doubt celebrate our defeat, but this is nothing less than envy and hatred. I am so nervous I may even watch the other side and keep switching over. That is how bad my nerves get. If we win I will be the happiest man alive. If we lose I will be proud that we will have our name as runners up in this years final. And nobody can ever take that away from us. At the start of the tournament I hope, just like everyone else, that we will reach the final. But deep down I know I will be disappointed as we have been here so many times before. It is the hope that usually kills you. This time is different. This time we have put our name on the world football stage.
 
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I didn't even know about the record coming into it. I imagine you could have got good odds on them winning it. Definitely not overly fancied.
 
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