Official World Cup Thread

[mg91]

I didn't say the attack was poor, just that it was Italy's weakest part of the team, which I think is hard to disagree with.

 

[RipCity32]

I didn't say the attack was poor, just that it was Italy's weakest part of the team, which I think is hard to disagree with.

Was just throwing that statement out there. But you are right, and I think most Italy supporters would agree.
Not nearly the firepower we had 4 years ago. Lot of youth though, so we will see how they do.

 

[sheed]

Yeah, we wanted to move on with younger guys, seeing as our core is already old as hell. But I have a lot of faith in Iaquinta and Di Natale as I stated before. Of course Gilardino will have a solid run this year.

 

[Mooche]

I guess I could agree it was a bit better. However, guys like Luca Toni played horrid and were a complete disappointment. For a big man... he has the mentality of a cream puff. I hope that this crop can truly prove people wrong like I said earlier, of course it is the weak link of the team - but what do Italian sides base their strengths on? Strong defensive play. They have the defensive core and the mid-field to go far.

 

[The Guid]

It doesn't matter how they played in the last World Cup (keep in mind that was 4 years ago) or how they are known to play....if they play like they did this season, it's not going anywhere fast.

 

[mg91]

Fair point Moore, but a lot of these players are another four years older.

Today they lost to Mexico playing a rather strong line up.

Not taking Cassano makes zero sense. He's attitude sucks balls, but he is better than any of the strikers taken along, and if you want to be a successful coach, you can't be emotionally involved when you're making team selections. I think Lippi made a mistake not taking him.

But on the case of being emotionally involved/sentimental, I think that outside of Cassano this is going to hurt Italy. I think Lippi will be sticking with largely the same side that won it last time which to my mind is a detriment to a side that boasts some fantastic younger midfielders. Palombo, Montolivo and Marchisio are all good young twenty somethings who have not been used enough by the Italian manager during qualification and friendlies, and I think that will hurt them at this World Cup, because when they are needed they will lack that vital experience. The amount of caps a player like Palombo has at 29 is ridiculous. I understand the quality of Pirlo and Gattusso, but this is a player who can prove a real quality player, much in Gatusso's mold, yet he only has 15 or so caps. How confident is Lippi going to be in his ability and experience on the biggest stage? When you take out De Rossi, Camoranesi, Gattuso and Pirlo, (admittedly the core of the side, but remember if one of these players are injured they need to be replaced by someone) the other midfielders only have 21 caps between them, give or take. It suggests a huge reliance on players who are for the most part in their 30s and surely can't be expected to play 90 minutes in every game over such a short amount of time, which is what you need from your best players at a World Cup.

Compare this with a manager like Cappello who has ensured that all his squad have a good ammount of caps underneath their belt.

Italy have surprised before, but I think the semis is as good as it's going to get for them this year.

EDIT: MOOCHE! lol sorry, I dunno where Moore came from.

 

[The Guid]

Drogba fractured his elbow and will miss the entire World Cup


...so much for Ivory Coast, huh?

 

[Mooche]

Yup. I'd say they are done.

 

[cruzg24]

Englands Rio Ferdinand is also out.

 

[mg91]

I'm <Censored>ing gutted.

Steven Gerrard is now captain. I don't think I can support a team where he is the leader. I'll be cheering for Rooney and Michael Carrick, but should they actually pull it off, I won't be watching when that piece of scum lifts the cup.

Condolences to Rio. I'm absolutely gutted for him.

Heskey you clumsy prick. It's called training! Generally you hold back on the tackles a bit, especially on the bloody captain.

Pirlo has also picked up an injury and is also a doubt.

 

[sheed]

Yeah Pirlo and Camoranesi are injured. They might play, they might not. I have a very strong feeling this will be Spain's year. They are healthy and looking real good.

 

[The Guid]

This might be Montolivo's chance to shine...him and Marchisio need to be the creativity in midfield.

 

[mg91]

Agreed, but I think Lippi's refusal to rotate these players is going to bite him on the ass now.

 

[The Guid]

That's an understatement man. I loved the guys that played in 06 but this team needed to start fresh in the Confederations Cup and WC Qualifiers. Unfortunately, he didn't do enough of it in either. Cammoranesi, Zambrotta, and Iaquinta shouldn't have made the team. All 3 have been shells of their former selves. Yet guys like Candreva, Cossu, Cassani, and Rossi were all left off.

 

[mg91]

Yep, ah well, can't win 'em all.

Australia's about to take on the US.

Come on Aussies!!!!!

 

[cruzg24]

USA beating Australia 2-1.

 

[mg91]

It's been a good game. Both teams getting forward and attacking.

We've been very poor in defence. We haven't conceded 2 goals in one game in quite a while.

The guy that has scored your two goal has been very good.

 

[cruzg24]

Its good for USA to play at a high altitude because we need to prepare for those conditions during World Cup.

 

[The Guid]

Damn, I thought this was later on...I wanted to watch

 

[mg91]

Game over.

US much better than us. It's gonna be a short World Cup for Australia.