World Cup 2018

[Dirk]

I prefer the Italian national side to the Swedish one and I would have liked to see Buffon at one last World Cup.

I wrote it before that Gigi Buffon is the only one I feel sorry for. He's a true ambassador of football, a sportsman and gentleman thoroughly. You could see this yesterday again, applauding the swedish hymn when many idiot fans of Italy began booing and after the match congratulating the swedish players. I'll miss him in the Italian goal ... but....and that's a big "But": I never miss Italy at a tournament and players like Chiellini can piss off

The real question is wheter Zlatan will try to steal one more moment in the national spotlight or whether he will stay retired.

Nah, he won't do this, will he? Sneaking through the backdoor into a tournament.? That would've no class. The Swedes qualified without him, he was shit at the Euros so Rest in Peace, Zlatan (at country level I mean )

 

[Stevencc]

I wrote it before that Gigi Buffon is the only one I feel sorry for. He's a true ambassador of football, a sportsman and gentleman thoroughly. You could see this yesterday again, applauding the swedish hymn when many idiot fans of Italy began booing and after the match congratulating the swedish players. I'll miss him in the Italian goal ... but....and that's a big "But": I never miss Italy at a tournament and players like Chiellini can piss off



Nah, he won't do this, will he? Sneaking through the backdoor into a tournament.? That would've no class. The Swedes qualified without him, he was shit at the Euros so Rest in Peace, Zlatan (at country level I mean )

Why do you dislike the Italian national team so strongly? Italy is a great footballing nation with a (mostly) proud history!

There has already been talk from Zlatan's agent, Mino Raiola, about "delivering" Ibrahimović to the World Cup.

 

[TheMinsterman]

Why do you dislike the Italian national team so strongly? Italy is a great footballing nation with a (mostly) proud history!

There has already been talk from Zlatan's agent, Mino Raiola, about "delivering" Ibrahimović to the World Cup.

*sweeping generalisation time* Dirk is German no? They are rivals and don't get along, there was lots of shenanigans in 2006 when Italy eventually knocked them out.

 

[Dirk]

*sweeping generalisation time* Dirk is German no? They are rivals and don't get along, there was lots of shenanigans in 2006 when Italy eventually knocked them out.

Exactly. This goes a long way back. The matches between our teams were always hard fought (the 3-4 a.e.t at the World Cup 1970 still counts for us as the "match of the century". After the 3-2 win against England in the Quarters we were so convinced to reach the final but then....Italy, always Italy. We couldn't beat them in a competition match (only in friendlies, although we are normally shite in friendlies but if it is against Italy even a friendly is like a competition match). At the Euro 2016 we could beat them for the first time in a tournament (although only in a penalty shootout. Even here we nearly failed but thank god Italy was even worse at that day from the spot). Then there's the Mönchengladbach vs Inter Milan match that is still not forgotten here (Gladbach won 7-1 but the result was later annulled because Milan's Boninsegna was hit and the game had to be replayed at another venue ( only 0-0) and so much more between our clubs in the past

btw: I don't hate Italy as a country (on the contrary). It's better to say that I don't like the Italian football clubs and their national team. Hate in the words meaning has no place in football (or elsewhere) for me.
I really like the country, the food etc. But when it comes to football, they are archrivals on club and country level.

 

[Stevencc]

So it's more to do with how good they are or have been historically than their behaviour or anything you find intrinsically unpalatable about them?

That's fair enough - you are the two most successful national sides in Europe.

 

[Dirk]

Of course it's about that and that they often had the extra portion luck in the matches against us (clubs and country). They were not often the better team ( tbh in the World Cup Final 1982 we had no chance at all ) but won nonetheless. We often have the impression when a (tournament) game is "on a knife edge" between us (and nearly all of them are that) they are on the receiving end one way or the other. I've never a problem to accept a loss when we are outplayed and normally I am the first to congratulate but I do it seldom after matches against Italy.
So you can understand how we felt at the Euro2016 when the long drought at tournaments finally ended (from 1970-2016, so there's still hope for England then that your long drought from 1966 on will end sometimes too.... ). So enough from me now of the rivalry between Italy and Germany (please note: only in football)

 

[SALTIRE]

Catenaccio football, diving, cheating, procrastinating, bungs, only playing when they have to, influencing the ref to get players sent off; they are needing a kick up the arse. Also the fact I've fell out with my twat of an Italian brother-in-law edges it for me too.

 

[Stevencc]

Catenaccio football, diving, cheating, procrastinating, bungs, only playing when they have to, influencing the ref to get players sent off; they are needing a kick up the arse. Also the fact I've fell out with my twat of an Italian brother-in-law edges it for me too.

And we arrive at the crux of the matter!

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Tbh, Italy have been useless the last two tournaments and they're rarely much fun to watch even when they're good. Won't miss 'em.

 

[Leewilson]

We bemoan our own options compared to countries like France, Germany, Spain etc, but then you look at how far Italy and Netherlands have fallen. Italy were starting a guy up front who's barely scored for Southampton in the last 6 playing months. Then you look at the fact Buffon, Chiellani, Barzagli and De Rossi are now retiring with very little on the horizon. It's not looking great for them. Then you come to the Dutch who look even weaker in the long run. Could be a while before we see both of these at a World Cup again with only top guaranteed qualification. Euros are a bit easier to qualify for so I imagine we'll see at least 1 at the 2020 tournament.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

There's only one more World Cup (2022) before it's also expanded (to 48 in 2026), isn't there? Qualification for both tournaments is going to be boring as fuck when those changes kick in and I suspect big nations won't have too much trouble making it to the finals.

 

[SALTIRE]

We bemoan our own options compared to countries like France, Germany, Spain etc, but then you look at how far Italy and Netherlands have fallen. Italy were starting a guy up front who's barely scored for Southampton in the last 6 playing months. Then you look at the fact Buffon, Chiellani, Barzagli and De Rossi are now retiring with very little on the horizon. It's not looking great for them. Then you come to the Dutch who look even weaker in the long run. Could be a while before we see both of these at a World Cup again with only top guaranteed qualification. Euros are a bit easier to qualify for so I imagine we'll see at least 1 at the 2020 tournament.

That's a good point. Buffon was quite optimistic about the youth coming through, and in his case there is indeed a natural successor to him in Donnarumma; however, behind that? Sure there will be one or two real talents there, but looking from the outside, there doesn't seem to be the strength in depth of youth players coming in which Germany, Spain, France, Belgium and England currently enjoy.

I think it could indeed be a barren few years for Italy and it could be a blessing in disguise for them, where they'll have to modernise and adapt, as the other countries aforementioned have done over the last few decades.

 

[epic73]

To be fair Italy had a very difficult group draw considering that they (a world-class team) had Spain while there was a group consisting of Wales, Serbia, and Austria.

 

[mistermagic]

If I may write something that isn't hate-filled towards Italy. I reckon them not making it is the best thing that could possibly happen to this once great footballing country.

As most of you know, back in 2010 us French went on strike refusing to get out of a bus led by a guy who would later kung-fu a fan. Meanwhile, Italy made the great big massive achievement of drawing all 3 games at the same World Cup (including against the powerhouse that is New Zealand) and bowing out with virtually no one noticing. The focus was really on us going on strike because that's one of the rare thing we're best at (know your champion).
4 years later, Italy beat England in a very entertaining match but still bowed out at the first hurdle just like in South Africa. Again I didn't feel that much hassle was made of this elimination. It was all about England failing again.

The Italian problem is deep-rooted and has been adressed for years. The lack of talent is there for all to see as the major players of Serie A are foreigners and Italians don't leave because they just don't do that (a bit like the Germans, the few that do are successful-ish but you can count them on one hand). Serie A isn't on the level of the Premiership, La Liga or even Ligue 1. When's the last time you were scythed to watch Milan? When's the last time Milan had an actual decent side? Do players really want to play in Serie A these days? Not really, the wage isn't that good.
So no talent and no money and yet we are all surprised that Italy didn't make it. However, the issue has been tackled by the FA as various youth centres have been created in Italy and abroad (for example, a Milan training complex for teenagers in Poland) but those things take time. Italy need a couple of years staying at home and nurturing the youth of tomorrow (like Belgium did) before they can hope to do anything reasonably earth-shattering à la Germany '06.

I'd say they'd be a decent country towards 2024-2026.

 

[Leewilson]

To be fair Italy had a very difficult group draw considering that they (a world-class team) had Spain while there was a group consisting of Wales, Serbia, and Austria.

Italy are not a World Class team. Once upon a time maybe, but in the present, no.

 

[mistermagic]

Italy are not a World Class team. Once upon a time maybe, but in the present, no.

Who is, Lee? Who is?

 

[Skinner]

Ireland are out.

 

[Super_horns]

Scored too early - almost helped Denmark more as they had more than enough time to come back.

 

[mistermagic]

Ireland are out.

Why? They only need two goals.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Glad Ireland are losing, they were going to try doing the exact same thing they normally do for 85 minutes, sticking everyone behind the ball and shithousing it. That second Denmark goal is a beauty.

 

[Libertadores FC]

To be fair Italy had a very difficult group draw considering that they (a world-class team) had Spain while there was a group consisting of Wales, Serbia, and Austria.

For the nation Italy are in terms of prestige, that is no excuse whatsoever.

 

[Benji]

I believe Ireland can come back.

 

[Libertadores FC]

There are no accidents

 

[Benji]

Okay I think Denmark will win now. Pretty good return for the Scandinavians at this World Cup.

 

[mistermagic]

Okay I think Denmark will win now. Pretty good return for the Scandinavians at this World Cup.

We already missed out on the likes of Yarmolenko, Dzeko or Buffon playing it out in Russia. Would have been a shame not to have Eriksen there. Y'know, instead of David fucking Meyler.

 

[Skinner]

Why? They only need two goals.

Two goals for Ireland is like ten goals for a normal team

 

[Bobbin']

Normal order resumed at a major tournament then.

 

[Flustercuck]

Only people who have no knowledge of football outside PL gave a chance to Ireland in this draw.I knew Denmark would have massacred Ireland.They scored 4 away goals against Poland

 

[mistermagic]

Only people who have no knowledge of football outside PL gave a chance to Ireland in this draw.I knew Denmark would have massacred Ireland.They scored 4 away goals against Poland

Well aren't you clever!

 

[Flustercuck]

To be fair Italy had a very difficult group draw considering that they (a world-class team) had Spain while there was a group consisting of Wales, Serbia, and Austria.

This is no excuse at all.Last time Portugal defeated Sweden in play offs.90% of people thought Italy were going to make WC either way