The Official Azzurri thread 2

[RomaShield27]

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/news/newsid=1828693.html?

[Bagg10]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/euro20 ... gland.html

[Italiamia]

http://www.repubblica.it/sport/?ref=HRHM1-4

[RomaShield27]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18540781

[DavidP]

[Messinterista]

nice post david.

[Savant]

Montolivo may be starting in place of an injured Motta, which is terrible news IMO. Montolivo has disappointed time and again. Nocerino is more deserving of a chance.

Even if the Azzurri will have most of the possession and England will just wait to counter, I would still prefer Nocerino when the Azzurri are in possession. I just do not trust Montolivo one bit.

[RomaShield27]

Gazzetta designers getting a bit carried away this morning:

[Marco_Italia]

[DCGweez]

[Bagg10]

[Messinterista]

Forza Italia!!! let's hope we get to our semi final match up against Germany...

[Savant]

I think it might be advisable for Prandelli to take off Pirlo for the last 20-30 minutes when he starts to look tired. Hopefully by that stage the Azzurri will be 1-0 up and a pumped Nocerino can come on to lock down the midfield with obnoxious running, hounding and pressing.

Is anyone surprised that Cesare has opted to drop the 3-5-2 for the 4-3-1-2?

I guess as England will play two strikers, this might be a stretch for De Rossi at CB. Having De Rossi in midfield will be a major plus. He looked great against Ireland, aggressive in the tackle and passed well. Admittedly the midfield of Ireland is pretty weak, but I was encouraged. I am happy that Abate and Balzaretti are starting. I am just a little aware that a narrow three-man midfield can be a weakness when defending two wide players.

Forza Italia!

I cannot wait for this game.

[maro]

I say play Cassano behind Borini and Di Natale. That'll surprise those catenaccio-playing Pommie cnuts.

[Lupa]

[p_maldini_3]

all this focus on balotelli is good for italy. cassano with a hat-trick, you heard it hear first.

[RomaShield27]

[red]

England don't play catenaccio.

[RomaShield27]

Says the Englishman.

[RomaShield27]

Forza Azzurri. Great win. Great performance and they totally deserved it. Pity they couldn't finish it in regular time, but showed great nerve to win in peno's and see justice done.

Germany on Thursday in the semi's. This is now relevant:

Euro 2012: Bastian Schweinsteiger's ankle gives Germany a headache
• Holding midfielder forced to miss training sessions
• Germany camp also unsettled by leaks to media

www.guardian.co.uk, Sunday 24 June 2012 14.18 BST

Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger has been troubled by an ankle problem. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images
A nagging ankle problem for Bastian Schweinsteiger and the continuing issue of a mole in the camp have cast a small shadow over Germany's preparations for their Euro 2012 semi-final in Warsaw on Thursday.

The experienced holding midfielder Schweinsteiger has missed some training sessions due to an ankle injury picked up earlier in the year. "He has a problem and obviously it is best when no player has a problem," the captain Philipp Lahm said on Sunday. "It is OK when you miss a training session but when you need to sit out several then it is not that easy."

"But I am not too concerned. Bastian knows his body inside out, he is experienced and he will be able to deliver on Thursday."

Germany will meet either England or Italy, who play later on Sunday, for a place in the final on 1 July in Kiev.

"We need fit players, so much is clear," said Lahm when asked whether Schweinsteiger would play even if not fully fit. "We have depth in the squad and that gives you peace of mind. But clearly it would be good if Bastian Schweinsteiger could play on Thursday."

Germany made four changes to their lineup in their 4-2 quarter-final win over Greece compared to their last group game against Denmark but looked even sharper.

Preparations for their fourth straight semi-final in a major tournament have also been hit by revelations that someone has been leaking the lineups for group games and their quarter-final match against Greece to the media hours before the start.

The coach, Joachim Löw, has said none of his players was responsible but did not rule out the possibility that the mole could be someone they had talked to, from friends and wives to perhaps agents.

Lahm said the issue had again been raised with the players and that the culprit was causing some damage. "Everyone should be aware that it is normal for a player to tell his wife, girlfriend or agent whether they will play once they find out but you cannot reveal the lineup. You cannot do that."

"It is sad when this thing comes out. The whole nation is behind us and it is not an advantage when it is leaked hours before. The one who released it has a problem. He has not understood how this works. But we will not deploy a spy," he said.