The Official Azzurri thread

[vtec]

not the final, the australia game

[Bianco_Nero_e_Azzuro]

Morra, the Gazzetta is the least trustworthy sports paper ever published and anything they suggest should be taken as dubious at best, so even though i would love Lippi to return as the Azzuri coach I doubt the gazzetta.

I do think we can qualify for the groups stages but even if we do manage to do that we will have to face a Spain team that should be considered among the top three favorites to win this tournament. Interestingly Donadoni extended his contract for two years with a condition: he has to at least reach the semi-finals of this euro 2008 otherwise his contract becomes null and void. I thought Donadoni was the wrong move right when they hired him and he has done nothing but prove me wrong since taking over. I do hope that by the end of this tournament the Figc will realize that they need to fire him and get a new coach who will use our upcoming domestic talent.

[Italiamia]

[vtec]

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

[vtec]

[RomaShield27]

[morra10]

Euro 2008 Debate: Day Seven - Who'll Survive The Group Of Death?


Following the chaos that descended on Euro 2008's Group of Death yesterday evening, the Netherlands have secured first place, with France, Italy and Romania set for an absorbing battle for second spot on Tuesday...

With Group A down to a direct play-off between Czech Republic and Turkey to join Portugal in the quarterfinals and Group B's second spot Germany's for the taking, the most absorbing battle for the promise land of the knockout stages is, as many would have predicted, in Group C - Euro 2008's Group of Death.

What has come as a surprise, though, is who the battle is between. Few would have predicted the Netherlands to be free and clear in first place - never mind in the manner they have secured it - and even fewer would have thought that Romania could go into the last round of games with qualification in their own hands, while World Cup finalists France and Italy will be relying on a favour.

So, going into the final round on Tuesday, who is in the best position to snatch second place?

The Possibilities

If Romania beat the Netherlands, then Romania are through in second place and the France-Italy result is immaterial.

If Romania draw with the Netherlands, then the winner of France-Italy would qualify, unless they draw as well, in which case Romania go through.

If Romania lose to the Netherlands, the winner of France-Italy will go through.

If Romania lose to the Netherlands and France-Italy is a score draw, Italy go through by virtue of more goals scored in a three-way tie with Romania and France (who shared a 0-0) whereas a score-draw would ensure Italy have a 1-1 against Romania and at least another 1-1 against France. Results against the Netherlands prove immaterial in this scenario

If Romania lose to the Netherlands and France-Italy is a goalless draw, Romania would go through, providing they lose by less than three against the Netherlands.

If Romania lose to the Netherlands by more than three and France-Italy is a goalless draw, Italy qualify due to a superior goal difference.

If Romania lose to the Netherlands by three exactly and France-Italy is a goalless draw, Italy will qualify ahead of them courtesy of a superior UEFA coefficient.

Winner Takes It All

Of course, destiny is in Romania's hands, but should the rampant Oranje continue their ominous form, it will be a winner-takes-all affair between Italy and France, with the Azzurri holding a slight advantage as per the possibilities above.

While Romania have continued to defy the odds, few would expect them to emerge victorious against a rampant Dutch side. That said, there are murmurs of a Sweden-Denmark repeat circa 2004 - when the Scandinavians played out a score-draw to eliminate Italy and see each other through - but if we are to presume all games will be played in good spirit, it is likely to come down to one of Italy or France needing to win to qualify.

Who looks in better shape to scrape through? Both have drawn against Romania and lost to the Netherlands. The Azzurri were far the better side compared to France in their respective Romania games, having a legal goal chalked off, generally dominated proceedings and with Romania's only managing to score due to one horrific moment at the back in what was otherwise a huge improvement on the defensive showing against the Dutch.

Both sides lost heavily against the Dutch in very similar circumstances. Both games had a shade of controversy, an early Dutch goal and blistering counterattacks thereafter. The parallels are almost endless, but something will have to give on Tuesday night.

Italy certainly look more of a force going forward. It took Donadoni ringing the changes for their prowess to become apparent, but at least his evolution certainly trumps that of his opposite number Raymond Domenech, whose changes, though promising in some aspects, left his side far too short in the same old deficiencies.

Momentum will most likely also fall with the Azzurri, who will feel that, despite some ill fortune, there is a hint of destiny about their qualification following Gianluigi Buffon's penalty save against Romania, while France were beaten soundly by the Dutch and, at this moment in time, have little to hang their hat on.

Les Bleus have the most recent beating of the Azzurri - that being in qualifying for this competition - but Italy of course have the World Cup triumph on their side. For every pro there is a con, there is almost nothing separating the sides. However, this of course works slightly in Italy's favour, insofar as a draw will most likely see them through.

It may very well depend on team selection. Following marked improvements in that area yesterday evening, will either coach manage to better their side still come Tuesday? Will it come down to a mid-game masterstroke and knowing what change to make when? Only time will tell.

ALSO...

The Dutch go marching on. While their counterattacking ferocity is to be admired, there are cracks at the back which just about avoided full exposure against les Blues yesterday. Marco van Basten's audacious substitutions paid dividends but, prior to Robin van Persie's shot trickling over the line, the Dutch looked close to conceding.

A real test for them will be coming from behind, should they ever put themselves in such a position. Van Basten must also hold his nerve and not over-indulge as he did in the second half yesterday in the knockout stages. Removing the ineffectual Orlando Engelaar is one thing, but to replace the midfield powerhouse with delicate wing-man Arjen Robben is not something the Dutch can tactically afford to repeat unless chasing a game. Some stars - such as perhaps yesterday's goal-scoring substitute Robin van Persie - must be prepared to start on the bench for the good of the team's balance.

What is on the mind of most, though, is just how the Dutch will approach their final game against Romania? That is of course the most important game on the day Italy and France clash, and many suspect the Oranje may take it easy, both to preserve their own players and knock out two top contenders at the same time. That being said, winning is a habit and van Basten will surely know better than to kill his side's momentum, as it may come back to haunt them at a later stage.


goal.com.

[Zoff82]

With that in mind....Italy are out.

[Zoff82]

[Jamoldo]

[p_maldini_3]

[Bagg10]

[Jamoldo]

[Messinterista]

[Bagg10]

[Jamoldo]

[p_maldini_3]

[Bagg10]