Second Round Day 3 - Italy v Spain, England v Iceland

[Jamturk]

Thankfully I don't think Chelsea have the personnel to play this way next year.

I'm sure they will be able to cobble something together somehow

 

[werty]

Spain need someone with the quality of Robbie Brady in their team.

 

[Marty]

De Rossi off could be a turning point. Not saying Motta's bad, De Rossi was just huge first half.

 

[Syn_13]

Are you sure Conte? Take off the DM against Spain for a player that can't tackle.

 

[Marty]

De Gea is so far and away the world's best keeper one-on-one.

 

[lol]

de gea is such an incredible shot stopper.

 

[Riandor]

Italy need to put this to bed... Spain deserve f all, but it's one of those games.

 

[Marty]

This is so much like watching a Man United game last season. They have a bunch of possession, can't figure out what to do with it most of the time, and have the world's best keeper to bail them out when they get into trouble.

 

[spursfan77]

Motta v busquets. What could go wrong?!?!

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Do you think it is the next tactical switch of the next few seasons?

I do seems to nulify the 4231 press superbly

Chelsea are going to be a different animal next season.

Fascinating to see if Conte takes Cheslea this direction. Ironically, the only time Poch departed from 4231 all last season was when he played a back 3 at Watford.

In Germany, France and Italy there are variations of the 3 man defence (352, 343, 3421, 3421 etc) It will be interesting to see if it becomes more widespread in the EPL and we see less of the ubiquitous 4231.

 

[youngyids]

How the fuck was that not a foul from Pique?

 

[werty]

The play-acting is going to be spectacular in the last 30 minutes.

 

[tottenmal]

I'm sorry but how is that not even a foul? Pique just wiped the man out.

 

[spursfan77]

How the fuck was that not a foul from Pique?

There's so much play acting nowadays it's impossible for the refs to know who's diving or not every time.

 

[youngyids]

There's so much play acting nowadays it's impossible for the refs to know who's diving or not every time.

Fair enough, but Pique went in with a full body check when the ball was miles away already. Tactical foul at least, play acting or not.

 

[lol]

last glimpse of spain's era. been a shadow of itself since 2012. if only italy got a better striker

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Eder is so poor, really don't rate him.

 

[werty]

How did that stay out?

Fabregas and Iniesta don't want to defend at all, especially Fabregas .

 

[lol]

insigne really should be starting over eder

 

[spursfan77]

Fair enough, but Pique went in with a full body check when the ball was miles away already. Tactical foul at least, play acting or not.

Oh yeah it was definitely a foul but I can see why the ref didn't give it, probably on that basis.