Lippi only went about 18 months/2 years ago and since they've hardly been free-scoring.
I seem to remember them beating the might of the Faroe Islands by the odd goal in qualifying and losing a series of friendlies without scoring.
I don't follow them that closely so there exists the danger I'm talking complete pish. However, in the matches I've watched since Lippi went the second time, they've been the same old Italy.
Defensive.
not scoring much doesn't necessarily make you a defensive team, especially in friendly games, italy being known for not taking them very seriously.
that said, this move toward 'quality football' (more forward moves and initiative in the game) is far more more visible under prandelli leadership.
whenever people agree with me, i always feel i must be wrong.
I agree that it's possible that non-defensive teams don't necessarily score a lot of goals - but you would think that a team which favours more attacking tactics and taking the game to the opposition would put rather more than one goal past the Faroes. Especially one with the flair attacking players which Italy possess.
It seems strange to me, also, that Prandelli would abandon the catenaccio - which has served Italy so well for decades - and remain true to the utterly foolish 'we don't take friendlies seriously' tradition. Especially in a time where he is, apparently, introducing a whole new style of play.
That makes about as much sense, to me, as someone saying that 'defensive Italian football teams are an old myth'.
Portugal - Czech Republic
Germany - Greece
Spain - France
England - Italy
Bets ?
Semis will be:
Portugal Vs Spain
Germany Vs England
The Italy game will be 0-0 at full time with neither side getting a shot on goal - but in extra time, Ballotelli will get himself sent off, the Italians will then only be able to get 10 men behind the ball at all times which will result in a hurried clearance rebounding off Andy Carrol's arse and squeezing beneath an ageing Buffon to trickle over the line and send a nation into raptures.
Add manker,rewhitevision and cinephillia to the growing list of people having long involved conversations that no one else really gives a fuck about.
Respect my lack of authority.
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