That was like the right team lostThe right team won! Forza Azzurri!
That was like the right team lostThe right team won! Forza Azzurri!
Um...what? That is the hottest of hot and horrible takes.Southgate has to be fired.
It’s managerial malpractice. He’s not even a starter he wouldn’t necessarily be in pre set pen takers. The kid is 19 he’s not ready for that momentExactly. When I saw it was Saka, I knew he would miss.
I pray you're wrong, but I fear you'll be proven right.Twitter is going to be a cesspool given that the three misses were from Black players.
That was Gump-like not using those subs earlierUm...what? That is the hottest of hot and horrible takes.
Yes best team won. Italia has the FORZA. VIVA ITALIA.That was like the right team lost
Absolutely right, especially when he's taking the 5th shot with everything on the line there.It’s managerial malpractice. He’s not even a starter he wouldn’t necessarily be in pre set pen takers. The kid is 19 he’s not ready for that moment
That was Gump-like not using those subs earlier
I'm not saying Southgate had a great game - and the penalty lineup was really weird - but he did seem to get the lineup and formation correct at the start of the match, and I think his calm attitude is an underrated aspect of England's success in recent years. He's created the atmosphere in which English players have actually thrived when playing for England. And it's not like anyone else notable wanted the job when he took it, or necessarily would want it now. The job is going to be his as long as he wants it. And it should be.I actually agree with those calling for Southgate to go.
He won’t, of course, but he should.
Yes, I'm not hot taking it. He seriously was a detriment with his man management.I actually agree with those calling for Southgate to go.
He won’t, of course, but he should.
I was fairly sympathetic to him coming into this because managing England is an impossible job but he just put the careers of two young stars in at least duress if not outright jeopardy. You may need to fire him just to give those players and excuse mentally that it wasn’t their fault they were asked to take thereI actually agree with those calling for Southgate to go.
He won’t, of course, but he should.
I got a fair amount wrong, but I got the winner right. Italy is back and they're back BIG, baby!Top of my head predictions:
First round
Italy over Austria
Portugal over Belgium
France over Switzerland
Spain over Croatia
Denmark over Wales
Netherlands over Czech
Sweden over Ukraine
England over Germany
Second round
Italy over Portugal
France over Spain
Denmark over Netherlands
Sweden over England (upset)
Semis
Italy over France
Denmark over Sweden
Final
Italy over Denmark
Yes I'm an Italy homer. But I think they were the best team in the group stage as well. Doesn't mean they'll win, but they are a red hot team right now brimming with confidence like I haven't seen in years. And I think Denmark is riding some magic from the horrifying Christian Eriksen situation. They've got serious mojo and I think they can get through that bracket. They won't be the favorites, but they've got some juice right now.
calm down there LuigiIn the knockout stage of this tournament, Italy beat:
23rd ranked Austria
1st ranked Belgium
6th ranked Spain
4th ranked England
That's a pretty impressive run. On the whole, they won every single game - not even a single draw. Best team in the tournament, even losing key players to injury.
My prediction at the start of the knockout round:
I got a fair amount wrong, but I got the winner right. Italy is back and they're back BIG, baby!
Yep.calm down there Luigi
Belgium didn’t have their 2nd best player and their best played injured
And they bettingly drew Spain and England
Once Chiesa pulled up lame and with 5 substitutions you had to think that England had the bench to run circles past Italy’s tired legs. It is a bit inexplicable.Southgate did a pretty good job overall, both in terms of tactics and mental preparation, but the lack of substitutions, man, that seems like a big mistake.
You have to actually attack to run circlesOnce Chiesa pulled up lame and with 5 substitutions you had to think that England had the bench to run circles past Italy’s tired legs. It is a bit inexplicable.
Hard to imagine two players I would more hate to see miss penalties than Rashford and Saka.I respect the hell out of Saka for standing up and taking that last penalty. Sometimes you see more experienced players step up, sometimes you don't. Those goalposts looked awfy narrow towards the end of that shoot out.
He's been like that tournament. He only has 1 or 2 like-for-like subs he can make, so additional changes would require him to change his shape and use different tactics, and he doesn't want to do that. He prepares the team well and builds a good atmosphere but he is not adaptable.Once Chiesa pulled up lame and with 5 substitutions you had to think that England had the bench to run circles past Italy’s tired legs. It is a bit inexplicable.
Because for some, second place stinks.Why did some English players take off their medals and some didn't?
They already are, aren't they? They're ranked #4 in the world and just lost the Euro final on PKs. They're clearly elite.England need a great creative midfielder and immediately they become among the most complete teams in the world.
So is there a candidate to be that player?England need a great creative midfielder and immediately they become among the most complete teams in the world. Then it's a matter of luck.
So is there a tradition for this? Or it's just sorta... Whatever?England need a great creative midfielder and immediately they become among the most complete teams in the world. Then it's a matter of luck.
Because for some, second place stinks.
Foden and Grealish are both capable of being creative centrally. Sancho out wide and probably Saka. I think they’ll be better at the World Cup but who knows what Kanes ankles look like by thenSo is there a candidate to be that player?
That's going to be Jude Bellingham. He's just a little too young right now. But they've already got a ton of attacking talent. A better manager than Southgate would have figured out how to use it more.England need a great creative midfielder and immediately they become among the most complete teams in the world. Then it's a matter of luck.
Because for some, second place stinks.
So Southgate learns from his mistake of not playing those guys?Foden and Grealish are both capable of being creative centrally. Sancho out wide and probably Saka. I think they’ll be better at the World Cup but who knows what Kanes ankles look like by then
Hopefully, England fans allow them the space to have short memories.Hard to imagine two players I would more hate to see miss penalties than Rashford and Saka.
England have a bunch of potential 10s but lack a good passing #8, someone like Veratti who can control the tempo of a match with possession.Foden and Grealish are both capable of being creative centrally. Sancho out wide and probably Saka. I think they’ll be better at the World Cup but who knows what Kanes ankles look like by then
I think they are a click below Spain, France and Belgium- though they are getting older- maybe Netherlands. Oh forgot Portugal as well. Then there's Argentina and Brazil.They already are, aren't they? They're ranked #4 in the world and just lost the Euro final on PKs. They're clearly elite.
The match also looked a bit too big for him from the moment he came on. If I could see that, I don’t know how Southgate couldn’t.It’s managerial malpractice. He’s not even a starter he wouldn’t necessarily be in pre set pen takers. The kid is 19 he’s not ready for that moment