Round of 16

[NorthernBlue]

Wouldn’t bet on us against the Swiss. They ain’t great but look well capable of beating us.

 

[Drico]

Wouldn’t bet on us against the Swiss. They ain’t great but look well capable of beating us.

Drew with Scotland.

Let's just keep that in mind when the usuals try to big up England's next opponents (after they are through with poor Slovakia).

 

[Jamiednm]

Drew with Scotland.

Let's just keep that in mind when the usuals try to big up England's next opponents (after they are through with poor Slovakia).

England drew with Slovenia and were lucky not to get beat by Denmark.

 

[BainesontoastNEW]

Italy have gone from playing players called Immobile to playing players who are immobile.

 

[miami]

Drew with Scotland.

Let's just keep that in mind when the usuals try to big up England's next opponents (after they are through with poor Slovakia).

I’m not sure drico. They mightn’t be outstanding going forward, but they are a very hard nut to crack defensively. Good luck to England in trying to break them down.

Saying that, although Italy have been rubbish, they are one nation I never write off no matter how bad they are. 20 mins is a lifetime for Italian teams.

 

[Drico]

England drew with Slovenia and were lucky not to get beat by Denmark.

Yes, two mediocre sides.

 

[matty1878]

swiss baby

 

[MikeH72]

Drew with Scotland.

Let's just keep that in mind when the usuals try to big up England's next opponents (after they are through with poor Slovakia).

Switzerland will definitely provide more of a test than Slovakia like. But yes I still expect us to beat them.

 

[Drico]

I’m not sure drico. They mightn’t be outstanding going forward, but they are a very hard nut to crack defensively. Good luck to England in trying to break them down.

Saying that, although Italy have been rubbish, they are one nation I never write off no matter how bad they are. 20 mins is a lifetime for Italian teams.

Switzerland are fine until they make the last 8. This will only be the second time they've ever done that, so they have no big tournament experience to fall back on as a nation. They'll flatter to deceive in the next round. It'll be nosebleed time for them. Can they handle that? Let's put it this way: I'd fancy a good Italian side more than a great Swiss side in a quarter-final with England. This, of course, is a rank Italian side so better they go out now.

I'd love to be wrong, of course, and maybe I will be, but I can't see it.

 

[heatmeiser]

If I were Italian, I’d take a leisurely Summer evening stroll to my local Trattoria to drown my sorrows with a nice Basil-garnished Margherita pizza and a couple of glasses of Sangiovesi.

Would you have a dessert too?

 

[Bohemian Toffee]

Italy remind me of Spain before Spain were good.

Lots of looking like we can't wait to get home and back to openly disliking each other.

 

[Jamiednm]

Would you have a dessert too?

As it’s Saturday night, I’d probably order another bottle of Red and a cheeseboard. If they’ve got none in stock, I might lazily amble to the Gelateria and get myself a couple of scoops of Pistachio and Vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone.

Edit to add: And a cappuccino to round off the evening

 

[davek]

Never seen an Italian team that lose the ball like this.

The Swiss have a decent attack but I'm not convinced they'll beat England, unfortunately.

 

[allen]

Does anyone know if Bastoni is Pistone’s illegitimate son?

(Doesn’t work as well written down as it sounded in my head. Sorry all.)

 

[Jamiednm]

Does anyone know if Bastoni is Pistone’s illegitimate son?

(Doesn’t work as well written down as it sounded in my head. Sorry all.)

Decent bit of multilingual word play.