Round of 16

[Bohemian Toffee]

Almost one of the great own goals then

I love a defender sliding in on a ball across the face of the goal and sending the ball into his own net.

But the looping header own goal is still the zenith of the art form.

 

[witchdoc187]

I love a defender sliding in on a ball across the face of the goal and sending the ball into his own net.

But the looping header own goal is still the zenith of the art form.

Or the overhit pass back

 

[Huyton Layne]

Just got back from "making a delivery". Italy playing like they're trying to get their manager sacked. which is odd for an international team.

 

[Bohemian Toffee]

Or the overhit pass back

Oh, a classic

 

[longers]

Italy not even trying here

 

[DualityNSNO]

Go back and have a look at the sides that constituted that 37-match run. There were a few big boys in there, but it is primarily San Marino, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Armenia, etc., in multiple matches. It's a classic example of lies, damn lies, and statistics. That run still didn't see them make the World Cup. They had a fine week in 2021 and squashed some minnows. Beyond that, people saw the shirt and drew the wrong conclusions.

I agree as I said, it's just disingenuous and is still an achievement - England don't even manage to do it They did fail hilariously after that though, us and (ironically) Switzerland gave them a great game and basically removed them from the WC qualifications. The downfall was complete 6 months later against Macedonia I believe, where they played the exact same way they're playing always, today included.

In the tournament itself they were very organised and played well, and won every game (in the most Italian and boring way - extra time and pens ffs) after all.

Anyway, not defending them or anything, one of my most disliked national teams personally. In the interest of fairness and all

 

[Mickey]

Italy not even trying here

Yeah they dont fancy this at all.

 

[BainesontoastNEW]

This is Italy's tin generation.

 

[Jamiednm]

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.

 

[Jamiednm]

Just got back from "making a delivery". Italy playing like they're trying to get their manager sacked. which is odd for an international team.

What merch have you got in stock pal?

 

[DanEFC92]

Hows that not a yellow

 

[Bohemian Toffee]

Barella off, Cristante must have pictures of Spalletti

 

[marsh]

Italy must want to go out, like they can't be arsed

 

[Jamiednm]

Italy really need a goal or two.

 

[Drico]

I agree as I said, it's just disingenuous and is still an achievement - England don't even manage to do it They did fail hilariously after that though, us and (ironically) Switzerland gave them a great game and basically removed them from the WC qualifications. The downfall was complete 6 months later against Macedonia I believe, where they played the exact same way they're playing always, today included.

In the tournament itself they were very organised and played well, and won every game (in the most Italian and boring way - extra time and pens ffs) after all.

Anyway, not defending them or anything, one of my most disliked national teams personally. In the interest of fairness and all

You make another important point: they won both the semi-final and final on penalties. Even Greece cleanly defeated France, Czech Republic, and Portugal in their three knockout matches.

I liked the way Italy played that week - Mancini got the very most out of a really ordinary group - but their win wasn't exactly conclusive. He made very little go a very long way.