Euro 2016 QF, Germany vs Italy 20:00 RTE2

Boskowski

vs.

I won't let on I've done a lot of research, but I have an opinion anyway and I alway a wanted to open a match thread.

Although at this point of the tournaments all remaining teams - maybe with the exception of Iceland - can probably win, I think this match is a bit of an early final.

Italy are just being Italy. We all know the players well, they are competent at the highest level at the very least. As usual they emerge from the pot of teams that no one talked about much to be one of the tournament favourites.
They play really well as a team. They sit a bit deep but not out of necessity - they can pass and play and attack with the best of them - more so by choice, as this is how they like to hurt their opponents and defending is their true passion anyway . They say de Rossi is going to be missed but I wouldn't read much into that. If they went on to win Euro 2016 no one would be surprised by it now.

Germany are also just being Germany. Bit of a lukewarm start with a crappy enough one thrown in, but trending upwards. I think we have found our starting 11 - Schweinsteiger may have a say in that yet - and I quite like it. Monster goalie, class A centre backs, best midfield of them all - Toni Kroos, Mesut Oezil! - and Herr Gomez is actually a good striker, too. So its just the wing backs that are a bit inexperienced but even they are quite ok. Thomas Mueller thinks we are better than 2 years ago and who am I to disagree?

I think its going to be a cracker and I have no idea who's going to come out the better. I really don't. I don't think the 'Italian curse' counts for much, its the strength of the Italian team that makes this a 50:50 for me.

Enjoy!

alchemist33

A great game to look forward to on a miserable wet day.

Harry Palmr

Germany to finally break their duck against Italy.

hullaballoo

Really tough one to call but I fancy the Italians to do it. I won't bang on about Antonio Conte but Antonio Conte.

Antonio Conte Antonio Conte Antonio Conte Antonio Conte Antonio Conte Antonio Conte Antonio Conte Antonio Conte .

Conte.

Antonio.

<

---

Mr.Nice Guy

I think this could be a cagey affair and I can see it going to Extra-Time. I'll go for Germany to edge it.

Strong Life in Dublin

Hoping Italy can do it, as I have a bet on them to win the euros

Mr.Nice Guy

Harry Palmr

You tell 'im!

Mr.Nice Guy

No Hamann on the panel.

Vincent Vega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h7hHr8TPHg

Nearly 10 years to the day...

Andiamo a Berlino Parigi! Andiamo a prenderci la coppa!

mewso

The whole tournament has a whiff of Italy in 2006 to me and I have a feeling they are going all the way so Italy to go through but don't really mind who wins as long as it lives up to it's billing.

Minderbinder

Italy are definitely going to win this. Germany have been coasting for two years and won't be able to match the levels of commitment and hunger in the Italian team. Germany 0-2 Italy

Kobe248

John Giles really doesnt rate Kroos

Oh John

Boskowski

I'm relieved to see that Dunphy doesn't fancy us Half the battle.

TrustedApple

Ohh Liam Buffoon the only thing he has not won in club football is the camp league....

Facepam

jester77

If Boateng doesn't start I fancy the Italians, otherwise Germany to take them. They have yet to concede.

caviardreams

Going for a 0-0 - two great defences

RoryMac

Fancy the Italians to win this & hope they do. Probably be a tight game but think the Italian defence will keep the Germans quite and nick a goal late on.

MonkieSocks

Could well be a tight game and come down to the Keeper who doesn't slip up.

Scorpion Sting

This should be a fascinating match. Quality on show all round. Going to go for a 2-1 German win.

Mec27

Its funny how the perception of Italy has changed from before the tournament began to now.

Scorpion Sting

Dunphy at his irritating best. :rolleyes:

mewso

Scorpion Sting wrote: »

Dunphy at his irritating best. :rolleyes:

Yeah I almost want Germany to win with Kroos getting a hat-trick after listening to that.

BoJack Horseman

German fans outdoing themselves!

Duff

What an anthem!

Utopia Parkway

George showing why Lyric FM pay him the big bucks there.

RobertKK

Love to see Thomas Muller score tonight.

RobertKK

A sad day for Italy.

vienne86

Love the Italian anthem.

Mr.Nice Guy

Khedira's done.

the groutch

You know it's bad when the manager's playbook comes out

ASOT

Broken foot I'd say, looked pretty sore.

The Gibzilla

Khedira crocked. Shame, when he's fit and in the humour, he bosses a midfield

Francie Barrett

Schweinsteiger certain to inject pace into this game.

Anyone

Game became a lot more difficult for Germany playing out so much of the game with 10 players.

PeterTheEighth

Poor Sami.... not again.:(
He didnt look fully fit thought.

Speaking of not being fully fit here Schwie. I dont know what it is but every time I see him coming on nowadays I think he must be running on to one of those Ex Player World XIs. He just doesnt look like a professional footballer any more.

Duff

Honestly thought Schweinsteiger was 33 or 34.

The Gibzilla

PeterTheEighth wrote: »

Poor Sami.... not again.:(
He didnt look fully fit thought.

Speaking of not being fully fit here Schwie. I dont know what it is but every time I see him coming on nowadays I think he must be running on to one of those Ex Player World XIs. He just doesnt look like a professional footballer any more.

He looks more like a professional pie eater recently

Dirty Dingus McGee

Penalties written all over this one.

Both teams intent on cancelling each other out.

PeterTheEighth

The Gibzilla wrote: »

He looks more like a professional pie eater recently

I think it's a combination of the grey and the extra few pounds. It's not a great sign for the Germans that he's next in line to come on though is it. I would have thought they would have better depth.

Pdoghue

Mario Gomez reminds me of Bernard Brogan.

PeterTheEighth

Pdoghue wrote: »

Mario Gomez reminds me of Bernard Brogan.

Cos he keeps knocking the ball over the bar? :pac:

Francie Barrett

Italy poor enough so far. This has the hallmark of a 0-0.

Ardillaun

RobertKK wrote: »

Love to see Thomas Muller score tonight.

The stuff of my nightmares.

the groutch

PeterTheEighth wrote: »

I think it's a combination of the grey and the extra few pounds. It's not a great sign for the Germans that he's next in line to come on though is it. I would have thought they would have better depth.

yeah, he's so out of shape isn't he

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhcMDYbntxY

vienne86

Thought that was our first goal.

Germany look on top to me. Hope I'm wrong.

mansize

I backed 0-0 so someone will score

PeterTheEighth

What has happened since the quarter finals. I was losing all faith in football, but the quarter finals have been great. Teams actually having a go, it's great to see.

ElTel

No De Rossi or Motta is a huge loss to Italy and surprised that Germany showed so much respect to them by going with three centre backs.
Fascinating match up that could go to extra time. Hopefully this wont be decided by a controversial call from the officials. Watch out for Insigne around the 70min mark when the Germans are hopefully pushing forward a bit more!

SlickRic

Chiellini is brilliantly cynical in everything he does.

Duff

Müller reminds me of Big Bird.