Euro 2012 Group C (Irelands Group)

Jimmy Iovine

That's a pretty crazy line-up from Spain. It'll be interesting to see how it works out. Hopefully it won't work.

IamtheWalrus

Come on ta fuk Ireland. Raise our game and get out of the group, give us something to be proud of.

We probably won't score a goal or get a point.

Pudsy33

What do people think is the best result for Ireland? Im hoping spain beat everyone, bar us of course, and a win and draw should see us second.

Rekop dog

Italy

Buffon, Maggio, De Rossi, Bonucci, Cheillini, Motta, Pirlo, Marchisio, Giaccherini, Mario, Cassano.

Jimmy Iovine

Pudsy33 wrote: »

What do people think is the best result for Ireland? Im hoping spain beat everyone, bar us of course, and a win and draw should see us second.

A nil-all draw today for me. I can't see too many goals in it with the way the Spanish are lining up. If they had David Villa up front instead of Cesc then I'd be really worried.

Pudsy33

That Italian team doesnt strike fear

kitakyushu

Pudsy33 wrote: »

What do people think is the best result for Ireland? Im hoping spain beat everyone, bar us of course, and a win and draw should see us second.

I think some people have this idea that if Spain win their first two games that they'll somehow take it easy on Croatia for matchday3 and cause us to be gypped out of second place.

Pudsy33

kitakyushu wrote: »

I think some people have this idea that if Spain win their first two games that they'll somehow take it easy on Croatia for matchday3 and cause us to be gypped out of second place.

Might happen, but they might have to win to garuntee the first spot

steelcityblues

Will there be a method to the madness of Del Bosque's selection, or is it simply madness?

wonderfullife

playing with no strikers is pure madness. Cesc/Silva/Iniesta are not goal machines. Sure, right now, neither is Torres.

This Spanish line-up will not score heavily this tournament, anybody predicting 2-0. 3-0 etc against Italy, Ireland, Croatia needs to have a re-think.

ctrl-alt-delete

Steve Bruce will be feeling proud,

The World and European champions playing with tactics he utilised to such great effect at Sunderland

wonderfullife

Italy will not lose this game. Sure of it.

Jimmy Iovine

wonderfullife wrote: »

playing with no strikers is pure madness. Cesc/Silva/Iniesta are not goal machines. Sure, right now, neither is Torres.

This Spanish line-up will not score heavily this tournament, anybody predicting 2-0. 3-0 etc against Italy, Ireland, Croatia needs to have a re-think.

They didn't score heavily in the WC either. 8 in 7 games iirc.

Their midfield is the best defence in the world though. I'm expecting upwards of 60-70% possession with all them ball players in there.

G.K.

There's nowt wrong with playing no strikers. The problem for Spain will be that Fabregas/Iniesta/Silva/Xavi will all occupy the same space. He should have played Pedro to offer some width and to remove a guy from the space.

steelcityblues

Good advert there for our support on ITV (NOT!)

Jax Teller

Can see the midfield being very cramped .

wonderfullife

"Negredo or Torres? Id put all my money on Torres to start :-)"

- Guilleme Ballague on Twitter earlier.

The same Ballague who tipped Ireland to progress from Group C.


FACEPALM

Kylo Ren

Spain playing no striker has taken the attention off of De Rossi at CB. He played there a couple of times last season for Roma iirc. Could be a disaster.

wonderfullife

Keno 92 wrote: »

Spain playing no striker has taken the attention off of De Rossi at CB. He played there a couple of times last season for Roma iirc. Could be a disaster.

tbh thought the same of Macherano but he's done ok overall at CB for Barca.

eugeneious

Apparently played there 4 times for Roma including a 4-0 defeat against Juve... ouch!

ft9

If Spain get a pen, who will take it?

Kylo Ren

wonderfullife wrote: »

tbh thought the same of Macherano but he's done ok overall at CB for Barca.

Playing CB for Barca is completely different from anywhere else. It's a lot more concentration intensive. Your team will have possession for over 70% of the game in some games.

Rekop dog

ft9 wrote: »

If Spain get a pen, who will take it?

Silva imo.

kitakyushu

Anyone know how Italy will be shaped for this match? I know the lineup is 352 but I doubt very much that they're going to look like that on the pitch.

markie29

Rekop dog wrote: »

Silva imo.

Alonso is a reliable penalty taker

Seaneh

3 5 2 with de rossi playing as a sort of sweeper.

Blatter

ft9 wrote: »

If Spain get a pen, who will take it?

Alonso I reckon. Loves a penalty.

Rekop dog

kitakyushu wrote: »

Anyone know how Italy will be shaped for this match? I know the lineup is 352 but I doubt very much that they're going to look like that on the pitch.

Yeah it'll be a 3-5-2 when attacking but more of a 5-3-1-1 most of the game when defending the Spainsh onslaughts.

Jimmy Iovine

For anyone watching on ITV at the moment.

Not Jamie Redknapp ‏@LiterallyJamie
ITV Sports' Punditry Café is open for business, serving insight so raw that it'll give you the ****s.

IamtheWalrus

Is there any truth to the rumours Duff has a stomach bug and is doubtful?

Nuri Sahin

Headbangers tag team ftw.

Nuri Sahin

So it's 3-5-2 from Italy, interesting.

Vamos España!

kitakyushu

So can Giaccherini defend? He seems to be the one who'll be playing most out of position

keith16

Italian national anthem is cool! Up there with Russia.

MagicMarker

keith16 wrote: »

Italian national anthem is cool! Up there with Russia.

Not even close.

keith16

MagicMarker wrote: »

Not even close.

Spanish one is a bit bland...functional and short nonetheless.

IvySlayer

keith16 wrote: »

Spanish one is a bit bland...functional and short nonetheless.

I love the lyrics!

sonic85

not one spanish player singing their anthem

Rekop dog

Maggio could be Italy's key, happy Italy not playing a flat back 4 because he struggles defensively often. You imagine Spain's main worry will be stopping Pirlo pulling the strings for Italy.

Jimmyboss

The Spanish anthem doesn't have any lyrics......

JaMarcus Hustle

How class would it be to have The Undertaker's music as your national anthem? The part where it gets really dramatic would give the other team the shíts.

Rekop dog

sonic85 wrote: »

not one spanish player singing their anthem

It doesn't have any words.

klose

Buffon opting for the first bump over the handshake some man!

kitakyushu

The contest for second begins!

MagicMarker

Spain to dominate, Balotelli to get frustrated and sent off.

sonic85

Rekop dog wrote: »

It doesn't have any words.

ah right - didnt know that. ya learn something new every day!

Benny Cake

RTE HD is class!

Seaneh

kitakyushu wrote: »

So can Giaccherini defend? He seems to be the one who'll be playing most out of position

Played there all season for Juventus.

MagicMarker

Great tackle from Alba, stupid decision.

Jimmy Iovine

Class flick from Pirlo to start all of that move.