Germany v Italy

Jax Teller

#ITA XI Buffon, Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Montolivo, Cassano, Balotelli

HazDanz

Balotelli to make or break Italy. Hope he has his act together tonight

Oat23

Wow - I was not expecting Kroos.

Richard Hillman

Probably my 2 favourite International teams so i dont mind who wins although i think im edging towards Italy just because everything they do has beauty about it.

G.K.

That Italy team confuses me. No idea who'll be right flank defensively, Barzagli, De Rossi, Marchisio or Montolivo could all be there, with Barz as a RB and others as RWB. Or Balzaretti at RB?

I assume it'll be Barz at RB, then shifting to the Juve back 3 when Balzaretti charges up the pitch.

pavb2

supersean1999 wrote: »

i think italy will do ok for a half but germany will over run them eventually the two day advantage and italy had extra time is a massive factor, can see a 2-0 to germany

I agree depends on the German strategy I think both teams will be cautious 1st half with Germany turning the screw 2nd half.

Can't see extra time, a better final if Germany do go through more of a game of chess, slugging it out final if Italy make it. A lot of football played in a short space of time and fatigue going to start being a factor now.

I've also enjoyed Italy's performances seem to be a bit more attacking creative minded team than they've traditionally been.

Seaneh

G.K. wrote: »

That Italy team confuses me. No idea who'll be right flank defensively, Barzagli, De Rossi, Marchisio or Montolivo could all be there, with Barz as a RB and others as RWB. Or Balzaretti at RB?

I assume it'll be Barz at RB, then shifting to the Juve back 3 when Balzaretti charges up the pitch.

I'd say it's Balzaretti right full and Cheilini left full. They have both played there a fair bit

Pudsy33

Back three with balzeretti and marchisio flanking in think

Renn

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Back three with balzeretti and marchisio flanking in think

Listening to Liam?

G.K.

Seaneh wrote: »

I'd say it's Balzaretti right full and Cheilini left full. They have both played there a fair bit

Ah, was unaware Balzaretti played right full.

steelcityblues

Enjoying Vialli and Klinsmann's contributions on the BBC.

Nuri Sahin

Nervous for various reasons, hopefully Germany pull through.

kitakyushu

Funny watching the highlight reel of Croatia marking Pirlo.

Maybe Bilic could be a future England manager.

Drumpot

steelcityblues wrote: »

Enjoying Vialli and Klinsmann's contributions on the BBC.

Switched on BBC just because of this post and get Martin "face for radio" Keown . .:eek:

I think Italy v Germany will be a draw in FT.

Oat23

Bayerntalk ‏@Bayerntalk Add #Chicken in front of ANY Italian player's name & it sounds like a great dish! Chicken Balotelli, Chicken De Rossi, Chicken Nocerino

Mars Bar

That Italy anthem is a bit mad

Will I Amnt

Buffon loves his anthem

Omackeral

The Italians were really belting out that anthem there, Gigi Buffon in particular with the eyes closed. Rousing.

HazDanz

cambo2008 wrote: »

Buffon loves his anthem

He blast it out doesn't he!

Liam O

Oatesy23 wrote: »

Bayerntalk ‏@Bayerntalk Add #Chicken in front of ANY Italian player's name & it sounds like a great dish! Chicken Balotelli, Chicken De Rossi, Chicken Nocerino

I'd murder a Chicken Balzaretti right now.

Mars Bar

What's with all the talking?

HazDanz

Mars Bar wrote: »

What's with all the talking?

Respect Initiative.

adamski8

a record 15 wins and rte gives us the fact they have scored at least 1 goal in each of those games!!!!! usually happens when you win alright

pavb2

Liam O wrote: »

I'd murder a Chicken Balzaretti right now.

With Pirlo rice?

BKC

Come on Germany!

Think they will win 1-0 or 2-0.

Professional Griefer

Oatesy23 wrote: »

Bayerntalk ‏@Bayerntalk Add #Chicken in front of ANY Italian player's name & it sounds like a great dish! Chicken Balotelli, Chicken De Rossi, Chicken Nocerino

Seen that on reddit earlier. Hungry now.:(

Nuri Sahin

Unlucky Hummels.

BKC

Buffon lucky there...

Jimmy Iovine

What a chance. Never expected it.

adamski8

this tournament must set a record for the amount of times a second ball has been thrown onto the pitch, is it th ball boys or supporters?

HazDanz

Italy doing okay so far. Need a little bit of composure in the final third

grenache

Pirlo Italy's saviour again. The Germans are pushing them tight in the middle. De Rossi needs to be wider.

Oat23

STOP CALLING HUMMELS KHEDIRA!

Jimmy Iovine

George Hamilton is getting Hummels and Khedira mixed up the whole time. Khedira got the credit for the tackled on Balotelli there.

Nuri Sahin

Damn lucky again.

BKC

Buffon not looking the safest on crosses...

Jimmy Iovine

Buffon isn't looking too comfortable in goal.

Kylo Ren

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

George Hamilton is getting Hummels and Khedira mixed up the whole time. Khedira got the credit for the tackled on Balotelli there.

How do you get those two mixed up like? What is an F1 driver doing commentating on football anyway?

HazDanz

Buffon still out of breath from the national anthem

Mars Bar

Italy are in for a long evening

grenache

Pirlo put that on a plate for Mario. As usual he makes a mess of it.

shrewdness

First foul Hummels has conceded in the tournament! Some going for a defender.

kryogen

Italy pretty lucky to be still level, some uncharacteristic weirdness from Buffon

grenache

Ozil has too much space on the right. De Rossi needs to do more. Germany showing much more physicality so far.

luckyfrank

boyle sports 9/2 1-0 germany or 13/2 2-0 germany, personally felt 1-0 but greed as usual got the better of me 20 lids on 2-0

Nuri Sahin

Crap.

Mars Bar

GET IN!

IvySlayer

BALOTELLIIIIII

Professional Griefer

Great stuff. Great pass by Pirlly as well.

HazDanz

Yus!!