2018 World Cup Qualification

patmac

ERG89 wrote: »

Said it a few weeks ago before the draw he's the biggest obstacle between them & the world cup.
Really think there is a chance they could get knocked out; not buying the conspiracy theories about them getting decisions to help get them there.

I wasn't buying them either but thinking of making a purchase now.

PVA

Have FIFA put out a memo for no more penalties after what happened with Northern Ireland? Three clear as day pens, no debate on any of them, and the ref in a good position for all. Makes you wonder what is going through their heads

Exciting game anyway for a 0-0! 3 penalties not given, 4 yellow card and 2 injuries if Bonucci also goes off... only 29 minutes in!

Chivito550

2 clear Italian handballs in the penalty box so far. FIFA doing their best to get Italy into the World Cup. No surprises there. This sport really stinks at times.

Kermit.de.frog

That's why they will stall VAR as much as possible. Harder to rig.

FCIM

Should have been two penalties on the first two the second incident for Sweden would have been a massive injustice if it had been given.

WinnyThePoo

Sweden not afraid to throw bodies forward when in possession.

dfx-

Wouldn't say there's been any egregious decisions yet. If he now gives a soft handball for an Italian penalty...then that might change.

PVA

dfx- wrote: »

Wouldn't say there's been any egregious decisions yet. If he now gives a soft handball for an Italian penalty...then that might change.

Check your TV, you may be watching Greece v Croatia from last night

Mr.Nice Guy

Looks to me like the arm of Barzagli goes towards the ball.

https://twitter.com/JogaBonitoUSA/status/930168191187382280

tinpib

Hmm, a bit odd we didn't see the replay from the regular view to see if it was offside or not? No freezeframe of it when the ball was played either.

Rekop dog

How have they not scored here. Sweden need half time fast.

Rayne Wooney

Sweden on the ropes

WinnyThePoo

Great fun so far.

Oat23

Rekop dog wrote: »

Sweden need half time fast.

Injury time at the end of the 1st half: 20 minutes.

Kermit.de.frog

Backs to the wall

Kermit.de.frog

3 mins injury time!?

ERG89

I wouldn't bet a pair of hole ridden socks on the crossing of Darmian & Candreva. 1 in 20 attempts might be good. The majority are sh!te

Stevecw

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

3 mins injury time!?

The ACL injury took about that

LuckyGent88

Darmian has been a problem for Italy. Constantly slowing down attacks having to cut back on his right.

PVA

Come on Sweden

GreNoLi

Get Darmian off for Insigne.

Stephen15

Half time

ERG89

ERG89 wrote: »

I wouldn't bet a pair of hole ridden socks on the crossing of Darmian & Candreva. 1 in 20 attempts might be good. The majority are sh!te

It's a miserable Italy squad that gets Darmian a game. Four years ago he was full of potential, English football has ruined him. I wished I have an excuse for Candreva..........

If France is having the golden generation, Italia is having the brown one

ERG89

GreNoLi wrote: »

Get Darmian off for Insigne.

Ventura will probably take off Jorginho to play him in the middle. Well Florenzi is in that wtf is he doing there role tonight.
Seriously they need a goal & have a back 3?

FCIM

Honestly I don't see a particularly good Italian performance this evening. The effort is there but a lot of it is just pure flat out running. The only really clear opportunities were Immobile's and the save the Swedish goalkeeper made from i forget who whereas the others were chances from difficult angles. They need to calm down, use the possession wisely and look for real openings rather than headless running. Barzagli is the only one who has really put his foot on the ball at any moment.

fullstop

Chivito550 wrote: »

2 clear Italian handballs in the penalty box so far. FIFA doing their best to get Italy into the World Cup. No surprises there. This sport really stinks at times.

If FIFA were doing their best to get Italy to the world cup do you not think he'd have given that penalty they should have had :rolleyes:

FCIM

The panel in the Rai studio, which includes Marco Tardelli, said all three should have been penalties. They said there was doubt on the one against Barzagli but that his arm was wide and it was at the very limit of being involuntary. Personally I don't believe it was a penalty but interesting that Italian commentators say it was.

Rekop dog

That's a clear pen too.

fullstop

That's a pen. FIFA up to their old tricks again to help Italy...

Rayne Wooney

There will be a penalty in this game

Rekop dog

He's a famously lenient ref for anyone who doesnt know him from la liga.

FCIM

That was a clear penalty on Darmian. This referee doesn't want to make a big decision.

PVA

Interesting to see how Sweden will play if the score remains the same at 60-65 mins

PVA

FCIM wrote: »

That was a clear penalty on Darmian. This referee doesn't want to make a big decision.

He just doesn't want to totally f**k up and give a correct decision

Stevecw

Right footed Darmian as the left wing back is not working. At least put him on the right, there are so many better left footed options on the bench. Stubborn or just clueless manager, not sure yet.

Rayne Wooney

Things will start getting fairly hostile soon

Rekop dog

It's only because if the ridiculous seeding system and likes of Wales and Romania exploiting loopholes that Italy weren't top seeds.

GreNoLi

El Sharaawy is a good sub to bring on, come on Italia!

smelly sock

It'd be a turnip for the books if the swedes were to get through 😂🀣ðŸ˜

Mr.Nice Guy

Has Buffon said he will stay on with Italy in the event they fail to progress? Could this be his last international?

Stevecw

Just thinking there, anyone who backs 0-0 or no goalscorer must love these play offs.
Our game on Sat 0-0, Sunday Switz-NI 0-0, Greece-Cro 0-0, and so far this 0-0!

Stevecw

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Has Buffon said he will stay on with Italy in the event they fail to progress? Could this be his last international?

This will be his last International if they don't qualify. He hopes to retire from all football after Russia.
Finishing with Juve too at end of season.

PVA

The percentage of people that back 0-0 is negligible. When there is a draw, the bookies win. When there is a 0-0 draw, however likely a result, the bookies win more. All goal scorer bets lose too

Kermit.de.frog

Crowd getting more agitated. Going to be appalling there soon if it continues like this!

FCIM

Ventura has been warned, anymore protesting and he's sent off. Would say it all if he was and Italy went on to win with him gone.

J. Marston

One one hand, I want the underdog to go through and on the other, a World Cup without Italy wouldn't be the same.

Don't know what result I want.

smelly sock

cmon sweden.

smelly sock

theres a goal in this for sweden.

briany

J. Marston wrote: »

One one hand, I want the underdog to go through and on the other, a World Cup without Italy wouldn't be the same.

Don't know what result I want.

A World Cup with this Italian team wouldn't be the same, because this is not the Italian team of old.

AllGunsBlazing

Italian football needs a shake up anyhow. This mishap may be it.