Administrator Stan Posted June 23, 2021 Administrator Share Posted June 23, 2021 VS Kick-off 20.00 (BST) Venue - Wembley Stadium, London Winner plays Belgium or Switzerland/3rd Group F TBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Käiser Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 Austria came second in their group play Italy ukraine finished third play Sweden sometimes wonder how that works... This should be an easy game for Italy. Would be surprised if it’s less than 2:0 final also how did they figure the venues? Some teams are zig zagging across the continent. Even group winners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 1 hour ago, The Käiser said: Austria came second in their group play Italy ukraine finished third play Sweden sometimes wonder how that works... This should be an easy game for Italy. Would be surprised if it’s less than 2:0 final also how did they figure the venues? Some teams are zig zagging across the continent. Even group winners. Bare in mind Spain were the top seeded team supposed to win their group. Sweden earned the right to that Ukraine game by taking the top spot. It's just worked out better for Ukraine probably but that is what you get with these extended Euro's. Let's be honest, third shouldn't qualify, end of story. The 16 team format was better and provided stronger fixtures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Mel81x+ Posted June 24, 2021 Subscriber Share Posted June 24, 2021 23 minutes ago, Lucas said: Bare in mind Spain were the top seeded team supposed to win their group. Sweden earned the right to that Ukraine game by taking the top spot. It's just worked out better for Ukraine probably but that is what you get with these extended Euro's. Let's be honest, third shouldn't qualify, end of story. The 16 team format was better and provided stronger fixtures. I agree and I think it lets teams play the kinds of games where you know they could do better but because of this rule they can simply afford to sit back knowing they'll go through. Imagine if all the teams playing yesterday knew there were only two spots? It completely changes the way teams approach the tournament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machado Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 Hmm I wonder who will win this match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 I'd love Austria to surprise Italy in this one, but Italy have a very impressive team, probably the best side they have had in years. Italy are very strong defensively and can attack with a lot of firepower as well. Austria will have a chance in this match, if they stick to the line-up they started with against Ukraine. However, it will really be an uphill task against a very strong Italian side. Italy are favourites and rightly so from what we have seen so far in this tournament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted June 24, 2021 Subscriber Share Posted June 24, 2021 4 minutes ago, Michael said: I'd love Austria to surprise Italy in this one, but Italy have a very impressive team, probably the best side they have had in years. Italy are very strong defensively and can attack with a lot of firepower as well. Austria will have a chance in this match, if they stick to the line-up they started with against Ukraine. However, it will really be an uphill task against a very strong Italian side. Italy are favourites and rightly so from what we have seen so far in this tournament. As much as I'd love Austria to cause an upset here, it's very hard to believe, haha. I hope for a solid performance, and if they manage to put up a good fight, then Austrians will surely be happy with the performance of their team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 9 minutes ago, nudge said: As much as I'd love Austria to cause an upset here, it's very hard to believe, haha. I hope for a solid performance, and if they manage to put up a good fight, then Austrians will surely be happy with the performance of their team. I think that although it's obviously going to be a difficult match for Austria, they have the players who can really have an impact in this game. Alaba, Sabitzer, Schlager, Laimer, Baumgartner, Arnautovic and maybe even Kalajdzic(If he can demonstrate his Stuttgart form.) are all very talented players who have the potential to cause the Italians a lot of problems. I do somewhat worry for Austria's defence though, as I don't really rate Dragovic. I think that he can be a liability in defence at times. Hinteregger will have to be on his A game, to ensure that Austria remain strong at the back. It is also worth pointing out that Italy will not be playing at home in Rome for the first time at these Euros. Wembley Stadium is the venue and so I think that this match might be closer than some people are predicting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted June 24, 2021 Subscriber Share Posted June 24, 2021 47 minutes ago, Michael said: I think that although it's obviously going to be a difficult match for Austria, they have the players who can really have an impact in this game. Alaba, Sabitzer, Schlager, Laimer, Baumgartner, Arnautovic and maybe even Kalajdzic(If he can demonstrate his Stuttgart form.) are all very talented players who have the potential to cause the Italians a lot of problems. I do somewhat worry for Austria's defence though, as I don't really rate Dragovic. I think that he can be a liability in defence at times. Hinteregger will have to be on his A game, to ensure that Austria remain strong at the back. It is also worth pointing out that Italy will not be playing at home in Rome for the first time at these Euros. Wembley Stadium is the venue and so I think that this match might be closer than some people are predicting. I agree in general, but I'd say Dragovic has been surprisingly good in this tournament so far; better than Hinteregger, in my opinion. Hopefully Baumgartner recovers well and is fit to start, same with Arnautovic. If Foda plays the same or similar lineup like against Ukraine, it could be a close and entertaining match. Just hope they give Italy a run for their money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Käiser Posted June 25, 2021 Share Posted June 25, 2021 21 hours ago, nudge said: I agree in general, but I'd say Dragovic has been surprisingly good in this tournament so far; better than Hinteregger, in my opinion. Hopefully Baumgartner recovers well and is fit to start, same with Arnautovic. If Foda plays the same or similar lineup like against Ukraine, it could be a close and entertaining match. Just hope they give Italy a run for their money. Italy’s defence + Austria’s lack of finishing (1:0 v Ukraine should have been more) will be part of the result also Italy’s newfound offence + Austria’s shaky defence will be the other part add those up: It’s Italy’s to win Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Käiser Posted June 25, 2021 Share Posted June 25, 2021 Just thinking back to Austria v Nederlands game, Austria were doing well until the pk plus playing a different setup in that game than the one against Ukraine so...... Like an earlier poster said, if Austria shows fight and not roll over 3:0 or more, their fans will be happy. (First knockout game in decades!) Though wish they were up against Sweden instead lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 I believe that an important key to this game, is who wins the midfield battle? Austria's midfield is impressive and so is Italy's, so it will be interesting seeing the competition in that area of the field. There are injury concerns for Baumgartner and Hinteregger, although Austria will be hoping that they will both be fit enough to start. I think this game will be quite tight, although I expect Italy to have the majority of the possession. Italy pretty much qualified relatively easily from their group, after performing very well in their 3 matches held in Rome. Today's game, which is at Wembley, is a different challenge and this should definitely be Italy's hardest match yet in my opinion. I think that Italy's depth and experience will probably take them through, but I think it's far from a foregone conclusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoRoss Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Main discussion for Italy is whether to 'drop' Locatelli in favour of Verratti. Verratti has been one of Mancini's best performers throughout his time, and was Italy's best player against Wales in the last group match. But Locatelli had been Italy's standout player in their first two, exceptional, games. Personally, I think Verratti could be the preferred starter. He is better than Locatelli in more advanced positions and, with Austria likely to be better defensively than Turkey or Switzerland, that extra quality is likely to be needed. Chiellini is likely to miss out, but Acerbi should be a more than capable replacement. Italy are going to benefit from playing in Group A, as they will have a much more expanded schedule than teams that only just qualified during the week. Hopefully be able to retain the high intensity from previous games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted June 26, 2021 Subscriber Share Posted June 26, 2021 1 hour ago, Michael said: There are injury concerns for Baumgartner and Hinteregger Both are fit even Baumgartlinger is training with the team, could be an option for a few minutes if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Austria would be best throwing ten men behind the ball and using Arnautovic to hold the ball up. Utilise set pieces because this Italian defence don't let a lot slip by and I don't think the Austrians have the attack to break through them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Tommy Posted June 26, 2021 Moderator Share Posted June 26, 2021 Come on, Österreich! I'll be rooting for them tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted June 26, 2021 Subscriber Share Posted June 26, 2021 Same lineup as against Ukraine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eco Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 I just don't see Austria having a decent chance to win this game. I wouldn't be upset if they did, but I just don't see this Italian team being broken exposed by this Austrian team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted June 26, 2021 Author Administrator Share Posted June 26, 2021 Reckon this could be another 4-0 result in favour of Italy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 1 minute ago, Stan said: Reckon this could be another 4-0 result in favour of Italy... I highly doubt it, this will be a close match up in my opinion, with Italy with the slight advantage. Italy's defence looks incredibly strong, I have to say and breaching it will be the main challenge for the Austrians. The Italians defend in numbers when they defend and they do it so well. So I think that the Austrians will have to be intelligent with their approach to the game. The midfield battle should be intriguing, I am looking forward to this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted June 26, 2021 Subscriber Share Posted June 26, 2021 Gemma Österreich! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azeem Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Italy rarely does 4-0 even if the are really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eco Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Watching Fuchs and Del Piero talk about this match, and both being so excited for this game to begin and talking not as ex-players, or even broadcasters, but knowledgeable fans, is so fantastic to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted June 26, 2021 Subscriber Share Posted June 26, 2021 Italian anthem is still the best there is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 1 minute ago, nudge said: Italian anthem is still the best there is You are only saying that because you heard the tame and dull Austrian national anthem before it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.