Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman
Looks like the Dutch are doing the honorable thing. It could come back to bite them. I have no doubts ITA would roll-over if the situation was reversed, and I would not blame them. You should not apologize for looking out for your own interests.
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How did the Dutch do the honorable thing? They made 9 changes to their lineup. He simply didn't care one way or another, he sent out a new 11 essentially, and let them play. Luckily for Italy, Romania played like crap and got the result they deserved.
Would Italy have laid down? That's pretty biased language...they would have done the exact same thing as Croatia, Portugal and Holland... only one of those teams played bad enough to be outclassed by an inferior opponent. The other two won with reserves... and there's no reason a healthy Italy wouldn't have done the same. Winners don't want to lose. Ever.
As well... how is it not in Holland's interest to have Italy go through? They can beat Italy. As well, they want a team that can wear Spain down so they can beat them. Romania wasn't wearing down anything. Italy, even without Pirlo, can give Spain a good fight (probably lose, but still).
Some of this blind Italy hate is wearing a little thin...True, they are having a bad tournament, they play a tactical style of football, and they are at a time of transition... and yes, they dive. But name me one team in soccer (or hockey) that has never embellished a thing.
Everyone exagerates their fouls, you can't single out any one team with any veracity, as I showed pretty clearly a couple pages back. The African nations are probably the worst divers out there at the moment, but you wouldn't think that unless you actually watched them play.
Italy plays essentially the soccer equivalent of the Flames... frankly, I'm surprised so many Flames fans attack them on their playing style.
As for Italy losing Pirlo... it hurts, but he's not been the typical Pirlo, and I think he can be replaced... De Rossi is the new workhorse for Italy, and its time they embrace their future rather than cling to their past. Some combination of De Rossi, Perrotta, Camoranesi (not playing as a glorified forward) and Aquilani should be good enough to take on Spain. But that's not the problem...
My issue is with Toni... how many perfect opportunities can you screw up before your ass is nailed to the bench? Its too bad Amauri's papers didn't clear in time, or if Borriello didn't sleep with Donadoni's daughter (hell, the guy had to do something to be the only outfielder to not see any action). Toni = Overrated. That will be their backbreaker.
Chiellini and Grosso stabilized the defense, De Rossi stabilized the midfield. No one stepped in to save the forwards because Donadoni plays a system that none of Italy's forwards are compatible with except Toni, who is cold right now.
On a Ronaldo note... his career will take a hit at Real Madrid... he'll still be a megastar, but that team is cancerous... ask Beckham, Owen, Cassano, Carlos, Hierro...