Euro 2016 Thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

Been a recurring theme to this tournament so far, where one team really controls the game but doesn't do enough while in control (except of course Germany). Belgium should have done more while dominating the ball.

[GirlySports]

Looks attacking to me

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Looks attacking to me

They're going for it much more than I thought they would. Its exciting football.

[SuperMatt18]

They play exciting under Conte for the most part.

Lots of trust that De Rossi, Barzagli, Chiellini, & Bonucci can clean up anything at the back.

[Locke]

LOL!

I'm watching this game with my son and I was ranting and raving about how fantastic that Italian defence is and why and then halftime and boom. DeVos basically says the exact same things. Haha!

Fantastic game overall, great game by Italy thus far, this is how an experienced side overcomes deficiencies and as much as I love the Germans, this has to be the most rock-solid back line in the tournament even after Hummels comes back.

That being said though, Fellaini has already elbowed a dude in the face, so Belgium have checked that box off. Someone, preferably Fellaini because I hate his face, needs to bite Chiellini. It needs to be a tournament tradition. There can be a pool and everything but someone has to bite Chiellini. Just for the lulz.

[Locke]

Oh yeah, and I dont give a rat's ass what Alderweireld is complaining about, hes a CB that mistimes everything and allowed a 50 yard ball to go over his head. That is 100% on him.

Its the first thing they tell you in "CB 101"

DO NOT. ALLOW THE BALL. OVER YOUR HEAD. UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. EVER.

[GirlySports]

Italy not sitting on this lead

[devo22]

Darmian is a really good full-back when there's a competent manager on the sidelines. Who knew?

[polak]

Belgium with some sustained pressure

[Senator Clay Davis]

Nice win for Italy. Should win the group now.

[troutman]

Maybe Ireland or Sweden can knock off Belgium too.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by troutman

Maybe Ireland or Sweden can knock off Belgium too.

Sure. Belgium are tactically poor.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I doubt Ireland or Sweden could actually beat Belgium, but a draw is possible sure. Belgium could have won tonight if their finishing wasn't so poor, so it wasn't like they were badly outplayed. Just couldn't score. Ireland as we saw has poor finishing too, and Sweden is nothing without Zlatan. So I guess this really wasn't the "Group of Death".

[SuperMatt18]

Great defensively, hard working, and great tactically.

That is the only way this Italian team that lacks offensive creativity will be able to win - strong start today.

[Slava]

Well Italy wins and that is great and all, but the managerial decisions from Belgium are a little perplexing. Like how can you justify sitting Dembele? Just laughable.

One thing that soccer needs to get together on though is the idea that a purely cynical foul ought to be a straight red card. Its just lame that a player can have daylight ahead and get taken down by what would be a high tackle in rugby, let alone soccer, and its a yellow.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

Well Italy wins and that is great and all, but the managerial decisions from Belgium are a little perplexing. Like how can you justify sitting Dembele? Just laughable.

One thing that soccer needs to get together on though is the idea that a purely cynical foul ought to be a straight red card. Its just lame that a player can have daylight ahead and get taken down by what would be a high tackle in rugby, let alone soccer, and its a yellow.

Fellaini played the whole game! The ball even, literally and I cant make this up, fell into his feet and he looked at it like it was an alien.

You have two #10s on the field and yet decide to play Fellaini in the creative midfield role? Perplexing is right.

Also, Alderweireld is not all hes cracked up to be. Lots of mistakes from him.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Slava

Well Italy wins and that is great and all, but the managerial decisions from Belgium are a little perplexing. Like how can you justify sitting Dembele? Just laughable.

One thing that soccer needs to get together on though is the idea that a purely cynical foul ought to be a straight red card. Its just lame that a player can have daylight ahead and get taken down by what would be a high tackle in rugby, let alone soccer, and its a yellow.

Just go old school MLS and have a penalty shot where the player starts at half and the goalie can come out the challenge right away. Kidding aside, I agree we need to see harsher penalties for fouls that are clearly committed to prevent an attack. A yellow is well worth preventing a clear chance.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Locke

Fellaini played the whole game! The ball even, literally and I cant make this up, fell into his feet and he looked at it like it was an alien.

You have two #10s on the field and yet decide to play Fellaini in the creative midfield role? Perplexing is right.

Also, Alderweireld is not all hes cracked up to be. Lots of mistakes from him.

I think Alderweireld is excellent, and he just had a rough outing. It happens. But yeah, Fellaini is exactly who I was thinking shouldn't be there. Belgium on paper should be a really good team. But the strategy and selections leave a little to be desired.

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Just go old school MLS and have a penalty shot where the player starts at half and the goalie can come out the challenge right away. Kidding aside, I agree we need to see harsher penalties for fouls that are clearly committed to prevent an attack. A yellow is well worth preventing a clear chance.

Well that is exactly the issue. Its not even a tough decision to take the yellow, try to plead your case for a minute and everyone gets all set up for play to resume. What did we see this afternoon from Italy...three in a row like that? I'm not even a Belgium fan (you might not know if from my posts here!) and god is that frustrating to watch.

[d_phaneuf]

alderweireld has 1 bad game and he's not all he's cracked up to be? vs the 50 odd games he just played where he barely put a foot out of place?

plus the year before at southampton where they he was great too? they allowed an extra 10 goals this year without him and no other changes to the back 6

[devo22]

Fellaini didn't even had a bad game. But he's an easy target, so I'm not surprised by Lockes judgement ^^

Belgiums biggest problem is Marc Wilmots and it's not even close. Conte put him to shame today.