WC Matchday 14: [DEN v JPN] + [CMR v NED] + [SVK v ITA] + [PAR v NZL]

[Rocky]

I'm not sure if there's a lack of talent, I think it's more that since the foreigner restrictions were completely lifted in like 2001 or so, the big clubs have gone away from developing talent. So you kind of have the situation where the best Italian talent isn't at Milan or Inter or Juventus, but rather it's at Napoli, Fiorentina, Genoa, and Sampdoria. But those players don't really get the recognition because they haven't played for the top teams, so they don't get called up to the Azzurri ahead of the old guys who are hanging on to those precious spots with the national team and the big clubs in Italy. Meh, whatever.

VITTEK!!!!!

It is a lack of talent, there is a reason big clubs prefer foreign talent over Italian talent: the foreigners are better, plain and simple. There's a reason some of the best Italian talent floats around mid-table clubs, it's where they deserve to be. It's a combination of lack of production and lack of development in regards to talent.

 

[Xifio]

You think Lippi is regretting whatever stupid grudge he has against Cassano?

Nah, probably not.

is he regretting it? no!
should he be? the fruit will surely do the talking ...

Iaquinta is some sort of joke you Italians are playing on the rest of the world right? I've probably seen him play 10-20 games in blue now, and in all those games I've never seen him do anything that made me think for a second he was good enough to play for Italy. Not a ONE THING in 1000+ minutes of play. I just don't get it, and his continued selection for the Azzuri combined with his continued presence for top club teams just baffles the hell out of me.

And just as I type this, he completely blows another great opportunity in the box.

like Rocky said, it's coz he works hard and runs all day ... same reason why Simone Pepe is not just in the team, but has started every match ...

Iaquinta starting for Italy just shows the rest of the world the dearth of talent we have at the forward spots.

Miccoli has been the most in-form Italian player, and is a leader on the pitch ... Cassano providing for Pazzini has taken Samp to the Champions League -- but like you said, without any service, what can Pazzo do? even Super Mario, whose temperament is rubbish, but whose skill and goalscoring prowess is undeniable, might have been worth a gamble as the joker ...

I'm not sure if there's a lack of talent, I think it's more that since the foreigner restrictions were completely lifted in like 2001 or so, the big clubs have gone away from developing talent. So you kind of have the situation where the best Italian talent isn't at Milan or Inter or Juventus, but rather it's at Napoli, Fiorentina, Genoa, and Sampdoria. But those players don't really get the recognition because they haven't played for the top teams, so they don't get called up to the Azzurri ahead of the old guys who are hanging on to those precious spots with the national team and the big clubs in Italy. Meh, whatever.

I won't bother commenting on Lippi's selections coz Don Prandelli is coming ...

 

[Rocky]

De Rossi has scored twice for Slovakia today.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I really hate the time wasting at the end, but since it's happening to Italy when they are so close to the equalizer I'm not upset about it. In fact, with how close Italy have been to getting the 3rd, even I would probably fake an injury.

 

[Rocky]

You can't start playing in the 80th minute and expect to win. Also, Quagliarella scored what might be the goal of the tournament, and it meant nothing. Good luck Slovakia, you deserve it.

 

[Xifio]

what a goal from Quags!

but it was fitting that Pepe the donkey fluffed the chance that sees Lippi's selection finish bottom of the group, below an unbeaten New Zealand!

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Really makes you wonder how France and Italy got to the Final in 2006. In the other 2 World Cups this decade the two blue teams combined to finish at the bottom of 3 groups and get eliminated by an asian team in the round of 16.

 

[jumbo]

Awfully quiet around here now. Haha.

 

[Mus]

goalkeeper should be sent off raising a hand is a straight red so should the defender who was third man in to an altercation going by the book.

however i am glad italy have gone out in the groups as i'm now $50 richer

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I gotta say, the Italians have such a bad reputation because they wear their hearts on their sleeve; they are a very passionate people (and also the diving of course, but that's pretty common). The ideal attitude if you don't want everyone else in the world to hate you is that of the Germans. Everyone hates Germany because "they always win" and the War, but not because they're pricks.

I don't know, just trying to throw something out there.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

goalkeeper should be sent off raising a hand is a straight red so should the defender who was third man in to an altercation going by the book.

however i am glad italy have gone out in the groups as i'm now $50 richer

You must be joking. My take on it was that he was raising his hand saying "can you please give me some ******* room so I can get out of the net?" It wasn't malicious at all, and to be honest I'm not even sure he made contact. If he did it was softer than I touch my girlfriend's face on Valentine's Day.

 

[Run DMB]

New Zealand ends the World Cup undefeated.

Haters gonna hate.

 

[Xifio]

You must be joking. My take on it was that he was raising his hand saying "can you please give me some ******* room so I can get out of the net?" It wasn't malicious at all, and to be honest I'm not even sure he made contact. If he did it was softer than I touch my girlfriend's face on Valentine's Day.

you domestic abusing bastard! hah

Really makes you wonder how France and Italy got to the Final in 2006. In the other 2 World Cups this decade the two blue teams combined to finish at the bottom of 3 groups and get eliminated by an asian team in the round of 16.

Italy got robbed in 2002 ... not just in the Korean match, but all through that tournament ... if you thought the US's disallowed goals were bad enough to call corruption, then I have no idea how raging mad you'd have been if you were an Italian fan in 2002 ...

 

[Mus]

You must be joking. My take on it was that he was raising his hand saying "can you please give me some ******* room so I can get out of the net?" It wasn't malicious at all, and to be honest I'm not even sure he made contact. If he did it was softer than I touch my girlfriend's face on Valentine's Day.

even a gentle push to the face is a red, you may agree or may not but by the law it is

 

[ShiftyPowers]

even a gentle push to the face is a red, you may agree or may not but by the law it is

I'm pretty sure intent is part of it, and there was nothing approaching malicious intent by the keeper. Like I said, from my view it looked like he was holding his hand up like a traffic cop saying "stop", telling the asshole on top of him to back off so he could get out of the net.

 

[Rocky]

Oh, and it's time for a foreigner limit in Serie A. Just throwing that out there. It will force stubborn Italian coaches, who consider a 23 year old "young," to play Italian talent . Changes need to be made in Italian soccer. While this early exit is hard for me to swallow, I think, for the benefit of Italian soccer, I'm glad it happened. Had this Italian team limped out of the group stage, the foundational problems with Italian soccer would have been ignored. Now, with Italy eliminated early, it shines a light on what's wrong today with Italian soccer and hopefully something is done.

 

[Mus]

probably true, but we all know he wasn't in any hurry to get that ball out of the net was he

but yeah i've seen reds for a lot lesser things than that

 

[fender]

NZ above Italy never saw that coming.

 

[Arnau]

 

[Back Door Skip]

Dammit, I always miss the good stuff!