Group E (Ita/Gha/Cze/US) - Page 3 - TalkSoccer

**russe||** · 08-02-2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usamu

All that international experience has served the Italians really well in the last few years, hasn't it?

If USA and Italy were about as good as each other I'd still back the Italians cos of their extra experience. The fact they are better than the US too IMO doesn't gave the USA team much chance.

Just cos Italy have been poor in the last two major tournaments doesn't change the fact that experience plays big part in deciding football matches.

**Jager** · 09-02-2006, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usamu

All that international experience has served the Italians really well in the last few years, hasn't it?

And the US have won what??? Which strikers are going to bust through our defense? We will shut out the USA.

cerebral_assassin · 09-02-2006, 07:02 AM

Italy would run rings around bocanegra and co. , its inevitable. I saw the us team up close when they played us, and they arent too great. Players like adp and totti would make the usa re-think calling football "soccer" and probably just stick with baseball.

usamu · 09-02-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jager

And the US have won what??? Which strikers are going to bust through our defense? We will shut out the USA.

Eddie Johnson will be playing for a major European team this time next year, assuming he comes to the WC healthy, he's that good. Most of our attacks come from our midfield, Donovan and Beasley will create chances.

Alot of these predictions are reminding me of 2002, when we were awful, and that Portugal was going to blow us out of the water in our first game. How did that turn out again? Keep overlooking us...

**Jager** · 16-02-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usamu

Eddie Johnson will be playing for a major European team this time next year, assuming he comes to the WC healthy, he's that good. Most of our attacks come from our midfield, Donovan and Beasley will create chances.

Alot of these predictions are reminding me of 2002, when we were awful, and that Portugal was going to blow us out of the water in our first game. How did that turn out again? Keep overlooking us...

I don't think we'll overlook you. Italy plays the same way for every opponent, which is part of the problem.

There is no doubt in my mind that the USA can cause problems, and can beat us on a good day, however I think we'll dictate the game, and we'll control the ball. If we do those things, we should win.

Our defense is the strongest in the world, and with Gattuso in the middle, its going to be difficult for the US to move the ball down the middle. So you will forced down the flanks, and long balls.

This is where Buffon's experience and ability should come into play.

**sinoy1** · 17-02-2006, 04:19 PM

i find ghana to be the biggest threat for the czechs and the italians...usa is gonna finish last i think.

usamu · 20-02-2006, 01:12 AM

Totti's injury today could greatly effect the outcome of this group. That was an awful looking injury.

**azzurri** · 20-02-2006, 02:46 AM

it wont affect anything. italy will still move on. player for player, the azzurri are better in most areas. also, italy have the luxury of a deep bench.

**Jager** · 20-02-2006, 04:20 AM

Hard to say what the Azzurri will do, or if Totti is done for good. Just because it looks bad, doesn't mean it is.

They two months, the WC is four months away. Time will tell, we'll find out more in the next week or so.

Having said this, lets say he doesn't play, it will mean Lippi will MOST definitely select Cassano, and we could see a standard 4-2-2.

CantonaStillGod · 20-02-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinoy1

i find ghana to be the biggest threat for the czechs and the italians...usa is gonna finish last i think.

Ghana?? I don't think so matey. It'll be a struggle between the US and the Republic for 2nd

Marcello · 27-02-2006, 09:50 PM

Italy And Czech Republic

**sinoy1** · 01-03-2006, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Ghana?? I don't think so matey. It'll be a struggle between the US and the Republic for 2nd

i think ghana will be alot tougher then the states, "matey".

hanuma · 01-03-2006, 03:57 PM

Only if they get their 3 amigo's in midfield on the pitch the whole time...Muntaari, Essien, Appiah - fearsome.

**azzurri** · 01-03-2006, 05:42 PM

muntari? fearsome?

no offense to ghana, but that midfield 3 is shite. only world class player there is essien, and he cant do it all by himself. appiah makes alot of bad mistakes, and muntari is overrated. maybe with udinese he looks good, but everytime they have played a big team this yr, he has dissapeared and not done much.

hanuma · 01-03-2006, 05:53 PM

Mate....they are all huge, strong, fast midfielders that could easily outmuscle any other midfield in the world and Essien and Appiah have enough technical ability to keep the ball.

That is a fearsome 3 right there. Winning the midfield battle will take the utmost technical quality, because you aren't going to outfight them.