Group E (Ita/Gha/Cze/US) - Page 4 - TalkSoccer

**Jager** · 02-03-2006, 12:25 AM

Considering how we've been playing together, and everybody is on the same page, I think we can match most teams, with the exception of a few.

If Italy maintains their defensive posture, and we add the physical element to our technical ability, I think we will be alright.

Lippi has the counterattack down pat. Italy thrives on this.

**azzurri** · 02-03-2006, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanuma

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.

outfight and out class are 2 different things. ive seen appiah play alot, he is a decent player, but made alot of bad mistakes in serie a with juve. the situation now wont be any easier as he is playing, arguably, against serie a's best lol, therefore it is not wrong to assume that he wont be dominant.

muntari is utter shite, what a big impact he has had on udinese this season lol. (not that udinese sucking is his fault, but he hasn't been very good this yr)

to add to all of that, italy have 1 of the most fierce midfielders in the game, gattuso, laying the law down in midfield, so it will be hard for any midfield to clearly be dominant against italy.

basically, im trying to point out that italy's biggest threats are the czech republic and U.S.

hanuma · 02-03-2006, 01:25 PM

Maybe so....but Gattuso will not be able to have the same influence on a game he normally would....add that to the fact that Pirlo is categorically a lightweight and your only other top class midfielde is Fiore and your left relying on your forwards and wingbacks to make the difference.

Appia playing for Juve in a 442 is a very different one to that playing in a 451 packed midfield alongside Essien, Muntaari and Abubakari Yakubu.

I'm not suggesting that Italy aren't any good....far from it, just saying that Ghana won't be easy for anyone.

usamu · 03-03-2006, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanuma

I'm not suggesting that Italy aren't any good....far from it, just saying that Ghana won't be easy for anyone.

You're right, Ghana won't be easy, but I still think they're the fourth best team in the group.

**jec1** · 08-03-2006, 10:04 PM

Italy will go through I think they will be a surprise team that will go far.

**sinoy1** · 28-03-2006, 12:30 AM

rosiscky's goal was flippin amazing!! if he can play at a high level they can really make it far.

Kotoko · 09-05-2006, 09:44 AM

Ghana and Italy...

skeeta · 15-05-2006, 02:52 PM

A dozen different leagues for the Ghanain squad, would not be surprised if that is a record.

hanuma · 15-05-2006, 02:58 PM

Good possibility.

skeeta · 16-05-2006, 02:59 PM

Buffon has indeed been less than his "best in the world" self since he has been back, but Lippi has always been one to value players' past performances in the national team over current form. Materazzi and Peruzzi are prime examples of this. And I continue to think that Toldo would be Buffon's replacement if things go south, and be the number 1. In the absence of the scandals and personality issues, Italy could field a trio of Buffon, Toldo and either Abbiati or Amelia (depending on whether you wanted to go for a veteran or promising young keeper on the third spot). I would put either of those up against anyone other than Spain, who I think would just edge the competition with Casillas, Canizares and Reina or the French GKs.

**azzurri** · 16-05-2006, 04:57 PM

erm, buffon has been just fine, even when he is not at his best, he's miles better than the names u mentioned.

he saved our ass from total humiliation in the CL. as well as pulling out a bunch of super saves in serie a (inter away comes to mind).

**sinoy1** · 17-05-2006, 12:52 PM

im more worried about pirlo's crappy form....maybe de rossi should start given pirlo is physically weak. hopefully he ( pirlo ) trains hard during this little time off.

hanuma · 17-05-2006, 12:54 PM

I think De Rossi should start ahead of Camoranesi anyway;

Gattuso Pirlo De Rossi is much better balanced.

**azzurri** · 17-05-2006, 03:43 PM

cammo seems to play alot better/consistent with italy than with juve. hypothetically, if some1 were to start ahead of him, it should be marchionni. He has had a better serie a campaign than cammo, but as i said b4, cammo seems to play well with italy.

**sinoy1** · 17-05-2006, 05:28 PM

de rossi is great and breaking down the opposing teams flow and attack not to mention knows how to go forward and make those final passes. he'll play as a sub role for when pirlo or gattuso run their hearts out. i think he'll impress.