International Football

Dels · Post 10-09-18 22:23

Anybody interested in this League of Nations malarkey?

I suppose it's better than pointless friendlies, especially when it breaks up a season 3/4 games into it.

I watched Scotland tonight they were decent enough. Albania were nothing to write home about though.

Duncan!! · Post 11-09-18 04:48

Not a fan of the Nations League.

Just keep the Euro qualifiers like it's always been

Nice to see Scotland get the W. They are probably better than Italia at the moment.

I am still pissed that Immobile keeps getting a start.

Where is Quags????????

Ray · Post 11-09-18 11:43

I have enjoyed the nations league so far.

Berardi has impressed me for Italy. Also in some under 21 games I watched, he showed character and balls to try and make things happen. Some players just seem to raise their level for their country, maybe Berardi is one of them?

My Italy team, 4231:

Donnarumma
Florenzi Bonucci Chiellini Dé Sciglio
Marchisio Jorghino
Berardi Bernardeschi Chiesa
Balotelli

Liam · Post 11-09-18 17:44

The Nations League is better than friendlies so I'm OK with it, even though I don't see anybody losing sleep over a lack of success in it.

Duncan!! · Post 11-09-18 20:42

Not in the long run, but just right now, I would start Quagliarella upfront.

Romagnoli partnering Bonucci

No Marchisio. Put DDR next to Jorginho

Ray · Post 12-09-18 08:27

Duncan!! wrote: ↑
11-09-18 20:42
Not in the long run, but just right now, I would start Quagliarella upfront.

Romagnoli partnering Bonucci

No Marchisio. Put DDR next to Jorginho

I'd definitely have Marchisio over DDR. DDR is great though.

Dels · Post 12-09-18 13:11

Quags is 35, I can't seen him being brought into the national fold at this point. Italy were good at Euro16, they ripped apart Spain and only got beat by Germany on pens. How has it gone so wrong in the space of two years?

Liam · Post 12-09-18 17:57

Dels wrote: ↑
12-09-18 13:11
Quags is 35, I can't seen him being brought into the national fold at this point. Italy were good at Euro16, they ripped apart Spain and only got beat by Germany on pens. How has it gone so wrong in the space of two years?

Italy lack the same amount of top class players as the past, and those that remain are retired from internationals or ageing. Conte's coaching ability got the maximum from that group. Ventura wasn't able to do that and without the quality in attack failed to reach the World Cup.

I don't see any tournament wins for a while until they work out how to develop superstars again.

Dels · Post 12-09-18 19:28

Conte is a huge loss for them. Its a pity the Chelsea move turned out the way it did because I feel if he hadn't left Italy might not be in this predicament. I wonder if he regrets it.
Will we ever see a Pirlo, Del Piero, Totti, etc again at the same time? Probably not. I was watching a reel of Del Piero that someone had posted on Twitter the other day there. His was all natural talent, that can't be taught. For all we know Italy may never produce that kind of player again. I doubt they'll end up like Scotland but they'll probably be behind France/Spain/Germany for a little while.

Duncan!! · Post 13-09-18 04:13

Italy don't score goals anymore. That's why I would pick Quagliarella in the short term until someone steps up. I doubt it will happen because of his age but qualifying is the primary thing.

I do like Marchisio even though he

is gobbi, but over DDR?

Liam · Post 13-09-18 18:09

Dels wrote: ↑
12-09-18 19:28
Conte is a huge loss for them. Its a pity the Chelsea move turned out the way it did because I feel if he hadn't left Italy might not be in this predicament. I wonder if he regrets it.
Will we ever see a Pirlo, Del Piero, Totti, etc again at the same time? Probably not. I was watching a reel of Del Piero that someone had posted on Twitter the other day there. His was all natural talent, that can't be taught. For all we know Italy may never produce that kind of player again. I doubt they'll end up like Scotland but they'll probably be behind France/Spain/Germany for a little while.

In the late 90's there was so many outstanding attacking players. From veterans like Baggio, Mancini and Zola, to the younger Del Piero and Totti. Also don't forget goalscorers like Vieri and Inzaghi. Cassano was also coming through at that time, although he wasted much of his career.

I don't know the details of Italian youth coaching, but part of me thinks that those stars from the 90's had far more development on their individual skills and therefore had more skill and ingenuity in their game. These days I get the impression young players are made to focus on teamwork from a younger age and some of that flair gets lost.

That's an assumption though so anyone with more knowledge can feel free to correct me.

Dels · Post 15-09-18 15:55

Liam wrote: ↑
13-09-18 18:09
I don't know the details of Italian youth coaching, but part of me thinks that those stars from the 90's had far more development on their individual skills and therefore had more skill and ingenuity in their game. These days I get the impression young players are made to focus on teamwork from a younger age and some of that flair gets lost.

I agree. Also teams want results a lot more quicker. For those with money instead of developing youngsters they just buy them.

Duncan!! · Post 16-09-18 04:17

Quags scores again. Italy's best striker

Dels · Post 11-10-18 22:15

Being a Scotland fan basically..

Duncan!! · Post 11-10-18 22:23

own goal and a red card didn't help

Dels · Post 11-10-18 23:19

Or playing shite

Duncan!! · Post 12-10-18 04:36

Italia ain;t much better at the moment.....

Dels · Post 12-10-18 15:12

No, they're not but you feel Italy can and will pull themselves together, this rut that Scotland is in will last another 20+ years, maybe forever.

Duncan!! · Post 12-10-18 21:36

hopefully not. For either team

Dels · Post 13-10-18 19:00

Oh boy Scotland are playing Portugal next. Scary stuff.

I watched the Croatia/England match last night, never let it be said the game doesn't need the fans. Should have let the English fans in at least.