MovieChat Forums > UEFA Euro 2020 (2021) Discussion > Belgium vs Italy

Belgium vs Italy

posted 3 years ago by [deleted]
18 replies | jump to latest

Everyone said Belgium were the favorites to win it all. Everyone said Italy would crumble once they met serious opposition.

Well they met Belgium and tactically outfoxed them. Other than conceding an unnecessary penalty that made the result more flattering for Belgium...Italy were largely flawless. Belgium were outplayed and outwitted by the Azzurri. They started out a bit brighter than Italy but then Mancini's men wrestled control of the game and never gave it back.

Even the much feared Lukaku was silenced by the experience and tenacity of Chiellini. Sure he got on the scoreboard...via the aforementioned penalty, but he was largely reduced to feeding on scraps. Belgium’s biggest threat came from the youngster Doku, and he created a few opportunities for himself and his team, but the result was never really in question...even as the game got scrappy in the last 10-15 minutes.

Onwards now to Italy vs Spain, it should be a great game considering it’s the two best technical sides in the tournament.

[–] overseas7 (3628) 3 years ago

Nice match yesterday!

[–] BillySlater (4125) 3 years ago

Good prediction on Italy, although you turned me to the dark side and I picked them to beat Belgium.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

It’s what I do lol. The game against Austria was just a hiccup...I knew they’d return to their usual fluid best.

Now we’ll see against Spain, they’ve played a whole hour more than Italy, will it impact them? They’re defense has shown to be rather shaky. If Italy beat them then I’d say the trophy is theirs to lose.

[–] BillySlater (4125) 3 years ago

I don´t know why but I am going Italy-England final with England to win, even though Italy might technically be better as a unit. Maybe home crowd advantage will get them home.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

England may get past Ukraine today, but I doubt they could past Denmark(I’m hoping it’s a good game entertaining against the Czechs).

[–] BillySlater (4125) 3 years ago

I am mostly tipping England because of home crowd advantage in semis, and final.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I’ve seen England play...they’ve gone up against some really easy competition...and even then they’ve been pedestrian. They got lucky with an easy group and knock out stage bracket, like in the World Cup three years ago. Making it to the semifinals at the World Cup was a stroke of luck; their opponents consisted of Tunisia, Panama, Colombia and Sweden(Semi strong team). The only real tough opponent they faced was Belgium and they beat England twice.

Same here at the Euros; a depleted Croatia(they did improve as the tournament went on), a 0-0 draw with a Scottish side that got in their face and England had trouble, then came the Czechs...a semi decent team who were going through anyway. Then a very very weak Germany...who’s name only made them look fierce. England have been coasting by on sheer luck. Ukraine won’t be so easy...they took out Sweden. But even if England beats them....I have a tough time imagining them beating a slick Danish team(they’re leading the Czechs 2-0 at halftime so I’m assuming it’ll be Denmark)....let alone Spain or Italy.

[–] MichelleDessler (420) 3 years ago

Come on dude. Give credit where credit is due. 4-0 and no conceded goals so far this tournament. We deserve to be in that semi final just like Denmark, Spain and Italy. Even if we lose on Weds, I am proud of Southgate and the boys. COME ON ENGLAND!!

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

You haven’t played a serious contender yet. Ukraine got into the knockouts as one of the best 3rd place teams. Your bracket has been laughingly easy.

We’ll see against Denmark or Italy/Spain.

[–] MichelleDessler (420) 3 years ago

That is the same for all other countries who have made it to the semis. They have all played similar strengths in teams.

Italy had in their group:
Wales
Switzerland - Great team
TURKEY - worse in the tournament

Then Austria and Belgium.

Spain had in their group:
Sweden - Great team
Slovakia
Poland

Then Croatia and Switzerland

Denmark had:
Belgium - Excellent team
Finland
Russia

Then Wales and Czech Republic

England had
Croatia
Czech Republic - Great team
Scotland

Then Germany and Ukraine.

I know you don’t want England to win, we all have our favourites, but it’s unfair to say they are the only country to have had an easy path to the semi finals. You even said yourself Ukraine won’t be easy for England to beat as Ukraine knocked out Sweden. Now you are saying Ukraine were easy to beat.

I’m not denying Italy and Spain are the strongest and Denmark have been incredible, I give all teams credit and will cheer some on, but as mentioned all the semi finalists deserve to be there.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Switzerland knocked out France and nearly knocked out Spain, so they weren’t exactly an easy team.

England just overshoots all the time. How many times has the mantra of “It’s coming home” been uttered? Practically every major tournament of late.

[–] MichelleDessler (420) 3 years ago

I noted above that Switzerland are a great team. I didn’t say Italy played only easy teams, I said that all countries in the semis all played similar strengths teams. Also Germany beat Portugal 4-2. :) Now you are going to say Portugal are crap? :)

I’m one of the few that never sings that song, but why is it wrong for people to get excited?

Also, I can admit previous England teams from the past, especially around the time of the World Cup in South Africa, were rubbish and actually put me off football/Premiership for a while as the team let us down so many times and it felt like they only played for money and not for their country, but there is definitely something different with Southgate’s team. There’s passion and pride and this is why I will not be disappointed if we lose in the semis, because I know they have all played to the best of their abilities. So proud of them and they can hold their heads up high no matter what happens.

We can agree to disagree, but I do wish all teams the best of luck and will cheer on England. :) It’s been a great tournament.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

That Germany win over Portugalwas a flash in the Pan kind of thing. Because they struggled against Hungary in their next game.

South gates England is definitely better than Capello’s for sure. Maybe even better than Eriksson’s. He’s managed to get them to put their physical advantage to good use over other teams. But they’ll need a lot to Best better technical sides.

[–] MichelleDessler (420) 3 years ago

Finally we agree on something. :) I LOVED Ericksson’s team, but believe Southgate’s is better, but remember, there are a lot of young blood in this team and they seem to improve as they go along. They were good in 2018 (first big tournament for a few of the players), but I definitely see an improvement this year. :)

[–] BillySlater (4125) 3 years ago

I would argue Croatia is a better team than Czech Rep and would hardly call Czech Rep at a great team at all. Croatia were only World Cup finalists 3 years ago.

[–] MichelleDessler (420) 3 years ago

Very true. Forgot to note that. Czech Republic did well this time around, which is why I noted that. Love that most of the underdogs got further than the bigger teams. :)

[–] BillySlater (4125) 3 years ago

Who doesn´t? :p

[–] MichelleDessler (420) 3 years ago

:-) lol