Final: Italy vs England
- Thread starter ivaldo
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Any chance he drops Saka? He’s the weak link in the attack I think. Would love him to throw a curveball and bring in Rashford as I think tactically he’s perfect against that slow defence but he seems to be enamoured with Saka at the moment despite being the weakest of the options.
Hands up all those who are on a 'promise' tonight if England win tonight 
Why on earth would be bring in Rashford.
I only just realised that it's three years to the day that we lost to Croatia in that semi. Talk about ominous.
I think Rashford is the best tactical matchup against the Italian defence. You need your wingers running outside to in with pace. Playing Rashford and Sterling is our quickest pair with the best movement in behind and probably our biggest counter threat. Sancho would probably be the other one he could use for that if he wanted to keep Sterling on the left but I don’t see any reason to go with Saka.
I thought Foden would come in for Saka but he's apparently injured so maybe not now.
You could make a nice highlights montage for a Youtube video of Saka this tournament, he's gone on some great dribbles and beaten players and he did well for the equaliser in the Semi Final.
His actual overall performances haven't been that great though, he's looked very raw. Clearly got a lot of potential but he seems to just get his head down and run into defenders most of the time.
You would likely haft lost the semi without Saka's pace, though. Denmark had control after our goal. If Saka hadn't run behind for the equaliser (and a few minutes before), we would have probably been ahead at the break and could have gotten the energy needed to see it through.
I guess Kane's out of the final then...what with being eaten by a lion and stuff...
Hahah, I swear to God, I just dreamt of Queen Elizabeth giving the trophy to Kane.
I think Southgate will revert to the team that started Vs Germany. Not because Italy are similar to Germany but because England will try to keep a closed shop and hit on the counter.
I could see Grealish for Saka to try and win the game from a Free kick.
I'm very worried about Sterling having played 120 mins on Wed
Yes, that's how it works. We definitely wouldn't have had a better player than Saka on the pitch in his place if he wasn't playing.
Hopefully England bring this home now.
Dunno why modern footballers are so thick. He's about to represent his country in Euro final and here he is standing in front of an angry wild animal.
An absolutely massive one too
It was his extreme pace that made the difference at a time you were tactically struggling, that's my only point. Do you have equally good Saka alternatives, yes. But equally fast?
havent decided where im gonna watch his yet..
come on england
come on england
Well yes, in similar moments as those Rashford or Sancho would be just as quick - I'm not saying Rashford should be near the pitch btw because he shouldn't. But equally, there were a number of attacks that broke down when the ball came to Saka, that a better player - or a more experienced player - would have played the situation differently. It's pointless speculating really but overall I wouldn't be starting Saka tonight.
In slightly more controversial news I think we should be starting Henderson over Phillips but that doesn't seem likely.
Thanks for the update.
That lions not angry, its yawning out of boredom at your post.
Ahhh feck. Here come the nerves...
Hopefully England’s performance isn’t as tame as those lion emojis.
He created two goals so far. Had the best half of football from any of the players against Czech. He is not a weak link at all.
Glad to see
Why on earth we he have Rashford on the right, have you ever watched him for United on the right
In my humble opinion the only possible two changes from the starting 11 and one that Southgate may consider taking into account his safety first approach is Henderson for Mount to negate Italy's strongest assets in central midfield to keep it tight and Sancho for Saka as he offers similar skill/dribbling but better link up play with ball retention,, passing and movement off the flank and with the extra midfielder as a safety net he would have less defensive responsibilities
Why on earth we he have Rashford on the right, have you ever watched him for United on the right
In my humble opinion the only possible two changes from the starting 11 and one that Southgate may consider taking into account his safety first approach is Henderson for Mount to negate Italy's strongest assets in central midfield to keep it tight and Sancho for Saka as he offers similar skill/dribbling but better link up play with ball retention,, passing and movement off the flank and with the extra midfielder as a safety net he would have less defensive responsibilities
I feel so confident for some reason. I think Italy a bit overrated to be honest, people go on about England having an easy draw, but i think Italy have had way easier fixtures at this Euros than England, ok Belgium was impressive, but England wouldn't have gone out against Spain, yet i'd have Italy going out against Germany and Denmark.
Their group was a piece of piss too, whereas England was in a group with World Cup finalists Croatia, them only losing to Spain in extra time at the Euros and Czech Republic who made the last 8 and beating Holland in the process.
If England play to their potential i can't see how they can handle us for 90mins (possibly 2 hours), their style of play is predictable and defendable yet England have a variety of ways to score and have many options to change a game, England won't be like Italy vs Spain, Spain dominated but had no clue or weapons to break them down, England do.
The only thing i fear is Italy scoring first, that happens the bus will be parked and the Italians are great at that, if England score first though i can see this being quite comfortable as Italy will have to take risks and that will play right into England's hands.
Their group was a piece of piss too, whereas England was in a group with World Cup finalists Croatia, them only losing to Spain in extra time at the Euros and Czech Republic who made the last 8 and beating Holland in the process.
If England play to their potential i can't see how they can handle us for 90mins (possibly 2 hours), their style of play is predictable and defendable yet England have a variety of ways to score and have many options to change a game, England won't be like Italy vs Spain, Spain dominated but had no clue or weapons to break them down, England do.
The only thing i fear is Italy scoring first, that happens the bus will be parked and the Italians are great at that, if England score first though i can see this being quite comfortable as Italy will have to take risks and that will play right into England's hands.
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Will we park the bus a la Denmark?
It'll be cagey.
Finals almost always are, don't think we'll park the bus though. Not at 0-0 anyway
Rumour on Talksport is that Trippier back in at WB and three at the back.
Quite calm and relaxed, if we lose it'll be to the best team in the tournament. I saw some ESPN coverage from America trying to make it we're all nervous, but I think overall the atmosphere is positive and we simply believe its our time.
I'm scared stupid. Which is not a bad thing. It usually goes really wrong if I am over confident.
I think he should, but would be surprised if he does. I can understand Saka's selection, as he tracks his fullback as well as offering penetrative runs in behind more than either Sancho or Foden. I feel given Spinazolla is out, he has a chance to be more aggressive, but I think he'll stick with the same team.
Out of form Rashford against this Italian defence? Nah. Unless you like watching him running into and bouncing off their defenders. Might as well play with ten men.
Obviously he would put Rashford left and Sterling right which wouldn’t have any impact on sterling’s game. Rashford stylistically could cause these big issues I think. Wouldn’t complain if he went Sancho right and Sterlingect either but Saka is just wasting a spot of a better player currently.
I think he’s far more likely to have an impact than Saka who makes the occasional tidy dribble but otherwise looks pretty lost out there.
Agreed
Sancho or Sterling on the right for me tonight.
Saka has done well, but the left side of the Italian defence is their to be exploited tonight.
Saka has done well, but the left side of the Italian defence is their to be exploited tonight.
Rashford is the very player that can affect that Italian backline because he offers pace and threat from different angles and can drag those CB out more than Saka could from the right.
Rasford - Kane - Sterling
Angles, movement, shots and pace.