Final: Italy vs England

Agree
But anyone that thinks this is automatically seen as an antiengander.

You can think Southgate is a wolly without having getting insults thrown at you

Aye you can, but to earn that sort of treatment you probably need to make sure your posts don't look like they're pure wummery 99% of the time.
 
For me this is bigger just because we've never seen us win anything and might never get the chance again. With United I'm sure there will be plenty more Champions League finals in my lifetime.

As soon as England have won one though, it's back to United > England.

Win or lose tonight i think England's future looks bright. World Cup next year, the only team i think are threat to England (on paper) is France, Germany could be a threat, but these are the only countries i think England should be fearful of on paper.

I don't think any of the South American countries are strong enough right now or will be in the next 17 months, Belgium are on the way down and i think this is Italy's last hurrah.

So think semi-finals and finals could be a regular thing for England in the next 10 years *fingers crossed*
 
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Agree
But anyone that thinks this is automatically seen as an antiengander.

You can think Southgate is a wolly without having getting insults thrown at you

Get lost. You've been wumming everyone the whole tournament then when called out you disappear.

You don't like England and want them to get beat. Fair enough. Just seems strange, and a bit pathetic, you've invested that much of your time into letting everyone know that. Then again you're not on your own.
 
I actually think it makes sense to go defensive and keep it tight for at least the first 45 mins. The Italians looked knackered from about the 60 minute mark against Spain and put a lot into the 120.

And, unlike England, they don't have tons of quality on the bench.

So, keep it tight and make attacking subs to change the dynamic later.

Not exciting but seems sensible.

See I would completely agree with this, but it's the nagging issue of Southgate's reluctance to actually change things that worries me.
 
Here's my two cents. England can't play Italy's game. They need to beat them with quick tempo football and they need to harass every Italian player for the ball giving them little time to think. That's something Italy's team aren't used to. Their defence is tough but slow. Guys like Grealish, Sancho and Sterling can cause some real damage there.
 
I actually think it makes sense to go defensive and keep it tight for at least the first 45 mins. The Italians looked knackered from about the 60 minute mark against Spain and put a lot into the 120.

And, unlike England, they don't have tons of quality on the bench.

So, keep it tight and make attacking subs to change the dynamic later.

Not exciting but seems sensible.

Good point. Italy did seem knackered on the hour mark, much like Denmark.

England seemed pretty fresh and have a good range of options on the bench.
 
Can't believe I'm seeing people say they would trade one of our CL wins for England to win the fecking European Championships.
The same England that are usually an afterthought and inconvenience during the season. Would never swap a cl for today
 
Really?! Can't relate to that. I suppose being there in 2008 was one of the best night of my entire life. I couldn't possibly imagine that game going any other way just to see England win a Euros so many years later, just the thought of seeing Terry's penalty going in instead, then losing the following year and again in 2011, then ten years on to have been nowhere close to another CL final, horrific thought. I'm so excited for tonight, but it doesn't feel anywhere close to the same as a big Utd game.

I'm more nervous and excited for a league game against Liverpool than I am for this England game to be honest. It all feels a bit weird and alien though, not used to us being here, in a final, it's so strange.

it’s a totally silly question to start with really.

but as a United fan, 1999 will likely never be topped. 2008 was great, but nowhere near the same.

tonight feels much bigger than Moscow to me. Perhaps it’s because I went to high semi’s and live in London?

how would it even work - do we all get in a machine and erase memories of 2008?
 
I'm really hoping that's not true.

Whilst I applaud Southgate for getting us this far, it hasn't exactly been via a tactical masterclass. The Italians could run away with it early if they click into gear before we do, and we all know Southgate struggles with a plan B during games.

This is my worry as I said before I think whoever scores the first goal will win it..
 
Yeah I think he'll need to snap out of that tonight and use his bench proactively.

I just can't see it. Against the Danes, it was 1 sub in 90mins in a game where they also heavily tired like many think the Italians will.

Fair fecks to Southgate so far, but this Italian side is a massive step up to what we've faced. I really hope he has the Plan B sorted this time!
 
May the best team win.

Can see Southgate is going to stack the XI with defensive players once again. It’s going to be extremely cagey and tactical, and Italy will nick a 1-0 victory. All the papers and fans will get on his back for not being more ballsy and utilising the attacking talent at his disposal.
 
I just can't see it. Against the Danes, it was 1 sub in 90mins in a game where they also heavily tired like many think the Italians will.

Fair fecks to Southgate so far, but this Italian side is a massive step up to what we've faced. I really hope he has the Plan B sorted this time!

Let's hope so as I think all the tools are there to win tonight. It's just using them properly and at the right time!
 
I think Italy will win, I just 'hope' for the spectacle England take them all the way and don't lose meekly
 
See I would completely agree with this, but it's the nagging issue of Southgate's reluctance to actually change things that worries me.
Unless we're going to throw caution to the wind and play all our technical players to try to pass them off the pitch (unlikely!) I can't think of a better plan tbh.

We can't 'Spain' them, certainly not with this manager anyway.

Basically, he's got all the tools, just needs to use them at the right time.
 
I disagree there, win or lose tonight i think England's future looks bright. World Cup next year, the only team i think are threat to England (on paper) is France, Germany could be a threat, but these are the only countries i think England should be fearful of on paper.

I don't think any of the South American countries are strong enough right now or will be in the next 17 months, Belgium are on the way down and i think this is Italy's last hurrah.
Oh I think so too, but you just never know in international football. It has been 55 years after all!

As for Italy it's just going to depend on whether they've got any decent young CBs that can step in. The rest of the team is fine.
 
Seeing a lot of confidence- win or lose today- for England at the next World Cup and i'm not sure about that. A lot of question marks remain for me: the manager and the defensive mentality, the 'luck' of the previous two competitions with the route to the final; it won't be at home next year either. The squad quality is very good though.

If Spain get their attack sorted they'll be a really tough team to face. Germany have a new manager too and Belgium might have one last chance to get it right.
 
Seeing a lot of confidence- win or lose today- for England at the next World Cup and i'm not sure about that. A lot of question marks remain for me: the manager and the defensive mentality, the 'luck' of the previous two competitions with the route to the final; it won't be at home next year either. The squad quality is very good though.

If Spain get their attack sorted they'll be a really tough team to face. Germany have a new manager too and Belgium might have one last chance to get it right.

lots of ifs, but’s and maybes.

will be the same in the World Cup as it was in the Euros - England will be in the mix as one of at least half a dozen of teams that could win it. Form and luck play a part.
 
Seeing a lot of confidence- win or lose today- for England at the next World Cup and i'm not sure about that. A lot of question marks remain for me: the manager and the defensive mentality, the 'luck' of the previous two competitions with the route to the final; it won't be at home next year either. The squad quality is very good though.

If Spain get their attack sorted they'll be a really tough team to face. Germany have a new manager too and Belgium might have one last chance to get it right.

Jesus, one thing at a time! :lol:
 
Seeing a lot of confidence- win or lose today- for England at the next World Cup and i'm not sure about that. A lot of question marks remain for me: the manager and the defensive mentality, the 'luck' of the previous two competitions with the route to the final; it won't be at home next year either. The squad quality is very good though.

If Spain get their attack sorted they'll be a really tough team to face. Germany have a new manager too and Belgium might have one last chance to get it right.

Yeah I wonder if Southgate can get away with being so defensive in future tournaments, you could if you wanted to make a case that it being the first tournament for the likes of Grealish that that's why Southgate is being cautious with his team selection, how many more tournaments though are the likes of Grealish going to be content with such a limited role? Having so much attacking potential and not really using it has been weird, continually ignoring that talent isn't going to be sustainable long term
 
Even if Southgate wins tonight everyone in England will die eventually so it’ll probably go down as a low point in English football
 
Cheers mate. I can see it now…England win….I’m relieved as feck….stroll in tomorrow and the bloke introduces himself….”Hi I’m Dr Mario Gratziolli” :lol: :lol: :lol:
:lol:

If it's a Mr. O'Brien you're done for!
For me it's United over England but I'm well aware I might not see this again in my lifetime and whatever the result it's been a great tournament for England and the country so far. Just hope we can get over the line. Especially after the disappointment of the Europa final!
Yes. The whole country will be at a standstill tonight, people who don't even like football will be watching the game tonight and England winning the Euros will be massive for all the country, major competitions at international level goes a level beyond the Champions League for me and I'm sure even footballers themselves will say the same thing. Look at all the shit Messi got all these years "he's not won anything for Argentina", it's like what he's done for Barcelona and in the Champions League doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things when comparing a players legacy to past legends, it seems to be all about what you do for your country 1st and foremost and that is how you are remembered the most.

The only thing that can top this would be England reaching the World Cup final.

World Cup>Euros>Champions League>Premier League.
Cheers. Yeah can somewhat understand that(Although there's no chance Ireland will get to a final). Even as a ''neutral'' it still seems like a massive game.
 
Seeing a lot of confidence- win or lose today- for England at the next World Cup and i'm not sure about that. A lot of question marks remain for me: the manager and the defensive mentality, the 'luck' of the previous two competitions with the route to the final; it won't be at home next year either. The squad quality is very good though.

If Spain get their attack sorted they'll be a really tough team to face. Germany have a new manager too and Belgium might have one last chance to get it right.
A lot of ifs and maybes, England have a young team and the world cup is only in 18 months. Germany and Spain haven't improved much from the last world cup.

Unless England get injuries or a really tough draw I think they'll go far in Qatar.
 
Yes. The whole country will be at a standstill tonight, people who don't even like football will be watching the game tonight and England winning the Euros will be massive for all the country, major competitions at international level goes a level beyond the Champions League for me and I'm sure even footballers themselves will say the same thing. Look at all the shit Messi got all these years "he's not won anything for Argentina", it's like what he's done for Barcelona and in the Champions League doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things when comparing a players legacy to past legends, it seems to be all about what you do for your country 1st and foremost and that is how you are remembered the most.

The only thing that can top this would be England reaching the World Cup final.

World Cup>Euros>Champions League>Premier League.

100% agree with this.
 
Been a while since I saw an Italian and an English team play and not dislike either. Usually one or both are annoying.

Want England. Thinking Italy. Harry Kane to cower. Grealish with the winner
 
I had to remind one of my more neanderthal friends that cheering anyone other than England in this final means cheering for Italy. And any real Scottish football fan should remember that Italy cheated us out of Euro 2008 qualification with this absolute farce. Seriously, just watch it.



I still can't believe it.

Go and smash the cnuts.

How is that Italy’s fault. It is the officials fault so blame on them instead of Italy.
 
Shouting for England but the match will be brutal to watch i feel. England are setting up to score a free kick or corner. Italy can score goals but will find it difficult to break down England. Good chance it goes to penalties.
That's what I think, going to be a borefest. England will nullify Italy's football like they did with Germany with United's classic zombie passing. In all honesty, zombie (side to side, backwards, wide, backwards) passing has been working superbly for England thus far.
 
A lot of ifs and maybes, England have a young team and the world cup is only in 18 months. Germany and Spain haven't improved much from the last world cup.

Unless England get injuries or a really tough draw I think they'll go far in Qatar.

I fecking hate Tiki-taka but I just saw signs particularly against Italy that they could be a horrible team to face when they get it right. Hope i'm wrong and they're still relying on Morata in 18 months.

Regarding today, it'll be interesting to see how both teams handle the atmosphere. England seemed nervy in the first half against Denmark but dominated the rest of the game. Wonder how Italy will cope.