Final: Italy vs England

A real shame for the tournament how it came to be. A black mark on a great month.
 
So how many minutes will Italy waste after scoring? And how many dives from Sterling and Kane?
 
England will be out on their feet in the final, Southgate has run the team into the ground, could have won this game in normal time with a little bravery.
 
England are in a major final, I'm not sure I ever thought I'd see that in my lifetime

No real point in analysing the performance today

England are in a major final
 
Don’t think Mancini will have seen anything that scares him.
 
Red_Aaron said:
England are in a major final, I'm not sure I ever thought I'd see that in my lifetime

No real point in analysing the performance today

England are in a major final
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Exactly this. Been waiting so long for this.
 
Italy will probably dive and cheat their way to victory. Cnuts.
 
Good luck to England, but it feels like from all top tier teams, Italy would've prefer to face them. Spain shown how to deal with Italians, and England style is quite the opposite.

I still think England play too simple football, but have great individuals and are in good shape. Should be pretty even game.
 
The historical divers against the team who got here on the back of a dive ;)
 
Borys said:
Good luck to England, but it feels like from all top tier teams, Italy would've prefer to face them. Spain shown how to deal with Italians, and England style is quite the opposite.

I still think England play too simple football, but have great individuals and are in good shape. Should be pretty even game.
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Um, no one else in the world can do what Spain does with the ball, but by all means I hope England try!
 
Still think Sterling and Chiesa are key for each team and it's how the full backs cope with them. I expect England will happily let Italy have the bulk of possession in midfield. Maguire and Stones will boss Immobile.
 
The only source of encouragement for me is that:

1. Italian CBs really struggled against Spain who dribbled with the ball and got past them. Grealish is the perfect weapon against Italy, but unlikely Southgate will use him as a starter.
2. Emerson looked defensively weak at times.
3. They all looked pretty fatigued.

But, Italy have an extra day of rest, they have a significantly better midfield than us and will dominate the ball. We'll play deep much like we have today against Denmark and look to counter quickly. It'll be ugly and the longer the game goes on with England not scoring the more tense it will get. Really hope i'm proved wrong, but personally feel Italy will win in the 90mins.
 
Seems to be written in the stars for England. Playing at home and everything seems to be going their way. 1-0 Maguire from the corner that shouldn't have been a corner.
 
I would love Italy to win but my only reason is Chiellini. The man deserves gold.
 
Italy 60-40 for me if England go in with Phillips and Rice. They'll be exposed big time in midfield. Think Henderson will start tbh.t

That said England can hurt Italy in other ways so it will be tight. Slower tempo will suit Italy though and no way England will fly out of the traps given the occasion and how the first halves of games have generally gone in this tournament.
 
I might actually stop watching football altogether if England win it. Probably for the best considering how United play anyway.
 
I’m not being the typical pessimistic fan but I think italy will do us Sunday. That being said I’m enjoying the moment and will be all week
 
lefty_jakobz said:
Englands front three will have too much movement and pace for the Italians, Spain would have beaten England...congrats to the Englerlanders on their victory.
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I have a lot of time for Spain, but they won one game in 90 at this tournament against cannon fodder Slovakia. I don’t think it’s a formality they beat England at Wembley in a final.
 
Zoo said:
Don’t think Mancini will have seen anything that scares him.
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You think? Sterling and anyone but Sakho on the other flank are big problems to deal with. England are going to play proper turtle football and hit on the break - there's no hope of matching with their midfield, but it's not necessary to win the game.

Initially, I thought it's a cakewalk for Italy, but more thought suggests stretching them wide repeatedly has a good chance of reaping dividends.

Southgate is not even going to try and out-manage Mancini, but he doesn't have to.
 
Italy have been the best team in the Euros for me so they'll rightly be the favourites. Regardless, amazing to see England in a final, whatever happens.
 
Snowjoe said:
I’m not being the typical pessimistic fan but I think italy will do us Sunday. That being said I’m enjoying the moment and will be all week
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Always thought you were Todd Terje.
 
Italy looked absolutely knackered against Spain so we'll see if the extra day gives them enough.
 
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