tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15083755.post7723835108704083298..comments2023-10-30T10:30:06.191+00:00Comments on Cheer Up Alan Shearer: Daniele de Rossi for Italy (v France), 17 June 2008LBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234702470107953581noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15083755.post-9878311000996949892008-06-24T08:11:00.000+01:002008-06-24T08:11:00.000+01:00We English would love a national team as boringly ...We English would love a national team as boringly successful in knockout tournaments as Italy.... no matter what style of football they play. None of that cobblers spouted by Newcastle fans about preferring to lose each game in a thrilling 4-3 defeat than grinding out a 1-0 win. No wonder they never win anything.swisslethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16708248700851998044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15083755.post-29587032714116822232008-06-24T05:40:00.000+01:002008-06-24T05:40:00.000+01:00Nice spin madvillain but I think your bias against...Nice spin madvillain but I think your bias against the Italian team was quite evident. The Spanish team were the main (Villa in particular) perpetrators of the dive because they couldn't solve the Azzuri attack. And who really cares what the English think anyway, when is the last time they actually won an important game against a nation of world class skill.<BR/><BR/>The bottom line is the style of football played against Spain is what won Brazil a World Cup in 2002 (remember the comments of Pele pre-tournament 'boring' I believe was used.) and even the UEFA Champions League saw the beloved English giants Manchester United win with an extremely defensive style game (the counter attack was in full effect). <BR/><BR/>Essentially those who cry fowl with Italy, just don't know how they do it. Its a secret only they have, and the world wishes to crack. So Alan Shearer - enjoy your fruitless career that saw you fail miserably with 'exciting football'. And Cannavaro and company can enjoy their fourth world cup for another 2 years. Peace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15083755.post-89648137698763568512008-06-23T20:54:00.000+01:002008-06-23T20:54:00.000+01:00Interesting take on it. I agree that most tactics ...Interesting take on it. I agree that most tactics when executed well should be recognized and at times commended. The Italians team defense yesterday was a clear example of that. What I think many, including myself were frustrated with was the incessant diving by one Italian (Luca Toni) that kept causing stoppages. It was a joke. 10 opportunities 10 dives, not a single dribble completed, it was if his go to move was to let the ball by him and feign Eduardo-like symptoms upon the slightest graze. admittedly, David Villa was guilty of a similar antics as he dove 4 or 5 times, but at least he had a number of decent runs, a few brilliant passes and a couple of opportunities where he looked generally interested in putting the ball in the net, whereas Toni and a few of his peers were more interested in the whereabouts of Marco senna's boot than the ball. All in all it was a great match for true soccer fans, strong goal keeping on both sides, consistent refereeing (consistently horrible), and more ammunition for my argument against shootouts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com