Group C

[ADRossi]

I think he is the best Italian midfielder besides Pirlo. Who else is better?

De Rossi, though is a completely different type of midfielder. Giovinco if you classify him as the CAM in a 4-3-1-2

 

[vitomins]

De Rossi, though is a completely different type of midfielder. Giovinco if you classify him as the CAM in a 4-3-1-2

You honestly feel that De Rossi is still better than Marchisio? Maybe last World Cup, but since then De Rossi has been completely mediocre. I do not consider Giovinco as a midfielder...he is definitely a striker now.

 

[Solfice]

1) Italy
2) Spain
3) Croatia
4) Republic of Ireland

 

[Pajo]

As i've said since last year, Marchisio is the best italian midfielder, on par with Pirlo. This season just proved me right

 

[Visca]

Final Spain squad list:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)

Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Chelsea)

Forwards: Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla)


Soldado left out and Torres stays... bad choice. Soldado had a better season by miles.

 

[Pajo]

Cassilas
Juanfran-Ramos-Pique-Alba
Xavi-Fabregas
Silva-Mata-Iniesta
CF

CF would be Torres is my guess, but not necessarily. Also Sila/Mata/Iniesta will rotate, id doesn't mean this would be the line up. And that bench

I doubt they will play like this though.

 

[dynasty27]

Torres still more of a tournament player I guess

You sure with Juanfran over Arbeloa? Would surprise me if he starts in 1st game.

 

[Pajo]

It's my team I said i doubt they will play like this.

But Juanfran would be the best there, im certain. I doubt he will play though, as i doubt Alonso will be left out as well.

 

[Visca]

Nothing is for certain, but since Del Bosque is a madridista I bet Arbeloa would start. And Alonso ahead of Cesc, even though Alonso is pretty much the weakest link in Spain's midfield.

 

[Big Willy]

Pedro, Torres? LOL Pedro's season has been very mediocre.

Adrián and Soldado should've been included, specially Adrián imho.

 

[Pajo]

Adrian, Alvaro Dominguez, Soldado, should have definitely included. Even Muniain, as a back up.

Raul Albiol, really? He played 600 minutes, and takes the place of Dominguez? Pedro is fine, even though he had average season. Negredo? Adrian >> Negredo tbh...

Very shitty selection tbh.

 

[ADRossi]

Criscito searched amid the latest scandal. Could miss Euros if something arises.

 

[monster09]

Cassilas
Juanfran-Ramos-Pique-Alba
Xavi-Fabregas
Silva-Mata-Iniesta
CF

CF would be Torres is my guess, but not necessarily. Also Sila/Mata/Iniesta will rotate, id doesn't mean this would be the line up. And that bench

I doubt they will play like this though.

How do you stop Iniesta, Silva, Mata playing behind striker? Unstoppable. I would prefer Iniesta in the middle and Mata as LW.
Also I'm sure Biscuits will play with Xavi.

 

[Pajo]

I think it will be Xabi next to Xavi... But i'd rahter see Fabregas there.

 

[monster09]

Would go with

Biscuits

Xavi --Iniesta

Silva----------------------Mata

-------------CF---------------​

Fabregas in his usual super sub role and I dont think Alonso is better than any of these players. His best bet is playing Biscuits role but they have that chemistry. Biscuits is perfect partner for Xaviesta and it would be foolish to disrupt that.

 

[Pajo]

What about the defense? They do have lots of players upfront. Adrian should have been taken Also Dominguez, and not Raul fucking Albiol..

---------- Post added at 14:06 ---------- Previous post was at 14:04 ----------

Anyway, i'd go with the above posted formation, and i think Del Bosque will go with:

-----------Casillas-----------
Arbeloa--Ramos--Pique--Alba
----------Busquets----------
-------Xavi------Xabi-------
Silva------------------Iniesta
-----------Torres-----------

This would be my bet.

 

[monster09]

Defense:

I have 2 combinations. Not sure which one is better. Ramos is better as CB but I dont like Arbeloa much,

Arbeloa Ramos Pique Alba

or

Ramos Martinez Pique Alba

I haven't seen much of Juanfran, so not sure how good he is. I would do with my second choice. Also agreed about Dominguez. Albiol hardly played but still in final squad

Also I think playing Alonso and sacrificing Iniesta's best position would hinder Spain's chances. Alonso is good but not Xavi, Alonso <<<< Xavi, Iniesta.

 

[Pajo]

That's what WE think, but i doubt Del Bosque does the same

Alonso is not HALF the player he was. He is constantly dropping in form since the WC final, and for me was the weakest link RM had last season.

Juanfran is more of attacking full back, but is solid in defense too. Has improved his defensive game under simeone for 200%. I'd definitely go with him instead of Arbeloa, but who asks me

 

[monster09]

Yeah I have my doubts on Alonso but after all what we need is Spain not winning. So lets play him

 

[monster09]

Republic of Ireland squad numbers, UEFA EURO 2012

1 Shay Given
2 Sean St Ledger
3 Stephen Ward
4 John O’Shea
5 Richard Dunne
6 Glenn Whelan
7 Aiden McGeady
8 Keith Andrews
9 Kevin Doyle
10 Robbie Keane
11 Damien Duff
12 Stephen Kelly
13 Paul Mc Shane
14 Jonathan Walters
15 Darron Gibson
16 Keiren Westwood
17 Stephen Hunt
18 Darren O’Dea
19 Shane Long
20 Simon Cox
21 Paul Green
22 James McClean
23 David Forde

Good to see Gibson, Long making the squad and also McClean.