Semi-finals: Italy - Spain

[nelsonrivas2011]

6 July 2021 - London

 

[Choppin Onions]

Spain has really underwhelmed but the midfield battle alone makes it worth watching.

The loss of Spinazzola will hurt though. Emerson is not nearly the same kind of quality.

 

[J..]

The shit show performed by Spain must result in a comfortable Italian victory.

 

[NimAraya]

Spain has really underwhelmed but the midfield battle alone makes it worth watching.

The loss of Spinazzola will hurt though. Emerson is not nearly the same kind of quality.

Yep, Di Lorenzo is already a weak link in the team. Now there is Emerson Palmieri as well.

 

[RickyMaravilla'sRightFoot]

Spain and Spanish teams are always a thorn in Italy’s side. We’re clearly the better team but I don’t expect it to be easy. Spina is a huge loss. Hope we can find some sort of alternative to playing Emerson.

 

[Harpsabu]

Yep. I think Belgium would beat Spain, but Spain would beat Italy. Think Spain will find it easier to play against Italy. Going to be tough. Hope Italy obviously.

 

[brehme1989]

Yep. I think Belgium would beat Spain, but Spain would beat Italy. Think Spain will find it easier to play against Italy. Going to be tough. Hope Italy obviously.

I have it the other way around actually.

Need to see how Spina is, but I guess he's out altogether.

Anyone missing the game from either side from cards?

 

[Harpsabu]

I have it the other way around actually.

Need to see how Spina is, but I guess he's out altogether.

Anyone missing the game from either side from cards?

I hope you're right. I think Spain move the ball better and that'll hurt Italy.

Spina is out for 12 months potentially. Torn achilles

 

[ADRossi]

Spain and Spanish teams are always a thorn in Italy’s side. We’re clearly the better team but I don’t expect it to be easy. Spina is a huge loss. Hope we can find some sort of alternative to playing Emerson.

Before 2012, Italy had never lost a competitive match to Spain. However, we've had to cope with:

Losing to them on penalties in 2008
Drawing them in the opening match of 2012 after going up by one goal
Losing 4-0 in the 2012 final
And failing to qualify for the 2018 WC because Spain won the group, defeating Ventura once and drawing the other match.

It's been a horrible decade against them. Time to right the ship.

 

[brakbrak]

Before 2012, Italy had never lost a competitive match to Spain. However, we've had to cope with:

Losing to them on penalties in 2008
Drawing them in the opening match of 2012 after going up by one goal
Losing 4-0 in the 2012 final
And failing to qualify for the 2018 WC because Spain won the group, defeating Ventura once and drawing the other match.

It's been a horrible decade against them. Time to right the ship.

Well Conte's beat them in 2016 with much worse team and Spain had better teams as well. My only concern is Spina's void which means Italy has 2 fucking liabilities on both side.

 

[TheNetworkZ]

Spain has found their form now so this will be tricky. We have the better midfield imo and both our CFs are idiots so I think this can come down to them beating us out wide or Italy winning through the midfield and having more experienced CBs.

Barella is also 1 yellow away from a suspension and could miss the final should Italy go through. I'm also concerned about that.

 

[brakbrak]

Spain has found their form now so this will be tricky. We have the better midfield imo and both our CFs are idiots so I think this can come down to them beating us out wide or Italy winning through the midfield and having more experienced CBs.

Barella is also 1 yellow away from a suspension and could miss the final should Italy go through. I'm also concerned about that.

I wouldn't say Spain rediscovered their form, they were pretty horrible today.

Doesn't bookings reset in semi finals?

 

[wera]

Bastoni as LB could work.

 

[J..]

Bastoni as LB could work.

Bastoni is completely different to Spinazzola.

 

[Ethor]

This match is on ESPN and TUDN @3:00pm EDST, in the US.

 

[CafeCordoba]

Italy need to beat those useless cunts. Spain's attack is like the worst fucking bunch of losers. Midfield battle will be interesting for sure but Italy's defending should beat Spain's one.

 

[Batman]

I will vomit if Italy even give a chance to Morata to score

 

[nelsonrivas2011]

I will vomit if Italy even give a chance to Morata to score

Implying Morata will take his chance

 

[ADRossi]

In theory, Spain should struggle to score in this one.

The thing that has me nervous is how poorly Immobile and Belotti have both been playing in the KO stages. They've provided nothing against both Austria and Belgium. I'm not sure how much longer we can continue relying on others to score goals. Especially when the midfield has Verratti and Jorginho in it; two players who are not threats to score.

I also wish Mancini was bold enough to start Bastoni over Emerson. He's superior in every way, even if he's being forced to play out of position. Torres will be a handful for Emerson.

 

[Ethor]

This match, probably will be a cagey affair. Hopefully Italy scores first to make Spain speed up their possession game. Patience will be required, and that means Barella and Verratti must remain calm and not get stupid yellows early. Forza Azzurri!

On a personal note: probably only have a 60% chance of seeing the match, because of the Tropical event looming off the coast at match time. Living in an area where the power goes out with any significant sustained wind event.