UKTexans Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 20 hours ago, PAW said: Poor Northern Ireland, got eliminated due to a brutal PK call. No guarantee they would've advanced if not called, but to get knocked out due to something like that is awful. They were awful in the first leg. Didn't deserve a point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAW Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 17 minutes ago, texans_uk said: They were awful in the first leg. Didn't deserve a point. Doesn't change the fact it was an awful call. Italy and Sweden have both had PK shouts waved off. It looks like both should've been called so I'm sure Italy will take it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share Posted November 13, 2017 It's nice these playoff matches are all spread out so you can watch them all. Sweden had a couple of penalty shouts. Italy had a couple of attacks but overall it's been too few and far between. Immobile looks like the biggest threat so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedLavie Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Italy really lacks a striker. Don't know why they're trotting Gabiaddini out there when they have Insigne, El Sharaawy, Balotelli or Belloti available. Sweden should have benefited from a PK and 2nd yellow on that Barzagli hand. The first hand and the contact on an Italian player early in the game probably should have been whistled also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share Posted November 13, 2017 5 minutes ago, TedLavie said: Italy really lacks a striker. Don't know why they're trotting Gabiaddini out there when they have Insigne, El Sharaawy, Balotelli or Belloti available. Sweden should have benefited from a PK and 2nd yellow on that Barzagli hand. The first hand and the contact on an Italian player early in the game probably should have been whistled also. I agree with your assessments on the penalty calls. I thought Immobile has been very good, he's had great movement. Gabbiadini has had some good touches but has been mostly played around. Italy has just whipped in far to many useless crosses. I'd get Insigne on, let him run at defenders and play a little bit more give in goes around the box. Just a bit too basic right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedLavie Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Good lord Kiese Thelin is Sweden backup forward? He's reaaaaaally bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedLavie Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 This won't make the highlight reel, but Barzagli saved the day for Italy in defending perfectly a 2vs1 situation for Sweden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share Posted November 13, 2017 The lack of any real pressure from Italy has been pretty astounding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share Posted November 13, 2017 I just don't understand how you go through and elimination match without even bringing on Insigne as substitute. You should be sacked just for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedLavie Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 5 minutes ago, LeeEvans said: I just don't understand how you go through and elimination match without even bringing on Insigne as substitute. You should be sacked just for that. yeah. To me he is, clearly the best non-defender/GK Italian player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share Posted November 13, 2017 Just now, TedLavie said: yeah. To me he is, clearly the best non-defender/GK Italian player And they've still got three CBs on the pitch unless I'm crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAW Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Crazy to not have Italy in the World Cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share Posted November 13, 2017 Wow. Italy are not going to the World Cup! Sweden defending absolutely brilliantly. Italy were quite frankly just not good enough and didn't deserve to go to the World Cup in either of the playoff matches and in qualifying. Awful performances, poor management and just a failure to live up to the talent. How you keep three centerbacks on the pitch when you've got like 80 percent possession is just unbelievably idiotic. Chiellini was the one whipping in crosses most of the second half, put on a fricking attacker to do that. Shocking result but Italy deserved nothing less. Well done to Sweden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedLavie Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 First time in 60 years Italy isn't in a WC. I'm just sad for Buffon who has to go out like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAW Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Sweden's defending wasn't even that impressive. Italy were awful. No ideas, no creativity, no dribbling. Just a ton of crosses easily cleared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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