02 Jul 2021 19:54:42
Without a doubt, that was the worst mistake by a referee I have seen at the Euros, thus far. And that by an English referee, Michael Oliver. How that is a straight red is beyond me. A yellow I can understand but not a straight red. Both set of studs were not off the ground. No wonder the level of refereeing in the EPL is so controversial. It's the quarterfinals for God's sake, how can you not do your job properly?

{Ed0666's Note - more pertinently how shite is every team in the competition? I hope people start believing me now when I say England are favourites. Italy and Spain are pony. Belgium are the only credible challenge to England but they are managed by Martinez so a massive handicap there.

1.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 20:10:28
Maybe it's connected to the last 18 months we have lived, Ed0666, I don't know? Nobody in their right mind would have agreed that France, Portugal and Germany would be out before the quarterfinals. Maybe the players don't give a damn? Again, I don't know.

{Ed0666's Note - no idea mate but it seems that they’ve all forgotten how to play football.

2.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 20:13:51
Ed0666 I don’t know how you can say that about Martinez when England have Southgate. I agree with you about Spain but I think Italy have a decent team with a manager so much better than England’s. I don’t think England have played anybody any good yet and just like the World Cup as soon as we do we will lose.

{Ed0666's Note - I think England’s squad is better than Belgium’s. Italy are workmanlike but have no game changers but have togetherness which goes a long way. But I would still expect England to beat them. England won’t play anyone supposedly decent till the final and anything can happen in a one off game. Spain are so susceptible to a press and crumble when you get in their face so rice and the Leeds fella will boss them.

3.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 20:38:48
Italy look fantastic, not sure how you can say they're pony!

{Ed0666's Note - fantastic? 😂

4.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 20:52:06
Italy v Belgium has been the first game with genuine quality football being attempted by both teams.

5.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 21:01:32
Having looked at England and italy so far im amazed you expect England to beat them.

{Ed0666's Note - I think they will if both sides meet. Italy are playing their best 11 England aren’t.

6.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 21:09:58
Imagine watching these Euro's and thinking England are a better team than Italy.

{Ed0666's Note - I’ll say again England aren’t playing their best side.

7.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 21:43:54
There are no vintage international teams in this tournament. France on paper could have been but there are too many idiots in that squad and Deschamps has managed them terribly. I think Italy look decent and I said at the start either they or Portugal would win it. I would still back Italy as the favourites. And I hope England don't win it as the football they have been playing is awful and the last thing they need is rewarding for it.

8.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 22:20:35
Might as well give the title to Italy, by far the best team.

9.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 22:25:26
Ed666, Italy are a very good team, make no bones about it. They play the high press and high intensity footie I love. They have that togetherness as well with no egos. England are nowhere near them as a team and unit and if they played today, I fancy them over England by a lot esp with that bang average Southgate. They may not have game changers. England do yet don’t know what to do with them. Which one is worse? Italy all day, everyday.

{Ed0666's Note - I think England will surprise you mate when waistcoat plays the right side.

10.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 22:32:09
Spot on ED66 if ENG reach Final then they've every chance against this Italy side.

{Ed025's Note - you two are kidding yourselves..

11.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 22:59:56
Not really ED25 as Austria showed if you play counter attacking against Italy then you've got every chance. They were just moments away to dump them out when their goal was disallowed (Rightfully ruled out) that just shows how small margins are their at this level and yet they had no pace up-front.

Southgate will love playing against this Italy side. Pressing high up the field against ENG's pace gives them every chance especially when they're 8 players to defend any gap at the back. Let's see if ENG reaches final 1st *finger crossed*.

{Ed025's Note - i want england to win it KF but when you look at that italy side they are miles ahead mate..

12.) 02 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 23:27:41
Yes but that doesn't guarantee you wins, does it?

No team would like to play against this eng defense who defend in numbers and hardly gives u a chance of penetrating them.

It's going to be fun highest press against counter attacking with pace 😁😁.

{Ed025's Note - i think it will be blitzkrieg KF, a dull uninspiring defensive unit led by a wally in a waistcoat against a fluid attacking colossus mate, maguire and co will be dizzy in the head..

13.) 03 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 23:08:10
Will he play the right side though 666? He hasn't done so far.

{Ed0666's Note - I’m not sure but if he does it will prove successful

14.) 03 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 23:17:23
Ed0666, who do you think the strongest team selection is out of curiosity?

{Ed0666's Note - Henderson and saka have to start

15.) 03 Jul 2021
03 Jul 2021 05:00:35
Italy might not have an out an out superstar but they look most cohesive as a unit and look like a team on the same page. England have the personnel to beat them but I'm not sure they have the unity, or indeed the correct tactics, to do so. Martinez is complete garbage - how you can manage such a talented team like Belgium and constantly fail is beyond me, they basically killed their golden generations chance of winning anything by giving him the job. Italy favorites for me, still unconvinced by England and I think defensively they will suffer when they come up against top quality like Italy.

16.) 03 Jul 2021
02 Jul 2021 23:45:12
Hahaha agree ED25 mate except the dizzy part 😜😂😂.

17.) 03 Jul 2021
03 Jul 2021 00:23:58
This sounds about the time when the tournament does an about turn. everyone creaming themselves over Italy, who to be fair have so far been the best team, but were v fortunate against Austria. this is when some other team wins it. Holland and Brazil in '98, France 2006, etc etc. the best teams don't always win.

I would fancy England to beat Italy - pace up front would be key, I largely think the block we have with Italian teams is gone. and the left back out would be a huge bonus.

18.) 04 Jul 2021
04 Jul 2021 08:26:02
Ben, fortunate? What game were you watching? Italy bossed Austria from start to finish. They just couldn’t put their chances. Austria fed on scraps all game long and Italy just over an them, running them ragged until Pessina and Chiesa came on and their pace killed them in the end cos they were knackered. Italy have dominated every game they have played and by a lot and have not conceded a goal from open play yet while being the most attacking team along with Denmark. The constant salt they get on this forum is embarrassing.