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World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

World Cup is all about Brazil and Argentina V Rest Of the World. But you do want the traditional winners like Italy to be there to make the World Cup more colourfull. So, it is disappointing that Italy have failed to qualify to the 2018 WC for the first time since 1958. After all, Italy are the only team the Germans are scared of playing. So, it will be a huge setback for the anti-German coalition.

Italy who have won the World Cup 4 times will be missed even if they have went backwards since winning the World Cup in 2006. Amazingly, Italy have only won 1 match in the last 2 World Cups and that was against England in 2014 ! In 2010 WC, despite being the defending champions, they failed to win any match for the first and only time in their history, finishing last in their group and even below the mighty New Zealand ! In 2014, despite beating England, they still lost to Costa Rica and failed to progress to the Second Round for the second consecutive WC. I think their main weakness is they don't have a reliable striker now. They should have bring back Balotelli who inspired them to finish runners-up in Euro 2012.
 
Spurs7891 said:
World Cup is all about Brazil and Argentina V Rest Of the World. But you do want the traditional winners like Italy to be there to make the World Cup more colourfull. So, it is disappointing that Italy have failed to qualify to the 2018 WC for the first time since 1958. After all, Italy are the only team the Germans are scared of playing. So, it will be a huge setback for the anti-German coalition.

Italy who have won the World Cup 4 times will be missed even if they have went backwards since winning the World Cup in 2006. Amazingly, Italy have only won 1 match in the last 2 World Cups and that was against England in 2014 ! In 2010 WC, despite being the defending champions, they failed to win any match for the first and only time in their history, finishing last in their group and even below the mighty New Zealand ! In 2014, despite beating England, they still lost to Costa Rica and failed to progress to the Second Round for the second consecutive WC. I think their main weakness is they don't have a reliable striker now. They should have bring back Balotelli who inspired them to finish runners-up in Euro 2012.
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This Italy team is about as colorful as black- and white TV! They won't be missed!
 
StephenH said:
Quite an ageing squad I think also?
I’m normally a big fan of the Italian national side usually a lovely balance in the squad.
Now they look very poor especially upfront which is so unusual for the Italians.
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Average age was over 30, with five players 6 players over 30 and 4 over 33. The other starters were 25-27. No one at 28-29 which is often considered the peak age, or starters under 25 (two subs were 23). Italy have managed well with older players in the past but we were talking about some legends of the game (Maldini, Cannavaro and Pirlo).

It's refreshing to hear Southgate talking about using youth at the world cup, although we'll see whether he goes more conservative when it's crunch time.
 
Grays_1890 said:
He won't use youth at the WC no chance
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how are you defining youth? think he will start with Winks and Pickford, if Abrahams and Loftus Cheek do ok in the league will go and get minutes. Possibly one or two outsiders (Sancho if he makes an impact at Dortmund?).
 
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jts1882 said:
Average age was over 30, with five players 6 players over 30 and 4 over 33. The other starters were 25-27. No one at 28-29 which is often considered the peak age, or starters under 25 (two subs were 23). Italy have managed well with older players in the past but we were talking about some legends of the game (Maldini, Cannavaro and Pirlo).

It's refreshing to hear Southgate talking about using youth at the world cup, although we'll see whether he goes more conservative when it's crunch time.
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Italy need some old Chelsea manager to return. Put some fire in their belly, never thought I’d be saying that about the Azzurri. My personal second international favourite side.....sad day for ‘international’ fans of a certain age, no Italians or Holland......
 
LemonadeMoney said:
Wow, someone forgot to pay off the ref for the first time in 60 years.
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Well, the president of the Italian FA did actually call Infantino at FIFA to try and put pressure on the referees. Since this was leaked to the media and made headlines at least all across the Nordic countries, I'm assuming this didn't go according to plan. You can also tell from the result.
 
I've always considered Ireland to be my ... well, "third" national team, but I find myself wanting Denmark to win this one.
 
Daisuk said:
I've always considered Ireland to be my ... well, "third" national team, but I find myself wanting Denmark to win this one.
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Denmark try to play nice football. Ireland is like a mid table championship side: commitment, hoofing, running and hoping for the best. Knuckle football.
 
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