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Euro 2012 Final: España vs. Italia, in Kiev, 1:45 PM CST, ESPN
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:32 pm
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:32 pm
vs.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:33 pm to thenry712
Based on those gifs alone... Italy wins.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:33 pm to thenry712
Their first game wasn't completely miserable to watch, but I detect an unfortunate snoozefest.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:38 pm to Jumbeauxlaya
quote:
Based on those gifs alone... Italy wins.
Fabregas' penalty is actually quite impressive, given the fact that that placement is 99.9999% impossible to save unless a keeper lines up out of position.
This post was edited on 6/28/12 at 4:39 pm
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:43 pm to thenry712
quote:
Fabregas' penalty is actually quite impressive, given the fact that that placement is 99.9999% impossible to save unless a keeper lines up out of position.
stop
making
sense
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:45 pm to Dandy Lion
This is a battle between Xavi and Pirlo. Two of the most underrated midfielders who have become appropriately rated with changes in the game. Like I said, the team with the better DLP usually does well at these tournaments. Both are magnificent players, but I like Pirlo just a smidgen more.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:46 pm to LSUSOBEAST1
forza italia. payback time for 2008 euro when spain knocked them out on PK's.
to all the people who thought germany would rout italy.....
to all the people who thought germany would rout italy.....
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:46 pm to crazy4lsu
I'll also give Pirlo the edge. I don't think Xavi is as effective when Xabi is on the pitch.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:49 pm to LSUSOBEAST1
Does Spain have Balotelli? Italy rolls. Swagotelli gonna Swag.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:50 pm to LSUSOBEAST1
quote:
I'll also give Pirlo the edge. I don't think Xavi is as effective when Xabi is on the pitch.
I agree. Pirlo has much more creative control over Italy. He does have Montolivo who loves to play the final ball, but he plays much closer to the strikers.
If Alonso plays, then I think the game will be much more pensive on Spain's end. I see no reason why he won't play, even though I think the combo of Xavi-Iniesta-Busquets is way better. It should also be noted that Spain has more playmakers who require the ball at their feet which might lessen Xavi's influence.
But in pure terms, Xavi and Pirlo are as close in terms of skill as any two players. The final result will depend on how they are deployed.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 4:56 pm to LSUSOBEAST1
quote:
I don't think Xavi is as effective when Xabi is on the pitch.
Passes completed: 455
Passing Accuracy: 85%
I don't think he's as noticeable because he's not assisting goals to Messi, Villa, Torres, as he does for Barça/Spain usually.
He's still doing his main job, retaining/recycling possession, damn well.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 5:00 pm to crazy4lsu
quote:
But in pure terms, Xavi and Pirlo are as close in terms of skill as any two players. The final result will depend on how they are deployed.
No doubt. I made a post praising both players and their role in modern football several months ago in this thread. We owe a lot to them.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 5:02 pm to thenry712
Stats don't tell the story though. It's that Xavi is restricted in his vertical movement when Alonso is on the pitch, since Xavi wants to come deep to collect the ball and dictate play. He wants options in front of him to pass to, and then for them to pass back to him so he can look for holes in the D. With Alonso AND Busquets behind him, and they are always behind him, his passing options are limited, as well as his ability to move back toward his own goal. Alonso and Busquets are completely static in their horizontal movement, so the only space Xavi is offered is directly in front of them, almost always shadowed by the opposing holding player. This creates a situation where Xavi cannot dictate tempo in the way that he wants, and Spain can't play effectively through the middle. They play better when they add more width, but I think they would play much better if they paired Xavi and Iniesta together with Busquets behind, allowing for more vertical movement from their midfield three.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 5:04 pm to thenry712
quote:
He's still doing his main job, retaining/recycling possession, damn well.
But he isn't able to dictate and control the offense like he does at FCB or Pirlo does for Italy.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 5:05 pm to crazy4lsu
quote:
Stats don't tell the story though. It's that Xavi is restricted in his vertical movement when Alonso is on the pitch, since Xavi wants to come deep to collect the ball and dictate play. He wants options in front of him to pass to, and then for them to pass back to him so he can look for holes in the D. With Alonso AND Busquets behind him, and they are always behind him, his passing options are limited, as well as his ability to move back toward his own goal. Alonso and Busquets are completely static in their horizontal movement, so the only space Xavi is offered is directly in front of them, almost always shadowed by the opposing holding player. This creates a situation where Xavi cannot dictate tempo in the way that he wants, and Spain can't play effectively through the middle. They play better when they add more width, but I think they would play much better if they paired Xavi and Iniesta together with Busquets behind, allowing for more vertical movement from their midfield three.
all of this
Posted on 6/28/12 at 5:06 pm to LSUSOBEAST1
quote:
But in pure terms, Xavi and Pirlo are as close in terms of skill as any two players. The final result will depend on how they are deployed.
No doubt. I made a post praising both players and their role in modern football several months ago in this thread. We owe a lot to them.
That was one of the best posts ever on this board.
Posted on 6/28/12 at 5:09 pm to LSUSOBEAST1
Posted on 6/28/12 at 5:10 pm to thenry712
quote:
Fabregas' penalty is actually quite impressive, given the fact that that placement is 99.9999% impossible to save unless a keeper lines up out of position.
Truth be told I thought it was pirlo and Ramos chips is all, in which case I stick with Italy winning. But yes cescs slightly edges Mario's in this case.. I might give the edge to swag if they went again though, seeing as he's 9/9
Posted on 6/28/12 at 5:15 pm to crazy4lsu
quote:
Stats don't tell the story though. It's that Xavi is restricted in his vertical movement when Alonso is on the pitch, since Xavi wants to come deep to collect the ball and dictate play. He wants options in front of him to pass to, and then for them to pass back to him so he can look for holes in the D. With Alonso AND Busquets behind him, and they are always behind him, his passing options are limited, as well as his ability to move back toward his own goal. Alonso and Busquets are completely static in their horizontal movement, so the only space Xavi is offered is directly in front of them, almost always shadowed by the opposing holding player. This creates a situation where Xavi cannot dictate tempo in the way that he wants, and Spain can't play effectively through the middle. They play better when they add more width, but I think they would play much better if they paired Xavi and Iniesta together with Busquets behind, allowing for more vertical movement from their midfield three.
I agree with this wholeheartedly. Although, I think Xavi's effectiveness would still be aided if Spain employed a true forward-moving striker instead of Fabregas. Cesc is far less likely to challenge a defender with his snail's pace. I don't think either of the two aforementioned options will be exercised given Fabregas' effective masquerade as a center forward and Alonso's fine play this tournament.
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