acmilan

I'd probally just have the Italy-Germany game infront of Mexico-Argentina

I can't remember that first game at all

I thought there best game was against Germany It was probally the most exciting game of the tournament well at least for me anyway

Against Madrid they played some exciting football (Y) Against Juve, they played extremelly boring football (N) it didn't help that Juve couldn't mount an attack that game either Actually, their home game against Juve was great. With Cesc totally outplaying Vieira. And a lot of movement around the box. I just remember watching the 2nd game and nearly falling asleep

Lippi has quit

Italy didn't perform very well in some of their games. Sometimes the team was a bit off and other times it was a few individuals that didn't perform. All in all they could've played better IMO but they still had a solid squad and were strong in all positions. I liked Lippi's 4-3-2-1 Xmas Tree but I feel that some of his decisions were a bit off and some were made at the wrong time. I was surprised by Italy's approach at times, but I think Italy would've benefitted more if Lippi had allowed the mids more freedom to advance. Clearly the squad has some great attacking potential, but some players can't advance because Lippi wants them to defend. The defending was marvellous. The midfield were great and the forwards did their job. They had a solid base on which to build their attacks, but the midfield was shackled down which meant they couldn't provide enough support or were not fast enough to do so if the fullbacks didn't make runs. Maybe playing with a higher backline might help Passing and movement had its highs and lows from game to game. The tempo was slow and constant, which is not a bad thing, but I rarely saw any change in tempo even when approaching the final third. Obviously Pirlo can do that but I suspect you might need someone else to help him if you want to have a greater effect. Pirlo is too clam at times. The one thing that I didn't like was the constant diving and play acting. It's not good to watch and it annoyed me to no end :anger: Many teams "deserved" to win it or participate in the finals and Italy's performances were no better than theirs'. They've won it already anyway so who cares? Shouldn't you be happy? I am very happy I'm just curious of what other peoples opinions are of Italy's performance in the WC

umm I associate Catenaccio with playing a naturally defensive game and absorbing the attack from an opponent and Italy do that (too well). They showed more attacking play than I expected in the WC but other than counterattacks, their build up was normally slow and controlled which unfortunately doesn't live long in the memory. It can be exciting for some football fans to watch and I appreciate it (as long as I'm not falling asleep ) but it's not exactly going to win over the neutrals. Italy get stick for it probably for those reasons and also your history of employing Catenaccio. and I must admit Liverpool frustrates me to no end at times and I don't like it when Rafa plays defensively, but we've definitely improved since then and if you've been watching some of our matches from last season, our passing has been fast and fluent through the centre of the park and at times it's been absolutely mouth-watering As for English teams not getting criticised for catenaccio, it's probably the surprise factor The reason why the EPL is exciting is because of the teams attacking and scoring all the time, which resulted from really crappy defences. Mourinho changed all that <_< So anyway, as you might imagine, the reaction from the continental press would be something along the lines of "These are ENGLISH teams DEFENDING well! :shock: like OMFG!!! the whole world has turned upside down! Seriously, who would have bet on Arsenal to break the defensive record in the Champion's League. If I had the money I would've bet on them conceding the most goals! I agree Liverpool games were more exciting last year, but the year they won the CL they were a very boring team to watch well at least in the CL When I watch the EPL they are very exciting game, fast paced, and not a lot of diving but when they get to the CL, they go into a boring defensive system, much like Juventus, who just plays that all the time The only team the doesn't change it up that much is Man U. Maybe that's why they finished dead last in there group in CL I was surprised at Arsenal's defensive record as well :shock: especially since they did the majority of them without Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole Do you think Italy were deserved winners?

Than I don't think you watched the World Cup

Against Madrid they played some exciting football (Y) Against Juve, they played extremelly boring football (N) it didn't help that Juve couldn't mount an attack that game either

Chelsea plays a boring brand of soccer Barcelona plays an exciting brand of soccer but they also have probally the 2 best attacking talents in the world When Liverpool won the CL and last year's Arsenal that made it to the final, were playing some of the most boring soccer I've ever seen, it was catenaccio to an extreme <_< I don't know why English teams never get criticized for playing Catenaccio, but when Italy does it (the 2nd half of the final was the only time they played Catenaccio) they get criticized

He gave him a purple nurple

He's always been a dirty player <_< Did you see his own goal he scored this year?

Thanks Jewels Yay Adri

What is your starting 11 for the tournament? ----------------------Buffon----------------- Zambrotta--Cannavaro--Thurham--Lahm ----M.Rodriguez----Pirlo-----Gattuso------ --------------------Zidane------------------- ------------Klose----------Torres----------- Buffon: Kept Italy in everygame with some spectacular saves Zambrotta: Made some inspired runs down the flanks, and defended well Cannavaro: The player of the Tournament, well for me anyways, it didn't look like anyone could get by him for the whole tournament Thurham: Kept the French defence organized, and a spectacular game against Portugal Lahm: Made some great runs, and scored theat fantastic goal in the first game Maxi Rodriguez: Makes the team just for that goal against Mexico Pirlo: Operated the entire Italy attack, I just hope he plays this well for Milan this year Gattuso: He's just a warrior Zidane: He carried France all the way to the final, and with his red card went France's hopes of a World Cup Klose: Led the tournamnet in goals Torres: Was great in the group stage, and than quieted of against France, He dosen't really deserve to be there but I just can't think of another striker

Here are scenes from Little Italy in Toronto, were I was watching the game

I doubt that one moment will tarnish what he's done in his career I think he'll still be getting free beers and food all around France when he retires. I wish I was a god as well

That PPV was dissapointing it was to slow, to many heavyweights, the Sylvia-Arlovski fight was so boring And Tito whopped Shamrock in a minute, but I think the ref screwed up by stopping it, Shamrock might have still been able to do something Rashaad really impresed me against Bonnar (Y) The best fight was the Joe Stevenson fight, but same here I'm not convinced either that he's that good of a fighter, maybe he can prove me wrong I got 4/5 of the fights right, not bad Way to go Jimmy 8/9 I didn't really know that much about the other fighters so I did'nt know who to pick

ITALY ARE CHAMPIONS :hell yea!: :hell yea!: :dance: What was Zidane thinking? I gotta give a lot of props to Materazzi, who was the star of the game I've never had a lot of trust in Materazzi I'm just glad he proved me wrong

ylvia was lucky to beat him last time <_< I expect Arlovski to come out all jacked and KO him in the 1st or 2nd Round Tottaly agreed Ortiz will probally win by the end of the 1st, last time I seen Shamrock fight, he was destroyed by Franklin, but it all because Shamrock fucked up and sliped a couple of times Mir is the better fighter so he should win Agreed I have a feeling this will go the distance, in a close fight, but Joe will win the decision controversially Who is your favorite fighter? I'd have to go with Rich Franklin, his fight are always entertaining, and he's vicious stand up fighter, and he can also go to the ground too

He absolutely right, why soccer wont catch on in the US and Canada

:shock: I guess this is his coming out party

Those are funny commercials, I like how pissed of Ljunberg and Pires get

Who would you like Milan to buy? I think Buffon would be no. 1 on the list if I'm not mistaken Cannavaro maybe? Buffon #1 for sure, especially with Dida's performance's last year <_< Nedved said that Gigi Buffon would be leaving Juve even if they are in Serie A next year If Milan is in Serie A next year Buffon will most likely end up there Cannavaro, Zambrotta, and Thuram wouldn't be bad buys either How bout Camornasei to Liverpool I see that as good match

The prosecutor wanted Juve to be demoted to Serie C (not sure 1 or 2) and Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio to be demoted to B. But that's considered really harsh. I think that would be harsh, but Juve has aggred to go Serie B There is going to be a fire sale on all of Juve's players

Who has been the player of the WC so far? For me it's definately been Cannavaro, I don't think he has been beaten yet, he is just an absolute rock back there