Attention: Please take a moment to consider our terms and conditions before posting.
England v Italy - THE FINAL - Match Thread
AFKABartram
Posts: 57,814
Not if I’m honest, a title I thought I’d be typing a month ago.
My doubts about us defensively have been unfounded, as have my doubts about the fitness of Maguire and Henderson, the form of Sterling and Southgate’s reliance on his favourites. I’ve been wrong on all of them and I suspect many others have as well.
But Italy have also been impressive and won’t be intimidated by a big game at Wembley.
Can we find one more result?
Could it really be coming home?
My doubts about us defensively have been unfounded, as have my doubts about the fitness of Maguire and Henderson, the form of Sterling and Southgate’s reliance on his favourites. I’ve been wrong on all of them and I suspect many others have as well.
But Italy have also been impressive and won’t be intimidated by a big game at Wembley.
Can we find one more result?
Could it really be coming home?
25
Comments
-
Come on England!
3 -
Going to be tough. Reckon it will settled by either one goal only or penalties.
Feel very calm at the moment, imagine tomorrow I’ll be laying a brick.
Seen Charlton win at Wembley twice, no reason England can’t do the business tomorrow.
My Dad and Grandad were there for the 1966 final, so a family tradition continues.4 -
We can do this, we can definitely do this!
Regardless of the result though, I'm massively proud of this group of players, they've given us a summer to remember.8 -
All a bit surreal.2
-
I can see (or is it hope?) Italy taking a cautious approach to this game.I think their best chance of beating us involves getting their best attacking players like Insigne and Chiesa running at the back four.
A tense defensive battle suits a Southgate team down to the ground and I can see it going 1-0 either way.2 -
Its all about Kane vs Chielini and Bonucci for me and then what we do about Jorginho.
Two schools of thought. Kane either occupies the CBs or he drops deep, feeding the runners, presumably Sterling with one of Saka/Sancho and Mount supporting.
You just know Chielini and Bonucci would prefer to man mark Kane but if he drops off between the lines they cant do that and he'll create space for others.
Everything goes through Jorginho. Assuming Rice is holding, it will be down to Mount and Phillips snapping at his heels. Press him, it cuts their supply. Give him time, he'll spring their counter attack.
We can dominate them like the Spanish did. We'll have the majority of possession, patient build up, it just whether we can break them down.
We win 3-1 in normal time. Kane turns Chielini inside out, Italy equalize with a scrappy set piece, Mount finishes off a counter attack and then Kane scores in the 89th min, triggering scenes nationwide like we've never seen before.
Its coming home.
Arise Sir Gareth.
(More likely 0-0, a tense 30 mins extra time and the most stressful 6-5 shoot out we've ever seen!)
5 -
Those 2 words - THE FINAL…..if I had any hair on the back of my neck they would be standing up.Whatever happens, we’ve made history already, but let’s get the job done and put “55 years of hurt” in to room 101 🏴🦁🦁🦁🏴🏆11
-
I can’t quite believe after (in my case) 41 years of living and watching English football hurt.We are watching us run out in the final. Pictures that will be viewed back for generations to come.
I can’t help myself but think what the country will be like if we won tomorrow.
People pouring out onto the streets. Car horns going off, total pandemonium everywhere.
I suspect it will be total bedlam and for the first time since 1998 I also suspect I will be in floods of tears2 -
Laser pens at the ready 😂9
-
Madness this!
I have a sneaky feeling Henderson may start.2 - Sponsored links:
-
Being totally honest, watching some of our performances from about 2000 up until 2018, I’d written off us even getting to a final, let alone winning it in my lifetime. I think back to how let down and frustrated I felt when we didn’t qualify for Euro 2008, Rooney dying on his arse against Iceland 5 years ago, not even getting out the group stage of the 2014 WC. It was all a bit too much and I lost interest.
2018 was great because I had zero expectations. Absolutely zero. This year I hadn’t really given the tournament much thought, but I think that was because it was a year late, wasn’t going to be played in front of huge crowds initially, and I don’t think I am fully invested back in football in general yet, because of Covid. I thought we were okay in the first game against Croatia, deserved to win. A bit of the old hurt and skepticism probably came back after the Scotland game, which trickled into the Czech game, and I found myself slipping into my old ways of thinking ‘they’re no good, they always let you down etc’, based on how average we looked in those games.
Then, Germany. Not vintage, but the win against an old rival and the strong finish got me into the old Al Pacino ‘Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in’ moment. Ukraine was superb, as how many times have we messed that type of game up in the past? Denmark was like a dream come true. Yes, we lost our way a bit in parts in the first half, but only one team was doing all the right things to win that game from about 70 mins on. We had more of the ball, we were pressing them, and removing myself from my partisan stance, if you were looking at it from a neutral’s perspective, you would say England should go onto win it and deservedly so.
As for tomorrow, of course I want us to win, but as long as we don’t absolutely turn in a stinker, even if we don’t win I will be proud. The feeling that group of players and management have given us, and seeing all the stuff on social media and the buzz they have given the nation, that is to be treasured and if we can just go the final hurdle, then give every member of that squad and management an MBE, OBE or whatever royal honour the Queen deems fit. They deserve every adulation and honour they get.
As for the game, we have a great chance. Don’t get me wrong, Italy are very good, but they’re not unbeatable. We’ve got pace in Sterling. Would love to see Foden and Grealish play alongside Sterling, but I know Mount is a favourite. I think Southgate may opt for a similar formation to the Germany one. The thing that doesn’t go in our favour, is that Italy are seasoned winners. I know their current crop of players haven’t won anything, but as a nation they have pedigree. That does count for something, believe me. Look at when they played Belgium. Belgium, talented players, maybe more so individually than Italy. However, no experience of winning a tournament, and that showed. Italy are past masters. That’s my only worry. Other than that we’ve got a good chance.My final comment is for those of you that have actually gone to games and supported England by physically attending. If we do it, it’s for you more than anyone else. I’ve never been to an England game, probably because I am more club than country when it comes down to it. Not to say I still don’t celebrate and commiserate in the same way I do Charlton when we win and lose, but I’ve never taken the time to travel to Wembley, let alone abroad for a qualifier. On that basis, for all of our fans that have, they really do deserve to celebrate it more than most in my opinion if we win it.2-0 to us, Slabhead from a corner and Kane toward the end. Come on England6 -
Still doesn't feel real, no nerves at the moment, felt way more in the build up to Germany but I'm sure it'll all kick in tomorrow.0
-
-
Philips to man mark Jorginho.
What ever happens today its been brilliant hasn't it?
This team won't peek until Germany 24.
If we do lose I hope the gutter press, and our fair share of idiots generally, don't make it their mission to destroy who ever is deemed to have "let their country down". None of them deserve it.
Any way we won't lose, it will be all songs in the street, it will be complete.
Arise Sir Gareth.1 -
Can’t wait for this, have a flight at 8:30am to Shanghai to watch the game in a sports bar with an 1,800ish capacity, expecting 70% or so to be English.The mrs thinks I’m mental to be flying 4 hours each way to watch on TV, she just doesn’t understand that It’s Coming Home!3-1 England AET and productivity levels to flatline in England for at least a week!34
-
Typical British summer weather for the final. I'm taking that as a good omen.0
-
Who do you leave out though?carly burn said:Madness this!
I have a sneaky feeling Henderson may start.0 -
Nerves have kicked in early for this one, coupled with excited anticipation! Its been 55 long bloody years since I last saw England win a major trophy and now aged 66 its time to see it again at the same place.......Wembley!
Tough, tough game, but I have to believe.. 2-0 England...........PLEASE!0 -
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been on some kind of pleasant but confusing ethereal fug ever since my man Raheem prodded the opener in against the Germans to be honest. I always support the national team, and for people like us the millions round the country who support clubs who let's be honest are often a bit shit more often than good, having the national side doing the business is incredible. I'm not someone who questions the heart or guts of the national team, we haven't been short of that for a long time. Coherence and quality and playing to a system and sticking to it, yes.
I've been getting through this weird foggy, happy feeling by counselling those who are not as versed in football or what the game means to people. The blokes at work who have been wondering whether or not to take their kids down the social club or pub to watch it, I've sat them down and explained this probably won't happen again and how much 1990, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2006 hurt when we were good, played well but had a vicious turn of bad luck/questionable refereeing but the players gave all. Keep your children awake, take them out, let them feel what it means to a nation who are used to disappointment and sad exits at tournaments but have been crying out for something like this
Through this fug I also know I dont want us to just be there to enjoy the day, and this squad of players and management give me the feeling they have done all I ever want the national team to do and thats play with freedom, attack the tournament, and leave it all on the pitch having no regrets. They are here to win.
Yes we've had most our games at home but we've still had to not lose them and embrace rather than fold under the pressure and expectation of a nation that has had it pretty rough of late. The stars have lined up and the players have taken the opportunity and done so magnificently.
Italy have looked very good and have not fluked their way to the final, however.... Chiellini might be one of the best centre halves in the world but he is also 36, and the azzuri might love playing a fast pressing game not seen in Italy since the 1940s but so do we. They have a few genuinely world class players in Immoble, Insigne and a proper footballer who I have loved watching this tournament on Chiesa but how many of them would you swap out with our players? Man for man we can look them in the eye and go at them. Jorginho is definitely not Andrea Pirlo, in fact writing both names in the same sentence feels very mucky to me.
Hopefully Kane draws one of both of Chiellini or Bonucci into areas they'd rather not go leaving gaps for sir Raheem, Saka, Sancho, Foden, Grealish, Mount whichever combo of them is playing to cause the chaos they have been causing.
If I was Italy I'd be a lot more worried about the front 4 we have than we should be about their attacking options as good as they are
Its coming home, support the team tomorrow, be proud and kick every ball with them
10 -
Respect, great dedication, more so than most attending the game itself.Stu_of_Kunming said:Can’t wait for this, have a flight at 8:30am to Shanghai to watch the game in a sports bar with an 1,800ish capacity, expecting 70% or so to be English.The mrs thinks I’m mental to be flying 4 hours each way to watch on TV, she just doesn’t understand that It’s Coming Home!3-1 England AET and productivity levels to flatline in England for at least a week!5 - Sponsored links:
-
Have felt Southgate was doing a good job for a while, and got laughed at on here for saying it.
He's managed his resources incredibly well and has shown that he can and will change players and formation as required.
And he's got the players motivated and playing for each other, something that should be a given but hasn't always been the case.
And he's been ruthless. Subbing off Grealish, not going gung ho all out attack when fans and some pundits demanded it, matching up to beat Germany. He does what is needed.
And he'll need all of that and some luck tomorrow because Italy are a very good side.
The midfield three are dynamic, the front three skillful and run all day, the back four the epitome of Italian "resolute" defending.
The Italian attacking left back whose name I've forgotten is possibly player of the tournament but is out injured which is a big boost for us.
But England are also good at "game management" now. Austria and Spain showed that Italy can wobble defensively under a high press and I think England can dominate then in the air from attacking corners and set pieces.
Hopefully, Pickford has got all his mistakes out of his system v Denmark because otherwise he's been very good.
Kane will be key keeping the Italian centre halves occupied while Sterling and the other wide players do the damage.
Rice, Philips and Mount struggled in the first half v Denmark. If they can close down the Italian midfield we have a chance.
Very hard to call
Heart say 1 - 0 England
Head says 1 - 1 and penalties5 -
No idea. But he'll want experience all over the pitch to my mind, and our midfield is lacking in that departmentricky_otto said:
Who do you leave out though?carly burn said:Madness this!
I have a sneaky feeling Henderson may start.0 -
Has to be an unchanged team I think and trust ourselves. Biggest threat from them is Insigne cutting inside from the left and Barella and Chiesa on the other side. We’re good enough to win it, let’s hope we do.1
-
I agree. The one that bothers me is Veratti. He makes them tick. Anyway Southgate will have a plan.The Red Robin said:Has to be an unchanged team I think and trust ourselves. Biggest threat from them is Insigne cutting inside from the left and Barella and Chiesa on the other side. We’re good enough to win it, let’s hope we do.2 -
Just hope the players are inspired being roared on by the fans who’ve put the miles in over the years like Ed Sheeren, Piers Morgan, Dua Lipa and Marvin & Rochelle Humes22
-
England certainly have a chance and home advantage is big but what I’ve seen of Italy so far they look a grade above where England are. Don’t think it will be a big score but I take Italy to win 2 - 00
-
I am as sick as a dog today.
I will be totally unreasonable by tomorrow.
C’mon England 🏴0 -
If Kane drops deep and we can create moments of isolation between Bonucci and Chiellini Vs Sterling and Saka... They should rinse them.1
-
Italy was my nap for the final because they had the squad with the most nous, dark arts, and strong in defence, midfield and attack. BUT they haven't won the Euro's since 68 But they have won the WC 4 times!
Football is about the here and now and developing a can do, can win attitude with amnesia over the past.
Less pressure for the Manager in that he can't be a failure now he has beaten Germany in a tight game, (cheers Thomas Muller,) cruised home against Ukraine and beat the underated Danes.
This England squad is 50% better than the squad that reached the semi final in the WC. Kane, Sterling, Stones, Walker, Trippier have so much more experience.
We will continue to need the rub of the green But VAR would have disallowed Hurst's "goal" from 66.
Our future is bright with Foden, Mount, Bellingham, Sancho, Rice etc under Southgate who is the dream appointment of the FA.
It is a 50/50 match as it's Wembley. Gareth showed by subbing Jack that he has a ruthless streak and he calls the shots.
Can nice guys be winners ?
Sir Gareth Southgate and Sir Chris Powell;
that would make my knight.
1 -
I’ll try and keep reasonably sober today so that I can enjoy the match tomorrow.0
https://youtu.be/MdJFBwchcSg
