Yeah, because the guys on Paraguay weren't flopping around every chance they got either. Please... Every team does it. Not just the Italians
How would you like studs to the achilles? It looks innocent but it does sting. It wasn't malicious on the Paraguay player's part, but that incidental contact was felt right away. And here we go with the Italian diving team, it never fails. Watch some soccer there bud and then come back to me with some kind of argument that only the Italians do it. If I knew how to make the GIFs I would make one each and every time the US dives.
Italy got a good result earlier, I think Slovakia are dangerous but sat back when they took the lead and got punished. Really looking forward to Portugal and Ivory Coast, should be very entertaining.
It's been an awful tournament so far. First round games are always cagey, but this especially has been poor. Italy in the first half were tragic. Thankfully Camoranesi changed things and they pushed Iaquinta further infield and Montelivio was much better when Camoranesi came on. I would worry about who's going to score for Italy.
The funny thing is that I didn't even say anything, but you got all worked up and crybaby about it because you felt like my intentions were to insult your squad, because EVERYONE ELSE is (hmmm, I wonder why)... all I did was post a GIF image that I found on another site that was hilarious to me. I do watch a lot of soccer, though, and yes all countries flop, but Italy is up there with the best of 'em. FYI, I am not a US soccer fan. In fact, I cheer against them when it comes to soccer. I am not an American. Attempt another shot at me and we'll see if you can hit next time.
No doubt you had an intent with the GIF. If not you would've posted something to the effect of your last post. You got the reactions you wanted, we fell for it, congrats. And yes, we are the world's best divers, how else do you think we have 4 stars huh?
Actually, no... didn't get the reactions I wanted because I wasn't looking for any. Just look in the NBA Playoffs thread... I always post GIF's on here that I find funny no matter what. I didn't even read a single post in this thread before posting that GIF. Don't tell me what my intentions are. I don't have anything against the Azzurri, quite honestly.
who cares, diving in soccer, is like traveling in the NBA...happens all day everyday..... Paul Pierce should be a soccer player...
Slightly the better team Ivory Coast, have been in uch better attacking areas than Portugal. Have noticed that anytime Ronaldo and Deco are on the ball, the Ivorians are really challenging them hard, not giving them any time on the ball and roughing them up somewhat. You can see that Ronaldo is getting frustrated and being already on a yellow, he could get sent off if Portugal continue to struggle. Ivory Coast missing Drogba's presence up front and I would expect to see him soon if things stay the way they are.
I'm only seeing the game partially here, streaming it at work, but from what I've seen, Ivory Coast can't penetrate the Portuguese box. They have good movement until the reach the 18 yard box and then Portugal stuffs them. Again, just an observation from the limited game that I saw.
Would have been goal of the tourney so far if Ronaldo put it in instead of striking the post As for Italy 1. Who is gonna score??? This is going to be a short tourney 2. On DeRossi....If it is 100% that no one touched him from behind he should get a 1 match suspension for that
You're right, Boom. Lot's of draws. It's still early, though. Plenty of football left. I keep reading players and coaches blaming it on either the new ball, the vuvuzuelas...who knows. I think/hope it'll get better once groups start shaping up. The Coast is very physical. Maybe a penalty will decide the game? Ronaldo seems like a prima donna to me. He's got a god given gift to place the ball where he wants but he's easily shut out of games...
That's it, there getting into good areas and then the final ball is not good enough. Getting alot of crosses in, but quality not there. Playing well though, just need better quality in the final third.
Boom.. What do you think of Ian Darke? We in the states are deprived of great football announcers....I have a man crush on this guy. This is what an announcer should be. Al;though...please tell me that he doesn't spend every match *****ing about the players and that this was a rare occurrence. BTW, BRAVO to ESPN..their coverage has been excellent.
Well, more or less, the one thing that sticks for me is the vezvuz's or whatever they call them would make an excellent soundtrack for a CK video featuring Nolan's defense's blitz packages. Sort of a Killer B's soundtrack.
I wonder if we'll get any .GIFs of Ronaldo falling over the grass and getting the free kick call or the Ivory Coast Defeder getting tapped in the arm and falling down holding his head like he got shot. I'll say probably not though...
I certainly am worried. Italy without Pirlo are just simply plain, and I know I sound like a broken record, but damn you Lippi for leaving Cassano and Rossi
Agreed. Instead we field the slow Iaquinta and Gilardino. Gilardino's role in Lipp's system is to take passes, long or short and hold onto the ball and wait for supporters to come in. Thing is, there are no dynamic runs being made on the pitch and the Italians looks slow as a result of it, and they are. Iaquinta failed to convert any ball he got into anything productive, be it creating a scoring chance of his own or completing a pass. Gilardino - typical game. Marchisio looked out of place, maybe an intimidation factor. Montolivo played well below his capability. He can do so much better. Zambrotta - had a hell of a game! As for the line up changes this is what I would do: Pazzini for Gilardino Di Natale for Iaquinta Move Zambrotta to the left to replace Criscito (he really did play well, but Maggio is more dynamic and I thought Lippi was anticipating a Criscito / Maggio wing pairing at the back after giving Zambrotta the chance to start - but he did so well). Maggio for Zambrotta on the right Camoranesi for Marchisio My arm chair manager changes should bring some pace and ball movement to the Italian attack.
Heck, I would even take a young volatile Balotelli over Iaquinta or Gilardino but leaving Rossi and Cassano is killing me too. My dad did tell me though that Cassano once told his coach (can't remember which one, Int'l or club) to go practice with the others, he doesn't need to, but when game time comes, just give him the ball, he'll know what to do with it. Cassano would create a divide in the locker room for sure. Maybe Lippi was right not to call him. Italy's team spirit in '06 brought us a long way. It helped motivate Grosso to dive against Australia.
Time to see jogo bonito, I cant wait.....love Brazil.....I say 2 goals, sticking with the "everyone except Germany is tight" theme.....
Ehh, I disagree with the bolded part. Cassano really hasn't been a distraction/hot head in Serie A or his career for that matter in a long time. Maybe he grew out of it, I don't know. But the present day Cassano is different from 2003 Cassano who was kicking corner flags and punching coaches. I haven't seen him lash out in a few years. Rumor has it that back in the day (probably a few years ago) he got into a fist fight with Lippi's son. That's the underlying reason he was left off the team for the past 5 years.
I guess and I dislike Lippi for putting personal vendettas ahead of what is best for Italy, regardless. Any other coach would've called Cassano I believe. Oh well.
Total control that half for Brazil but they couldnt stick one in the back of the net....Asian teams continue to hold their own..
The Korean left foward, number 9, is giving Brazil some problems. Other than that, I think Brasil is dominating. I read Dunga doesn't want this team to play pretty football. He wants them to be effective, counterattack...similar to Maradona's comments. I wish I would have seen some qualifying games.
I really like Kaka man, but he's not really playing well. Too many errand passes. I hope he picks it up and really breaks out this world cup. I'd love to see him get his confidence back and play at a high level for a couple years like the old days. It seems like so long ago that he was the top player on the planet.
