This game will end 0-0. Italy will be content to wait, Spain with 6 GODDAMN MIDS will pass itself to death.
Makes me laugh how Hodgson says he left Rio out for "footballing reasons", implying he didn't have the form to get in the squad and yet has picked Stewart Downing.
Just saw an interview with him during the coverage before the Italy - Spain game. Apparently Rio isn't the sort of player you call up to act as cover/replacement for other players, he has "too much ability/too many caps" for that. He's the sort of player you call up when you "know there's a place in your starting XI for him". Funny, I thought you just pick the best 23 players and take them, and play your best 11 first, choosing subs when you need them, knowing that some of them might not get the opportunity to play. Rio has too much ability to be a sub, but not enough to start. Interesting... But as you said, Stewart Downing is the sort of player who makes the starting XI in a European Championship.
Balotelli does not have a striker's instinct. There have been two opportunities where he could have tapped it in, but wasn't in the right place.
Holy shit at balotelli keeping the ball in. Italy looking pretty fucking good, excited as fuck for the second half.
Spain's futbol style pisses me off. It looks good, but when you pass the ball 8 FUCKING TIMES RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE GOAL LINE and don't score, it's useless.
Haha yeah, that was awesome, kept the possession too. I love that he has the bollocks to regularly attempt shit like that. So enjoyable to watch, the fucking nutter.
I root for the Netherlands when it comes to these tournaments. I'm a Balotelli fan myself, that's why it bothered me. But as for these teams I'm just glad I'm watching a good game.
