Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Belgium vs Italy

13 June 2016 1868 comments
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Monday’s final Euro 2016 tie sees Fifa’s second highest ranked side Belgium square up to 2012 Euros finalist Italy.

Both sides come into the match in confident mood having topped their qualifying groups and ending their pre-tournament friendly preparations unbeaten. While Belgium defeated Norway 3-2 and drew 1-1 with Finland, Italy recorded wins against Scotland and Finland.

Marc Wilmots’ team are set to rely heavily on Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who created more chances than any other player during qualification. Along with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard he was also the Red Devils’ top scorer in qualifying with five goals.

Antonio Conte’s Italy were one of only four sides, alongside England, Austria and Romania, to be undefeated in qualifying. They did this despite not having a regular goal scorer, with Southampton striker Graziano Pelle the Azzuri’s top scorer in qualifying with just three goals.

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  1. ★Kuntheman★
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Feeling like playing a 5-4-1 after these first few games

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    1. Jay_
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Will be a different story in the next round of fixtures, nobody wants to lose their first game, now the teams on 0 points will come out and have to go for the win. Should see more open games.

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  2. Slam
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Looks like Junuzovic and Dragovic are my last hopes...

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  3. Slam
    10 years, 4 months ago

    How's 53 with 2 to go looking like around these parts?

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    1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Tasty, but not amazing. 🙂

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      1. Slam
        10 years, 4 months ago

        That's alright, I feel robbed doing De Gea -> Casillas minutes before deadline, the stupid press 😀 🙁

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    2. Jazz!
      10 years, 4 months ago

      I hope its enough to beat Belgium 😉 😉

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      1. Slam
        10 years, 4 months ago

        We are up against a very difficult opponent it seems...

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        1. Jazz!
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Indeed 🙁

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    3. KingNidge
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Who are the 2?

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      1. Jazz!
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Look above the post ^

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        1. KingNidge
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Oh i think anyone without Ronnie tomorrow could fell a bit of a sting

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          1. Jazz!
            10 years, 4 months ago

            🙁

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    4. tm245
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Slamdog and Jazz, let me know your thoughts on whether I should stick or twist with Zlatan. Have a good feeling about Alaba tomorrow.

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      1. Slam
        10 years, 4 months ago

        I would definitely twist TM,
        You are risking 3 points for what could be a riot for Austria tomorrow

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      2. Jazz!
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Follow your gut definitely imo. If you have a good feeling about Alaba, pursue that route and hand him the armband!

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      3. tm245
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Done.

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        1. Slam
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Awesome, good luck

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  4. Dr Dream
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Well, well, well. .Italy turn up for a tournament....again. Looking good.

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  5. Total Foot 5
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Chadli: its a shame he was not called, no? think the fact he is bench w/ spurs major issue. granted he has not been the same after his dad passed away, but still, worthy to have in bench imo.

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    1. Dr Dream
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Agreed. I forgot about him.

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  6. ★Kuntheman★
    10 years, 4 months ago

    German, Spanish, and Italian defenses have looked solid at one end and weak at the other. Considering on loading up on their assets.

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  7. Defcons are for Kinnear
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Buffon woke up from his nap

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  8. TJ_777
    10 years, 4 months ago

    After all these games seems likes a strong defense with good subs is the most assured way of getting consistent points. Is it too early to speculate that?

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    1. Woy of the Wovers
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Always good to have a couple of solid defenders. But round 1 games are frequently low scoring.

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  9. Woy of the Wovers
    10 years, 4 months ago

    My earlier predictions for 1-0, 1-1, 1-1 doing far better than I would have expected.

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  10. George Sillett
    10 years, 4 months ago

    This game would have been enjoyable if KDB wasn't another captain fail on it's way

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    1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 4 months ago

      All 11 Belgians are a fail, at this point of time.

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  11. Ten Season Wonder
    10 years, 4 months ago

    CAPTs so far...
    Gru 10pts > Alli 4pts > Juanfran 12pts... Bit of a rollercoaster so far... Slight increase in points from day one...

    But with Alaba & CR7 to go.... I've gotta twist captain again haven't i????

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  12. Syd.
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Get Fellaini off and Dembele on

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  13. Bøwstring The Carp
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Belgium - a collection of brilliant players with no team spirit 😕

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    1. George Sillett
      10 years, 4 months ago

      And one missing from the village in charge.

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    2. Syd.
      10 years, 4 months ago

      *2 Brilliant

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  14. Rolls-Royce
    10 years, 4 months ago

    The Italians move the ball really well.

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  15. Play Pal
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Belgium have fantastic individual players, where does the blame lie for their lack of success?

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      10 years, 4 months ago

      They have 1 brilliant player, one very good player, and the rest are average.

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      1. JØ
        10 years, 4 months ago

        This is a ridiculous statement.

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Lukaku awful movement, Witsel average, Naing is an average technician, rubbish full backs, one good centre back, and a good keeper out of form.

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            10 years, 4 months ago

            So which of De Bruyne and Hazard is Brilliant, and which is average?

            Think before you spout rubbish.

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            1. Wilshere Knowledge
              10 years, 4 months ago

              'One brilliant, one very good.'

              Learn to read before you start throwing crap.

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              1. Ginkapo FPL
                10 years, 4 months ago

                "one good centre back"

                If you want to call someone an idiot, know your facts.

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                1. Wilshere Knowledge
                  10 years, 4 months ago

                  Vert plays left back, the other is Verm.

                  I'm going to ignore you now.

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              2. Ayew Serious
                10 years, 4 months ago

                "They have 1 brilliant player, one very good player, and the rest are average."

                "Lukaku awful movement, Witsel average, Naing is an average technician, rubbish full backs, one good centre back, and a good keeper out of form."

                You've contradicted yourself many times in these two posts. So why don't you take a look at yourself before accusing Ginakpo of "throwing crap" when he asked a simple question.

                Thank you

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                1. Ginkapo FPL
                  10 years, 4 months ago

                  It wasnt a simple question, it was a polite opportunity to admit that he was being foolish. He chose not to take it.

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                2. Wilshere Knowledge
                  10 years, 4 months ago

                  I said one is brilliant and one is very good. He then said the logical conclusion is that one of them is average. Which was wrong.

                  Being just good is average at international level.

                  He was rude, and has somehow taken offence from me. And has continued to throw insults.

                  I no longer wish to interact with such a person.

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          2. Jazz!
            10 years, 4 months ago

            Alderwerield and Vertonghen are both great centre backs. Lukaku just needs to be managed properly. Nainggolan is a brilliant player, imo.

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            1. Wilshere Knowledge
              10 years, 4 months ago

              Toby is good, but not a top 10 centre back. Vertongen play left back. Nainggolan is just legs. He even said himself he runs around to let better players play the football. (Pjanic)

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          3. JØ
            10 years, 4 months ago

            Agree on Lukaku and Witsel. Nainggolan is a beast, such a hard working player and far better and more important for Roma than Pjanic last season. He is class. Vertonghen and Toby - one of the best CB pairings in Europe last season. Hazard and De Bruyne are both world class players and would be first choice in any team in the world. Courtois is a top, top keeper. Not one of the best, yet, but he is definitely better than "average"

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      2. Slam
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Courtois? Alderweireld? Nainggolan?

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    2. Knowledgeable meerkat
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Their problems begin with F:

      Fullbacks
      Fellaini

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      1. JØ
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Fwilmots

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      2. Syd.
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Forwards

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        1. Knowledgeable meerkat
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Waiting for someone to comment "football"...

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    3. Dr Dream
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Well tonight maybe it's the fact that they've underestimated Italy...but then haven't we all.

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      1. KingNidge
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Yes we do time and time again.. silly really

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    4. JÆKS ⭐
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Wilmots, I think 99% in Belgium will agree with me

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  16. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Italy looking good. Would look even better with someone other than Pelle up front.

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      10 years, 4 months ago

      baggio

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      1. Syd.
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Rossi

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  17. Slam
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Think I might use my FT to get rid of Zlatan next round, the Italians will be difficult to break down.
    Any suggestions on who to get?

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    1. Jay_
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Teams that need 2 wins, Kane, even Lukaku if BEL lose this.

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      1. Slam
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Good idea, cheers Jay

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  18. Jay_
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Two x2 pointers out for Dragovic and Alaba is definite for me.

    But would you lose a 2 pointer for Guerriero? I'm thinking might aswell.

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  19. Syd.
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Conti scratches Lukaku off the shopping list

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  20. Red Devil Swede
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Bonucci (c) could be decent here..

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  21. 420king
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Looks like my bench tomorrow will be filled with captains...Kane, Müller and KDB

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  22. tm245
    10 years, 4 months ago

    To all Ronaldo owners, yes you should captain him.

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  23. Saf10
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on making either Almer, Siggy or Junuzovic captain? From Zlatan..

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    1. tm245
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Siggy was a tough omission for me from my final squad.

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      1. Saf10
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Think Siggy could be in with the points tomo. My midfield 3 was Alli, Dzemaili and Perisic.

        So thinking to change Alli - Siggy and Dzemaili - Junuzovic.

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  24. Bøwstring The Carp
    10 years, 4 months ago

    It's simple

    Fellaini + Nainngolan ------> Dembele + Carrasco

    Move KDB in the centre where he should be

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    1. JÆKS ⭐
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Witsel instead of Naingolan, slows the game down sooo much

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  25. Je suis le chat
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Kdb giving the ball away too cheaply as usual. Interesting to see what Pep does with him.

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  26. RoyaleBlue
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone want to buy Lukaku off us? He got lots of goals last season I promise he's good

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  27. VS10_
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Trollkaku lol

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    1. RoyaleBlue
      10 years, 4 months ago

      ^^^

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  28. Bøwstring The Carp
    10 years, 4 months ago

    LOLkaku

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    1. THE Wild Rover
      10 years, 4 months ago

      😡

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  29. THE Wild Rover
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Lolkaku

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  30. KingNidge
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Lolkaku

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    1. THE Wild Rover
      10 years, 4 months ago

      3rd

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