Dugout Discussion
2 July 2016 1250 comments
Paul Paul
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The third quarter-final of Euro 2016 gets underway at 8pm this evening as Germany and Italy go head-to-head in Bordeaux.

Having won three and drawn one of their four fixtures, Joachim Low’s side are the favourites for tonight’s encounter and warmed up for this one with a 3-0 hammering of Slovakia last time out.

Delving into the data, Germany certainly carry the greatest threat. The World Champions lead their opponents for attempts on goal by a massive 83 to 36, though have scored just one more time than Antonio Conte’s troops and netted a mere 7.2% of their scoring opportunities. Italy, on the other hand, have been far less wasteful and boast a 13.9% conversion rat,e which is the third highest in the tournament.

At the back, both sides have been hugely impressive. Indeed, Germany are the only side yet to concede and have allowed their opponents a mere seven shots inside the penalty box so far.

The Azzurri, though, have been breached on just one occasion – a 1-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland where Conte made eight changes to his XI.

Having sent defending champions Spain crashing out in the previous round, a buoyant Italy are more than capable of causing another upset and clinching a place in the last four alongside Portugal and Wales.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,250 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Phew Ozil the better (c) choice after all...

  2. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A very undeserved equaliser

  3. Ron_Swanson
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I didn't think you could do that feint thing on pens? Ive seen a couple now

    1. gart888
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, they don't seem to care anymore. Did the rule change?

      1. gart888
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Hmmm, apparently the law was changed in 2010 to allow a stutter step if the kicker doesn't completely stop.

        1. Ron_Swanson
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          fair enough - seems harsh though.

  4. NUFCAndrew
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Nooooooo

  5. Epic Fail
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    His arms were in a natural position. Bit harsh.

    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      If he was a sloth or something maybe 😆

      1. RᴀᴄɪɴɢTᴏᴀᴅ
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😆

    2. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I think he was appealing for backing in to him. Harsh, but I think it was the right call.

  6. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    "So glad I captained Hector"
    Never be prematurely smug guys.

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Still more points than all my other captains so far

    2. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Better choice over Müller so far at least 😆

  7. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Ugh. Hector's 18 pts looked so nice. :/

    1. VS10_
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      You were celebrating double Begium defence yesterday 20 minutes in to the game as well? 😀

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yup hahaha

  8. AlCapwnUK
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Been so clear in the quarters which teams really want it. Germany and Italy clearly do. England, less so.

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I disagree. England don't fail due to a lack of effort, they fail because they don't have a clue what they're doing on the pitch.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        This

      2. AlCapwnUK
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        there's probably some truth to this to be fair.
        and the toxic press doesn't help, especially with young lads like sterling

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          The English press is vile

        2. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          But isn't it the same for most countries?

          The French are forever getting mugged off by the press, the Germans suffered a lot of criticism for the post-WC displays, the Spanish are arguably the worst of the lot.

  9. palace ash
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I thought the stutter was illegal in these Euros.

  10. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Gomez CS locked. 😎

  11. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Yay. Conte, Forxa Italia, Chelsea...

  12. Pirlø's Pen
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Just lost 5 clean sheets. I don't care. What a game!

    1. RᴀᴄɪɴɢTᴏᴀᴅ
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      This.

    2. THE Wild Rover
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Eh? It only just got going, been rubbish mostly

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Only an opinion, I love a really tight competitive game! Tense as any game you'll see!

  13. VS10_
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Donkey Pelle doesn't pass to Giac.

  14. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Pelle you donkey haha

  15. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Pelle is a donkey. Pass it to Gia you clown!

  16. AlCapwnUK
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    3 Germans, no Italians.
    But I can't help but root for an Italy victory even if it ruins my team

    1. Planet Jo
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Like cheering for Wales when your team's stuffed with Belgians

      1. AlCapwnUK
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        exactly

      2. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Exactly

  17. Planet Jo
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Few clean sheets in the knockout phase...

  18. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Il Donk....

  19. Ginkapo FPL
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Found myself a captain for the week. In Italy I trust

  20. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    No assist on the handball?

  21. HurriKane
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So guys Hector(C) keep or twist ? (lloris payet giroud left)

    Last time bale assist to payet(C) was a big fail

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      See what happens in this game...

  22. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    This ref is a complete muppet.

  23. Jack Frost
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Well we always have Iceland to completely submerge our scores... can't wait.

  24. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Imho Italy will proceed to semis.

  25. AlCapwnUK
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    some silky stuff from Florenzi

  26. Je suis le chat
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hard to believe Pelle was a champion ballroom dancer! He does have the looks and the tan mind.

    1. THE Wild Rover
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He wouldn't have made it in the 80's.. Shorts were so tight there was no ballroom

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's a poor impersonation anyway for the real genius.

  27. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    This had better go to penos after watching this from the start

  28. Cheeseoid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Don't feel too bad about the triple France defence I have coming tomorrow now Nobody else has a clean sheet

  29. Holy See
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    This game is quite entertaining now. Who'd've thunk.

  30. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    If this goes to penos, poor old Joachim will have both his hands stuffed down his gusset, furiously farming for knob fondue......

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Oh gosh didn't want to picture that

    2. Holy See
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds like a sticky situation.

    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Bloody horrific Jaf... 😆

    4. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      What a dreadful top of page vision .

    5. Zasa
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      God damn 😆

    6. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      😆