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.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

1,868 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

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

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    1. Jay_
        9 years, 6 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
      9 years, 6 months ago

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

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    3. Slam
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

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

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Tasty, but not amazing. 🙂

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        1. Slam
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 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
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I hope its enough to beat Belgium 😉 😉

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        1. Slam
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

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          1. Jazz!
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Indeed 🙁

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      3. KingNidge
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Who are the 2?

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        1. Jazz!
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Look above the post ^

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          1. KingNidge
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

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

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            1. Jazz!
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              🙁

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      4. tm245
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 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
          9 years, 6 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
          9 years, 6 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
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Done.

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          1. Slam
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Awesome, good luck

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    4. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

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

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    5. Total Foot 5
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 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
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed. I forgot about him.

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    6. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 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
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Buffon woke up from his nap

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    8. TJ_777
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 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
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 6 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
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 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
      9 years, 6 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 - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

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    11. Ten Season Wonder
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 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.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Get Fellaini off and Dembele on

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    13. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

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

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      1. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        And one missing from the village in charge.

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      2. Syd.
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        *2 Brilliant

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    14. Rolls-Royce
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      The Italians move the ball really well.

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    15. Play Pal
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

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

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

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        1. JØ
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          This is a ridiculous statement.

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          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 6 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
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 6 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
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

                'One brilliant, one very good.'

                Learn to read before you start throwing crap.

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                1. Ginkapo FPL
                  • 14 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  "one good centre back"

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

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                  1. Wilshere Knowledge
                    • 12 Years
                    9 years, 6 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
                  9 years, 6 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
                    • 14 Years
                    9 years, 6 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
                    • 12 Years
                    9 years, 6 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
              9 years, 6 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
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 6 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
              9 years, 6 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
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Courtois? Alderweireld? Nainggolan?

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      2. Knowledgeable meerkat
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Their problems begin with F:

        Fullbacks
        Fellaini

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        1. JØ
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Fwilmots

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        2. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Forwards

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          1. Knowledgeable meerkat
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Waiting for someone to comment "football"...

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      3. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 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
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Yes we do time and time again.. silly really

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      4. JÆKS ⭐
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

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    16. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 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
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        baggio

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        1. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Rossi

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    17. Slam
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 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_
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

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          1. Slam
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Good idea, cheers Jay

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      2. Jay_
          9 years, 6 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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        • Syd.
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Conti scratches Lukaku off the shopping list

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        • Red Devil Swede
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Bonucci (c) could be decent here..

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        • 420king
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

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        • tm245
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          To all Ronaldo owners, yes you should captain him.

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        • Saf10
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

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          1. tm245
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

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

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            1. Saf10
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 6 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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        • Bøwstring The Carp
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          It's simple

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

          Move KDB in the centre where he should be

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          1. JÆKS ⭐
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Witsel instead of Naingolan, slows the game down sooo much

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        • Je suis le chat
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

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        • RoyaleBlue
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 6 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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        • VS10_
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Trollkaku lol

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          1. RoyaleBlue
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            ^^^

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        • Bøwstring The Carp
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          LOLkaku

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            😡

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        • The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Lolkaku

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        • KingNidge
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Lolkaku

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            3rd

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