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. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

  2. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    A very undeserved equaliser

  3. Ron_Swanson
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

    1. gart888
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

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

      1. gart888
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

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

        1. Ron_Swanson
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          fair enough - seems harsh though.

  4. NUFCAndrew
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Nooooooo

  5. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    His arms were in a natural position. Bit harsh.

    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      If he was a sloth or something maybe 😆

      1. RᴀᴄɪɴɢTᴏᴀᴅ
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        😆

    2. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months 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
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Still more points than all my other captains so far

    2. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Better choice over Müller so far at least 😆

  7. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

    1. VS10_
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

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

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Yup hahaha

  8. AlCapwnUK
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months 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
      9 years, 7 months 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
        9 years, 7 months ago

        This

      2. AlCapwnUK
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months 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
          9 years, 7 months ago

          The English press is vile

        2. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 7 months 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
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    I thought the stutter was illegal in these Euros.

  10. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Gomez CS locked. 😎

  11. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Yay. Conte, Forxa Italia, Chelsea...

  12. Pirlø's Pen
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

    1. RᴀᴄɪɴɢTᴏᴀᴅ
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      This.

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Eh? It only just got going, been rubbish mostly

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

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

  13. VS10_
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Donkey Pelle doesn't pass to Giac.

  14. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Pelle you donkey haha

  15. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

  16. AlCapwnUK
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months 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
      9 years, 7 months ago

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

      1. AlCapwnUK
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        exactly

      2. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Exactly

  17. Planet Jo
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Few clean sheets in the knockout phase...

  18. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Il Donk....

  19. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

  20. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    No assist on the handball?

  21. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months 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
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      See what happens in this game...

  22. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    This ref is a complete muppet.

  23. Jack Frost
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

  24. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Imho Italy will proceed to semis.

  25. AlCapwnUK
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    some silky stuff from Florenzi

  26. Je suis le chat
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

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

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

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

  27. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

  28. Cheeseoid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months 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
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

  30. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months 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
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Oh gosh didn't want to picture that

    2. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sounds like a sticky situation.

    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Bloody horrific Jaf... 😆

    4. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      What a dreadful top of page vision .

    5. Zasa
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      God damn 😆

    6. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      😆