Euro 2016

[yuppie]

Another deliberate pull back from the wily Italians.

They are the grand masters of the dark arts.

[yuppie]

Another cynical challenge.

[Gingerfinch]

Belgium's best chance, but headed over.

[yuppie]

How is that not a penalty for Fellani? He was in a head lock.

[Gingerfinch]

It's not going to be Belgium's day.

Best game I've seen so far!

[Gingerfinch]

How is that not a penalty for Fellani? He was in a head lock.

I think the ref may have blew before the headlock?

[dan08]

Fellaini has been unbelievably bad.

[Gingerfinch]

2-0

[yuppie]

How is that not a penalty for Fellani? He was in a head lock.

I think the ref may have blew before the headlock?

Ahhh.

Second goal, and it seems Italy have won the European cup. Incredible scenes.

[yuppie]

Great technique

[sussexpob]

Seems that most people are going very OTT (not here) about the Italians last night. To be honest, I thought in the second half they were utterly dominated, had Lukaku tucked away his one to one that he should off on 55 minutes, Belgium may have gone onto win. Lukaku, Origi, and Felliani (three times) all failed to control easy balls in acute goals scoring opportunities. Could have ended with 10 men too.

The rugby tackle on I believe Lukaku when he was breaking away was a red card under the new rules. Any attempt to touch a player in the face when not making a realistic effort to get the ball is straight red. The Italian didn't even challenge for the ball, and made contact with the head. Its a shame as the referee should be looking for any excuse to send someone off when they are so cynical. Fellaini should have had a penalty too. Chellini had him in a head lock at the corner, and then Clattenburg lectures Fellaini about tussling in the box?

[sussexpob]

As for Belgium, you will see previous articles/points I have made for the last 2-3 years about them. Wilmots is the worst coach out of any major national team, he literally doesn't have a clue. In the second half Vertonghen must have crossed the ball 10-20 times..... how can a CB playing at FB be the creative heart of a team? Wilmot's just cant drop his star players, and yesterday you could count the amount of times Hazard or De Bruyne got an overlap to help them out.

5-3-2 formations have a huge weakness out wide, because a doubled up FB and winger in a 4-5-1 will always have an extra man. So you play wide and you force the CB's in the middle to drift wider. Belgium never once successfully did this, the passing was laboured, the movement off the ball non-existant, the touch in tight spaces was lacking.

Both Beligum Full-backs are not full backs.... it shows badly as neither surge forward to help the wingers.
Kevin De Bruyne is the best number 10 arguably in the tournament...... he was out on the right wing
Felliani has the touch of a rapist and has no creativity either...... he was playing as the main creative role
Moussa Dembele arguably the best DM in the premier league....... dropped for Witsel, who I have seen play 30 times and am still clueless as to understand exactly what he does.
Lukaku.....needs 4 decent chances to tuck one away

Its funny, because Belgium are so predictable I whatsapp'd a friend yesterday and said "Wilmot's always throws on Mertens first, and then Origi"...... you can set your watch by it. Had Conte done his homework, it would have been the easiest tactical preparation ever!

The biggest mystery is how Carrasco from A.Madrid doesn't get a game. He needs to ditch Fellaini, slot De Bruyne in the 10, put Carrasco out wide.

[Gingerfinch]

The Italians left themselves open a bit in the second half, but their first half defending was as good as it gets.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Played better after I slagged them off.

[sussexpob]

Bit harsh on Dragovic that red card