Group A
Poland must be wondering how they let that one get away. A young team that took the foot off the gas as they were a) at home b)1 nil up and c) playing ten men. Well done Greece - great fight back but where was that in the first half - looked like they were all stoned wondering around the pitch like that and giving the ball away.
Russians looked very good and though the Czechs created chances they were never really in it.
Group B
Wow the Netherlands imploding and losing 1 nil to Denmark. The Danes just sat narrow and let the Dutch have the ball and hit them with direct passes when they won the ball. Van der Wiel got caught going forward and the Danes exploited the space he left well. News now that there's in fighting in the Dutch camp with Nigel De Jong unhappy at being subbed v Denmark complaining his midfield partner Mark Van Bommel gets preferential treatment from the coach, who also happens to be his father-in-law hmmmm you think?
Germans were pushed harder than I and they thought they would be by the Portuguese, great goal by Gomez to win it but Ronaldo and co looking like they might actually produce something at an International tournament.
Group C
The Italians played the Spanish very well and probably edged the chances. Del Bosque started six midfielders and no strikers - unbelievable. As my mate Rob said "when I heard Spain were playing a false striker I just thought they meant Torres". The Spanish clearly miss Villa and given they only took three recognised strikers too the tournament and then left them all on the bench I think it means Del Bosque still isn't sure how to cover his loss. As you'd expect plenty of fannying about by Spain when in and around the area - if they were more direct they'd have caused more problems for Italy.
Giovanni Trapattoni's lack of a Plan B bit him and his team in the arse against Croatia. You'd have thought a win in the first game and sneak a draw against Italy would have been the plan coming in but they'll be lucky to get a point now. Wes Hoolahan and Anthony Pilkington must have been shaking their heads watching that. Croatia mean while looked the business their clash with the Italians should be a beauty and you'd be hard pressed to pick who'll advance at the moment.
Group D
England v France was boring - England were solid and predictable and created little while the French were happy with a point and barely got out of first gear. Creativity in the middle was sorely missing and you wonder how the legs of Parker and Gerrard (both in their 30's) will deal 3 games in 8 days. For mine a change of formation is needed to get the most out of the squad and get as many of England's best players on the pitch as possible. The same back four with Parker and Milner or Jones sitting in front will free Gerrard up to play the Sneijder/Ozil role, Young on the left and Walcott on the right with Welbeck up top gives the side a lot more width and pace going forward.
Sweden were disappointing, they looked at times a lot better than the Ukrainians but the difference was the home side worked harder and wanted it more and it showed - credit to Blokhin for getting the most out of a mixture of ageing stars and up and comers.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Euro 2012 Group D Preview
Euro 2012 - Group D
France
Qualified Winners Group D
Laurent Blanc looks to have done a great job in gelling this French squad when you consider the state they were in this time two years ago. A slightly unhinged manager in Raymond Domenech (who apparently refused to select Robert Pires because their star signs clashed) fell out with an ego driven dressing room and saw the side return home early and in disgrace.
Blanc stamped his authority early and blooded a new generation of players in the process. I don't know that dark horse is the right term as they are a quality side but with all the talk being about Germany, Spain and Holland but I do think they are to being ignored and will be challenging towards the end of the tournament.
The side is solid at the back with Lloris in goal and Patrice Evra, Philippe Mexes, Adil Rami likely to start as four of the back five. Arsenal's Bacary Sagna will be missed at right back but Lille's Mathieu Debuchy has had a good season but is largely untested at international level.
The midfield looks very strong with players like Yohan Cabaye and Yann M'Vila capable of both winning and distributing the ball well and a wealth of flair players deployed in front of them with Samir Nasri, Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda favoured in the lead up to the tournament and Jeremy Menez and Hatem Ben Arfa ready to make an impact off of the bench.
Les Blues tend to play a 4-2-3-1 formation so up front much will be expected of Karim Benzema who netted 28 times in 45 appearances for Real Madrid this season. If he fails to fire form Ligue Un forward Olivier Giroud who's goals helped Montpellier to an unlikely title win awaits. His 21 goals and nine assists have alerted Arsenal to his ability and expect him to be plying his trade for a bigger club next season.
Franck Ribery hasn't been seen at his best in a major international tournament yet but if Blanc can get him to fire France look far stronger than anyone else in their group and I think they'll top it.
Tip - Group D Winners
England
Qualified Winners Group G
Where to start? A very good qualifying campaign in which they scored 17 goals in 8 games seemed to indicate Fabio Capello's style was working and England could look forward to challenging at an international tournament for the first time since 1996. Cue one disaster after another.
John Terry's behaviour meant disruption to the squad and while the loss of Wayne Bridge may not be seen as a huge one the England captain's actions must have affected the way his team mates viewed him. Follow that with the Anton Ferdinand incident and the subsequent stripping of Terry's captaincy and resignation of Capello and things weren't looking so rosy.
The English F.A's campaign to appoint a new manager took far longer than it should have and the safe appointment of Roy Hodgson over Harry Redknapp did little to win them favour with the notoriously fickle English press. Include Wayne Rooney's suspension from the first two group games, the Ferdinand incident part two raising it's head with Rio being left out for "footballing reasons" in favour of Terry, then Phil Jagielka and then Martin Kelly and Michael Carrick and Micah Richards making themselves unavailable for the stand by list and it appears England will struggle to get out of the group.
Though the tenure is only two games old, Hodgson has got results so far, with battling one nil victories over Norway and Belgium. The style hasn't been pretty and for the most part the 4-4-1-1 set up is there to guard against losing rather than trying to win. With the players at his disposal I'm surprised Hodgson hasn't gone 4-2-3-1 with Parker and Milner sitting in front of the back four allowing captain Steven Gerrard license to get forward in support of Welbeck up front with Walcott and Young providing width, pace and crosses.
The players England don't have available says a lot about the problems they face. Darren Bent, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Micah Richards, Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill, Gareth Barry, Daniel Sturridge (how he didn't get selected I don't know) - that's eight players who could improve the current squad.
As they are currently set up and without Rooney I can't see England getting anything from the first match against France, they'll also have to play well to get the points against Sweden and by the time Rooney is back and they face co-hosts the Ukraine players may already be taking their duty free orders.
Tip - Group D Third
Sweden
Qualified Group E Runners Up
The Swedes qualified automatically as the best runners up after finishing second in their group to the Dutch. That effort included an impressive 3 - 2 win over the Oranje in the final group game so the Swedes can ceate chances and put sides under pressure.
Undoubtedly the most important player in the squad is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he brings goals, creativity and leadership to a side that has talent and a high work rate. Playing in the hole behind Johan Elmander, Ibrahimovic can exploit the space between the back four and midfield either threading passes through for his striker or bringing the likes of Sebastian Larsson and Rasmus Elm into the game.
The Swedish midfield is a mixture of hard working veterans like Kim Kallstrom and Anders Svensson and young talent like the a fore mentioned Elm and Emir Bajrami - they should lay a decent platform to shield the back four and link effectively with the front third.
The weak spot of this side really is the defence where 34 year old Olympicos' Olof Mellberg is still the first choice alongside 32 year old Genoa centre back Andreas Granquist with Martin Olsson on the left who may struggle with tiredness after a long hard relegation battle with Blackburn Rovers and Celtic right back Mikael Lustig.
I think the Swedes will have enough to get through the group but probably no further.
Tip - Group D Runner Up
Ukraine
Qualified Co-Hosts
That the most important member of the Ukrainian set up is the manager Oleg Blokhin probably tells you all you need to know about his squad. Blokhin was in charge when the Ukraine made the quarter finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup but the stars of that side are now past their best and he's having to mould a youthful squad around these old heads.
Star striker Andriy Shevchenko is now 35 and I think will be more important as a figurehead than a player for the team but the man dubbed "the young Sheva" will be one who will need to provide the bulk of the Ukrainian chances. Andriy Yarmalenko is only 22 yet is on the radar of some of Europe's top sides. His seven goals in 20 appearances for the national side under line his importance as does his ability to play wide left or through the middle.
One veteran who will be worth his weight in gold for Blokhin in this tournament is Bayern Munich libero Anatoliy Tymoschuk whose reading of the game, steady head, ball winning ability and distribution will be key to not only starting Ukrainian offences but also breaking up incursions into his teams half.
The overall inexperience of the side will be the biggest hurdle for them to overcome with many of the players still based in the Ukrainian league.
I can't see the Ukrainians making it out of the group the challenge will surely be not finishing bottom.
Tip - Group D Fourth
France
Qualified Winners Group D
Laurent Blanc looks to have done a great job in gelling this French squad when you consider the state they were in this time two years ago. A slightly unhinged manager in Raymond Domenech (who apparently refused to select Robert Pires because their star signs clashed) fell out with an ego driven dressing room and saw the side return home early and in disgrace.
Blanc stamped his authority early and blooded a new generation of players in the process. I don't know that dark horse is the right term as they are a quality side but with all the talk being about Germany, Spain and Holland but I do think they are to being ignored and will be challenging towards the end of the tournament.
The side is solid at the back with Lloris in goal and Patrice Evra, Philippe Mexes, Adil Rami likely to start as four of the back five. Arsenal's Bacary Sagna will be missed at right back but Lille's Mathieu Debuchy has had a good season but is largely untested at international level.
The midfield looks very strong with players like Yohan Cabaye and Yann M'Vila capable of both winning and distributing the ball well and a wealth of flair players deployed in front of them with Samir Nasri, Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda favoured in the lead up to the tournament and Jeremy Menez and Hatem Ben Arfa ready to make an impact off of the bench.
Les Blues tend to play a 4-2-3-1 formation so up front much will be expected of Karim Benzema who netted 28 times in 45 appearances for Real Madrid this season. If he fails to fire form Ligue Un forward Olivier Giroud who's goals helped Montpellier to an unlikely title win awaits. His 21 goals and nine assists have alerted Arsenal to his ability and expect him to be plying his trade for a bigger club next season.
Franck Ribery hasn't been seen at his best in a major international tournament yet but if Blanc can get him to fire France look far stronger than anyone else in their group and I think they'll top it.
Tip - Group D Winners
England
Qualified Winners Group G
Where to start? A very good qualifying campaign in which they scored 17 goals in 8 games seemed to indicate Fabio Capello's style was working and England could look forward to challenging at an international tournament for the first time since 1996. Cue one disaster after another.
John Terry's behaviour meant disruption to the squad and while the loss of Wayne Bridge may not be seen as a huge one the England captain's actions must have affected the way his team mates viewed him. Follow that with the Anton Ferdinand incident and the subsequent stripping of Terry's captaincy and resignation of Capello and things weren't looking so rosy.
The English F.A's campaign to appoint a new manager took far longer than it should have and the safe appointment of Roy Hodgson over Harry Redknapp did little to win them favour with the notoriously fickle English press. Include Wayne Rooney's suspension from the first two group games, the Ferdinand incident part two raising it's head with Rio being left out for "footballing reasons" in favour of Terry, then Phil Jagielka and then Martin Kelly and Michael Carrick and Micah Richards making themselves unavailable for the stand by list and it appears England will struggle to get out of the group.
Though the tenure is only two games old, Hodgson has got results so far, with battling one nil victories over Norway and Belgium. The style hasn't been pretty and for the most part the 4-4-1-1 set up is there to guard against losing rather than trying to win. With the players at his disposal I'm surprised Hodgson hasn't gone 4-2-3-1 with Parker and Milner sitting in front of the back four allowing captain Steven Gerrard license to get forward in support of Welbeck up front with Walcott and Young providing width, pace and crosses.
The players England don't have available says a lot about the problems they face. Darren Bent, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Micah Richards, Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill, Gareth Barry, Daniel Sturridge (how he didn't get selected I don't know) - that's eight players who could improve the current squad.
As they are currently set up and without Rooney I can't see England getting anything from the first match against France, they'll also have to play well to get the points against Sweden and by the time Rooney is back and they face co-hosts the Ukraine players may already be taking their duty free orders.
Tip - Group D Third
Sweden
Qualified Group E Runners Up
The Swedes qualified automatically as the best runners up after finishing second in their group to the Dutch. That effort included an impressive 3 - 2 win over the Oranje in the final group game so the Swedes can ceate chances and put sides under pressure.
Undoubtedly the most important player in the squad is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he brings goals, creativity and leadership to a side that has talent and a high work rate. Playing in the hole behind Johan Elmander, Ibrahimovic can exploit the space between the back four and midfield either threading passes through for his striker or bringing the likes of Sebastian Larsson and Rasmus Elm into the game.
The Swedish midfield is a mixture of hard working veterans like Kim Kallstrom and Anders Svensson and young talent like the a fore mentioned Elm and Emir Bajrami - they should lay a decent platform to shield the back four and link effectively with the front third.
The weak spot of this side really is the defence where 34 year old Olympicos' Olof Mellberg is still the first choice alongside 32 year old Genoa centre back Andreas Granquist with Martin Olsson on the left who may struggle with tiredness after a long hard relegation battle with Blackburn Rovers and Celtic right back Mikael Lustig.
I think the Swedes will have enough to get through the group but probably no further.
Tip - Group D Runner Up
Ukraine
Qualified Co-Hosts
That the most important member of the Ukrainian set up is the manager Oleg Blokhin probably tells you all you need to know about his squad. Blokhin was in charge when the Ukraine made the quarter finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup but the stars of that side are now past their best and he's having to mould a youthful squad around these old heads.
Star striker Andriy Shevchenko is now 35 and I think will be more important as a figurehead than a player for the team but the man dubbed "the young Sheva" will be one who will need to provide the bulk of the Ukrainian chances. Andriy Yarmalenko is only 22 yet is on the radar of some of Europe's top sides. His seven goals in 20 appearances for the national side under line his importance as does his ability to play wide left or through the middle.
One veteran who will be worth his weight in gold for Blokhin in this tournament is Bayern Munich libero Anatoliy Tymoschuk whose reading of the game, steady head, ball winning ability and distribution will be key to not only starting Ukrainian offences but also breaking up incursions into his teams half.
The overall inexperience of the side will be the biggest hurdle for them to overcome with many of the players still based in the Ukrainian league.
I can't see the Ukrainians making it out of the group the challenge will surely be not finishing bottom.
Tip - Group D Fourth
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Euro's 2012 Group C Preview
Euro 2012 - Group C.
Spain:
Qualified Group I winners
The defending European and World Champions are aiming to win an unprecedented 3rd major title in a row and a first glance it's had to see past them for a final birth but there are now chinks in the armour.
First off injuries have robbed them of two of their most potent weapons. Carlos Puyol, the leader on the pitch who marshaled not just the defence but the whole side, rallying them when they're under pressure.
Perhaps the bigger loss though is that of David Villa. Golden Boot at Euro 2008 and tied Golden Boot at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he's Spain's record goal scorer with 51 goals in 82 matches and top scorer in La Liga in 6 of the last 7 seasons. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup he scored 5 of Spain's 8 goals and that fact that none of the other 3 came from a striker is Spain's problem.
The possible replacements are an out of sorts Fernando Torres, Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente a physical striker who's form seemed to wane at the tail end of a long season and Alvaro Negredo who didn't feature in any of the qualifying campaign. So the big question is where will the goals come from? It's fine to have a team full of slick passing midfielders but if you can't put the ball in the net you wont win tournaments - Spain's last friendly against a very average Chinese side (a 1 nil win thanks to an 84th minute goal to David Silva) could be a sign of things to come.
The loss of Puyol also creates a problem - where the Spanish have been imperious at the back in recent years their key defenders aren't performing. Pique has been out of sorts all season at Barca (even getting dropped for a while) and his likely partner in the centre is a converted right back in Sergio Ramos. This coupled with inexperience in Jordi Alba and lack of matches in Raul Alboil (just La Liga matches and 5 UCL matches all season) in the full back positions means things are far from solid at the back for La Roja.
The other issue that seems to be clouding the camp is the disharmony between the Real and Barca players within the squad. The manager seems to be aware of the issue saying "If Pique and Ramos do not get along, they’ll be dropped. They are young kids with their differences, but we have no problems.” Xavi has also recently chimed in intimating that the Real players are bad winners and losers.
Five off seasons of action could also be taking toll on the big players in the side and fatigue may be a factor - I think they're a very good side but one with issues that need resolving both on and off the pitch. I think they'll make it out of the group but can't see them winning the tournament.
Tip - Group C Runners Up
Euro 2012 - Group C.
Italy:
Qualified Group C winners
If you take any notice of history when it comes to the Italian national side you'll be popping into your local TAB to throw a lazy tenner on them winning Euro 2012. Before you think I've lost it let me explain.
In 1982 Italian football was recovering from a match fixing scandal, no one, not even the Italian media expected the team to do anything but show up but thanks to the prodigal son Paolo Rossi (just back from a ban for his part in the scandal) and his goals the Dino Zoff led Azzurri were crowned champions.
Fast forward to 2006, Italian football was recovering from a match fixing scandal that had seen Rossi's former club Juventus relegated to Serie B for their involvement, once again no one fancied them to go close to winning it and thanks to a dominant tournament from striker Luca Toni they did the unexpected and lifted the trophy.
2012, Italian football is in the throws of a match fixing scandal, some big names are said to be involved, members of the squad have been dropped because they've been implicated and once again no one thinks the Italians will win - even their coach Cesare Prandelli has said he doesn't think the side are there too win but to get experience for the next World Cup! See what I mean!
As for which striker will step forward and make his mark take your pick from Mario Batlotelli who'd have us believe he's a genius, reformed bad boy Antonio Cassano or the veteran who's still scoring at top level for Udinese Antonio Di Natale. Oh and the Juventus link is there again too - they've won the Serie A this season fo the first time in nine years without losing a game.
The Azzurri look reasonably strong across the pitch too. The defence will include Buffon in goal with fellow Juve players Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci vying for places in front of him meaning the stability and combinations will be there to offer a typically stoic Italian defence.
In front of the them is probably the Azzurri's strongest part of the squad, Andrea Pirlo will pull the strings from in front of the back four with Juve team mate Claudio Marchisio, Roma captain Daniele De Rossi and Fiorentina's play maker Riccardo Montolivo making up a diamond formation in front of him and with quality players like Thiago Motta and Sebastian Giovinco on the bench the Italian midfield will dominate most sides.
The preparation may not have been great and the friendly results not that impressive but when it comes to the games that matter the Italians will be tough to beat.
Tip - Group C winners
Euro 2012 - Group C.
Croatia:
Qualified Group F Runners Up
The Croat's have a short but proud tournament history with a semi final appearance in the 1998 FIFA Wold Cup and a Quarter Final appearance last time out at the Euro's. They qualified by beating Turkey in the play offs with an impressive 3 nil in Istanbul after finishing runner up to the Greeks in Group F.
Croatia's strength is in midfield where Luka Modric tends to play as a deep lying play maker - a role similar to Pirlo's for Italy alongside the ball winning ability of either Bayern's Danijel Pranjic or Dynamo Kiev's Ognjen Vukojevic. On the right side captain Darijo Srna offers stability, crossing accuracy and a threat from set pieces and over on the left Croatian manager Slaven Bilic has the luxury of choosing between two very creative players in Niko Kranjar and Sevilla's Ivan Rakitic. In the hole linking the lone striker and the midfield is another goalscoring play maker in Wolfsburg's Mario Mandzukic, who if he can stay fit could be a surprise package in this tournament.
Up front the loss of Bayern Munich's Ivica Olic will hurt, his physicality and tireless running is something that will be hard to replace. The options are Eduardo the Brazilian born Croatian who hasn't been the same player since breaking his leg for Arsenal, Nikica Jelavic who while impressing in his short time at Everton is yet to prove himself on the international stage and the young pretender Ivan Perisic who will have a bigger role to play at his club side Borussia Dortmund next season.
As a former centre back Bilic's biggest concern will ironically be his back four, they lack pace and against Greece in qualifying at least look vulnerable at set pieces.
Croatia could potentially upset the big two in this group but I'll be keeping my cash in my pocket at this stage.
Tip - Group C Third
Euro 2012 - Group C.
Ireland:
Qualified Group B Runners Up
The Irish made their first major tournament since the 2002 FIFA Wold Cup by beating Estonia 5 - 1 on aggregate after finishing second to Russia in Group B.
Their biggest strength and weakness could be one and the same - the boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
He's got the Irish this far by playing a fairly rigid 4-4-1-1 making them hard to break down but at the same time making them fairly predictable. Robbie Keane is key to the sides chances playing in the hole and effectively being the sides play maker and goal scorer, of his fellow strikers Shane Long looks the most likely to score goals at the highest level thanks to his pace but Trappattoni prefers to start with the more physical Kevin Doyle or the bustling style of Stoke City's Jon Walters.
The centre of the park offer very little going forward with Keith Andrews and Glen Whelan used to shield the back four rather than feed the front players. Out wide Damian Duff isn't the player he was but Aiden McGeady looks like he could cause a few sides problems with his tricky and pace.
Where I think Trapattoni may have problems is the lack of variety in the squad - he seems very settled on one style and if that doesn't work there is very little he can do to change things. I think he may have missed a trick in leaving Norwich pair, midfield schemer Wes Hoolahan and winger/second striker Anthong Pilkington out of the squad - their presence in Polkraine could have made the Irish a different prospect.
Alongside Robbie Keane Ireland two most important players are Keeper Shay Given and versatile defender John O'Shea - both have been under injury clouds coming into the tournament and keeping them fit is a must if Ireland are to have any chance.
Tip - Group C Fourth
Spain:
Qualified Group I winners
The defending European and World Champions are aiming to win an unprecedented 3rd major title in a row and a first glance it's had to see past them for a final birth but there are now chinks in the armour.
First off injuries have robbed them of two of their most potent weapons. Carlos Puyol, the leader on the pitch who marshaled not just the defence but the whole side, rallying them when they're under pressure.
Perhaps the bigger loss though is that of David Villa. Golden Boot at Euro 2008 and tied Golden Boot at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he's Spain's record goal scorer with 51 goals in 82 matches and top scorer in La Liga in 6 of the last 7 seasons. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup he scored 5 of Spain's 8 goals and that fact that none of the other 3 came from a striker is Spain's problem.
The possible replacements are an out of sorts Fernando Torres, Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente a physical striker who's form seemed to wane at the tail end of a long season and Alvaro Negredo who didn't feature in any of the qualifying campaign. So the big question is where will the goals come from? It's fine to have a team full of slick passing midfielders but if you can't put the ball in the net you wont win tournaments - Spain's last friendly against a very average Chinese side (a 1 nil win thanks to an 84th minute goal to David Silva) could be a sign of things to come.
The loss of Puyol also creates a problem - where the Spanish have been imperious at the back in recent years their key defenders aren't performing. Pique has been out of sorts all season at Barca (even getting dropped for a while) and his likely partner in the centre is a converted right back in Sergio Ramos. This coupled with inexperience in Jordi Alba and lack of matches in Raul Alboil (just La Liga matches and 5 UCL matches all season) in the full back positions means things are far from solid at the back for La Roja.
The other issue that seems to be clouding the camp is the disharmony between the Real and Barca players within the squad. The manager seems to be aware of the issue saying "If Pique and Ramos do not get along, they’ll be dropped. They are young kids with their differences, but we have no problems.” Xavi has also recently chimed in intimating that the Real players are bad winners and losers.
Five off seasons of action could also be taking toll on the big players in the side and fatigue may be a factor - I think they're a very good side but one with issues that need resolving both on and off the pitch. I think they'll make it out of the group but can't see them winning the tournament.
Tip - Group C Runners Up
Euro 2012 - Group C.
Italy:
Qualified Group C winners
If you take any notice of history when it comes to the Italian national side you'll be popping into your local TAB to throw a lazy tenner on them winning Euro 2012. Before you think I've lost it let me explain.
In 1982 Italian football was recovering from a match fixing scandal, no one, not even the Italian media expected the team to do anything but show up but thanks to the prodigal son Paolo Rossi (just back from a ban for his part in the scandal) and his goals the Dino Zoff led Azzurri were crowned champions.
Fast forward to 2006, Italian football was recovering from a match fixing scandal that had seen Rossi's former club Juventus relegated to Serie B for their involvement, once again no one fancied them to go close to winning it and thanks to a dominant tournament from striker Luca Toni they did the unexpected and lifted the trophy.
2012, Italian football is in the throws of a match fixing scandal, some big names are said to be involved, members of the squad have been dropped because they've been implicated and once again no one thinks the Italians will win - even their coach Cesare Prandelli has said he doesn't think the side are there too win but to get experience for the next World Cup! See what I mean!
As for which striker will step forward and make his mark take your pick from Mario Batlotelli who'd have us believe he's a genius, reformed bad boy Antonio Cassano or the veteran who's still scoring at top level for Udinese Antonio Di Natale. Oh and the Juventus link is there again too - they've won the Serie A this season fo the first time in nine years without losing a game.
The Azzurri look reasonably strong across the pitch too. The defence will include Buffon in goal with fellow Juve players Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci vying for places in front of him meaning the stability and combinations will be there to offer a typically stoic Italian defence.
In front of the them is probably the Azzurri's strongest part of the squad, Andrea Pirlo will pull the strings from in front of the back four with Juve team mate Claudio Marchisio, Roma captain Daniele De Rossi and Fiorentina's play maker Riccardo Montolivo making up a diamond formation in front of him and with quality players like Thiago Motta and Sebastian Giovinco on the bench the Italian midfield will dominate most sides.
The preparation may not have been great and the friendly results not that impressive but when it comes to the games that matter the Italians will be tough to beat.
Tip - Group C winners
Euro 2012 - Group C.
Croatia:
Qualified Group F Runners Up
The Croat's have a short but proud tournament history with a semi final appearance in the 1998 FIFA Wold Cup and a Quarter Final appearance last time out at the Euro's. They qualified by beating Turkey in the play offs with an impressive 3 nil in Istanbul after finishing runner up to the Greeks in Group F.
Croatia's strength is in midfield where Luka Modric tends to play as a deep lying play maker - a role similar to Pirlo's for Italy alongside the ball winning ability of either Bayern's Danijel Pranjic or Dynamo Kiev's Ognjen Vukojevic. On the right side captain Darijo Srna offers stability, crossing accuracy and a threat from set pieces and over on the left Croatian manager Slaven Bilic has the luxury of choosing between two very creative players in Niko Kranjar and Sevilla's Ivan Rakitic. In the hole linking the lone striker and the midfield is another goalscoring play maker in Wolfsburg's Mario Mandzukic, who if he can stay fit could be a surprise package in this tournament.
Up front the loss of Bayern Munich's Ivica Olic will hurt, his physicality and tireless running is something that will be hard to replace. The options are Eduardo the Brazilian born Croatian who hasn't been the same player since breaking his leg for Arsenal, Nikica Jelavic who while impressing in his short time at Everton is yet to prove himself on the international stage and the young pretender Ivan Perisic who will have a bigger role to play at his club side Borussia Dortmund next season.
As a former centre back Bilic's biggest concern will ironically be his back four, they lack pace and against Greece in qualifying at least look vulnerable at set pieces.
Croatia could potentially upset the big two in this group but I'll be keeping my cash in my pocket at this stage.
Tip - Group C Third
Euro 2012 - Group C.
Ireland:
Qualified Group B Runners Up
The Irish made their first major tournament since the 2002 FIFA Wold Cup by beating Estonia 5 - 1 on aggregate after finishing second to Russia in Group B.
Their biggest strength and weakness could be one and the same - the boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
He's got the Irish this far by playing a fairly rigid 4-4-1-1 making them hard to break down but at the same time making them fairly predictable. Robbie Keane is key to the sides chances playing in the hole and effectively being the sides play maker and goal scorer, of his fellow strikers Shane Long looks the most likely to score goals at the highest level thanks to his pace but Trappattoni prefers to start with the more physical Kevin Doyle or the bustling style of Stoke City's Jon Walters.
The centre of the park offer very little going forward with Keith Andrews and Glen Whelan used to shield the back four rather than feed the front players. Out wide Damian Duff isn't the player he was but Aiden McGeady looks like he could cause a few sides problems with his tricky and pace.
Where I think Trapattoni may have problems is the lack of variety in the squad - he seems very settled on one style and if that doesn't work there is very little he can do to change things. I think he may have missed a trick in leaving Norwich pair, midfield schemer Wes Hoolahan and winger/second striker Anthong Pilkington out of the squad - their presence in Polkraine could have made the Irish a different prospect.
Alongside Robbie Keane Ireland two most important players are Keeper Shay Given and versatile defender John O'Shea - both have been under injury clouds coming into the tournament and keeping them fit is a must if Ireland are to have any chance.
Tip - Group C Fourth
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Euro 2012 Group B Preview
Euro 2012 - Group B.
Germany:
Qualified Group A winners
The Germans breezed through qualifying with a perfect record brushing aside the likes of Turkey and Belgium. If that doesn't impress you consider this - they've beaten England, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Holland in the last two years. Manager Joachim Low has continued to develop his own take on the Dutch idea of Total Football and has done it with a young, enthusiastic and hungry side. In fact the side is so young that only 8 players in the German squad of 23 are over 25.
Low is likely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation that can compact to a 4-4-1-1 or even 4-5-1 when without the ball and under pressure. He has the luxury of being able to choose between Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez to lead the line with support from playmaker Mesut Ozil and pace and finishing either side from Podolski and Muller. Behind this front line ae likely to be the leadership and guidance of Schweinsteiger and Khedira and this is the key to German success. These two with (and/or possibly Toni Kroos) will need to shield what is a less than solid defence. Per Mertesacker has had an injury and error ridden first season at Arsenal and as shown in the 5 - 3 loss to Switzerland recently his partnreship with Mats Hummels needs work. Compound that with a number of Bayern Munich players (Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber) who had a terrible end to the season getting stuffed 5-2 in the German Cup final and losing the Champions League final and you have the makings of an under confident and mentally fatigued defensive unit.
Having said that I feel the Germans will have too much quality across the park for the teams in their group and when you consider they have Mario Gotze , the German Messi, on the bench they should win the group.
Tip - Group B winners
Holland:
Qualified Group E Winners
The Dutch are much like the Germans - a lot of quality creatively and in the finishing department but more than a little suspect at the back. Also like the Germans they dominated their qualifying group, winning the first nine matches and scoring 35 goals in the process before dropping the last game to group runners up Sweden 2-3.
Coach Bert van Marwijk has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar vying with Robin Van Persie for the position at the pointy end of the Oranje's 4-2-3-1. Huntelaar can boast 12 goals in qualifying and 31 in 50 appearances at international level while Van Persie won the Premier League Golden Boot last season and scored 50 goals in all competitions in 2011. The answer maybe to deployed Van Persie wide on the right with Huntelaar through the middle. Joining those two in the starting 11 will be Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben with two of Mark Van Bommel, Nigel De Jong, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Kevin Strootman battling in the middle of the park. Van Bommel and De Jong provide the steel and are the preferred partnership but if the Dutch need a result don't be surprised to see De Jong make way for a more creative partner for Van Bommel.
Incumbent left back Erik Pieters has been ruled out of the tournament giving van Marwijk a headache, he's opted to bring veteran Wilfred Bouma in with back up in the form of 18 year old Jetro Willems. On the other side of defence the much vaunted Gregory Van der Weil is a very forward thinking fullback and with the decidedly pace less Heitinga and Mathijsen as centre backs I think the Oranje's weak point will be at the back putting more emphasis on the central midfield pairing which, given their history and temperament could lead to a few cards pool play.
Van Marwijk's best bet against the group stage opposition maybe taking the philosophy of if they score two we'll score three - should be an entertaining group and one which the Dutch should have the fire power to qualify from.
Tip - Group B - Runners Up
Portugal:
Qualified Group H Runners Up
When most football fans think of Portugal they think of Cristiano Ronaldo - Europe's best player and without a certain diminutive Argentinian the Worlds best player. Ronaldo has had a magnificent season for Real Madrid scoring 64 goals creating 15 more and winning La Liga - in fact he was so good this season he gave himself 10 out of 10 as a mark for the season but the rest of the Real squad "only" a 9 out of 10.
However even the mercurial Real star will need to perform superhuman feats to improve a poor performing Portugese side. They only just scrapped through qualifying on goal difference over the Norwegians and were largely unconvincing over two legs against Bosnia Herzagovnia despite a final aggregate of 6-2. Only recently in warm up matches for the Euro's they've drawn nil all with both Poland and Macedonia and lost 3 - 1 in Lisbon to Turkey.
Ronaldo needs support and on paper at least the Portugese have the players to provide it. From a squad including Manchester United winger Nani, Chelsea midfielder Meireles, Werder Bremen strike weapon Hugo Almeida and Real Madrid defensive lynch pin Pepe you'd expect more - so you expect do the Portugese fans and most certainly their coach - former international Paulo Bento.
Given the group they're in I can't see them making the quarter finals barring a miracle, the Germans and Dutch will most certainly be to strong and the Danes got the better of them in qualifying - the real question is can they avoid finishing bottom of this group?
Tip - Group B - Third
Denmak
Qualified Group H Winners
Denmark have long punched above their weight on the international stage and they did it again in qualifying topping a group that included local rivals Norway and Iceland and the much fancied Portugese. They suffered just one loss - that to the Portugese in the final game when qualification was already assured.
The Danes have a solid look to them with Liverpool's Daniel Agger and the highly rated Roma defender Simon Kjaer marshalling the centre of defense and Christian Poulsen and Niki Zimling offering them protection in midfield. Further forward Christian Eriksen is the young play maker that is constantly being linked to moves to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United and he along side veteran winger Dennis Rommendahl and Nicolas Bendtner will be responsible for creating the majority of the Danes goal scoring chances.
The loss of Thomas Sorensen could be a major blow for the teams chances, his defensive organising and experience will be missed against two of Europe's top three sides.
Tip - Group B - Fourth
Germany:
Qualified Group A winners
The Germans breezed through qualifying with a perfect record brushing aside the likes of Turkey and Belgium. If that doesn't impress you consider this - they've beaten England, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Holland in the last two years. Manager Joachim Low has continued to develop his own take on the Dutch idea of Total Football and has done it with a young, enthusiastic and hungry side. In fact the side is so young that only 8 players in the German squad of 23 are over 25.
Low is likely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation that can compact to a 4-4-1-1 or even 4-5-1 when without the ball and under pressure. He has the luxury of being able to choose between Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez to lead the line with support from playmaker Mesut Ozil and pace and finishing either side from Podolski and Muller. Behind this front line ae likely to be the leadership and guidance of Schweinsteiger and Khedira and this is the key to German success. These two with (and/or possibly Toni Kroos) will need to shield what is a less than solid defence. Per Mertesacker has had an injury and error ridden first season at Arsenal and as shown in the 5 - 3 loss to Switzerland recently his partnreship with Mats Hummels needs work. Compound that with a number of Bayern Munich players (Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber) who had a terrible end to the season getting stuffed 5-2 in the German Cup final and losing the Champions League final and you have the makings of an under confident and mentally fatigued defensive unit.
Having said that I feel the Germans will have too much quality across the park for the teams in their group and when you consider they have Mario Gotze , the German Messi, on the bench they should win the group.
Tip - Group B winners
Holland:
Qualified Group E Winners
The Dutch are much like the Germans - a lot of quality creatively and in the finishing department but more than a little suspect at the back. Also like the Germans they dominated their qualifying group, winning the first nine matches and scoring 35 goals in the process before dropping the last game to group runners up Sweden 2-3.
Coach Bert van Marwijk has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar vying with Robin Van Persie for the position at the pointy end of the Oranje's 4-2-3-1. Huntelaar can boast 12 goals in qualifying and 31 in 50 appearances at international level while Van Persie won the Premier League Golden Boot last season and scored 50 goals in all competitions in 2011. The answer maybe to deployed Van Persie wide on the right with Huntelaar through the middle. Joining those two in the starting 11 will be Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben with two of Mark Van Bommel, Nigel De Jong, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Kevin Strootman battling in the middle of the park. Van Bommel and De Jong provide the steel and are the preferred partnership but if the Dutch need a result don't be surprised to see De Jong make way for a more creative partner for Van Bommel.
Incumbent left back Erik Pieters has been ruled out of the tournament giving van Marwijk a headache, he's opted to bring veteran Wilfred Bouma in with back up in the form of 18 year old Jetro Willems. On the other side of defence the much vaunted Gregory Van der Weil is a very forward thinking fullback and with the decidedly pace less Heitinga and Mathijsen as centre backs I think the Oranje's weak point will be at the back putting more emphasis on the central midfield pairing which, given their history and temperament could lead to a few cards pool play.
Van Marwijk's best bet against the group stage opposition maybe taking the philosophy of if they score two we'll score three - should be an entertaining group and one which the Dutch should have the fire power to qualify from.
Tip - Group B - Runners Up
Portugal:
Qualified Group H Runners Up
When most football fans think of Portugal they think of Cristiano Ronaldo - Europe's best player and without a certain diminutive Argentinian the Worlds best player. Ronaldo has had a magnificent season for Real Madrid scoring 64 goals creating 15 more and winning La Liga - in fact he was so good this season he gave himself 10 out of 10 as a mark for the season but the rest of the Real squad "only" a 9 out of 10.
However even the mercurial Real star will need to perform superhuman feats to improve a poor performing Portugese side. They only just scrapped through qualifying on goal difference over the Norwegians and were largely unconvincing over two legs against Bosnia Herzagovnia despite a final aggregate of 6-2. Only recently in warm up matches for the Euro's they've drawn nil all with both Poland and Macedonia and lost 3 - 1 in Lisbon to Turkey.
Ronaldo needs support and on paper at least the Portugese have the players to provide it. From a squad including Manchester United winger Nani, Chelsea midfielder Meireles, Werder Bremen strike weapon Hugo Almeida and Real Madrid defensive lynch pin Pepe you'd expect more - so you expect do the Portugese fans and most certainly their coach - former international Paulo Bento.
Given the group they're in I can't see them making the quarter finals barring a miracle, the Germans and Dutch will most certainly be to strong and the Danes got the better of them in qualifying - the real question is can they avoid finishing bottom of this group?
Tip - Group B - Third
Denmak
Qualified Group H Winners
Denmark have long punched above their weight on the international stage and they did it again in qualifying topping a group that included local rivals Norway and Iceland and the much fancied Portugese. They suffered just one loss - that to the Portugese in the final game when qualification was already assured.
The Danes have a solid look to them with Liverpool's Daniel Agger and the highly rated Roma defender Simon Kjaer marshalling the centre of defense and Christian Poulsen and Niki Zimling offering them protection in midfield. Further forward Christian Eriksen is the young play maker that is constantly being linked to moves to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United and he along side veteran winger Dennis Rommendahl and Nicolas Bendtner will be responsible for creating the majority of the Danes goal scoring chances.
The loss of Thomas Sorensen could be a major blow for the teams chances, his defensive organising and experience will be missed against two of Europe's top three sides.
Tip - Group B - Fourth
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Euro 2012 Group A Preview
Euro 2012 - Group A.
Russia:
Qualified Group B winners
The Russians topped a group that was at best average but I guess you can only beat what's put in front of you. That said Armenia, Macedonia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland aren't exactly challenging in terms of European qualification. A myopic Englsih football follower may say the fact that Bilyaletdinov didn't make the squad means they'll be an in fighting continental mess but I'd suggest that with young players like Dzagoez and established talent like Pavlyuchenko, Pogrebnyak and Arshavin what it really means is that they don't have to pick out of form players on reputation.
With former Dutch and Zenit St Petersburg Dick Advocaat in charge the Russians have a tactically astute manager who is expeienced in the wiley business of international management and he knows how to win things - the recent 3 nil win over Italy shows they'll be a foce to be reckoned with.
Tip - Group A winners
Poland:
Qualified as Co- Hosts
The Poles have long seen their best players declare for Germany and celebrate success off shore but a new generation is coming through that seems to say Podolski and Klose wouldn't be missed.
Borussia Dortmund playmaker Blaszcykowski and striker Lewandowski alondside Arsenal shot stopper Szczesny and Bordeaux's Obraniak have built a spine of a team that have looked solid with narrow wins over Slovakia and Latvia and a thumping of Andorra. Home support and team with a load of Ligue Un and Bundesliga players should be enough to see them past Greece and the Czech Republic for the Quarter Finals.
Tip - Group A - Runners Up
Greece:
Qualified Group F Winners
Nudged Croatia out as top qualifier from their group alongside Israel, Latvia, Malta and Georgia.
the 2004 Champions are unlikely to repeat this feat. Largely built around the ideal of the team the Greeks will need some more individuality to make an impact this time around - Fetfadzidis - The Greek Messi - may have to be trusted for them to have a chance of making it out of the group.
Geogios Samaras and Theofanis Gekas are the best bet for goals but given they'll be feeding off of the scraps the rest of the team can win for them it'll be a surprise to see them in the Quarter Finals.
Tip - Group A - Fourth
Czech Republic
Qualified Group I Runners Up
A less than convincing qualifying campaign that included two losses to Spain and a draw and dubious against Scotland means I can't see the Czechs making it out of their group.
On paper they have a solid side starting with Chelsea's Petr Cech in goal, Rosicky as playmaker and the ageless Baros up front but the Czechs performed below expectations and are rebuilding at the moment - tough to beat but won't have enough to qualify.
Tip - Group A - Third
Russia:
Qualified Group B winners
The Russians topped a group that was at best average but I guess you can only beat what's put in front of you. That said Armenia, Macedonia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland aren't exactly challenging in terms of European qualification. A myopic Englsih football follower may say the fact that Bilyaletdinov didn't make the squad means they'll be an in fighting continental mess but I'd suggest that with young players like Dzagoez and established talent like Pavlyuchenko, Pogrebnyak and Arshavin what it really means is that they don't have to pick out of form players on reputation.
With former Dutch and Zenit St Petersburg Dick Advocaat in charge the Russians have a tactically astute manager who is expeienced in the wiley business of international management and he knows how to win things - the recent 3 nil win over Italy shows they'll be a foce to be reckoned with.
Tip - Group A winners
Poland:
Qualified as Co- Hosts
The Poles have long seen their best players declare for Germany and celebrate success off shore but a new generation is coming through that seems to say Podolski and Klose wouldn't be missed.
Borussia Dortmund playmaker Blaszcykowski and striker Lewandowski alondside Arsenal shot stopper Szczesny and Bordeaux's Obraniak have built a spine of a team that have looked solid with narrow wins over Slovakia and Latvia and a thumping of Andorra. Home support and team with a load of Ligue Un and Bundesliga players should be enough to see them past Greece and the Czech Republic for the Quarter Finals.
Tip - Group A - Runners Up
Greece:
Qualified Group F Winners
Nudged Croatia out as top qualifier from their group alongside Israel, Latvia, Malta and Georgia.
the 2004 Champions are unlikely to repeat this feat. Largely built around the ideal of the team the Greeks will need some more individuality to make an impact this time around - Fetfadzidis - The Greek Messi - may have to be trusted for them to have a chance of making it out of the group.
Geogios Samaras and Theofanis Gekas are the best bet for goals but given they'll be feeding off of the scraps the rest of the team can win for them it'll be a surprise to see them in the Quarter Finals.
Tip - Group A - Fourth
Czech Republic
Qualified Group I Runners Up
A less than convincing qualifying campaign that included two losses to Spain and a draw and dubious against Scotland means I can't see the Czechs making it out of their group.
On paper they have a solid side starting with Chelsea's Petr Cech in goal, Rosicky as playmaker and the ageless Baros up front but the Czechs performed below expectations and are rebuilding at the moment - tough to beat but won't have enough to qualify.
Tip - Group A - Third
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