meazza

Told you AJ. Now let's hope Italy follows suit.

That's where we're different

You want to beat Germany, better learn how to defend.

Congrats! Good luck in the next round

So USA passes?

I see your point. Of course let me ask you the crucial question. You as a Bills fan (assuming?), would you care if the Bills won the Superbowl playing lights or it doesn't matter? Me personally, you play to win the game. Of course I wish that the Italians could produce flamboyant star creative players that could entertain and win but that is rarely the case. I will tell you one thing though. In 2002, Trappatoni played for 1-0. At 1-0, he'd put in an extra defensive mid and tighten up ship. Probably why Korea ended up scoring the equalizer and the OT winner. On the other hand, in 2006, every game Italy played besides Australia (due to a red card) and France, they played attacking. Remember that in 2006, in OT against Germany, they put in 4 attackers leaving the midfield very exposed. So for me, 2006 was not a defensive team, 2006 was a very well balanced team that could entertain and win. That is the definition of Marcello Lippi calcio.

Bye Bye Domenech.

Brazil also needed penalties to beat Italy in 94. France needed penalties to beat Italy in 98. Brazil needed most of the big opponents to be knocked out by horrid refereeing in 2002. Argentina needed a handball in 1986. Yes 1982 was a nice team. Do you remember how bad they were in the first round? 3 points in 3 games? No I've never played soccer at any level. Does that mean anything? Did Jose Mourinho play soccer? You don't have to play a sport to understand the game. Argentina was the best team yet they couldn't get passed Germany? South America is known for producing the most "talented" of players. Only Brazil has shown any ability to really get results from that. The rest have failed more often than not. You play to win the game, not to !@#$ing impress fan boys with nice moves and dekes. Remember that Champions League is about 2 games. Mourinho knew he had a better team than Chelsea and he showed up with 4 strikers in London. Won the game 1-0 and walked away. On the other hand, he played the perfect strategy against Barceona. Remember that Cambiasso got wrongfully sent off due to Pique's clear dive (where he was caught peeking at the ref to see if a card was given). It's Inter's fault that Ribery got a red card? That's how the cards fell. They would have won either way. You think Bayern Munich would have gotten in the way of the treble? Go see how many titles JM will win in Spain. You could bet Barca fans will have nightmares of him. Yes I don't watch EPL or Spanish League. I do have other things to do in life so I follow AS Roma, but I also know what goes on in the other leagues and follow Champions League. So seriously enough with the random tidbits about things that should have happened differently. In every sport, in every title, you could list **** that "should" have happened. So anyways, keep gloating about Argentina. Chances are you won't see them have 4 stars on the shirt in your lifetime

In an interview, if someone is being stubborn, he'll never get a job. But I'm a French Canadian and I'm not stubborn

Haven't seen the highlights. The Italy game pissed me off that I just tuned out today. I do know from what a friend said that 2 of the 3 goals Brazil scored were not good goals (handball I believe?), although I haven't verified this myself.

1) Very possible 2) If they tie, the second place team has to face a top club in the final 16. It's a possibility. 3) Not sure about this one. Too lazy to look it up It just seems as if the entire tournament from the beginning is undeserved, starting from the Ireland game. I always said, "watch those bastards win it all." It would be disastrous, but remember that the 1982 team went on to win the WC after tieing the first 3 games.

Don't count France out. They may not have a coach but you never know. Scandal seems to draw these teams closer together.

I only watched baseball when Expos were there. Everything is interesting when somethings on the line.

You know I went into the tournament thinking that I should be grateful that I got to see a second world cup in my lifetime and that I would respect the man that brought us there. Now that we're two games in, I am seeing exactly what I worried about. Lippi is a stubborn man, he always was. He got it right 4 years ago but this team is lacking creativity up front. With Cassano, Balotelli and Totti at home, it's a shame. Cassano beat up Lippi's son a long time ago. Balotelli - Is it because he's black or is it because of his character, or both? Totti - Lacking fitness. If Italy passes this group second, they will face Holland. With Holland's attack, we'd have to pay 11 men back and try for a swift counterattack. I don't see us reaching the quarters

I think 2 red cards were given. De rossi and someone from team USA or perhaps my memory is failing me?

They held the ball for 90 minutes. Of course possession doesn't guarantee goals. Looks like we'll have to beat Slovakia, if that's even a possibility.

I see what you're saying. I am a purist. Not just for soccer though, even for the other sports. I think changes should be minor but very well thought out. I also don't think they would implement any changes in the world cup. They would probably start with the leagues to see the impact.

When am I not Complete opposite for me. My heritage is 100% Italian and I'm even a half Canuck/Wop citizen but I could care less what Canada does in the world cup.

Germany will pass. Not even worth worrying about.

Would you like to me find the amount of threads started on bad refereeing in the NFL and NHL? It doesn't change much. It slows down the game. Refs will always be bad in every sport. It's their thing.

Do you want to hear my take I just rewatched the game, the full 90 minutes. A few thoughts. 1) Defense needs work. For the first goal, there shouldn't have been as much space for a shot. The defense was playing way too passive. You can't give a guy space at that point on the field. 2) Donovan's goal. WTF are the defense of Slovenia and GK doing? The GK gets out of the way of the shot and the defense was horrible. Still a great shot though. 3) I think the US team showed a lot of spirit to come back down two goals. Well done! I think if the defense could get their act together, they will be a team that will give a hard time in the knockout stages. It is important to note that Ohneyu (sp?) has only played two full games since October back in Milan. He doesn't look fully fit but he should be able to pick up his game. Good luck my friends. It's time to take on the Kiwi's No matter how much history a team has, you're always stressed.

Canada finished 1 point from qualifying... Maybe one day

It happens man. Be happy it didn't happen in a knock out round. Then it hurts ten fold. Good luck against Algeria.

If Capello doesn't pass this group, England will forever hate Italians even more My God what a disaster.

That was a good goal...