Group-D - WC 2014

[reza]

Lugano, lol.

[Aficio]

Closer look:

[Mystik]

Last thought before I go to sleep: Balotelli is a very convenient scapegoat for the players and/or coach to use for the exit of the Azzurri. He is already generally not liked by the public (racist chants, etc), not liked by pundits (Boban asking him if he "thinks he's fuoriclasse" ) and not even particularly liked by his own club. Let's ignore the fact that Immobile didn't receive much service either (despite all his running) and lay alllllll the blame at Mario's feet. Let's ignore the fact that the only 3 points that Italy received were due to Mario's goal. Let's ignore the fact that the majority of the long balls played up the field were way off target and would be a waste of precious energy to chase.

Italy does well..bravo Mario. Italy does badly..colpa di Mario.

[Aficio]

I think beside this article (may be misinterpreted):
http://football-italia.net/node/51060
Not many care about him

Marchisio's red and especially, Suarez's bite get more attention. Even the record of Faryd Mondragón is overlooked.

[xudong]

Lugano, lol.

Tabarez also

An irritated Tabarez accused the media of waging a campaign against the 27-year-old.

"I do not see why he would not play anymore at the World Cup as you are suggesting," he said.

"Suarez is the target of some British press. If we see he is going to be attacked, which has begun at this press conference, we're going to defend him.

"I'm not going to repeat a response three times. I didn't see (an) incident with Suarez. I'm not going to comment.

"This is a World Cup. It is not about morality."

I guess if Suarez killed someone on the pitch, that would have been fine with him. After all, this is a World Cup. It is not about morality.

So much class.

Then again, I actually can rationalize their comments. They are now desperate, realizing that without Suarez, they are as good as gone. But whatever they did, whatever they said, that stupid fuck should be a goner. The comments by their coach and captain could only make things worse, and reaffirm the notorious reputation that has accompanied Uruguay football for decades.

This is unfortunate. This was the first WC that I actually don't have a real team to follow/support (after BiH was eliminated, of course - this one is for you, Stitch. ). I was in the process of shopping around, and Suarez and his Uruguay was actually on my short list after their heroics against England.

Closer look:

LOL at that lion mouth. PS'ed?

[Aficio]

Many compare Suarez to a vampire. Moreover, the ref has Dracula for nickname. No wonder no card was drawn.

Oh man, I feel like a racist

[Nalx]

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/...ful-player

Not trying to condone what he did but here is a good article I think, written after his second biting offense, about his troubled past and, in the writer's words, "what hunger makes Suarez great and what flaws might one day bring him down".

[ACMILAN1983]

Personally I think Suarez should get the biggest punishment possible (honestly, if it was up to me he'd get a lifetime ban). It's ridiculous, this is the third time he's done this.

As for Italy going out, I don't think they really earnt staying in the competition. However, it wasn't because of the match vs Uruguay, but rather the match vs Costa Rica. Anyway, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. Prandelli admitted as much that his role since signing his renewal was a lot about papering over the cracks in Italian football.

Personally, Italian football, from grass roots level, to club football to this level, as well as the administration of Italian football need to be looked at to resolve the ongoing weaknesses. For one, youth development must be given more importance, as too many clubs aren't prepared to give young players a chance. This trend is slowly starting to change, but it needs a little acceleration with more resources given to youth development.

I'd also say Italian teams need to get back to traditional roots to an extent. In the past, Italy was renowned for it's defensive abilities and tactical understanding of the game. In both respects, Italy is no longer at the forefront. While the nation has stagnated tactically, others, notably Spain and Germany have made massive strides in the last decade, catching up, if not surpassing Italy in terms of top level coaches and tactics.

The other aspect, defending, has all but been lost in Italian football. I lamented how Italy has forgotten how to defend after the England match, while I just found it laughable when commentators during yesterday's match called the Italians "masters of defending".

I'm not saying that Italian football cannot evolve and play modern attacking football, but the foundations of past success cannot be forgotten. As I often go refer to, Sacchi's Milan had a great attacking side that captured the imagination of people all over the world, but the heart of that side was quintessentially Italian, built of foundations of a great (and Italian) defence and in shape set up to press in a very Italian way.

Italy also needs to take an extremely long hard look at itself in terms of what it's football should be, with a deep focus on developing youth who are capable as professionals. These days it feels like any player with a little talent will be called a world beater, despite having no mental strength or professionalism at all. I think while many will say Balotelli is the scapegoat and he has had some harsh treatment, he gets this because more than anyone he symbolises the failures of modern Italian football.

The two exceptional players currently playing for Italy are both in their mid-30s, while the foundations of the side are pretty mediocre (I'm looking at Chiellini, Barzagli, Marchisio etc). Others have the wrong mentality or lack of experience, or both.

[maharaja]

I think i read somewhere that the biggest fine would be 24 games. That would be enough for Suarez! Such a great striker, and such a great imbecile.

[Stitch]

This is unfortunate. This was the first WC that I actually don't have a real team to follow/support (after BiH was eliminated, of course - this one is for you, Stitch. ). I was in the process of shopping around, and Suarez and his Uruguay was actually on my short list after their heroics against England.

I m the same bro. Both BiH and Italy are gone, no real reason to watch WC anymore

Except to root against the Germans. I have an annoying friend who supports them, so I want them to lose

I think I may support Greece the rest of the way. You can read my reasoning in their group's thread.