Euro 2012 General Discussion

**Stuttgart88** · 30/06/2012, 12:15 PM

I was listening to Danny Baker's football show on R5 Live this morning, while driving. The view of the panel (no idea who they were) was unanimous: Pirlo is overrated and they don'r see what the fuss is about. Even if Pirlo was 19 they'd all prefer to have Jack Wilshere.

**bennocelt** · 30/06/2012, 12:21 PM

Player of the tournament in my opinion. How old is he again?

**Stuttgart88** · 30/06/2012, 12:22 PM

33 I think.

**seanfhear** · 30/06/2012, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I was listening to Danny Baker's football show on R5 Live this morning, while driving. The view of the panel (no idea who they were) was unanimous: Pirlo is overrated and they don'r see what the fuss is about. Even if Pirlo was 19 they'd all prefer to have Jack Wilshere.

Thats hilarious and embarassing at the same time !

Next they will be saying they would have won it if Jack Wilshire was fit !

Actually I am a fan of Wilshire and he "may" turn out to be a really good player but to compare a "might be " to Pirlo is hilarious and embarassing at the same time (so much so that I have repeated it twice for emphasis ).

**Stuttgart88** · 30/06/2012, 12:25 PM

No, you only repeated it once

**Charlie Darwin** · 30/06/2012, 12:25 PM

Going back to, I think, one of Stutts' posts from earlier in the thread on Gerrard (or Lampard) needing a midfield to enable him to play his natural game, I think the reason Pirlo has been so effective in this tournament is because Italy's system is really based around allowing him to play his game. When England actually got Rooney and Welbeck to hassle him, he was actually shown to be quite slow and pondorous in possession, and for periods of the game England actually shut him down. The problem is that even if Pirlo isn't firing, players like Marchisio and Montolivo showed themselves just as capable of finding gaps with exquisite passes. Still, anybody who would prefer Wilshere to Pirlo is on the wrong kind of drugs.

**seanfhear** · 30/06/2012, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Going back to, I think, one of Stutts' posts from earlier in the thread on Gerrard (or Lampard) needing a midfield to enable him to play his natural game, I think the reason Pirlo has been so effective in this tournament is because Italy's system is really based around allowing him to play his game. When England actually got Rooney and Welbeck to hassle him, he was actually shown to be quite slow and pondorous in possession, and for periods of the game England actually shut him down. The problem is that even if Pirlo isn't firing, players like Marchisio and Montolivo showed themselves just as capable of finding gaps with exquisite passes. Still, anybody who would prefer Wilshere to Pirlo is on the wrong kind of drugs.

The other italian midfielders are playing briliantly as well and they are certainly helping Pirlo look good but Pirlo is able to make the pass's though.

**Charlie Darwin** · 30/06/2012, 12:36 PM

Yeah, it's a team effort but the reason Pirlo has the time and space to make those passes is because the extra man in midfield creates the space. That 3-5-2 formation - as well as the excellent performance of the players in front of him - is what enables him to direct play so magnificently. But still, there are times when he looks vulnerable too.

**geysir** · 30/06/2012, 12:37 PM

But how many times did Pirlo lose possession when he was receiving close attention?
There was also a period in the first half when England had 3 players blocking the pathway to Pirlo, the ball was simply sent to another player.
After a while Pirlo just moved elsewhere, the posse didn't follow and gave up.

**Charlie Darwin** · 30/06/2012, 12:42 PM

He was caught in possession a few times by the strikers when they sneaked up behind him. It happened against Croatia in the second half too. He's a wonderful player but he can be limited by his lack of mobility the way somebody like Iniesta probably can't.

**youngirish** · 01/07/2012, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I was listening to Danny Baker's football show on R5 Live this morning, while driving. The view of the panel (no idea who they were) was unanimous: Pirlo is overrated and they don'r see what the fuss is about. Even if Pirlo was 19 they'd all prefer to have Jack Wilshere.

Ah the English pundits. Such ill-informed idiots. Reminds me of the time when England were playing Germany in the World Cup Alan Hansen (practically English) stated before kick off only 1 or 2 Germans would make the English starting 11. This remember was a Germany who had 6 players who played in the Champions League Final a few weeks earlier whilst England had none. This was an England who had David James, Gareth Barry, Matthew Upson, Jermaine Defoe, Glen Johnson and James Milner in the team. Hillarious. How I laughed when Germany blitzkrieged them.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 01/07/2012, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I was listening to Danny Baker's football show on R5 Live this morning, while driving. The view of the panel (no idea who they were) was unanimous: Pirlo is overrated and they don'r see what the fuss is about. Even if Pirlo was 19 they'd all prefer to have Jack Wilshere.

Heard the podcast. Think a 'small' emphasis at least, was tongue-in-cheek. But the Brit/English view can be very narrow or parochial for such a relatively large audience...

**mark12345** · 01/07/2012, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Ah the English pundits. Such ill-informed idiots.

They are the problem to be honest. The media heap way too much expectation on the players and the public buy it hook line and sinker. Then the whole country is flabbergasted when England fail miserably as they are always destined to do. Like Ireland England don't play football, merely a version of the game. Sort of like tennis versus table tennis.

**DannyInvincible** · 01/07/2012, 1:57 PM

Originally Posted by mark12345

They are the problem to be honest. The media heap way too much expectation on the players and the public buy it hook line and sinker. Then the whole country is flabbergasted when England fail miserably as they are always destined to do.

Build up hype; higher ratings.

**Stuttgart88** · 01/07/2012, 7:01 PM

13 mins gone in final. Lawrenson already doing his best to ruin it.

What a goal!!

**ArdeeBhoy** · 01/07/2012, 7:14 PM

Mute button and radio commentary...

Am actually enjoying the game so far!!

**Stuttgart88** · 01/07/2012, 7:34 PM

Spain are so boring

**BonnieShels** · 01/07/2012, 7:35 PM

I'm not. I hate them so. Come on Italy. Please.

**Stuttgart88** · 01/07/2012, 7:35 PM

Prandelli to go 3 at the back? Do they have wide options?

**paul_oshea** · 01/07/2012, 7:38 PM

iis pirlo still player of the tournament?its like all ireland final when dublin never perform
in fairness he was playing so deep he has been a centre back half the time!!

i dont care what anyone says been saying it all along about spain, no team works harder off the ball than they do. yet they still have all the energy and speed when needed. im not sure i buy this about us and other teams tiring.