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Catalancs wrote:

I saw something about Barça signing Drogba, but it was days after I'd read he was signing for a Chinese club so didn't pay any attention.

Drogba supposedly had a clause in his contract with the Chinese club that if Barca came in for him then he could sign for them on a free.

Barca denied the story, Drogba's agent denied the story.

I cannot imagine that the Chinese club would offer him the kind of money they are giving him, and then just throw in the option for him to walk away for nothing if another club wanted him. Even a request like that from Drogba would instantly kill the deal IMO.

I'm glad that Drogba has gone to China, but I wouldn't have begrudged him a move to Barca though.

On the presentation of the players through Euro 2012. It might just be ESPN's US coverage, but here there has been minimal association between the club's each player plays for. In the past international tournaments pretty much every player was clearly linked to the club he played for, but apart from the odd mention like Hart v Balotelli the Man City clubmates and the like there has been very little mention of the clubs the players play for.

Is this a UEFA directive, or just a case of the USA presenting the games differently?

I was delighted with the positive way that Italy played.
They outplayed the Germans and produced an exciting semi-final worthy of TV coverage. Unlike yesterday's game which was boring.

I do hope that Italy beat Spain on Sunday in the same positive manner. If only for a change in winner.

Perlo is a joy to watch.

I think Italy will be able to hold the Spanish out and will actually win it

Asim wrote:

I wonder if the Spain squad are sat around the table at their hotel wishing they played more like the Germans?

The flaw in that remark is that last night the Germans didn't play like the Germans. They changed their approach because they were too frightened of Pirlo and it blew up in their faces. The 10 minutes at the start of the second half when they did look like the team from the rest of the tournament they still seemed capable of pulling Italy apart. The Kroos selection was a huge error in hindsight.

I don't think they did change their style too much, they were just unable to get going because the Italian midfield was outplaying theirs. Ozil wasn't anywhere near as influential as he should have been, same with Schweinsteiger. Low went back to using Podolski and Gomez, I'm not sure why because Podolski has looked pretty poor all tournament, whilst Gomez was exceptionally poor in the first half, did he realise it was a semi final?

As I said in the build up to the England game, the Italians are a very well balanced side, with stupendous strength in midfield and enough width being provided by their wing backs/Balotelli+Cassano pulling out wide. People seemed to think this was a weakness but they soon looked daft.

As for the Spain game, the first game was a brilliant game. Italy defended really well and tried to play once they got on the ball. I think Spain's midfield will outplay Italy's on the ball, it's just a matter of who can put enough pressure on the opposition to force the mistake, or who has the individual brilliance to win it. If you're looking at Spain, it's out of Fabregas or Iniesta to win them the game, whilst for Italy it's out of Balotelli, Cassano and Pirlo. Spain really won't need a striker in this game, but I would possibly consider starting one of Pedro or Jesus Navas, maybe at the expense of David Silva.

carl_spackler wrote:

The flaw in that remark is that last night the Germans didn't play like the Germans. They changed their approach because they were too frightened of Pirlo and it blew up in their faces. The 10 minutes at the start of the second half when they did look like the team from the rest of the tournament they still seemed capable of pulling Italy apart. The Kroos selection was a huge error in hindsight.

Germany didn't change their style whatsoever as far as I could tell, just tinkered with their personnel.

For all the merits of Germany's play, and intent, they don't have the ability to control the game like Spain, and Italy, can.

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

You seem a bit confused....People who are not convinced by Spain and their insipid football, don't deny that they are efficient or that it gets them results, they just find them incredibly dull. Even their biggest fans can't say they have been enthralled by their football in the last 3 weeks.

It wouldn't surprise me if they end up as champions, but this side won't even be remembered for good football, never mind entertaining stuff.

You're the one who seems a little confused - all I was pointing out was that last night showed why Spain shouldn't change their style and leave themselves open like the Germans have.

Until recently everyone was raving about Spain's football, success and familiarity have bred contempt - and admittedly Spain's slight adjustments (more the lack of attacking width than an out and out number 9 IMO) have led to the current criticism (mostly from English supporters it would seem).

UEFA fines Russian & Spanish FAs €50,000 for fans' racist abuse. Lucky they didn't wear Paddy Power undercrackers.

As I suspected and said all along, the first decent team to have a proper go at that German defence ripped them a new one. They were woeful and it was hugely amusing seeing them seeing their "destiny" blow up in their faces. Arrogant gets. 16 years and counting now...

Our 0-0 looks a better result now than it did on Sunday...