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Group E: Belgium vs Italy - KO 8pm, BBC1/HD


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Old 13-06-2016, 07:38
Sattrega
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The game will also be on talkSPORT, BBC Radio 5 Live and on the BBC Sport website and App.

Italy have claimed 13 wins in their previous 21 encounters against Belgium. The last 5 matches between the sides has produced 18 goals.

The Azzurri have drawn 15 games in European Championship history, more than any other country. This includes 8 goalless draws.
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Old 13-06-2016, 10:34
batdude_uk1
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Two very good teams, I can see this one being a very close affair, so I think it will end up as a draw, 1-1 most likely.
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Old 13-06-2016, 11:07
Xela M
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Ugh... my expectations for Italy are the lowest they have ever been. All half-decent Italian players are either injured or too old, so I don't expect much from this game. But... hope dies last.

Belgium are a very good team. De Bryune is a star, but their many defensive injuries are Italy's hope.
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Old 13-06-2016, 13:01
Mr_Bee
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Buffon, Chiellini, Bazagli and Bonucci should be pretty solid at the back but other than that it's not inspiring stuff. How Eder got called up I'll never know.
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Old 13-06-2016, 13:08
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italy rarely have 2 bad tournaments on the spin... i expect them to get out the group and then it all depends on who they get...
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Old 13-06-2016, 13:10
Xela M
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italy rarely have 2 bad tournaments on the spin... i expect them to get out the group and then it all depends on who they get...
Well, they are bound to be in the final in 2018 (every 12 years and all)
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Old 13-06-2016, 13:54
Mandark
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Two very good teams, I can see this one being a very close affair, so I think it will end up as a draw, 1-1 most likely.
On paper it's the best match of the group stage and it's on prime time too so wouldn't be surprised if it's terrible!
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Old 13-06-2016, 14:21
FMKK
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Belgium look the better side on paper I think. Italy are obviously always a wily tournament team but tend to alternate between good and bad tournaments. Pirlo has been the heartbeat of the side for over a decade and he's now gone. It'll be strange to see them without him.

If Belgium's players show up, I think they'll win 2-0.
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Old 13-06-2016, 14:25
Sattrega
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Mark Clattenburg will be the referee for this one.
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Old 13-06-2016, 14:36
Eurostar
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Belgium look the better side on paper I think. Italy are obviously always a wily tournament team but tend to alternate between good and bad tournaments. Pirlo has been the heartbeat of the side for over a decade and he's now gone. It'll be strange to see them without him.

If Belgium's players show up, I think they'll win 2-0.
Belgium have a lot to prove at this tournament though. They have a fantastic squad "on paper" but they haven't really shown much for the last couple of years (dropping four points to the Welsh for example in the qualifiers). It wouldn't even surprise me if they had a fairly disappointing Euros.
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Old 13-06-2016, 15:04
Heavenly
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Hazard will want to impress his new boss tonight.

Looking forward to this one.
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Old 13-06-2016, 15:12
batdude_uk1
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Fellaini to get the winner!
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Old 13-06-2016, 16:26
FMKK
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Belgium have a lot to prove at this tournament though. They have a fantastic squad "on paper" but they haven't really shown much for the last couple of years (dropping four points to the Welsh for example in the qualifiers). It wouldn't even surprise me if they had a fairly disappointing Euros.
They're basically England from ten years ago!
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Old 13-06-2016, 16:28
batdude_uk1
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I suppose Red Devil fans should stick together!
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Old 13-06-2016, 16:32
Chief_Wiggum
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Buffon, Chiellini, Bazagli and Bonucci should be pretty solid at the back but other than that it's not inspiring stuff. How Eder got called up I'll never know.
Well Éder was called up at the expense of Mario Ballotelli so presumably Conte thinks he's good enough for this level. They have an experienced, proven striker who has been left out so Éder has got to provide something which the others don't.
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Old 13-06-2016, 16:38
batdude_uk1
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Well Éder was called up at the expense of Mario Ballotelli so presumably Conte thinks he's good enough for this level. They have an experienced, proven striker who has been left out so Éder has got to provide something which the others don't.
How was Balotelli even in the reckoning for the squad??
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Old 13-06-2016, 16:41
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Well Éder was called up at the expense of Mario Ballotelli so presumably Conte thinks he's good enough for this level. They have an experienced, proven striker who has been left out so Éder has got to provide something which the others don't.
I'd have taken Pavoletti, Berardi or Belotti over Eder.
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Old 13-06-2016, 16:42
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How was Balotelli even in the reckoning for the squad??
He wasn't.
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Old 13-06-2016, 16:42
Chief_Wiggum
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How was Balotelli even in the reckoning for the squad??
Probably the best penalty taker on the planet and is a proven international goalscorer. He's had a couple of terrible seasons at club level but he's always been great at international level.

Oh, and he's also a total lad
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Old 13-06-2016, 16:48
batdude_uk1
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Oh sorry, that post came across to me like he was, my error if it was not supposed to be like that.

Probably the best penalty taker on the planet and is a proven international goalscorer. He's had a couple of terrible seasons at club level but he's always been great at international level.

Oh, and he's also a total lad
What does "being a total lad" mean? And how is that supposedly a good thing??

The last time he was any where close to being good was four years ago,that is an awful long time ago now.

Lord only knows where he will be playing his club football next season, as I doubt that Klopp will want to keep him around.
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Old 13-06-2016, 17:29
007Fusion
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Italy are indeed poor as a team these days. Seriously, where has their attacking talent, especially upfront gone?

Saying that, I can see this being a high-scoring game with either both teams drawing 3-3 or Belgium steamrolling Italy. This Belgium team needs to click at some point, and a few things have shifted within the team and squad: new defensive pairing (Denayer & Vermaelen), new starting striker possibly (Batshuayi) and a new star man in DeBruyne.
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Old 13-06-2016, 17:42
batdude_uk1
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I want to see blonde Fellaini!
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Old 13-06-2016, 18:05
celesti
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Belgium need to do something this year if they want to be regarded as the fine team their selection of players suggests they should be.
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Old 13-06-2016, 19:07
Dancc
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Two teams that cannot be trusted doing battle. Should be interesting.

Belgium have been unconvincing for an awfully long time, though. And having seen them play in a few friendlies recently and make hard work of it against the likes of Finland despite absolutely dominating the possession, I can't have them at all.

Either 0-0 or 1-0 Italy I think.
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Old 13-06-2016, 19:13
-Bandit-
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like the other game in the group i'm gonna go for a 1-1...
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