England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 v Italy 🇮🇹 Euro Final 🏆 Official Thread 11.07.21

Got an old Italian mate who lives in Blackpool giving me the big un on social media.

In Feb 1997 he took me and my pal to Wembley to watch England v Italy World Cup qualifier with a group of his Italian mates. Naively me and my pal never thought we'd end up in the front row of the Azzuri in the away end 😫.

To be fair even though we lost the game to a Zola goal all the Italian squad came over to the Azzuri and as we were right at the front I was face to face with Maldini, Dino Baggio, Ravanelli, Di Livio, Costacurta, Zola etc. These were faces from Football Italia on C4 on a Sunday and a time when Italian football absolutely dominated so I was pretty in awe of them.
 
More than half a century of hurt.

Wembley 66. And Wembley 53.

Since then - run by the serially incompetent who hire mostly poor managers who pick players who usually disappoint.

There are moments of hope, of course, and of real achievement - Euro 96, promotion to the Premier League - which then disappear like a sandcastle engulfed by the tide.

Then they both appoint “safe” managers - funnily enough both former Blackpool managers - but the story’s the same. Allardyce undone by scandal. Grayson out because of poor results.

Almost accidentally, they appoint managers nobody wants. Southgate’s just a caretaker - Critchley’s only ever taken care of kids.

But magic happens. They build a team, a squad, a football family. A group who start to play way above what you’d expect. They build a system, a process, which turns them in a machine. Injuries? No problem. Tactics need changing? Ok. Work hard for each other? No doubt.

Close to the fans? Never closer.

And so to Wembley 21. We have a star man injured and concede in the first minute, the pressure is on but the win is never in doubt. The players have a togetherness we’ve rarely seen before.

Let’s hope we see it again tonight.

2-1 it is then. Up the Mighty Pool. Come on England.
 
It's one of these games that could go any way - comfortable Italy win, comfortable England win or tight draw. I think if we can get to the hour mark on level terms we'll be ok.
 
It's a final so I expect a cagey affair which can go either way.
However if it doesn't go our way, let's not forget what this young group of players have achieved rather than" we lost the fkin final".
They can only get better imo.
Still think we'll nick it though!!!!!!
 
It’s 5 3 2 again folks. Trippier in for Saka. They’re slow as at the back so what does Gareth do reduce the numbers in attack. Ignore just seen there’s a thread already on it 😀
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
I’m not sold on Mount, particularly in a wide position. I think we have better options in that position. I hope Gareth has made the right call.
Click to expand...
Can't see him playing wide tbh? Between Rice/Phillips and the two strikers methinks?

Not much attacking pace in the starting line up? Sterling and...?
 
The Missing Link between Blackpool's and England's playing style ...

(sorry if posted previously).

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Why Blackpool boss Neil Critchley will have an extra reason to celebrate should England beat Italy in the Euro 2020 final

Neil Critchley is hoping his old mentor and boss Steve Holland can help England bring it home at Wembley tonight.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

"Neil Critchley is hoping his old mentor and boss Steve Holland can help England bring it home at Wembley tonight.

Blackpool’s head coach worked under England’s assistant manager during their time working together at Crewe Alexandra.

Holland, who has also previously worked at Chelsea, appears to be an influential figure inside the Three Lions camp, often being the go-to man for advice on the touchline for boss Gareth Southgate."
 
This is my only post tonight.

Boys, WIN IT
Win it for your family
Win it for your friends
Win it for yourselves
Win it for the nation

Because when you win it you will become immortal, you will have rewritten history.
The hope will have disappeared replaced with joy.

That's what football can do.
That's what you can do tonight.

#itscominghome🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
#BELIEVE
 
Looking at all the old footage when did teams stop lifting their captain with the trophy on their shoulders? Every FA Cup Final wasn't complete without it. And then there's Bobby Moore...
 
Not used to reaching this far in a tournament ( although I saw 66 win) usually after an early exit, used to say,’well at least I can relax now and enjoy the football’ or exit in a semi, ‘Are you bothering watching the final’ to mates. Only one thing to say now. Come on England!!!!!'!
 
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