Just came back from the stadium. Was a great experience, except the part where some Italian muslim syndicate gang up to pickpocket my iphone at the end but that was another story.
Andrea Pirlo was different class today. You actually have to watch him live to really believe how good he is. He was so tactically astute that he creates so much space for himself and picks the passes brilliantly. The technique, the way he passes the ball was unbelievable. Germany actually started better but their defence and some shit finishing let them down. Kudos to the German fans though, they really lit up the stadium and was really loud even 3 hours before the match. There was only maybe 5k-10k Italian fans in the stadium but the all the polish in the stadiums were rooting for Italy too so it was kinda weird.
Podolski is really shit on the left wing. He is really one legged so unless we are playing cross cross cross we really shouldn't play him there. Dribbles really awkwardly too and don't have the athleticism/pace of a winger to be effective. Same for Mueller, when he came on he was rubbish. God knows why was Gotze rotting on the bench. Schweiny, Kroos, Hummels was good though. Ozil went missing after the first 10-15mins. He slows the game down and kept losing possession. Brilliant little playmaker, but when things ain't going his way he let his head down. Other than Hummels, Neuer was the only one in the German team trying to speed things up. Even as early as the 60th min, he was near the halfway line 😆 Kept trying to play Sweeper. Crazy keeping. Diamanti almost caught him out with a quick FK.
One thing I notice was that the German team tactically was all over the place. Their midfield positions were in a mess. Khedira, Schweiny, Ozil, Kroos was all running freely. Compared to the Italian team, at all times the Diamond formation was very rigid. Everyone covered for one another. De Rossi, Marchisio was fantastic as well. Little Cassano went into many pockets of space to make things happen. Balotelli is one lazy fag. Never ever runs for the ball, jog everywhere. But then you could still see why he starts over Di Natale. Physically stronger and more skillful imo. Low should really start Reus. He is fantastic. When he came on suddenly the German creativity was there. Running into channels, turning balls for others. Klose > Gomez as well. More hardworking intelligent, less clumsy. Chiellini was poor as a LB. Almost non existent as an attacking threat. Balzaretti didn't really look comfortable as a RB but he makes good run forward. Shouldn't break Bonucci Barzagli backline though, very solid.
Hope Italy wins the final. Forza Italia.
