Azzurri 2016

I have said before that it is only a game and I still believe that, but what is remembered from the game can cause me great annoyance. The " sports commentators" can be rather aggravating, they show Italy no respect and they revert to the same old line of how Italians just like to defend.

It's as if after every tournament they have to listen to the same old cliches, have they forgotten about Euro 2012 where they played some beautiful ATTACKING FOOTBALL.

They had shown during the tournament that they could play both styles but yet everyone else will be saying the same old stuff about them. They had gone toe to toe with the current World Champion Germany and pushed them all the way to penalties.

Antonio Conte perhaps should've made some changes earlier in the game, but that's to do with coaching and not to diminish the fact that they were forced due to injuries and suspension to do without most of their creative players like, Claudio Marchisio, Riccardo Montilivo, Marco Verratti,Thiago Motta and De Rossi, but people will neglect those little details and just focus on the score- line.

There is no shame losing to Germany by penalties, I just feel sorry for some of the older player, this was probably their last chance. However I am extremely proud by the way they played with determination, team spirit and humility, they showed great class- which some other nations sorely lack!

I can't wait till next time FORZA AZZURRI.