Friday, June 17, 2016

Euro 2016 - The Swedes can hold Italy

Italy shocked a few by defeating the heavily-favored Belgians in their first match. There's this thing with the Italians who regularly manage to get a result when you least expect them. But much of it has to do with the tactical prowess of coach Conte who's doing wonders with a squad widely regarded as the least talented from Italy in the past 25 years.

With the hardest match of its group won, it would be a mistake of the Italians to be overly confident against Sweden. The latter got a fortuitous equalizer against the Republic of Ireland and could have easily lost the match had the Irish been less profligate in front of goal. Striker Ibrahimovic is familiar with quite a few of his Italian counterparts and it would be no surprise if he found the net. Who actually does not remember the exquisite goal he score against the same Italy in Euro 2004? I think this will again end in a draw just like 12 years back.

In the Group D matches, the Czech and the Croats are evenly-balanced and could yet settle for another draw while Spain are expected to double their tally by beating the Turks.

Draw: Italy/Sweden

No comments:

Post a Comment