EURO 2016 qualifiers thread

[War]

Belgium No.1 in FIFA rankings and ready for Euro 2016 glory - ESPN FC

 

[War]

Happy with England's group but not getting too worked up.

Spain and Belgium the favourites for me

@SpitfiresKent @Lee1981 @MasterBlaster76 @ste_mc_efc @StinkyBoHoon @ncfclee

 

[ste_mc_efc]

I'm expecting this tournament to start pretty slowly, but with 4 3rd place teams going through pretty much every team will have something to play for in the third round matches and it will take off then.

 

[CerealKiller]

Spain and Belgium the favourites for me

What about Germany? We're the world champions after all.

 

[War]

What about Germany? We're the world champions after all.

They have been a bit shaking in EURO 2016 qualifiers, especially in defending.

 

[CerealKiller]

They have been a bit shaking in EURO 2016 qualifiers, especially in defending.

We've always done well in all international tournaments, reaching at least the quarter finals in all of them. I personally would count us as favourites (unless we draw Italy in the knockouts).

 

[Sami Kumar]

Big blow for Belgium

Vincent Kompany to miss Euro 2016

 

[CerealKiller]

@War with Marchisio and Verratti set to miss the Euros, and without a good striker up front, what chances would you give Italy?

 

[Markkkkk]

and without a good striker up front

I disagree. They've got good strikers...

 

[CerealKiller]

I disagree. They've got good strikers...

Who?

 

[Markkkkk]

Totti, Berardi, Rossi, Balotelli but I think he isn't allowed to play, Immobile and Pelle aren't bad reserves. On top of that they've got Insigne, Candreva and other wingers who can play as a false 9. Obviously they don't have the Kanes, Suarez and Lewas of the world but they can certainly do a job...

 

[CerealKiller]

Totti, Berardi, Rossi, Balotelli but I think he isn't allowed to play, Immobile and Pelle aren't bad reserves. On top of that they've got Insigne, Candreva and other wingers who can play as a false 9. Obviously they don't have the Kanes, Suarez and Lewas of the world but they can certainly do a job...

Rossi and Balotelli probably won't be called up. Berardi might be, but he has a lot of discipline issues. Totti is really, really unlikely, but i'd love to see him in Azzurro once again. Also, i don't think playing with a falso nueve suits Italy or Conte's style.

 

[Sami Kumar]

Eder & Zaza have been quite decent too. In my opinion, they have a better chance of being called up for the tournament than Totti & Balo do. Without Verrati and Marchisio, Italy will surely struggle. They don't have a lot of good midfielders this time around. Belgium and Sweden will give 'em a tough time, but I'm almost certain that the Italians make it to the next round.

 

[AliB]

That Emgland, Wales, Russia group seems a tough one there. Portugal's got an easy one!

 

[War]

@War with Marchisio and Verratti set to miss the Euros, and without a good striker up front, what chances would you give Italy?

Haven't checked on Italy much this season admittedly, but damn rough news if Veratti he is their obvious key mid-fielder now that Pirlo has gone (although he hasn't officially retired).

Strikers wise I guess Pelle, Zaza & Eder are their main options currently, but it doesn't look as lethal especially with Balotelli's career in unfortunate free-fall since 2014 world cup.

They have to be careful considering their group or else they could go out first round.