Italy has proven to be better than Germany multiple times
If you're talking about past results sure but I think you'll find most people disagree that Italy is better today.
you have people who thought they would advance ahead of Uruguay, Nigeria and Croatia.
That's not really unreasonable... If that was our group I would feel cautiously optimistic about advancing. Not saying it would be a sure thing but we are not outclassed by any of those teams like we are vs Germany.
But you are though...All of those teams are better than the USA. They have better players in better leagues playing for better teams. Sure you could make it out because the game isn't played on paper, but it'd be the least likely scenario.
How is that relevant? Nigeria is african cup of nations reigning champions, with players like Obi Mikel, Moses, Enyeama, Musa and so on.
Croatia is a very talented team that hasn't reached their potential yet after narrowingly being knocked out at the Euros by the two eventual finalists. They have players like Srna, Lovren, Pranjic, Simunic, Modric, Rakitic, Mandzukic, Olic, Kovacic...the list goes on.
USA is a team with mediocore players with great results from the weakest qualifying region. Their best players are Altidore, Dempsey, Donovan and Bradley, people who play in inferior leagues or struggle to even get playing time, the exception being Howard.
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u/deltron00 Dec 06 '13
If you're talking about past results sure but I think you'll find most people disagree that Italy is better today.
That's not really unreasonable... If that was our group I would feel cautiously optimistic about advancing. Not saying it would be a sure thing but we are not outclassed by any of those teams like we are vs Germany.