Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Italy goes home after 3-2 loss to Slovakia | Worldcup 2010
JOHANNESBURG (AP)—The stunned looks and the tears told the story—for both teams.
For defending champion Italy, the ignominy of being sent out of the World Cup in the first round sank in immediately.
“Tonight,” midfielder Gennaro Gattuso said, “we touched rock bottom.”
For Slovakia, which beat the Azzurri 3-2 Thursday to advance, well, the celebrating might not stop before Monday’s second-round game.
“We’ve shown shown that we’re not here for a holiday,” said Slovakia forward Erik Jendrisek.
The party ended in stunning fashion for four-time champion Italy, which finished last in an opening-round group for the first time.
“I take full responsibility,” said coach Marcello Lippi, who led the Azzurri to the 2006 championship. “If the squad went out with fear in their legs and hearts it means the coach didn’t prepare the match well tactically or psychologically.”
For the third consecutive game, the Azzurri allowed an early goal and this time they never recovered.
Robert Vittek put Slovakia ahead in the 25th minute, taking advantage of an errant pass from midfielder Daniele De Rossi. Vittek doubled the lead from close range in the 73rd following a corner kick.
Antonio Di Natale scored for Italy in the 81st, but Kamil Kopunek ended Italy’s chances eight minutes later, even though Fabio Quagliarella scored in injury time for Italy.
“We didn’t win a game and it’s everyone’s fault,” playmaker Andrea Pirlo said. “We’re a team and we’ve got to assume responsibility all together.”
It was Italy’s first loss at the World Cup since allowing a golden goal to South Korea in the second round in 2002. And it marked the end of an era for Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and Gattuso, who already announced their retirement from the national team after the tournament. Lippi is also moving on, with Cesare Prandelli already chosen as his successor.
“We were a disappointment and everyone saw it,” regular goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said. “The difference between 2006 and 2010 is that there are no longer enough players like (Francesco) Totti and Alessandro (Del Piero). He (Prandelli) will have to start a new cycle and I hope he’s got his ideas in order, because the current situation of Italian football isn’t great.”
Italy’s squad featured nine players 30 or over and Prandelli will be charged with a major overhaul. Italy hasn’t won since beating Sweden 1-0 in a friendly in November, drawing five times and losing twice.
“It’s not a very good moment for Italian football, but the level of the Italian game isn’t what you saw tonight,” Lippi said.
Never have the previous World Cup finalists both failed to advance in the next tournament when both qualified. France, which lost to Italy on penalty kicks for the 2006 title, went out earlier this week in Group A.
Slovakia plays next in Durban against the Netherlands, which won Group E. Many of the Slovak players were in tears at the end of the match, and the reserves gathered in a circle, jumping up and down in celebration. It is the first World Cup for Slovakia as an independent nation.
“That’s unbelievable,” Slovak goalkeeper Jan Mucha said. “I never played a match like this one.”
Added coach Vladimir Weiss: “That’s my message to all fans at home: enjoy football. Let’s celebrate … a present to all our fans at home.”
Slovakia finished with a win, a draw and a loss for four points. Italy had two draws and Thursday’s bitter defeat.
Italy also allowed early goals in its 1-1 draws with Paraguay and New Zealand and the Azzurri attack struggled in all three games—save for the final 10 minutes against Slovakia, when the Italians got desperate.
Vittek’s opening goal came on a low shot just beyond the reach of goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, who again replaced the injured Buffon. He then went around Giorgio Chiellini from close range following a corner kick for his second goal.
Di Natale slid in a rebound from Quagliarella’s shot and, with four forwards on, Quagliarella nearly equalized in the 85th, but was ruled offside by the smallest of margins.
Slovakia restored its two-goal lead in the 89th when substitute Kopunek lifted a bouncing ball over Marchetti.
Quagliarella finally found the target in the second minute of added time with a delicate lob.
Still, for 80 minutes Italy’s forwards were unable to find the net, and no forward scored in open play during the Azzurri’s opening two matches.
Midfielder Pirlo came on in the 56th minute for his first action since injuring his left calf in a friendly against Mexico three weeks ago. The crafty playmaker gave Italy’s sagging attack a much-needed boost, but it was not enough.
The early exit left the soccer-crazed nation in shock and anger.
The online editions of Corriere della Sera, the country’s largest newspaper, said “Azzurri, Farewell to the World Cup.” Repubblica wrote that “it’s worse than with Korea,” recalling the shocking exit at the hands of North Korea in 1966.
Fans who gathered in a Rome park to watch the match on giant screens began leaving as Slovakia’s goals piled up.
Reaction, naturally, was just the opposite in Bratislava.
“A fantasy,” read the headline of the Internet version of Pravda, a major Slovak newspaper.
“The footballers shocked Italy,” another daily, Sme, said.
Fans who were watching the match in front of a giant screen in downtown Bratislava screamed in joy at the final whistle.
“It was not a miracle, but reality on the pitch in Johannesburg,” Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic said in a text message sent to The Associated Press through his spokesman. “Our players were doing all they could, played fantastic and deserved to win. I’m absolutely delighted and so is the entire Slovakia.”
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Italy humbled by All Whites
Italy humbled by All Whites New Zealand caused South Africa 2010's biggest upset thus far by holding world champions Italy to a 1-1 draw at Nelspruit's Mbombela Stadium. In the end, only a Vincenzo Iaquinta penalty prevented Marcello Lippi's Azzurri dropping all three points as the All Whites, who took an early lead through Shane Smeltz, produced a courageous and intelligent performance to earn their second FIFA World Cup™ point.
Faced with a side ranked 74 places above them, New Zealand might have been expected to park the proverbial bus in front of Mark Paston's goal. In fact, the opposite was true. Evidently deciding that attack represented the best form of defence, coach Ricki Herbert fielded three strikers in an adventurous line-up, and was rewarded for his boldness with the opening goal inside seven minutes. New Zealand benefited from some distinctly un-Italian defending with the Azzurri rearguard left in chaos by an inswinging Simon Elliot free-kick. The most notable culprit was Fabio Cannavaro, who inadvertently cushioned the ball into the path of a grateful Smeltz. From four yards out, all the New Zealand No9 had to do was poke the ball under the diving Federico Marchetti.
In a tournament full of upsets, it looked at this stage that a truly momentous shock was on the cards, but an Italian response was not long in arriving. They should have been level after 16 minutes, in fact, after Cannavaro knocked down Simone Pepe's corner for the well-positioned Giorgio Chiellini, but the Juventus centre-half provided a typical defender’s finish, smashing the ball out for a throw-in on the far side.
Italy were taking a stranglehold on possession, however, and after Gianluca Zambrotta just missed out on finding the top corner from 25 yards, Riccardo Montolivo went closer still, bending a superb effort around the statuesque Paston only to see the ball rebound to safety off the inside of the post. The Azzurri players must have wondered at this stage if this simply was not going to be their day, but their luck was to change after 28 minutes when Tommy Smith was penalised for pulling down Daniele De Rossi in the box. Iaquinta stepped up to take the resultant penalty and level the scores with a perfect spot-kick low to the left of the wrong-footed Paston.
Italy might have hauled themselves level, but Lippi remained unhappy enough to make a double substitution at half-time that saw Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi enter the fray. The former, a prolific scorer in Serie A this season, nearly made an instant impact, firing in an imaginative right-foot volley that Paston could only parry clear. However, Lippi will have been hugely concerned at the relative ease with which New Zealand continued to hold his side at bay, and substitute Chris Wood came within a whisker of winning it for the Kiwis in the closing stages with a left-foot shot that slipped inches wide. Herbert's side were certainly well worthy of a share of the spoils, and go into their final match against Paraguay with everything still to play for in Group F.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Brazil and Italy look to shine
Brazil and ItalyHaving got over their opening-game nerves, tournament contenders Italy and Brazil will both be looking to make a statement of intent with handsome victories on Sunday. The two sides boast a total of nine FIFA World Cup™ triumphs between them and will take on respective opponents New Zealand and Côte d'Ivoire hoping to raise the quality of their play another notch.
Five-time champions Brazil find themselves in the tightest-looking section of all in Group G, but after edging their way past a tenacious Korea DPR team they will be keen to slip into a more fluid gear. Sven-Goran Eriksson's Côte d'Ivoire are unlikely to let them have it all their own way, however, as they seek their first goals following an opening stalemate with Portugal. In Group F, all four teams are locked together on a point apiece, meaning Italy have little option but to deliver a victory. They look well-equipped to see off New Zealand in Nelspruit, but so too did Slovakia before the All Whites struck late on to clinch their first ever FIFA World Cup finals point. Vladimir Weiss's Slovakians will look to recover from that setback in their high-stakes meeting with a Paraguay side noted for their defensive solidity and fearsome counter-attacking credentials.
The matches
Slovakia-Paraguay, Group F, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, 13.30
Italy-New Zealand, Group F, Nelspruit, 16.00
Brazil-Côte d'Ivoire, Group G, Johannesburg (Soccer City), 20.30
The big game
Brazil-Côte d'Ivoire
Frustrated for the opening 55 minutes of their opening encounter, Brazil spared their blushes with a pair of finely worked goals in the hard-fought 2-1 win over Korea DPR. If fans of O jogo bonito ('The beautiful game') were a little frustrated by the display, despite the best efforts of a lively Robinho, Dunga's charges still got the result they wanted and will next line up against an Ivorian side who gave Portugal a difficult afternoon. With so many gifted individuals peppered through the ranks of both teams, anything could happen at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg – even if most eyes will be trained on Kaka and Didier Drogba, the former desperate to impress after an under-par showing against the north Koreans and the latter still wearing a cast on his arm.
In focus
Federico Marchetti (ITA) v Mark Paston (NZL)
While Marchetti came into the tournament anticipating a stint on the bench behind Italy's first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Paston travelled to South Africa doubtless expecting a difficult time up against the assorted marksmen in Group F. Events have moved in a different direction with Cagliari custodian Marchetti due to fill in for his injured colleague and New Zealand's No1 having put in a superb display against Slovakia. Paston may well be the busier man on Sunday but Marchetti will be desperate to make a good impression too.
What they said
"Sven Goran Eriksson has urged us to play as a team and not just for ourselves. He's changed the mentality of the side and everyone in it. We've always had good players but we've never been able to play as a coherent unit and attack and defend together,” Kolo Toure, Côte d'Ivoire defender.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Cannavaro belives that Italy can win World Cup 2010
Italian national team captain Fabio Cannavaro is confident that the Italian team can again won World Cup champion title, although the Italian team doesn’t have players like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney."The team does not have a prominent stars, but I believe we can achieve great success if the team spirit that we had in Germany four years ago returns", said Cannavaro.
"We must be confident in our capabilities. We all have a duty to fully believe in defending champion title".
The Italina team which won World Cup 2006 experienced many changes – today in team are not: Marco Materazzi, Francesco Tottija, Fabio Grosso, Alessandro Nesta.
"Some players from the team defensive line in 2006 are no longer with us, but the coach in the past few months worked hard on this segment of the game, and we tried to restore the identity of the defensive team".
Friday, June 11, 2010
Mexico vs. Italy friendly, 2-1
In another friendly match before the World Cup 2010, Mexico won current world champions - Italy, result of the match was 2-1.
This match continued a series of Italian bad presentation before the World Cup 2010, where Italy will try to defend the title earned in Germany four years ago.
In the rough and torn game, full of fouls, Mexico took 2-0 lead, scorers were Carlos Vela (17th minute) and Medina (84th minute). Only a minute before the end of the match, Bonucci managed to score and thus minimize loss of Italian team.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Mexico vs. Italy friendly, 2-1
In another friendly match before the World Cup 2010, Mexico won current world champions - Italy, result of the match was 2-1.This match continued a series of Italian bad presentation before the World Cup 2010, where Italy will try to defend the title earned in Germany four years ago.
In the rough and torn game, full of fouls, Mexico took 2-0 lead, scorers were Carlos Vela (17th minute) and Medina (84th minute). Only a minute before the end of the match, Bonucci managed to score and thus minimize loss of Italian team.
Friday, June 4, 2010
AMAURI.LIPPI CALL NO PROMISES
After a prolonged wait, Amauri eventually strictly turn adults of Italy. 29-year-old player which was innate in Brazil is right away seeking brazen to a call from Lippi.
“When we speak to him, we did not have any promises. From this day onwards, we will proceed to guard for La Nazionale, though there’s no faith he will be summoned,” pronounced Lippi in Italian Football.
One thing is for sure, Lippi certified which Amauri is a good player who can fool around for Italy. That’s since he supports a wishes of a players endangered to turn Italian citizens.
“Application to a Italians proposed prior to we became a manager of Italy. That is a single thought (previous Italy manager Roberto) Donadoni, who we additionally determine when we came behind since he is an critical player,” he said.
Amauri Lippi as well as even shielded from critique which was brought to him. “Criticisms about Amauri who mentions which he hesitated to select in between Brazil as well as Italy is not fair.”
“From a begin he pronounced he longed for to be an Italian as well as a alternative players know about this,” pronounced Lippi.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Italy star player at World Cup 2010 in pictures
Francesco Totti Must Go To The World Cup With Italy
Let’s start this debate with a simple fact. Barring injury,
A secret deal between the Roma legend and Italy coach
At the weekend, Totti came as close as ever to publicly confirming that he will participate in his third straight Mondial.
"The World Cup? I will decide in April, that's if Lippi and the group wants me there," he told La Repubblica.
"I have a great relationship with the coach that goes beyond football, I will not forget what he did for me in Germany [2006]. He has always waited for me and given me the trust."
Sections of the media have been split over whether Totti’s return is good or bad for the Azzurri. Many critics argue that it is unfair on the rest of the group who have worked hard to qualify Italy for the World Cup for Er Pupone to just then turn up in time for the finals. Totti has not played for La Nazionale since the 2006 World Cup final win over France, while he infamously left Roberto Donadoni hanging for almost a year before he announced his international retirement in 2007. Others point out that Totti is pushing on 34, and should make way for younger players. The Giallorossi captain’s injury proneness and limited mobility is cited as another issue.
Following Italy’s quarter final penalty shootout exit to Spain at Euro 2008, I actually agreed with many of the above arguments. I wrote a Calcio Debate entitled ‘Yes To [Alessandro] Nesta, No To Totti’ where I argued that Lippi should recall the former for the World Cup, but not the latter.
Things have changed somewhat in the past 18 months, though. My main objection to recalling Totti was my belief that Italy had a host of young, talented forwards coming through who would be ready to take South Africa by storm. I singled out the emergence of Sebastian Giovinco,
Cassano has been frozen out
For one reason or another, none of these players have carried through my wishful thinking. Most of the blame lies with Lippi for refusing to freshen up his squad and stubbornly persisting with the ageing 2006 veterans. Meanwhile, Cassano and Miccoli have been excluded on political grounds – the former some believe because of Totti’s impending return (the pair fell out spectacularly while at Roma).
Those that Lippi has chosen - during the qualifiers, friendlies and Confederations Cup – have proven emphatically that they are not good enough to make an impact on a World Cup. Despite being grouped in a weak qualification pool with Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Montenegro and Georgia, Italy’s forwards struggled terribly not only to score goals, but to create chances.
Italy’s strikers scored just nine goals in 10 qualifiers – three of which for Alberto Gilardino occurred in a dead-rubber match against Cyprus. Italy’s joint second top-scorer in qualifying was Georgia’s Kakha Kaladze with two own goals! The likes of
Italy need Totti's goals and class
The idea that Italy’s forwards should feel betrayed about having worked so hard to get to South Africa, only to see Totti steal their place on the plane, is quite frankly ridiculous. Not a single Italian attacker who has played during qualifying has earned their ticket – the only two who have done enough to be considered are Vincenzo Iaquinta and Alberto Gilardino. If anyone has been stealing places it is the current Italy attack because under any other coach most of them would not even be in the squad – such is their inferiority to the likes of Cassano.
Going into South Africa, Italy possess arguably their weakest squad for 50 years. Without Totti, Italy have no chance of retaining the trophy they won so gloriously in Germany four years ago. With Totti, who has scored 20 goals in 18 games this season, they still have little chance.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Profile
Defending champions Italy will naturally be one of the leading contenders to emerge triumphant at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ South Africa. The only country along with Brazil to have won the tournament twice in succession, Marcello Lippi's men will be vying to match the performance of their pioneering predecessors in 1934 and 1938.
The road to South Africa
The Azzurri topped Group 8 thanks to their traditional efficiency and pragmatism, even if they failed to set the continent alight along the way. In total, they recorded seven wins and three draws, firing 18 goals and conceding seven.
Italy set the pace in their section right from the off with an opening-day 2-1 victory over Cyprus, and after that result took them to the summit they remained there. It nonetheless took them until their penultimate encounter to seal their passage. Intriguingly, the generations that claimed the world title in 1982 and 2006 also booked their tickets with one match to spare.
Alberto Gilardino finished top scorer for Lippi's team with four strikes to his name, including a stunning hat-trick in less than 15 minutes to down Cyprus 3-2 in their final outing.
The star players
Billed for a number of years now as one of the finest goalkeepers on the planet, at 31 Gianluigi Buffon remains one of the two pillars of the Italian defence. His spectacular reflexes to keep out a Zinedine Zidane header in extra time during the 2006 Final illustrated just why he has an undisputed claim on the gloves.
The other leader at the back is none other than evergreen captain Fabio Cannavaro. Now 36, the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year continues to contribute his superb positioning sense and the vast experience of his 130 caps.
In midfield, tireless tackler Gennaro Gattuso no longer needs any introduction. The 31-year-old is still the motor, battler and all-round talent at the heart of the Azzurri line-up, the man who never admits defeat and whose hunger for victory inspires all those around him.
The coach
A veritable monarch in the field of coaching, 61-year-old Marcello Lippi is an expert at making changes that yield results, with no fewer than five of the 12 goals Italy registered at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany coming from substitutes. The man with more than an air of Paul Newman has won everything in his career, which is precisely why he called time on his first stint as Italy trainer on 12 July 2006, having clinched the global crown. After the Azzurri floundered at UEFA EURO 2008, however, he did not need much persuasion to return to the role, and he immediately set about rebuilding the defence, remodelling the midfield and trying out a fresh crop of forwards. He puts little stock in his landmark 31 consecutive international matches without defeat, preferring to amass titles than statistics, and his natural feel for the game means his tactical decisions are never called into doubt. For the qualifiers, he called up a total of 36 players, with Cannavaro and full-back Gianluca Zambrotta the players most used (810 minutes each).
Previous FIFA World Cups
Italy have qualified for 16 of the 18 FIFA World Cup finals, failing to book themselves a place in 1958 and having not opted to take part in the first edition in 1930. They have won the competition on four occasions, in 1934, 1938, 1982 and four years ago in 2006. They also finished runners-up in 1970 and 1994 and claimed third place on home soil in 1990.
Honours
- 4 FIFA World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006)
- 1 UEFA European Championship (1968)
- 1 Olympic Football Tournament (1936)
What they said
"No team is superior to Italy. I don't want to say that we're better than everyone, but you might say that we're not inferior to any other team," Marcello Lippi, coach.
