“Goodbye in Italian.” How do you say that in the native tongue of Italy? After today’s disastrous end to Italy’s 2010 World Cup campaign, you may want to remember the word “addio” as in goodbye World Cup 2010.
To think that the two finalists for the 2006 World Cup Final are both out in the first round of the 2010 World Cup is unbelievable. But judging by the way these two teams played throughout the tournament, they didn’t deserve to advance. Italy looked like they slept through the tournament. France looked as if they didn’t care.
Despite Italy’s lack of enthusiasm, they did finally put up a good fight in the second half of the game against Slovakia. But it was too little too late. Slovakia, on the other hand, looks to be a force to be reckoned with and I believe Netherlands will have a difficult time against the team in the second round.
What are your thoughts about Italy’s exit from the 2010 World Cup? Where did they go wrong and where do they need to go from here? Addio Italia.
When Bielsa was asked if they would play for a draw with Spain on friday he said that it’s harder to do that succesfully than to play for the win. Uruguay only needed a draw against Mexico to advance but they went for the win and got it, the same can be said about Japan today. On the other hand Italy played for the draw and they lost. That gives me hope for Chile tomorrow.
There are a few factors and none justify the very poor performances of the Azzurri but they are to be considered carefully in the general context and together would explain why Italy was toothless:
Please refer to this piece which I wrote for sister site http://www.SerieATalk.com on June 21st:
http://www.serieatalk.com/south-africa-2010-analysis-reasons-behind-italys-struggles/2588
Below are some key points:
A) As we’ve heard time and again: No creativity! For the first time in ages the Italians lacked a creative force. Yes, historically they play with a defensive strategy but the Azzurri represent the defensive school in Football while Brazil are the attacking school. Despite all that, the Azzurri would always have a R. Baggio or a Totti or a Cassano (from WC1990 to Euro2008). For various reasons, Lippi excluded Cassano, Totti, Miccoli and Balotelli.
B) Defenders: Cannavaro should not have played and this was Lippi’s greatest mistake. Lippi acted as if he Cannavaro was immune to criticism or assessment and picked him regardless of his inability to lead the defensive line. The skipper was not horrible but the Cannavaro of WC2006 would have intercepted the Kiwis free-kick, outjumped the Paraguayan player to head the ball away and would not be ball watching on Slovakia’s 2nd goal and 3rd goal. Chiellini was left to do too much and he simply couldn’t after the shaky Juventus season. For those who say Chiellini is not solid, please check Euro 2008 QF vs Spain and how Chiellini alone along with Buffon stopped Villa, Torres, Iniesta, Xavi and others.
C) GK: Believe it or not Buffon’s absence does make a difference. If Buffon guarded the Azzurri goal for the 3 matches and was 100% healthy I’d assure you at least 1 of the goals would have not been scored. While Marchetti did not do much wrong, he really didn’t have much to do except I’d say he was in no man’s land on the 3rd goal. His defensive line exposed him but he didn’t rush quick enough nor did he stick his ground so he was caught in limbo. Buffon is a warrior and does not get confused. Go back to WC 2006 and you can see Buffon saved a crucial shot against Germany in semi-final then Zidane’s header in the Final. If either shot went in, and I suspect both would have if Marchetti was GK in WC 2006 for the sake of comparison, then Italy would have not won the World Cup. This is even more important when you consider the aging, slow and rudderless Cannavaro failing to marshal the defenders.
D) Why would Gattuso start if Azzurri need a win? That’s a strange decision and since he started why didn’t Maggio start on the right while Zambrotta would be switched on the left. Why did Iaquinta start? Italy’s strikers Gilardino and Iaquinta failed miserable (and so did Pazzini in the 2nd half appearance against New Zealand) because they are simply finishers and not creative forwards. This is like asking the predator F. Inzaghi to start creating goals for his partners now and before (Del Piero, Crespo, Huntelaar, Pato, Borriello, etc…) which would never have happened in the 1990s or now. Same applies to those strikers representing the Azzurri.
E) Some might say why was goal scorer Fabio Quagliarella not played before? Well, it was not about this player or the other. It was about the whole team and the system used. Quagi scored one great goal, had a hand in the other, had one saved on the line or half way in (either way don’t think it was a goal) and had one canceled for offside despite close replays showing he was almost level (it doesn’t really matter at this point). Quagi was the only striker who can create for Italy as we saw while Iaquinta and even Di Natale failed to do so.
F) Ironically, teams beat Italy by playing Italy’s game: Paraguay and Kiwis both scored on set-pieces and after poor Azzurri marking while Slovakia scored from all their opportunities. ESPN’s stats showed Italy conceded 5 goals in 3 matches from 6 shots on target. Frankly, that’s quite pathetic by Italian standards.
G) In all 3 matches Italy trailed and the Azzurri are most comfortable when taking the lead. This forced the Azzurri to chase the game which is not really the team’s strength.
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ITALIAN?
I PREFER IN SPANISH:
“HASTA LA VISTA PERRAS”