Germany v Italy
by Herr Danny
The Italians were immense, forcing the German midfield to start taking longshots and the full backs to launch crosses from further and further back. But despite having the best of the middle-third exchanges, Italy only really troubled Jens Lehmann in extra-time. They were happy to build steady attacks with lots of links and exchanges, draining the Germans of attacking ideas and energy - an interesting tactic against Klinsmann’s increasingly one-dimensional team. It worked perfectly!
For me, Lehmann never really looked himself. In defence for Germany, Lahm was a joy to watch, Metzelder was pretty solid, Mertesacker struggled with positioning and on the right Friedrich was a liability. Ahead of them Borowski needed more time on the ball than was available, Kehl and Schneider did their jobs well, but Ballack played like a man in need of a holiday. The appearance of Schweinsteiger on 72mins merely confirmed the youngster’s lack of quality when facing first or second class opposition. Klinsmann was right to drop him, wrong to bring him on. Klose, normally so prominent, didn’t get a sniff of goal and Podolski looked out of sorts; a poor header from 10 yards summed up his fruitless search for a way past the imperious Cannavaro.
For Italy, Buffon was relatively untroubled (surprising considering Germany’s attacking verve in previous matches) and he has still not been properly tested in this competition. Grosso was lively, Cannavaro canny, Zambrotta competent and Materazzi a clown who found a decent performance when it mattered. Camoranesi doesn’t seem to have much upstairs and was rightly withdrawn after 90mins. Perrotta was excellent and unlucky to be replaced by Del Piero. Gattuso didn’t sparkle but was a key cog in the machine. Pirlo was always on the scene but despite winning man-of-the match didn’t impress me much. Totti showed his experience and proved his fitness, probing right until the end, but Toni was once again a second-rate striker. Gilardino is a ‘bits and pieces’ player, ideal for last night’s style of play, whilst Del Piero was the icing on the cake.
Italy showed that sometimes tactics and organisation are more important than flair, and that to do well in modern tournament football it is more important to have a very good squad rather than an excellent first choice team. Will they go on to win the World Cup? Unless Scolari or Domenech can pull something special out of their tactical hat, I’d have to say yes.
July 5th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
I am very happy to have tipped them to win the tournament before it started. But now of course they will get a hiding in the final.
July 5th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Can’t see either France or Portugal giving anyone a hiding. Zizou is more of a hindrance than a help these days and Figo keeps dribbling into people. Players should be made to retire at 30.
July 5th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
I saw that Germany noticeably ratchetted back in the final 10 minutes of overtime. I think they were just peachy with going up against Italy for PK’s. Italy really did not want to go to PK’s and it showed.
Italy really took it to them in OT, had they played with that kind of effort in the last 30 of regulation, it would have never made it to OT.
July 5th, 2006 at 10:04 pm
I’d never have guessed before how it started how well Germany were going to do in this world cup. They can leave the tournament with their heads held high, but I felt in this game Italy deserved their win. They played the last 30 minutes as if they knew their only chance was to win it in open play. Perhaps England will go into the next tournament with the same thought.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:34 am
Evidently someone on the Italian coaching staff went totally bananas in the last 15 minutes and suggested actually trying to score a goal. Doubtless FIFA will take firm action to stamp out this dangerous nonsense (give us back our beloved penalty shoot-outs!) but meanwhile Italy must be stopped at all costs, with Portugese-style diving and tantrums if necessary.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:04 am
Maybe Sven could take over as caretaker boss of Italy just for the final.
July 6th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Apparently Nesta is going to miss the final (i think he is mowing his lawn).
Has his place been adequately covered in the last few games?
July 7th, 2006 at 11:52 am
Yep. Italy have conceded no goals since he was injured so I don’t think he’ll be missed that much.
July 7th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
Is Cannavaro better than Nesta? Are both of them better than Baresi used to be?
July 10th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Don’t know if they are better than Baresi. Baresi played at the highest level with AC Milan for twenty years (’77-’97) and represented his country at 3 world cups during his 12 year international career and would have had a fourth, had he not fallen out with the manager of the ‘86 cup squad.
Only in the fullness of time can Cannavaro and Nesta be compared to him.
July 11th, 2006 at 9:47 am
Surely quality is more important than quantity?
July 12th, 2006 at 10:15 am
Good tip Herr Danny. I lumped on Italy to win the final after reading this article.