We now know that it is possible to win the World Cup by being the ‘least worst’ team present. Italy’s performance in the final represents their contribution to the tournament overall. OK in patches, very cautious, could do better.

Upfront for Italy, Luca Toni wandered around like a child in a playground waiting to be invited to play on the climbing frame. Apart from set-pieces and the occasional through ball, Italy were toothless and often useless. Every move which worked was cast aside after one more attempt. Crosses created chaos in the French defence in the first half, in the second-half nobody passed the ball wide, thus cutting off the supply. Early on balls into the channels were giving Thuram and Gallas something to think about; but the Italian midfield dropped deeper and deeper as the game wore on, and increaslingly played the ball square or backwards. Lippi made strange substitutions: Inzaghi would have given the team some willing legs, Barone could have given some extra bite. Both remained on the bench whereas Del Piero was introduced and played in slow motion, losing the ball whenever he could. France looked dangerous until Italy stopped trying to win the match.

Italy came out for the second half after locating their ’defence comes first’ heads, which enabled Henry and friends to dominate but Les Bleus never looked like scoring. What began as an absorbing encounter ended as a countdown to penalties. With a little more invention and organisation on the flanks, France could have won by two goals or more. Grosso and Zambrotta are fine players but rely on others to help them when they are on the back foot. By failing to support the man on the ball when pushing on, France gave the Italians too much room to sweep up any mess.

Why was Wiltord brought on so late in the day? Why was Dhorasoo, a man with an abundance of ideas not given a chance to unscrew the the Italians defensive jar? Henry was obviously enjoying outmuscling Lippi’s back four and would have appreciated a few more balls to feet to allow him to spin and run. Why were the Italians so exahusted mentally and physically after an hour’s play? Why did Lippi rein in Grosso after half an hour? Who stole France’s shooting boots? Why did Italy play Luca Toni’s rubbish twin brother up front?

Ultimately it was a match which provided more questions than answers!

7/10: Gattuso - solid, workmanlike, just what the team needed.
Materazzi - couldn’t have asked for much more, never really troubled.
6.5/10: Pirlo - quieter than usual, still looked a cut above most on the pitch.
6/10: Buffon - could have brought a deckchair, no errors.
Grosso - ran his socks off early on, faded as the match wore on.
Zambrotta - booked early, didn’t feature prominently.
Cannavaro - started and finished well, was very reckless for about 20 minutes at the end of normal time and appeared to lose composure.
Camoranesi - always in the game, fair contribution.
De Rossi (sub) - at least looked like he was trying.
Iaquinta (sub) - was brought on when Italy were tiring - some lively moments.
5/10: Perrotta - didn’t get into the game, rightly subbed.
Toni - had little help up front, didn’t help himself.
Del Piero (sub) - didn’t seem interested or good enough.
4/10: Totti - no worthwhile contribution.

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