|
For Italy , there was no victory but there was vindication. There may alsohave been something of a reawakening. An impressive performance intheir opening game against Spain takes on great significance because it was so unexpected evenif Italy's coach, Cesare Prandelli, would disagree. Confidencecomes not just from drawing with the world champions but competingwith them too. Asked if he was pleased with the point, themidfielder Claudio Marchisio said: "Most of all it was important toplay well." Italy certainly did that. The last time Spain and Italy had met in a competitive game was atthe European Championship four years ago. Spain's quarter-finalvictory on penalties was a watershed moment, not just the buryingof the past but the construction of a future. Italy, meanwhile,seemed to be headed in the other direction. At the 2010 World Cup,they failed to get out of their group, finishing behind NewZealand. Prandelli took over and led his side through qualificationunbeaten, while talking of Italy as a side who wanted to entertainas well as win. But their display against Spain still surprised,particularly against a backdrop of uncertainty and injury. At thefinal whistle, the Italian players celebrated with their fans. Ithad been a good night. "This result gives us confidence because wewere facing a very strong side, if not the strongest of all. Ithink we had the right approach with no kind of fear," Daniele DeRossi said. Prandelli had worked hard on a three-man central defence, with DeRossi retreating from midfield. Afterwards, the Roma player said hewas grateful for the support of those around him after animpressive display in a role that is not habitual. Prandelli hadonly one complaint: "I would have liked De Rossi to step out a bitmore," he said. That comment said much. "It was a very intense game," Prandelli said. "We really tried hardto press the Spanish players from the moment they started theirmoves. We tried to avoid them getting one-on-one situations, whilewhen we had the ball we looked to build from the back." The Spanish are often suspicious of the Italians, often portrayedas ultra-defensive, and in the buildup they foresaw a new varietyof catenaccio. Five at the back, with the bus well and trulyparked. The game did not play out that way. So, had Italy shownthat a five-man defence need not be defensive? "Yes," saidPrandelli, quite correctly, and for one reason above all: "It wasthree, not five." The two wing backs, Emanuele Giaccherini andChristian Maggio, were more "wing" than "backs", opening up thepitch and pressing high, finding space behind Spain's full backs in particular Alvaro Arbeloa. "They played very well," Spain's manager Vicente del Bosque said."They knew what they were doing, they employed quick transitionsand switched the play effectively with sharp, rapidly played longerpasses." So much for defensive Italy. The Italians were comfortable inpossession and had as many shots on target as Spain did. Flanked oneither side, Andrea Pirlo was marvellous, two passes in particularstanding out one sweep to the left, played almost blind, and therun and assist for Antonio Di Natale's opening goal. Ahead of him, Antonio Cassano was involved in Italy's best moments,for as long as he could last, which turned out to be around anhour. At the half-time whistle, it was Iker Casillas who had madethe most saves, his sharp dive to the near post to stop ThiagoMotta's header the best of them. Casillas was the only player to behanded full marks by the Spanish media. "I know the players they have, especially in the middle of thepitch high-quality players who combine very well, who know whereand when to play passes," Andr s Iniesta said. "People aremistaken if they say that Italy is a team that only defends: wehave seen that they have great players and they know how to playlovely football.". I am an expert from carcodescanner.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Avl Gps Tracker Manufacturer , Mercedes Benz Diagnostic Manufacturer, Ecu Chip Tuning,and more.
Related Articles -
Avl Gps Tracker Manufacturer, Mercedes Benz Diagnostic Manufacturer,
|
