Italy out - thank God
Italy out - thank God
The Italians have gone, and I'm delighted. Their anti-football is a blight on the game. Cheating players throwing themselves to the ground and writhing in agony when they haven't been touched (OK, Spain played their part too), 10 men behind the ball at all times with one cart-horse up front, what a tedious footballing nation.
The problem for me is that they've got the talent to play the game so much more beautifully and they always have had. They are so locked in to the catenaccio mindset that they can't leave it behind (and sadly it has been successful) but I just hope the more losses like this they have they'll realise they have to change. I mean, when was the last time Italy actually excited you? Mine was 1982, 3-2 vs Brazil, before that, probably 1970, 4-3 vs a knackered Germany. That's a long, long time between drinks.
The referee didn't help matters in this. Pedantic when he didn't have to be, he seemed unable to tell a genuine foul from a feigned one and missed so many shirt-pulls in crucial areas. Hiopefully his tournament is over too.
Good riddance Italy, you bore the pants off me.
Ari va derchy.
Agreed, seeing things like that Italian forward go down 'injured' outside of play and then roll onto the field so he could slow down the game, it really gets me mad. I'm so happy Spain are through since the odds were against them as time went on.
All I can say is go Russia!
Myself and Betters reprazented at the stadium. Dude who went down for Italy got given sht for the rest of the game.
The Italians have gone, and I'm delighted. Their anti-football is a blight on the game. Cheating players throwing themselves to the ground and writhing in agony when they haven't been touched (OK, Spain played their part too), 10 men behind the ball at all times with one cart-horse up front, what a tedious footballing nation.
So true. Every Italian success hurts the game.
The problem for me is that they've got the talent to play the game so much more beautifully and they always have had. They are so locked in to the catenaccio mindset that they can't leave it behind (and sadly it has been successful) but I just hope the more losses like this they have they'll realise they have to change. I mean, when was the last time Italy actually excited you? Mine was 1982, 3-2 vs Brazil, before that, probably 1970, 4-3 vs a knackered Germany. That's a long, long time between drinks.
The referee didn't help matters in this. Pedantic when he didn't have to be, he seemed unable to tell a genuine foul from a feigned one and missed so many shirt-pulls in crucial areas. Hiopefully his tournament is over too.
Good riddance Italy, you bore the pants off me.
Maybe it has something to do with the expectations of the public in Italy. Losing is a crime, to be avoided at all costs. Curious, because everything in Italian life just has to be "beautiful", with the exception of their national football team, who play with such conservative pragmatism.
Myself and Betters reprazented at the stadium. Dude who went down for Italy got given sht for the rest of the game.
Di Natale. . .. . the crowd's displeasure came accross loud and clear on the TV. Was still going when he stepped up to take his pen.
The Italians have gone, and I'm delighted. Their anti-football is a blight on the game. Cheating players throwing themselves to the ground and writhing in agony when they haven't been touched (OK, Spain played their part too), 10 men behind the ball at all times with one cart-horse up front, what a tedious footballing nation.
So true. Every Italian success hurts the game.
The problem for me is that they've got the talent to play the game so much more beautifully and they always have had. They are so locked in to the catenaccio mindset that they can't leave it behind (and sadly it has been successful) but I just hope the more losses like this they have they'll realise they have to change. I mean, when was the last time Italy actually excited you? Mine was 1982, 3-2 vs Brazil, before that, probably 1970, 4-3 vs a knackered Germany. That's a long, long time between drinks.
The referee didn't help matters in this. Pedantic when he didn't have to be, he seemed unable to tell a genuine foul from a feigned one and missed so many shirt-pulls in crucial areas. Hiopefully his tournament is over too.
Good riddance Italy, you bore the pants off me.
Maybe it has something to do with the expectations of the public in Italy. Losing is a crime, to be avoided at all costs. Curious, because everything in Italian life just has to be "beautiful", with the exception of their national football team, who play with such conservative pragmatism.
well Totti and Gilardino would help wouldn't they? Cannavaro would give a bit of shape to things also...those goals against Germany late in the last world cup were something...
Marius Lacatus said;
Maybe it has something to do with the expectations of the public in Italy. Losing is a crime, to be avoided at all costs. Curious, because everything in Italian life just has to be "beautiful", with the exception of their national football team, who play with such conservative pragmatism.
Everything has to be beautiful with the exception of Attilio Lombardo. Remember him? Played for Sampdoria/Crystal Palace among others. The world's only ugly Italian man.
But seriously, it seems as though the Italian media are calling for a change too. This from Soccernet;
"Fellow Corriere della Sera correspondent Alberto Costa also blasted Italy's lack of bite in attack, with none of the side's strikers finding the net during the tournament.
'Italy played a match of demoralising scarcity, resurrecting elements of the old Catenaccio that we thought had definitively disappeared from our repertoire,' Costa commented.
'Luca Toni showed he is in terrible physical shape. Stubborn Donadoni sank with him and he will soon pay the consequences.'
Whole article; http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=550386&cc=3436
TheJam2008-06-24 07:24:46
Its kind of a shame, as the Italians always have very attractive female fans
I'll disagree. I used to loathe Italy but nowadays I really enjoy watching them. Italy at their best are like a ruthless killing machine, the ultimate expression of footballing evolution. They can stifle the best opposition and then put them to the sword with a split second of genius. As martinb pointed out, that performance against Germany at the WC was superb, one of the best team displays I've ever seen.
Also I think criticism of Italy using play-acting to tactical advantage is absurd given that nearly every other team in world football does the same. If you watch the Italians closely they are definitely no nancy boys - they play a very physical game. That ugly little hound dog Gattuso is as hard as they come: I love watching that guy defend. He just never gives up.
I'll disagree. I used to loathe Italy but nowadays I really enjoy watching them. Italy at their best are like a ruthless killing machine, the ultimate expression of footballing evolution. They can stifle the best opposition and then put them to the sword with a split second of genius. As martinb pointed out, that performance against Germany at the WC was superb, one of the best team displays I've ever seen.
Also I think criticism of Italy using play-acting to tactical advantage is absurd given that nearly every other team in world football does the same. If you watch the Italians closely they are definitely no nancy boys - they play a very physical game. That ugly little hound dog Gattuso is as hard as they come: I love watching that guy defend. He just never gives up.
I knew someone would come out with the "tactical appreciation" bullsh*t. "The ultimate expression of footballing evolution" What bollocks. The Hungarian side of 1953-54, the Brazilians of 1970 and 1982, West Germany circa 1972-74, Holland 1974, that's "expression". And, yes, they play a "very physical game"; that's all they have in their psyche to actually do.
Saying you enjoy watching Italy is akin to saying you enjoy a day's sightseeing at the abattoir.
That Semi-final vs Germany was outstanding but that was the only victory with any real grace at that World Cup!!!
Watching Gattusso play is pathetic. The real class act in that team is Andrea Pirlo...pretty much the only class act...u may disagree tho coz ur likely to rate Donkey Luka Toni!!!
I used to love watching Italy play in 1990, 1994 and 1996...when they used to play with flair and attack. Since then they have been defensive and have been a bore.
I cant say that im not happy that this negative Azzuri side deserved nothing, but in years gone by Italian teams have brought alot to any major championships. They revert back to history, when things arent going there way, and they play this ultra defensive style. I knew that we were in for a crap, stalemate game when Dondadoni admitted in the pre match press confrence that the Itias, had been practising pens. I think he meant thats all they had been doing, Normally Italy have a couple of good finishers, but this time round, they didnt. They had there usal mean defence and keeper, as Italians get taught to defend like the Brazilains are taught to attack. But agree with most people on this one, that its much better for the comp that Spain won, as they have attacking players, and atleast they tried to win the game in the first 90.
That Semi-final vs Germany was outstanding but that was the only victory with any real grace at that World Cup!!!
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Their win over the Ukraine was pretty classy too.
I'll disagree. I used to loathe Italy but nowadays I really enjoy watching them. Italy at their best are like a ruthless killing machine, the ultimate expression of footballing evolution. They can stifle the best opposition and then put them to the sword with a split second of genius. As martinb pointed out, that performance against Germany at the WC was superb, one of the best team displays I've ever seen.
Also I think criticism of Italy using play-acting to tactical advantage is absurd given that nearly every other team in world football does the same. If you watch the Italians closely they are definitely no nancy boys - they play a very physical game. That ugly little hound dog Gattuso is as hard as they come: I love watching that guy defend. He just never gives up.
I knew someone would come out with the "tactical appreciation" bullsh*t. "The ultimate expression of footballing evolution" What bollocks. The Hungarian side of 1953-54, the Brazilians of 1970 and 1982, West Germany circa 1972-74, Holland 1974, that's "expression". And, yes, they play a "very physical game"; that's all they have in their psyche to actually do.
Saying you enjoy watching Italy is akin to saying you enjoy a day's sightseeing at the abattoir.
Funny you should say that: I actually did go sightseeing in an abattoir once and while taking a photo nearly fell down a trapdoor in the rendering plant. It was ugly in there but not as ugly as watching the likes of England limp their way through yet another failed Cup campaign playing dreary, insipid, passionless football. The Italians have a huge passion for the game, and a self-belief that the Poms have long forgotten. I'm not assuming you're an England supporter - just using them as an example of a team many of us feel we should support, being the 'mother country', that utimately lacks the aggressive will to win. Sure, I want to see pretty passing and attacking play but that doesn't mean we should overlook all the other qualities that produce great world champion teams.
As for the other teams you mention, they were brilliant in their own ways... well, I do remember watching Holland in '78 and they lacked the killer instinct for all their beautiful game, while the '82 Brazilians were beaten fair and square in the WC semi-final by the better team...
That Semi-final vs Germany was outstanding but that was the only victory with any real grace at that World Cup!!!
Watching Gattusso play is pathetic. The real class act in that team is Andrea Pirlo...pretty much the only class act...u may disagree tho coz ur likely to rate Donkey Luka Toni!!!
I used to love watching Italy play in 1990, 1994 and 1996...when they used to play with flair and attack. Since then they have been defensive and have been a bore.
yeh Pirlo was out for the last game I think? so if you add him Totti, Gilardino and Cannavaro...well you got something more entertaining...
I remember Toni first shot at the cup which thundered into the bar and he hasn't done anything for country since...except score from a few offside positions...but he still got in the tournament team at the lsat world cup I think...
Funny you should say that: I actually did go sightseeing in an abattoir once and while taking a photo nearly fell down a trapdoor in the rendering plant. It was ugly in there but not as ugly as watching the likes of England limp their way through yet another failed Cup campaign playing dreary, insipid, passionless football. The Italians have a huge passion for the game, and a self-belief that the Poms have long forgotten. I'm not assuming you're an England supporter - just using them as an example of a team many of us feel we should support, being the 'mother country', that utimately lacks the aggressive will to win. Sure, I want to see pretty passing and attacking play but that doesn't mean we should overlook all the other qualities that produce great world champion teams.
As for the other teams you mention, they were brilliant in their own ways... well, I do remember watching Holland in '78 and they lacked the killer instinct for all their beautiful game, while the '82 Brazilians were beaten fair and square in the WC semi-final by the better team...
I am an England fan and have been for years; I hold dual citizenship - NZ and UK. But I can't argue with what you say about them, it's ben a long time since England thrilled me; Euro 96 vs Holland. I wouldn't say passionless, but insipid and dreary are generally fair enough.
And I can't argue about your comment about the '82 Brazilians, Italy deserved that win, and, as I said, it was probably the last time Italy really did it for me.
Also, that game wasn't the semi (Italy beat Poland in the semi (2-0 from memory)). The game was the last of the second group stage, effectively a quarter-final.