ricky is a legend
he obviously told the boys not to go in for tackles in 2nd half so the italians couldnt dive
then took of fallon because every time he jumped got a foul against him
utter genius
but notice after we stopped tackling them so they couldn't dive they looked lost. didn't know what to do...
I agree 100%. Despite what we've all been saying about ourselves "Do NOT underestimate us", Italy clearly didnt take that advice. They had no game plan thinking they could just walk away with a win. They probably took a drama class or two before hand, thats about it.
I actually think you are running the AW's down by thinking this. I think the Italians had done their homework as the amount of Yellow cards the AW's got goes to prove. They knew we would try and get the ball to our big guys, and the constant grappling and then falling over clutching chests/faces etc during challenges to get the free kick, get the ref to reach in his pocket goes to show, get the AW's frustrated so they'd make mistakes.
They had a lot of attempts and balls in, it's not like they were not trying like England the other day. They simply could not break down the stunning defense and when they did Paston was there with the save.
They threw everything at the AW's. The AW's were equal to it. The AW's kept them out on the wings and the fullbacks were equal to it. Italy looked dangerous only when they made space in the middle. Lippi is no fool, I don't think he took NZ lightly at all.
The AW's ran them pretty close in that friendly remember?
ForteanTimes2010-06-21 04:58:47