World Cup Group E: Italy vs Ghana [P + R]

[theo]

What a great game!
Toni has been simply awesome, that right foot volley that shook the crossbar was class, and he played with Ghana's defender all the match. Gilardino was pretty average for the number of balls he got, kind of useless. Cannavaro and Nesta were both great, no mistakes by any of them, but the wing backs were kind of useless, if Zambrotta and Oddo would have played togheter it would have been a totally different story. Our midfield was great, De Rossi and Perrotta did their job as always, Pirlo delivered some good balls to the forwards, not to mention the goal and Totti was good too, he had about 3 flick-ons over Ghana's defenders for Toni (plus his powerful free-kick that almost went in). By the way, Camo deserves a mentioning, he was really active when he came in and had some good actions. Entertaining match, Ghana have to improve on their finishing or else they're doomed.

By the way, anybody got a video of Fratelli d'Italia being sang by the players & fans? I found one but it's just the end of the anthem .

 

[Yossarian]

A very SerieA-esque game this was (in a good way) I thought that the Italians for once combined their quality defence/midfield and forwards really well. A very expansive and creative attitude by them.

Now for the Ghanaians.........wow. I knew next to nothing about this team's playing style before this match so I was pleasantly surprised at their technical quality and tactical awareness for the most part. They play very much like you'd expect the Italians to play in that they string together 5-6 passes in a row under pressure minus that extra quality needed in making that 20+ yard dissecting pass or delivering a cross on the run accurately. They frustrate and excite at the same time in that they'll establish a great build up with intricate passing and spacing from their own half and then it'll just fizzle out so plainly because they're lacking that one extra magical and imaginative touch.



They clearly don't have that dynamic game changing forward that is common with most African sides, but apart from that, I think they've been one of the most solid African sides to participate in the WorldCup in some time.

 

[theo]

Extended highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8uI9_KOyPE&search=Italy Ghana

 

[Moratti1]

nice effort by Ghana, but the result is definitely just. Italy outplayed the strong African side, especially in the first half... I loved the way they played wonderful position and going from inside, then outside then crossing it into the big men up front.. Toni will be a man to reckon with this world cup... I also like the fact that they continue to press even after scoring... Yes, they became a bit more defensive in the second half but they counter wonderfuly. De Rossi played OK, but he didn't have that intimidation presence as would Gattuso in the midfield... Ghana played very physical and Gattuso probably would of laid somebody out in the middle. Zambrotta still has to come back as well so Italy has room for improvement even after this great and well deserved result. Also their depth in awesome... When you have Del Pierro, Iaquenta and inzahgi (Ugly YES! but a pure finisher for sure) it allows Lippi to trust his subs. Dpeth will help in the later phases.

To be honest, this group could be over come this Saturday with a win by Czech and Italy and the top 2 seeds will be decided. Then it's all a matter of who gets first and second which is important because of the potential second round matchup, Brazil vs ? I'd watch out for Croatia in that group though, normally a strong world cup team that can surprise.

 

[El Diablo Rojo]

I told you this wasn't going to be an easy task, but Italy shown class and they earned the victory, i believe it's well deserved, probably Ghana should've deserved a goal but well they did a good game though, hopefully they won't get down and will be the starrings of more good matches.

 

[henry#14]

Wow, good performance by Italy. DeRossi was f*cking superb.

 

[Pizarro14]

Wow, good performance by Italy. DeRossi was f*cking superb.

are you sure you were watching the same game? De Rossi was ok at best. He just needs more experience. The players who impressed me was the 2 CB's, Pirlo, Toni, Totti, and Buffon (even thou he didn't save much he read all the attacks from Ghana)

 

[jim]

Very entertaining game. Not too happy how the Italians took the foot of the gas midway through the second half. Dangerous habit when you have a one goal lead. Toni was electric, linking up with Totti and Gila, really showing his class. I was relieved when Iaquinta killed off the game but it does mean that Lippi will most likely reward him with more playing time over the course of the tournament.

 

[jani]

the 2 CB's?!?!

thats how you credit NESTA AND CANNAVARO?

 

[ForzaNerrazurri]

De Rossi would have done even better if he didn't get cautioned so early in the game. Sort of hindered what he could and couldn't do.

 

[jani]

can anyone give me a link to the Nesta backheel?

 

[Internazionale]

impressive, impressive play by Italy. Lippi is certainly a suitable coach for this team. Some new players since Lippi taking charge certainly will bring a new hope for Italy if they can keep up playing like this.

Congrats Italia !

 

[Luis Ah-Hoy]

Italia and Germany playing some of the most entertaining and convincing football... Brazil, England and Portugal playing boringly... the game has changed a bit, no doubt!

 

[SlowSilver]

And you base this on the opening game?

This was one game. Everytime has a bad game once in a while you know. Brazil don't play like this very often and you actually call them boring?

 

[Luis Ah-Hoy]

And you base this on the opening game?

This was one game. Everytime has a bad game once in a while you know. Brazil don't play like this very often and you actually call them boring?

I'm actually just referring to the opening games... I'm not generalizing to the entire WC campaign... I'm just talking about what I've seen so far!

It's just that, Italy and Germany really playing some attacking and pretty football at the opening matches... and Italy, for instance, had a great contest against Ghana (who proved to be a very tough team)... but Italy didn't abdicate to attack and the players strived and ran for the entire game, unlike Portugal, England and Brazil... but of course, i'm not generalizing... these teams will certainly improve their performances, as the tournament advances.... I was just being a bit sarcastic...