2006-06-12 12:41:07 · 10 answers · asked by dudes222 1 in Sports ➔ Football ➔ FIFA World Cup (TM)
They really were wonderful, Italian defences are supposed to be water tight so that is not a surprise. But what impressed me most was the imagination they showed upfront. I think at one point even the left back Grosso got a shot on goal ! Toni & Gilardino really combined brilliantly up front. And Ghana was athletic & fast, however I think they were done in by poor finishing & inexperience. Though I still feel that in midfield Italy needed to put in more challenges, I think Gattuso , Comoranesi & Pirlo will make the best combination. Also in the next match Zambrotta will be back giving more stability to the defence. Last WC Italy also won the first match 2-0 against Ecuador, the difference this time is the amount of chances they created. They also played a neat passing game. And the best thing was that the goals were scored by a midfielder & a substitute ! And its not that the forwards were bad they were brilliant ! This is the best thing at least now they are not looking up to one man to score like it happened with Vieri. And we still happen to have Del piero & Inzaghi in bench. It does look good. But I think most important will be to beat the Czechs , it wont be easy. The CZechs were brilliant against USA, they were scary in the way they dominated. It wont be easy......
2006-06-12 17:20:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Italy looked like one of the strongest teams so far. Italy seems to have underachieved recently (2002 WC and Euro 2004), and they tend to sit back and defend a 1-0 lead, so it was nice to see them get the second goal. I've really been impressed with the smaller nations so far at this World Cup, but Italy seems to have handled this game pretty well.
2006-06-12 20:49:58 · answer #2 · answered by lodar011 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The truth is Italy was impressive and I think they are stronger than I anticipated. In friendly play, they were held to a goalless draw against Ukraine. That tended to lower my expectations of their chances. However, they took on a very young, athletic, and skillfull African side and proved again who the Azzurri really are. Of course, there was not much pressure on them, but they showed their offensive capabilities anyway converting offense to defense very effectively. Italy has always been known for their defense, and reinforced their defensive prowess with the clean sheet for Buffon. What is more impressive is their offensive play.
Totti showed he is getting back to form with a brilliant shot and an assist. Iaquinta played exceptionally well, drawing fouls left and right and creating chances while Luca Toni showed that he can be clever up front and merely needs touches to be dangerous. It is unfortunate none of his brilliant chances resulted in a goal. Also, Gilardino was active as well.The fact that Italy's attackers were so effective today only means good things. And while against more established sides like Holland they would have a rougher time, they are likely to outdo any attacking side with their counterattack with their wide options and strikers.
As for the defense. The only concern is de Rossi's play in the box. He could have easily been called for fouls inside the box and led to two penalty kicks for Ghana. Other than that, they were excellent. All clean tackles all the way. I think had halftime they only had 2 fouls. That was an amazing statistic considering that Ghana had 12 fouls and Italy was still tied with Ghana for percentage of total possession.
Therefore, overall, Italy was impressive. Don't underestimate Ghana as an opponent. I think they're going to be hard to play against for the US and that should convince that Italy's 2 - 0 victory was legitimately worthy of commendation. And remember, Italy can only get better as the tournament progresses with the recovery of their players, among whom is the general himself, Totti.
2006-06-12 20:39:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think italy did great ;-) i've always been a big italy fan, and today it was outstanding .. I mean ghana played well and they had a great goalie but we still manages to win 2 - 0.
I just want to see them play against a stronger team, cause i want the world to see how good italy is
*Forza Italia*
2006-06-12 19:49:26 · answer #4 · answered by ☆Princess NonO☆ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi..Italy hmmmmmmm......I really don't like them as a team..Ghana did so well!!!!, Great Stamina, really gave Italy the run a round...There should of been a penalty for Ghana in the second half....Bad referring
2006-06-12 20:53:10 · answer #5 · answered by DJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good performance good result this could have been tricky , Italy usually start slowly so this is a major improvement , cant see anybody giving us any problems until at least the semi finals and then who knows , i expect to win and today has only given me more belief that we will
2006-06-12 19:49:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always like Italy,I didn't get to see the game but I hear they won. Brasil is the best though! :)
2006-06-12 19:43:45 · answer #7 · answered by Lana 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thought they played well for their first game, ghana were weaker than i expected thou so at times made it easy for the italians to create chances
2006-06-12 19:45:50 · answer #8 · answered by Paulymart 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are dangerous, but they're hurt by lots of injuries. Hope Totti can return
2006-06-12 20:11:01 · answer #9 · answered by 21questions 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GOOD DEFENCE!
2006-06-12 19:45:34 · answer #10 · answered by jjulytza 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋