Has Italy had the easiest path to the Final in the history of the sport?

Question

the only world class team they faced so far is th US (and we're clearly outplayed in that game)....no Spain, no Argentina, no Brazil...

Answer 1

Hmmmm........ suspicious, I wonder if it's connected in any way to the way they 'play' their domestic game in the style of Juventus:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/europe/2006-07-04-juventus-capello-resigns_x.htm?csp=34

That and they cheated once again to get a win over Australia with one of the softest penalty decisions I've ever seen in my life

Answer 2

Although they are much better now than they were 10 years ago and nowhere near a top side, the US is probably the easiest team the Italians have faced. Which you could take as an example of how the Italians have had a particularly difficult path to the final. Brazil have been nothing more than average, going out to the first well organised team with real midfield quality and would have lost to any top European side in the state they were in. Spain and Argentina looked good, but no better than the Italians did last night.

Answer 3

Ah, there's a football genius amongst us. What joy. Now, let's see, remind me again how many times the US has won the world cup before? Oh yes, never. How many international competitions between the Americas have they won? Oh yes, none. How many world class players do they have...nonw. The list goes on, but no doubt someone so clearly aware of the sport as you gets the idea, I am sure.

There's no point in repeating all the results/statistics others have posted here since they speak for themselves. But, I would like to add one thing: you assume that football is all to do with the players on the pitch. You are wrong. It is centred on and FOR the fans, the real fans. The USA has its fans for sure, but, they are (as a group) very few, since soccer is a relatively 'new' game in the US played by girls more than boys. Plus, if you are a real fan of the sport (and I would say from your narrow-minded comments, you are not), then you would know it is the spirit that lives in the hearts of REAL fans that help teams achieve their victories.

I hope you are NOT indicative of the opinion of those in the US who are interested in this sport, because, if you and your bitter and pointless complaining are anything to go by, fans in the US will never know what it is to see your national team beating the cup favourites and making it to the final of the World Cup.

Final point: I am an Irishman, and my national team never qualifies for the World Cup (we are only 4 million people, so, this is not a surprise), but I am married to an Italian. The country of Italy has suffered greatly these past 6 years or so (and if you do not know what I am talking about, shame on you!), and I recall saying to my wife before the competition began. 'I wish for Italy or Argentina to win, because, after all their sufferings, their countries deserve something good to happen'.

Last night, the streets all around our house (we live near the Swiss/Italin border) were full of wonderful people, embracing, kissing, shouting with joy unrtil 2am. The first really good thing to happen to this country for years and years. I ask only this of you Sir, please do not let your inability to deal with your own losses take away from this joy.

I wish you well.

Answer 4

Please be a little rational and explain to me why do you think it's an easy path .

- Their group is truly the Group of Death . This is the group of death, not Group C .

- They ranked behind USA and Czech on FIFA Ranking

- Czech beat USA 3-0 . Italy beat Czech 2-0 .

- Italy 2-0 over Ghana , Ghana 2-1 over USA .

- Italy haven't concede a goal in 6 games . That lone goal playing against USA was an own goal .

- Italy has 1 of the best Goalie in the World , 1 of the best central defender , 3,4 world class strikers , 2 play makers in Totti in Pirlo .


I don't care if they play a defensive minded style as long it's effective , soon many Countries will copy-cat their style to be success , look how Greece won the Euro 2000 !!
And please understand the "law of average" , Italy has been suffered so much in the last 4 WCs ... it is about time for them to win .

Answer 5

dont be daft. THe only class team was the US?
Germany were favoroutes to win after Brazil went out and Italy had a good game against them last night.
They def look the best side in the tournamenrt so far.
England had the easiest run out of everyone but we totally messed it up.

Answer 6

You said it! "We're clearly outplayed in that game" -- passive voice! ;-)

Italy beat the Czech Republic, who are #2 in the official FIFA World Ranking. They may not be in actuality, but still, they have world class players like Nedved (former Golden Ball) or Janculovski. Ghana wasn't that bad at all. They played good games, even against the mighty Brazil (it doesn't matter if they lost, they showed they weren't afraid). Ukraine were at their first World cup, but they counted on a world class player, Shevchenko (former Golden Ball, too).

Maybe when the USA have a world class player like Shevchenko or Nedved, you can ask your question again ;-)

Answer 7

umm hello? have you not been watching? even if italy had been playing easy teams (which they weren't) does it really matter who they play as long as they play well? italy has had to play some of the best teams in the world, czech republic was #2 in ranking, u.s was #5, australia was obviously pretty good seeing as they didn't totally get their butts kicked against brazil like the rest of the group did, and germany was not only highly ranked coming into the tournament but narrowly lost to brazil in the finals of the world cup four years ago. plus, germany has one of the world's best keepers and has the majority of the fans on their side because of the home country advantage.

Answer 8

they played some very hard teams Ghana, USA and the Czechs in the groups that isn't an easy group to get out of the aussies are a hard team o beat aswell after all they did hold them until injury time ukraine are maybe the easiest but still hard and every one expected Germany to get the final i think france will win it over all though.

Answer 9

who was the worldclass team? lol
sorry to burst your bubble but the usa isnt a world class side. who is your best player? you dont have a kaka, raul, rooney , ronaldo or even a park ji sung.
i do agree though italy has had the easiest ever even cheating past the aussies. germany was world class but they had an easy way to the final in 2002.

Answer 10

Are u serious? U call the US team as a 'world class' team?Come on...Germany is a world class team but, Italy were the better team yesterday.

Answer 11

well they dint have easiest path..

if u remeber there group had

Czech Republic ranked 2 by FIFA..
USA ranked 5 by FIFA
Ghana played some really awesome football

so getting through such a group itself is a big deal..

and then Australia is a tough team to beat on their day..
and now they did the ultimate


Beating Host Nation ..
Amazing.. they are going for the Cup..and truly deserve it..