WHat was the determining factor in the Italian victory. They were not the most talented team in the tournament. No Italy Haters please but feel free to give your opinion on how it should have gone or what you don't think went right.
2006-08-16 04:16:55 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football ➔ FIFA World Cup (TM)
several things helped italy win...
an incredible coach who knew the strengths and weaknesses of the team and knew what combination of players worked the best with each other.
a great captain that really helped bring the team together to play as one ridiculous force, rather than a bunch of individual players.
amazing defense that was practically inpenetrable for so many teams they played against.
great penalty kicks.
the ability to take advantage of the opposing team's weakness...example: germany vs italy....germany really let their guard down because they were literally 2 minutes away from penalty kicks. italy saw this moment of weakness and took full advantage by making two of the most amazing goals i have seen in this world cup.
2006-08-16 04:36:57 · answer #1 · answered by Lola P 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
I suppose the obvious answer would be Zinedine Zidane!! but lets break it down...
Italy progressed through the group stages relatively easily but they certainly weren't in the most difficult groups in the first place. They could have quite easily gone out in the knockout stages against Australia when Materazzi was sent off but more importantly Italy were awarded a penalty that wasn't one in the last minute - had they not have got that penalty Italy would probably gone out as the Aussies were giving a big fight and looked the better team in the latter stages of the game.
Against the Germans the last desperate attempts paid off in the 2 goals to get them into the final - again the Germans were impressive up until that point and deserved to win that game. The final is well documented already, in short France get awarded a penalty that isn't one (justice for the Aussies some might say!), Materazzi equalises has his spat with Zidane, Zidane gets sent off, Italy win on penalties so Materazzi was the man of the match and made the difference!
Add on top the match fixing/betting allegations/scandal going on Italy before the World Cup - the Italian team had more than a point to prove. When your back is against the wall, you either hide in a corner and hope it goes away or you come back fighting. The squad pulled together and became stronger - their belief and will to win more than anything got them through games.
Before the World Cup, many were saying Brazil, Argentina, Germany and even England were favourites to win and practically ignored France and Italy and these so called "favourites" proved there were not super forces and made mistakes. The biggest disapointment would have to be England as they never really got started and put in any good performances. France were written off before the tournament before it even started as old has beens brought out of retirement -again in the face of adversity, they pulled together with fighting spirit. They really believed they would win the World Cup which is one of reasons they got in the final (the other is Zidane!).
You could be cynical and say it was reported that before the game Italian players Cannavaro and co had said in the press conference before the final that they would have to take out Henry and Zidane and intended on doing that - Henry took a knock to the head leaving him dazed (Cannavaro) and provoking Zidane (Materazzi) resulted in the headbutt. Zidane is well known to most of the Italian coach Lippi (his coach at Juventus) and the other players especially previous Juventus teammates Zambrotta, Inzaghi and Del Pierro so they would know how to wind him up and really get to him - remember this is a guy with 14 red cards who has shown a bad side to his character on occasions and Italy were well aware that he was their best player and key to the whole game so it would be advantageous to get him off the field. That may sound a bit harsh but it can be seen as reason as to why Italy were successful on the day.
The last point is they had Lady Luck on their side and no matter how good or bad a team you are - you always need luck!
2006-08-16 04:58:10 · answer #2 · answered by Keira 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Italy has great secret weapons like del piero, inzaghi and i think something like camaronessi. They also had a great goalie and with luck france beat brazil, the number one team in the world cup. and they also beat portugal, a tough competeter this year. And with the help of Materazzi and his yo mama disses they got Zidane out of the game. Zidane and Henry were the two best penalty shooters France had but they were both out of the game by penalty shootout time.
2006-08-16 05:20:20 · answer #3 · answered by Ace 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Italy played very well ..obviously..their defensive work ethic was second to none..man on man marking etc.
France were the better team (skill wise) but alas, age gets to everyone..their average age was 7 years older than that of the Italians...but Italy played very doggedly nothing fancy just plain hard work in all sections of the ground.
P.S. Good question by the way!
Adrian.T.
2006-08-16 04:54:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Cannavaro and Buffon only conceeded once..and that's an own goal.
Uber-midfield of Gattuso, Pirlo and Totti, playing like a monster midfielder,
A little bit of Grosso and Del Piero magic.
Different styles of strikers...and no big names,
But the main factor is the maestro..Marcello Lippi. They are the most talented team, just not on the striker department.
2006-08-16 04:53:07 · answer #5 · answered by Onny 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Honestly, it was their improvement in shoot out skills, was long overdue, They always have ties (great defence) but lost it in shootouts. The fact Zidane got ejected meant nothing. What were the odds of them scoring with only 10 minutes of play in extra time, when all they could muster all game was a penalty kick with the cheapest dive I have ever seen
2006-08-16 22:12:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well..u are right on how they werent the best team in the tournament! because the United States did not do very good in the tournament but they tied Italy....so i think it was all luck for Italy
2006-08-16 16:38:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Skill, the brick wall that was the Italian defense, and determination.
2006-08-16 08:50:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think all the teams were talented. But, Italy just has that awseome team-work, defence, foward,midfeilders,goalie, captain and coach
2006-08-16 05:50:46 · answer #9 · answered by s m 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think their strategy of cheating and provoking helped Italy win the WC 2006.Plus that day Italy had some luck and had a cheat like Matarazzi on their side who only knows to insult great players .Italy won coz these days injustice reign over justice.
France should have won it coz they played fair with true sportsmen like Zidane.
2006-08-16 04:28:11 · answer #10 · answered by lil_angel 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋