Show Your Colors!

May 12th, 2006 | By: Jay | 6 Comments »

We’ve had some people posting lately with passionate and frustrated comments…and I must say, its not exactly a time of great pride for fans of calcio. Inter fans hung a banner in the Curva Nord that said ”Mezza coppetta non vi restituira’ dignità” (half a cup doesn’t restore dignity) after the Coppa win. Bianconeri supporters have avoided the Delle Alpi in droves for most of the last few seasons (and yes, its big, its dull….its hard to get to. All true.) The Milanistas among us still seem grumpy over that night in Istanbul. And of course, there is Lo Scandalo.
So I’m calling everybody out, asking them to show their colors, so to speak…and giving everyone three perfectly good reasons to be excited about Italy’s chances In Germany. Put away those bitter pills and here goes…

1. Italy’s three World Cup triumphs have all occured on European soil (Roma, Paris, and Madrid). I believe Brazil in ‘58 were the only non-European side to win it all in a European host country. So traditionally, the European sides have done well in Europe. Right now you’d have to say Holland is the only other European team in the same time zone as Italy. France and Germany have too many questions, England have a lot of injuries, and Spain is well, Spain; the national side isn’t their country’s greatest source of inspiration.

2. Confidence. So often we could see it in their eyes…waiting for the dodgy ref’s call, waiting for someone to head a sure goal over the bar (no, we’re not implying anything Christian, why do you ask?). This lot lost Totti and didn’t miss a beat. They struggled and scuffled through qualifying and turned it around. They’re not going to panic. No chance.

3. Quality strike force and a ‘trident’ attack. Yes, historically its been the Azzurri who peg a striker up front, hope the midfield does its job by clogging things up or attacking off the counter and then shutting the game down, but not this time. A cheap goal won’t doom this squad. They’ve got guile (Inzaghi and Del Piero), strength (Toni) and imagination (Totti). If they get beaten, it will be simply because the opposition is superior and it won’t be by a 1-nil scoreline, I’ll guarantee that.

Tags: Azzurri, Italy

Italy World Cup RSS Feed

Comments

By rinaldo | May 13th, 2006 at 2:05 am

yeah!

Posted from India

By Zantheman | May 13th, 2006 at 7:58 am

Hi Jay, I also like a European’s teams chances to win ( and Italy are a good choice along with possible long shots croatia or serbia- they have great defenses and remind me of the Greek team that won the Euro cup) . Italy has better offense this time around but it is their midfield that worries me. Totti is their best creative midfielder and he is coming off a serious injury. Their midfield is defensively and tactically sound but can they create enough chances to beat defensively sound teams, and outplay midfields like Brazil and Argentina. Italy relies heavily on defense and the counterattack and this has garnered them some success but it has laso come back to nip them in the butt. They cannot allow teams to outshoot them and win the ball control battle. In the past it seems Italy always had to come from behind and scratch and claw to qualify from their group. I hope that they play a bit more offensive minded this time and take the games to the other teams. If Italy changes their philosophy from ” play not to lose and hope to squeak by” to ” play to win !” then they have a chance. P.s The cup will be going to a european team as the winners since 66 (I believe) have alternated between europe and South America and since Brazil won last time it’s a Europeans team this time.

Posted from Canada

By Matt Rosati | May 13th, 2006 at 10:53 am

Wat r u talkin bout Italy has great midfield! They got Totti and the fiery Gattuso and playmaker Pirlo with an amazing Camoranesi who plays with heart. They also got a young De Rossi who has proven he could crack the starting line up.

Posted from Canada

By Vin | May 13th, 2006 at 11:33 am

Italy does now have more depth up front than they have in the past, but anything can happen in the World Cup. Remember how many upsets there were in ‘02?

We just have to keep our eyes on the cup and not let any peripheral drama ruin our focus.

I hope and pray for only two things: 1) Italy wins the World Cup, and 2) If Italy doesn’t win, somebody crushes Brazil. There are plenty of teams that we need our revenge against, and Brazil is at the top of the list.

Posted from United States

By sticky | May 13th, 2006 at 2:57 pm

What number will Inzaghi have for the World Cup? I want to personalise my italy jersey. Any help appreciated. cheers sticky Email me.

Posted from United States

By Zero | May 13th, 2006 at 4:04 pm

Until the team is not officialized (should be May 16) I think nobody could know what number will have Inzaghi. He’s probably not in the starting eleven so teorically he should not have a nuber that goes form 2 to 11

Posted from Italy