That’s a Pretty Damn Good Start

August 7th, 2008 | by: Julian |

Italy 3- Honduras 0

Text write up here.
Video highlights here.
Now I’m not going to lie to you guys. I didn’t watch the game live. I would’ve loved to, but there’s no way I could get up at the crack of dawn and not fall asleep during the match. I hope the next match is a bit later but knowing how group stages usually work, I’m gonna guess it’ll be at the same time. Maybe I can go to bed early and get up early for it. It’s on August 10th and against Korea.

But just because I didn’t see it doesn’t mean I can’t write about it. From reading your guy’s comments down below, reading write ups from other sites, and watching the vid above, it looks like we had a flying start to the game, before slowing down a bit in the latter stages (more on that in a sec). Giovinco was apparently rampant, and considering he was paired with Rossi and Acqua it was only a matter of time before we starting scoring. And yeah, only one goal was from open play-the other 2 were penalties-but now we know that there’s nothing to worry about it one of the post-group stage matches goes on to PKs.

So from what I saw/read, we played well. Giovinco’s opener was an absolute scorcher, and the two penalties were both decently taken. Honduras actually had a penalty awarded to them (Damn, was it Free-Penalty-Giveaway-Day in Beijing?) but whoever took it for them-No I don’t know their names and quite frankly, I don’t really care-blasted it over the bar. See, now maybe if he made it, I would know his name. But nope, he missed.

The one thing that did kind of irk me is that we sat back after we went up 3-0. It’s a smart strategy on one hand (Why push forward and risk conceding a goal at the back?) but I hope the only reason we sat back is because we had a 3 goal cushion. I’m not a fan of teams sitting back when they’re only 1 or 2 goals ahead. That’s just too damn dangerous.

Good performances from Giovinco and Viviano in particular. Rossi and Acqua also got on the scoresheet, with both of them scoring penalties. For anyone who missed the game, here’s the write up courtesy of channel4 (Link above):

“Italy eased past Honduras 3-0 in their Olympic opener courtesy of two penalties and a goal from a sensational Sebastian Giovinco.

There had been fears over the fitness of Villarreal star Giuseppe Rossi, but he was fit to start while overage hitman Tommaso Rocchi pulled out with a calf problem.

Cagliari striker Robert Acquafresca stepped in to partner Rossi with Juventus ace Sebastian Giovinco playing just behind the front two.

After just two minutes, Italy had a glorious chance to make the perfect start to the competition.

The Honduran offside trap failed and Giovinco’s angled ball reached Acquafresca who went through on goal but he could only drill his effort straight at goalkeeper Kevin Hernandez.

Brescia goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano did well to stop a vicious drive from Luis Rodas and moments later Salvatore Bocchetti had to be alert to stop Carlos Pavon.

Giovinco was on typically inspirational form and his cross found Rossi, via Acquafresca, but the ex-Parma man’s header flew over the bar.

Just after the half-hour mark Giovinco fed Acquafresca and the 20-year-old surprised everyone by hitting a shot first time from 20 yards, forcing Hernandez to divert the ball around the post.

And it was Giovinco who broke the deadlock with a beautiful strike from 25 metres that flew in under the bar to set Italy’s campaign alight.

Honduras looked rattled and almost immediately from the restart Quiarol Arzu used his hand in the box and the referee awarded Italy a penalty.

Rossi stepped up and coolly converted past the stationary ‘keeper to make it 2-0 at the break.

Italy started the second period full of confidence and Hernandez had to deny Rossi after 49 minutes.

And it was 3-0 from the penalty spot after Acquafresca was taken down by ‘keeper Hernandez and picked himself up to blast fiercely home.

Rossi was replaced by Torino new boy Ignazio Abate and the substitute immediately had a chance but he was closed down by Erick Norales.

Luca Cigarini brought gasps from the crowd when he blasted a blistering free-kick from 35 yards out and it skimmed the bar.

Honduras had their best chance of the game when Norales hit from just outside the box, but Viviano wasn’t troubled.

Abate was full of running and his low cross nearly found Acquafresca.

Casiraghi’s men eased off late on and allowed Honduras to have the majority of the possession.

Giovinco received a rousing ovation when he was replaced by Juventus teammate Claudio Marchisio with 12 minutes left – he had been the Azzurri’s key figure.

Viviano had to make an excellent diving save to deny Ramon Nunez and a minute later Honduras had a penalty.

Emil Martinez was clattered clumsily by Lorenzo De Silvestri but Pavon blazed the spot-kick over the bar.

Honduras were pushing forward and Viviano pushed an effort from former Udinese man Samuel Caballero over the bar.

But Italy took the three points and now face Korea on August 10.”

Overall, an excellent start for us. How did our gold medal rivals do? Brazil was playing like crap apparently, and even Argentina seemed to struggle and didn’t win by as big a scoreline. We play again on the 10th against Korea. I’ll have a preview up for that one of these days.

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Michel-Olivier

2 penalties(looks like fresh water was shot behind the back), “damn good start”

don’t worry all the teams played bad today.
Jeff

Seems like we are off to a pretty good start. We can’t get to cocky though it was only the first game against a team none of us seemed to know to much about.
il divin codino

Hands down for the atomic ant.
http://italy.worldcupblog.org/ Julian

From fifa.com:
”
“Giovinco plays at an incredible level. He’s one of those players who really stand out and can turn a game any time they are out on the pitch. He is a future Roberto Baggio or Giancarlo Antognoni. He has a great future ahead of him and will achieve great things in the Italian league,” Honduras coach, Gilberto Yearwood, speaking about Sebastian Giovinco.”
Michel-Olivier

the only players that show quality today is
giovinco
messi
de guzman
gervinho
de silvestri
Bobo

Well Julian, I’m not a fan of teams sitting back on leads either, but we have to remember that the game was done and dusted once the third goal was scored. Why exert yourselves in 98% humidity just to pad a goal differential or complete your dominance over the game? As fans, we expect our team to be spectacular from start to finish, but what Italy did in the second half from a tactical standpoint makes perfect sense — we want to win, but looking good while doing it isn’t really on our top 10 list IMO. Also, our much maligned defense did indeed hold up under assault, which should make all of us feel much better about the latter stages of this tournament.

Brazil didn’t deserve to win their game and neither did Argentina (who controlled the game for the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes only). So much for our future Gold and Silver medalists…

P.S. I wonder how Rossi’s injury affected his play. He was never really in the game.
il divin codino

Michel, i believe De slvestri played very bad.
tito

I just watched the game here: http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=1002257&channelcode=sportfb

I think the superlatives for the Italian side are a bit overblown. They looked good, but Honduras is no powerhouse. Korea will be a more telling test as their physicality and tempo can cause us some difficulty.
Bobo

Having watched the game again, I’ve nearly done a complete 180 on my assessment of the match.

Is it just me, or did we play pretty badly against a pretty weak side? There was no linking up between midfield and forwards (the Rossi – Giovinco connection didn’t show up AT ALL in this match) and Acquafresca looks like he dived for the second penalty although there was minimal contact.

Overall, this game was of far lower quality than say, the Ivory Coast – Argentina game. I almost wish I hadn’t watched it again, because now I’m feeling much more apprehensive for the next two games, which won’t be against the whipping boys of the group.
Antonio

I think we played well.

We were a little bit “off” at times, but those three up front….mamma mia. That will be THE BEST striker combo in the world. As for Giovinco, there’s not much to say. He is the next, “Worlds Greatest Player”, that is easy to see.

We have SO MUCH TALENT. It really is amazing. We will be fine.
Bobo

I doubt Acquafresca will play a huge part on the Azzurri, the spot is Balotelli’s if he wants it.

I was really disappointed in Rossi. Seemed rather ordinary out there and was showed up in a huge way by Giovinco.
il divin codino

Balotelli will take the spot of acquafresca. As for Rossi, it seems he was not in good conditions for the match. Anyway, fear not, Italy will sail past Korea. One more think may we must remind that this Italy ( without Montolivo, rossi, acquafresca) side won 2 x 0 against Ivory Coast.
Nina

At some points in the game we played poorly and gave way the ball too easily.Before the tournament,I had more concerns with our defense, but after watching the game, it was our midfield that truly sucked. Also a lot of us are forgetting the fact that the penalty awarded to Acqaufresca was fishy, at least imo. I think Casiraghi should have selected Osvaldo instead of Acqaufresca, he was not effective at all. Rossi wasn’t himself either,but I can only guess that has something to do with his recent injury.Don’t know about a gold medal with that kinda of performance.
Nina

il divin, true, but this Ivorian side looked like they dusted themselves a bit, they out played Argentina with all their star power.
Bobo

I was really hoping that Rossi would have a breakout Olympic tournament, but it seems that his back problems have thrown a wrench in those plans. I think Giovinco is a hugely special talent, but I’ve always been convinced that Rossi was at least on par with him and it’s been frustrating to see Giovinco turning in consistently good performances while Rossi tends to go in and out of games. I just have the feeling that he’s capable of so much more and that something about this team doesn’t really bring out the strongly creative aspect of his game. His only contributions that I can recall are one off-target header, an on-target strike that was saved, and one scored penalty kick.
http://italy.worldcupblog.org/ Julian

Well there’s a couple of things to keep in mind when talking about today’s performance.

One, the temperature. It was 98% humidity- not exactly comfortable playing conditions.

Two, it was the first game in the tourney. Italy are notorious for being slow starters and picking up momentum along the way.

Three, we won. We scored 3 goals and are at the top of the table and that’s what really counts
ricci

I thought for the first half our midfield was pretty great. Montolivo was getting up and down, playing great 2 way calcio. Nocerino played well also. The only disappointment for me in midfield was Cigarini. He seemed absent and also made a few iffy passes. He should probably be dropped for Marchisio who I think holds possession better.

Acquafresca impressed me also. Good turning and shooting, creating chances for himself. Something we’ve been lacking in a big man.
Bobo

The problem with Acquafresca though is that he’s a little too slow to take advantage of the chances that he creates. He also goes for some pretty spectacular shots that wouldn’t go in the net 9 times out of 10.
kat

I liked the Bocchetti/Criscito centerback duo as well. Solid pair. I hope Bocchetti’s injury isn’t too serious. Can’t say the same for the fullbacks, though. De Silvestri has got to work on his first touch.

Cigarini was a bit of let down. He never got into the game and didn’t really click with the other two midfielders either. I’d rather see Dessena or Marchisio in his place but Casiraghi seems to prefer him and Abate.
Bobo

I think Cigarini looked out of place because he and Montolivo pretty much have the same roles (distributing the ball) and the same defensive weaknesses. I don’t think he got the ball nearly as much as Montolivo did.

As far as De Silvestri goes, he was definitely underwhelming. Did he always have trouble controlling the ball? Because he’s of an age now where it might be difficult to refine such basic technique.
Nina

I’d like to see Dessena playing for the next game.