Toni’s a menace, but Pirlo delivers.

strongest performance in the opening game of a tournament in my memory. Italy were the best team I have seen in the competition so far, and I think they can get better.

I thought Pirlo showed his quality all night, even without the goal. He won a lot of ball in the defensive third, kept possession and distributed well. Hopefully, this was a sign that he is back to his best.

Unfortunately de Rossi was taken out of the game early with that yellow card. He couldn’t play his usually imposing game. Although, he did flash in for a few troubling headers, even if they were off target.

Toni was dangerous all night and an absolute handful. How the ref didn’t give any cards for the tackles he was enduring all night is beyond me though. Very unlucky not to score, but he looked a bit off on the finishing. That shot off the crossbar was so hard it shook the tv at the bar.

I really liked Grosso on the right. He was solid all night, he sprung forward a few times and probably even should have scored, although I wished he had squared for Toni who was completely unmarked.

I thought Perotta did well, but he really should have scored at least once, if not twice. That was a bold move by Lippi to put him out there instead of Camo.

Overall, I think the team played some excellent football for stretches, counter-attacked well, avoided playing the longball by opting to build up BUT I think they packed it in too early. I thought after Totti went off (should have been a card but the ref didn’t even call a foul) they decided to sit back and just counter. I wished they continued to push forward more. But most of the possession Ghana had was not very dangerous with most of their shots coming from distance. I did think they were a little lucky not to have a penalty awarded for the de Rossi push, but it wasn’t entirely clear.

I also thought Essien was excellent, but only because the ref allowed him to elbow and shove all match. If he had been given an early yellow like de Rossi, he would have played entirely different. As it were, the ref allowed him to continue and he took advantage like any good player would.

Back to the drawing board for the US match…

Posted from  United States

I’m fanatically pleased with this performance from gli azzuri. Let’s face it, we don’t have the best record of getting off to a blazing start in the World Cup, and this was an extremely tough test. I think that Lippi did so well to push for the second goal even though we were leading 1-0 and Ghana was playing rough (perhaps thuggish) throughout the middle of the park.

Pirlo was magnificent – the goal was brilliant but perhaps overshadowed by his cagy defense and visionary through balls. Totti as well was very nearly his old self in the middle third. He was dangerous every time the ball was at his feet. Nesta and Cannavaro, needless to say, were splendid in the final third. No other defender in this cup has instincts like Nesta. Not Terry, not Puyol, not anyone. He’s in a class of his own.

I’m personally still puzzled as to why Lippi started Perotta over Camoranesi, who I think adds such a spark to the Italian side – he’s creative with the ball and dogged behind the ball. I love his stuff.

Here are my player ratings:

Buffon: 7 – was hardly tested
Zaccardo: 7
Cannavaro: 8
Nesta: 9
Grosso: 7
Perotta: 6.5
Pirlo: 9
De Rossi: 7.5
Totti: 8
Toni: 8 – unlucky
Gilardino: 7.5

Iaquinta: 7.5
Del Piero: 6 – not long enough to tell
Camoranesi: 7.5 – great energy

Posted from  United Kingdom

I think Perrotta did a great job, really impressed by him

Posted from  Italy

All in all, it was a good match. Ghana was strong and fast, as expected, but we countered everything they threw at us (elbows included). Oh – and How bad did Luca Toni want a goal? He made the defender’s life miserable all night; I wish he had a goal to show for it.

There are only two things I think we should watch out for:
1) Theatrics… As an Azzurri fan, I was disappointed to see some of the rolling on the ground in “pain” everytime we were fouled. Granted, we WERE fouled, but I really think the writhing in pain thing has to go unless it’s real. It just looks bad.
2) Thank God Ghana’s shooting was terrible, because there were a few defensive breakdowns that made my heart skip a beat. We’re usually so solid back there; this was scary.

Posted from  United States

The best thing about Italy is that is playing like a T-E-A-M !!!
no matter who is going to be on the field there will be always something happening .. all of this because of Lippi he always coached this way and there will be many surprises for everyone .

Posted from  United States

just to comment on the “no foul” before where de rossi elegidally pushed the ghanian player, as replays will show that was a dive, and thats the only reason why he didnt call anything. remember when iaquinta was fouled after the offside call that no one heard…they had to put the guy on a stretcher after that crap tackle…its a damn good thing a penalty shot wasnt given to ghana

Posted from  Canada

I am happy that we came away with 3 points, but we need to cut down on some of the defensive lapses if we want to go far. A team with better finishing than Ghana very well could have had a couple goals. Off of defensive lapses. Giving away those yellows on the tackles from behind was not a good sign.

Of course, we should’ve had something like 5 goals ourselves, but alas, finishing! A couple times we should’ve looked for that one extra pass before shooting a powerful but direct shot at the keeper.

Kingston WAS very good today. Definitely kept Ghana in the game.

All in all, a solid opening victory. We flashed much technical ability, created good chances, and got 3 points. If we improve as the tournament goes on, like we normally do, this team will certainly go far.

Posted from  United States

Also, I’m really regretting not putting 20$ on the 9/1 odds that Pirlo would be first scorer for us! Rats! Won’t find those odds again.

Posted from  United States

I thought de rossi fouled in the box, lets be honest. No foul on Iaquinta struck to me as a make up “no call”. The ref lost control of the match.

Posted from  Canada

I know I must seem biased and likely am, but I do not think that De Rossi fouled in the box at all. Anyone that has played a substantial amount of football (particularly televised or videotaped) knows that instant replays do no justice to what happened on the field. Players use their hands all the time. If you instant replayed every tackle in the match, just about all of them would potentially look like fouls. It’s just part of the game. And as for Ghana’s second penalty appeal, they are simply lucky that they weren’t carded for simulation.

That said, I agree with Vin. It’s a bit embarrassing how some of our players (so many teams do it) writhe around on the ground in “pain” after relatively innocuous challenges. I was, however, happy to see that Totti didn’t do it much today – until, of course, he went off injured, but that was certainly real pain!

Posted from  United Kingdom

Azzurri! Azzurri!, What a game it was. I am happy not because we’ve won, but we beat a very tough and worthy opponent. Now, I can say the Azzurri is strong and can beat any team. If this game was against a mediocre opponenet I would have certainly asked few questions. As for Ghana I did not expect the team to be this strong watch out USA and Czech-Rep. All the way to the final I am certain now. Fabio Canavaro, my man of the match. Forza Azzurri.

Posted from  United States

A very good performance overall by the Azzurri..

Some people here mentioned defence breakdown??? I’m really not sure what you’re talking about…There was only one opportunity in the first when a Ghanian defender came up and then ballooned the ball over the bar…Ghana were never able to penetrate the Italian defence at all!!! I agree that the Brazilian ref was lenient with the Ghanians on fouls..Kuffour’s foul should have definitely been a yellow even if the play was offside…As for De rossi, I think there was a little nudge but the Ghanian did also lunge himself forward so it looked worse in replays that it really is…I don’t think it was a clear cut penalty..

Posted from  Lebanon

Actually, i don’t understand why so many people i know fancy Italy for this world cup. Most of their players are really quite unproven
in the big international/european stages. Apart from the central defenders, Pirlo and Totti the rest is all unproven. Even Gilardino has
something to prove after only playing second fiddle to Schevchenko and Inzaghi. One thing Italy has is height. They’re probably the
tallest team in the tournament. Credit, therefore, to Cannavaro, who can manage to stay on the lineup as a midget compared to everybody
around him.
The positioning and organization were of course brilliant. Italy’s always is.
Personally, i wish they had managed a goal that did not come from a defensive mistake. Because Pirlo’s one also was. The defenders
fell asleep.
Shame about Totti’s injury. I am not sure it was intentional, though. More one of those things that happen, only rather not to you.
Most impressive player was Toni. Strong, quick, hardworking, skilled, deserved a goal. And deserved the ovation.
Another great thing about this Italian team is the decency in hair length. After championships where most players looked like girls, they
finally decided for a men’s team. Although Cammoranesi’s introduction did not improve the situation.

Although the game was not played in bad spirits, there were a lot of pretty bad fouls. We could, maybe should, have seen some red
cards.With Kuffour’s on Iaquinta as number one! And needless as well!

Posted from  Netherlands

I think people fancy Italy because of results like Italy 3- Netherlands 1.

I think 2-0 was a fair indication of the game, though you’re correct in sayin that it was a shame our best efforts did not go in (Toni’s crossbar rattler, Perrotta’s saved volley, Toni’s half second late getting to the early cross).

As for defense, it was not poor. But against better finishers, Buffon would’ve had to sweat a lot more. Germany or Czech definitely would’ve put away one or two of the chances that Ghana sent into the stands.

Posted from  United States

What a start!! It makes such a change to see the Azzurri win their first game, or not having to fight like mad in the dying minutes. I pray that they will get better and better.

I’ve been more worried about the USA game then the Czech Republic – but after last nights performance maybe they have finally learnt their lesson in taking the underdogs more seriously.

What a joy to watch, in perticular Nesta, Pirlo & Toni.

Italia! Italia!

Posted from  United Kingdom

Italy did good , though i expected much more , Ghana was’nt an easy team as far as i was watching , good play , but final excutionz are bad when it comes to Ghana..
but goo go gooo Azzurri …

what a game! i’m loving every moment of this WC.

Posted from  India

I am proud by how the African teams are performing in the middle of the field. However soccer is won by scoring, which Africa is not doing. Maybe in world cup of 2010, they will have learned how to score.

Joe, you’re right. They are very athletic and where that counts most is in the midfield (a la Essien), but scoring is more of an art, one which they need to perfect. Future knockout rounds of the world cup will be populated with African teams, for sure, with the advent of soccer schools and training infrastructures that will help them gain the polish of the best European sides.

Posted from  United Kingdom

‘Tis a good thing Ghana had trouble scoring… They had 2 or 3 unmarked opportunities right in front of the goal, which were the only defensive lapses I saw for the Azzurri, but they would have been definite goals for a better team. Very nice to see such an aggressive attack working for the boys in blue. Toni was great up front. I was a little disappointed in the 2 or 3 plays where he was wide open in the middle but his mates decided to try a shot at a tougher angle rather than pass it to him. Totti sent a lot more one-touch long balls forward then I’m used to, but the overall movement upfront was very fluid and fun to watch. Should be an interesting game next Saturday with the Americans having everything to prove and Italy looking to add points.

Posted from  United States

From an unbiased outsider in Mexico:
1) Italy REALLY is a serious contender for the Cup. They showed it yesterday.
2) It comes as no surprise; however, the way Italy played WAS surprising. Nothing to do with other boring games in the past. Thus, it was the best match so far, thanks mainly to the way Italy proposed it.
3) In all honesty, there was a clar push to Asamoa that should’ve been a penalty call. You can see the arms of the Italian defender (Rossi?) pushing Asamoa.
4) On the other hand, Asamoa clearly dived a couple of minutes later, so the referee should’ve shown him a yellow card.
5) The Ghanian defender should’ve been expelled OF THE TOURNAMENT because of that foul over Iaquinta, more so because it was dead time.
6) If it wasn´t for Kingson, Italy would’ve scored 4 or 5 more goals… though that’s what GK are for, ain’t it?
6) Congratulations Azurri. A wonderful start.

Posted from  Mexico

super play by us italians, not a slow start this year thank god, lippi has got the team right this year alot of youngsters with the experience of totti and canavarro and buffon,we look strong this is our year, toni impressed me very much a strong player that can hold the ball well,totti should b okay lippi took him of to be cautious, we are definitly going to win this year were playin good football,we havent lost for 18 games b4 the world cup,and our pay makers totti and pirlo look in fine form, ITALIA ITALIA ITALIA

Posted from  United Kingdom

I totally agree with the Dutch guy who posted about decency. At long last Italian players look like men, not sissies.

Nobody is a bigger Azzuri fan than myself, however, after the game vs the USA on saturday i took my car flag down due to embarassment. I dont understand why year after year, Italy puts themselves into the situations they do. They have the natural talent and chemistry to beat all their group teams (espeecially this year) if they would stop diving and stop worrying about the referee’s calls. They should play the game, stay on their feet and keep their mouths shut and i would be willing to bet they can and would go all the way. I hope they sit down as a team this week and watch the relpay of that game vs America and see how rediculous they looked. I wish them the best of luck in the tourneament and i hope they make some necessary changes so they can show what they are capable of.

Paul
Ontario

Posted from  Canada