Lippi:
"We weren't very lucky, as once again the first time our opponents put the ball in the box, they scored”.
“Pepe did different things from what I had requested of him, so I changed."
Montolivo:
“I don't think it's an issue about the strikers or the team mentality, though we should all attack more and get more shots away with the midfielders pushing up,”
Iaquinta:
“It's a shame, New Zealand defended very well and got almost all the headers in the box."
Zambrotta:
“We played a good game, conceding in the only real scoring opportunity from our opponents. We gave everything we had to win the game, creating so many chances and it just didn't go well.”
Criscito:
“We should've played the ball to feet and would have created many more chances that way, but instead the 'keeper had all the crosses under control.”
De Rossi:
"We spent the entire match in their half and so far in this World Cup conceded two from free kicks.”
Pepe:
“I didn't think I was playing badly, but perhaps you can see different things on the field. It's not a disaster. Italy go out to win the games, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.”
Cannavaro:
“It is a coincidence. Today that free kick took a deflection, it landed on me and looking back it was a little offside. We work well on the defence and they tend to score at the first opportunity. Apart from that goal, there was only one team that tried to score and play football, as New Zealand sat back in defence. We hit the upright and forced four or five important saves. It is frustrating when you dominate and take the initiative throughout, yet cannot win the match.”
Gilardino:
“All too often I find myself playing with my back to the goal and my position penalises my performance.”
Marchisio:
“At the World Cup many of our players are not in their usual positions because the Coach is performing many experiments.”