The approach to the game was awful, and certainly we paid the price of playing well against ghana. If anything the result that ghana had against czehs should have been a wake up call. Nevertheless its understandble that the opposition were certainly more fiery than us in the opening 20 minutes or so. This prevented us from settling into the game by the italian style, we couldnt play much technical football as the americans started to use aggression and tempo in their game. The early lead for me was quite much of a suprise nevertheless the own goal we conceded.. I really dont blame zaccardo too much, I think it was down to experience.. he will learn although that does seem to have cost us a lot. At the same time it was quite unfortunate for him especially as he misjudged teh ball and the funny thing is it hit his back leg and somehow diverted back into the net. I really think there is a lot to learn from this match and to a certain extent its really good that we faced a timid time rather than just cruise through the group. De Rossis sending off was fully deserved and IMO he deserved whatever ban he gets. I support italy, but these romanistas seriously do have attitude problems. We shouldnt feel too supportive for rossi, as that may just spark a similar reaction from him again, with his mentor being totti, all I can say is no wonder..
Gattuso's sub for Totti was definetly a good tactical approach from lippi, and in my eyes lippi certainly doesnt deserve the stick he is getting, on the pitch he did almost everything he could do.. but only thing he does have to be blamed for is the match approach. The other subtitutions were well thought off too and to be honest as much as the amricans may feel hard hearted about referring I must say Italy suffered there own especially from the linesman.. I could say out of the 10 or 11 offsides produced there were atleast 4 or 5 that were clearly onside.. it was a frustating day for the forwards in which they couldnt take much shots. Ive seen a lot of praise been passed to DP, and its understandble afterall this is a juve forum.. however IMO DP was as poor as the rest of them and certainly hardly did anything apart from testing out kasey. Whenever he had the ball you expect more from him simply because his a dribbler, but to be honest I hardly saw him dribble. The whole point of bringing him on was down to experience and his ability to provide. However there really wasnt any balls provided.
The Iaquintas move IMO was also positive but to be honest he was poor too, and really should lippi be blamed for the actual sub or rather the players too.. Starting with zambro was certainly positive but he didnt at all seem upto his himself.. and maybe there was a lil rush into bringing him back to the lineup. I know many of the critics will actually bounce on this opportunity and question why on earth he was actually brought to the line up in the first place.. but once again I think lippi made the best move, I certainly doubt grosso would have made the best of difference and if anything this match will certainly help zambros fitness against czech.
I wont bother with ratings and rather Ill just name the players who I believe that did make an effort and they were, Gattuso, Nesta and Perrota. The rest were either below par, poor or horrible.
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