[WC] Italy vs France [09.07.2006] (18 Viewers)

[Sicilian Juve]

Mainly the second, he's ruined his own world cup adventure himself. Skillwise, enough central midfielders on the pitch who offer the same (and more) on the pitch already.

I agree.

 

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[giovanotti]

dont know if this has been posted before but.......
New record at hand for Buffon
Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon has kept his goal intact for 453 minutes at the FIFA World Cup, putting him fifth in the all-time ranking for unbeaten goalkeepers.

A clean sheet over the 90 minutes of Sunday’s Final will see Buffon – last beaten in the 27th minute of Italy's second group game against the USA when Cristian Zaccardo put through his own net - establish a new FIFA World Cup record.

The current record is held by another Italian, Walter Zenga, who went 517 minutes without conceding a goal at Italia 90, going five matches unbeaten before Argentina's Claudio Caniggia scored in the 67th minute of the semi-final. Italy’s run to Sunday’s Final has extended their remarkable run of FIFA World Cup matches without defeat on European soil (excluding penalty shoot-outs) to 25. Their last reverse came in Germany in 1974, when the Azzurri were beaten 2-1 by Poland.

Meanwhile, the World Cup Final in Berlin on Sunday will be Fabio Cannavaro’s 100th cap for Italy. It puts the current Azzurri captain third in the list of all-time Italian internationals, behind Paolo Maldini, who won 125 caps, and another goalkeeper, Dino Zoff, with 112.

Great news about our Buffon!!!

 

[giovanotti]

Six key contests that could decide the final




BERLIN, July 7 (Reuters) - Six individual contests that could be the key to deciding Sunday's World Cup final between Italy and France:

FABIO CANNAVARO v THIERRY HENRY

Exactly what the World Cup final should be about -- a supreme defender and captain doing everything he can to shackle the tournament's most naturally talented forward, who will need to use all his sublime skills to find a way through.

Cannavaro has been immense, leading by example and organising a defence that has been pierced only by an own goal.

His reading of the game, anticipation and pace leave him in his work, his vast experience helps him stay calm even in the most heated exchanges while his athleticism means he is rarely beaten in the air despite being just 1.75 metres tall.

He faces the ultimate test in his 100th international in the form of the brooding brilliance of Henry, who scored the winner against Brazil in the quarter-finals and earned the penalty that beat Portugal in the semi-finals.

Henry's pace, delicate touch and vision mark him as a special striker and the battle for an inch of space inside the penalty area should be engrossing.


ZINEDINE ZIDANE v GENNARO GATTUSO

Zidane may be dreaming of a fairytale finale to his career but Beauty and the Beast might not be the story that he wanted to go out on.

This contest between the stylish creator and the dedicated destroyer is football in a microcosm and could be hugely important in deciding the outcome.

Zidane has improved with every round so he is now bestriding the pitch with almost all the majesty and arrogant superiority he displayed in inspiring France to their 1998 success.

He is the perfect target for Gattuso, a terrier of a midfielder who is massively committed, a brilliant tackler and tireless worker in front of the back four. Gattuso will revel in tracking Zidane's every move and making his presence felt.

Zidane knows there will not get a second's peace from the AC Milan workhorse and will need all his special tricks to get away from him.


FRANCESCO TOTTI v CLAUDE MAKELELE

The same battle in reverse as France's midfield bulwark bids to prevent Totti weaving his magic behind striker Luca Toni.

Totti has shown only glimpses of his best form at this tournament but is a high class operator whose passing opens gaps others do not even consider.

Makelele will seek to cut off those passes at source as he continues in a role he has trademarked -- the undemonstrative, hyper-efficient defensive midfielder who hoovers up loose balls and moves them on to more creative team mates.


ANDREA PIRLO v PATRICK VIEIRA

Pirlo has risen to the occasion and he peaked in the semi-final when his umpteenth probing pass finally opened up the German defence to set up Fabio Grosso for the breakthrough goal.

He likes to sit at the heart of midfield and spray passes short and long and one of Vieira's many tasks will be to pressurise him into missing his targets.

After a quiet season for Juventus, Vieira is now flourishing and when freed from his usual destructive duties might have Pirlo doing some chasing of his own having twice found the net.


GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA v ERIC ABIDAL

Zambrotta lines up at right back but has spent so much of this tournament on the attack that he could be called a winger.

Superb stamina allows him to make endless overlapping forays and once in the danger area his delivery is usually good -- he set up Luca Toni for Italy's third goal against Ukraine after opening the scoring himself.

France will hope Florent Malouda forces Zambrotta to concentrate on his defensive role but when he does break it will fall to the impressive Eric Abidal to keep him in check.


FRANCK RIBERY v FABIO GROSSO

Ribery began the tournament having never started a game for France but finishes it as an automatic choice and his side's productive source of attacking ammunition.

He has grabbed his opportunity, playing as an old-fashioned winger, happy with the ball at his feet and prepared to take on his fullback at pace and deliver a series of crosses.

Italy will want to ensure he does not get in behind them and will throw midfielder Simone Perrotta in his path with the long-legged Grosso ready to provide a second barrier.

Reuters

One thing is for sure: Zambro will own Abidal.

 

[giovanotti]

you forgot one



DEL PIERO v BARTHEZ

May the greater man win

 

[Stephan]

Desailly on France

By Marcel Desailly
1998 World Cup winner with France


My friend Zinedine Zidane is about to play the last game of his career in the final of the World Cup. Can you imagine how motivated he will be?

And the rest of the team will be eager to give him the World Cup as a parting gift. It is a great motivation for France.

As in 2002 and 2004, we started the competition slowly and Zidane almost had to end his career in a bad way.


He was suspended for the final group game against Togo and the team had to win to be sure of progress.

When they did, Zidane realised he had to enjoy the tournament and play in a more relaxed and free way.

And against Spain, there was an explosion. Finally the players were confident, and if players have quality and you add confidence, they can be unstoppable.

I'm a bit disappointed about Italy. They don't really deserve to be in the World Cup final because they have shown only 45 minutes of good football, in the second half of their semi-final against Germany.

But they are there. They've had a lot of problems back home and have stuck together and kept a good rhythm, without being really convincing.

The final is going to be a real battle - a tactical and a physical battle. The two teams have such experience.

My only worry is that Italy will score quickly. If they do, it will be very difficult for France and the game could be killed as a spectacle.

There have been rumours that some of France's senior players, and not coach Raymond Domenech, have been running the team.

Not so. If it was true, Zidane would have his wish of playing behind two strikers as a real playmaker, not as a deep-lying forward.

And Thierry Henry would not accept playing alone up front. He would want to be running off a target man.

Actually, Domenech is holding things together very well. This is a real team and they stuck together when they were having problems.

People also said Zidane was upset with Domenech - but it wasn't true.

Zidane is a champion. Early on he decided he was going to concentrate on his work so he could be at the top of his game.

Then, when he was at the top of his performance, he could talk, smile and be positive again.

And that's exactly what he's done. But people interpreted it in a different way.

----

 

[giovanotti]

Hey Stephan,I lost the link you posted about voting for the player of the tornament...Can you post it again ,please?

 

[Brixity]

Everyone is killa motivated - Its gonna be a cracker

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

It's a FIFA World Cup Final. it's obviously gonna be tough for both teams. i doubt we'll have a mammoth scoreline in the end. the way i see it, a moment of brilliance will separate teh teams. and if that doesnt occur, then it's penalties.

 

[Sicilian Juve]

Italy has got to win this match. I can't handle another loss to France. Forza Azzurri!

 

[swag]

----

Desailly on France

By Marcel Desailly
1998 World Cup winner with France
....
I'm a bit disappointed about Italy. They don't really deserve to be in the World Cup final because they have shown only 45 minutes of good football, in the second half of their semi-final against Germany.

But they are there. They've had a lot of problems back home and have stuck together and kept a good rhythm, without being really convincing.

He hasn't watched many France matches in this WC apparently.

 

[Stephan]

Hey Stephan,I lost the link you posted about voting for the player of the tornament...Can you post it again ,please?

this?

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/gball/index.html

 

[Elvin]

Desailly is a jackass :groan:

 

[giovanotti]

this?

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/gball/index.html

Yes,this is it...thanx ,mate.

 

[CORVETTE]

Hey Stephan can u put the link which have what that stuped Desailly said ?

and thanx

 

[Espectro]

De Rossi role for Final?

There are reports that Daniele De Rossi could replace Mauro Camoranesi in the World Cup Final against France.

The Roma youngster’s four-match ban has now expired and he is available for the showdown in Berlin’s Olympiastadion. He had impressed during the first two games of the competition, but was suspended after elbowing Brian McBride in an ill-tempered 1-1 draw with the USA.

With Camoranesi the weak link in the 2-0 extra time semi-final victory over hosts Germany, it’s rumoured that De Rossi could make a triumphant return to the line-up for the Final. Today’s training session was behind closed doors, but it’s believed Coach Marcello Lippi alternated Camoranesi and De Rossi in the first choice midfield.

He will turn 23 on July 24 and only made his senior international debut in a 2-1 win over Norway on September 4, 2004, notching up three goals in 17 appearances.

The French will be without suspended striker Louis Saha, while Fabien Barthez, Florent Malouda, Eric Abidal, Willy Sagnol and Juventus midfielder Patrick Vieira skipped training this afternoon.

Channel4.com

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You got to be kidding me!!!!:wth: :ferocious

 

[Gep]

Like it! Let the boy slap the french midfield a bit before getting taken off (Before he gets sent off) GRRRRRRR! Get em boy. LOL

 

[Morra10]

i cant believe canna is that low on peoples list for the golden ball. 6% of the people think he deserves it

 

[Gep]

He hasn't watched many France matches in this WC apparently.

Exactly! Silly boy.

 

[Gep]

i cant believe canna is that low on peoples list for the golden ball. 6% of the people think he deserves it

They like there attackers to get the award. Buffons like been the best keeper for like the last 5years. Wheres his recognition!? If your the best in the world in your position why dont you get what you deserve? Remember when Ronaldo got world player 2002/03 i think? after playing only 14matches that year.

 

[giovanotti]

i cant believe canna is that low on peoples list for the golden ball. 6% of the people think he deserves it

Attackers or the big names such is Zizou are more attractive...