Tuesday, 10th June 2008
Italy's nightmare start
The Italy we saw against Holland was very different from the Italy which won the World Cup in 2006. The team was rarely in the game, the coach managed to get all his decisions wrong, the players were weak and basically, those who like me support Italy, are in for a tough summer. In fact I don’t know what the easiest way of being humiliated is; i.e. not to qualify (like the English) or play as the Italians did against Holland.
If the performance of Italy against Holland is the showcase of what Italy can do best, then all Italians and their supporters are in for suffering. I don’t recall such a humiliation in any competitive match at this level.
Van Basten’s boys gave a wonderful performance. The second goal of the match was a true example of perfect football. Van Der Saar seems to be still enjoying the grace he was blessed with during the Champions League Final against Chelsea. His save on Pirlo’s free-kick (the one which preceded the Dutch third goal) is a clear example of what I refer to.
Donadoni’s choices proved to be extremely bad. How can one leave Del Piero on the bench? On the other hand, Van Basten presented a team which was perfect for more than 70% of the match.
Apart from the disaster on the pitch, there was also another major difference in Italy’s performance. I refer to the post-match resoluteness. It is a fact that the first goal of the Dutch was not regular. The referee decided that the fact that the position of Christian Panucci, off-the-pitch, kept Van Nistelroy on-side and thus the first goal was allowed. Had it been in other times, Italy would have put all the blame on the referee and that incident (I still think that the referee should be sent home). This time round, Italy took responsibility for the disaster and in pure Italian elegance Gianluigi Buffon, who is replacing Cannavaro as captain, asked for forgiveness.
There is a lot that needs to be done, if Italy is to move on in the tournament. Nothing is lost yet but typically of Italy things got complicated so much that must win their next match against Romania.
Italy’s nightmare started… Holland can start to dream.
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Comments
Why are the italians lucky? You wanted Holland not to play to their max so that Romania would have won? Is that luck or unsportive?
Well done Italy and Holland. Marco Van Basten was a gentleman in the pitch and is also outside,
it is written in article 11
if a player is off play outside he still counts in
it makes sense because if not players will run out the pitch instead off moving up to trap the opponents offside
The results in Turkey - Czech Republic, or Holland - France, or Croatia - Germany show the beauty of the sport, not Italy -Romania.
While I do not hide that Italy have not played well, one must agree that mistakes like flagging an inexistent offside have a great impact on the game: this is not a 38-match league, where mistakes pro or con might cancel each other out.
Overall, the refereeing standard (or should I say linesmen?) has been quite poor. Cue:
- offsides not flagged in Italy-Holland and Poland-Austria
- players onside being flagged in Italy-Romania, Portugal - Switzerland, Holland - Italy (to the detriment of Holland)
- harsh decisions: Romania penalty vs Italy (come on! if that was a penalty then we would have seen 4 in th Itlay game alone!), Schweinsteiger being sent off for "touching" his Croatian opponent (a bad case of acting)
- lenient decisons: anyone saw Ferreira's foul on Behrami in Portugal - Switzerland??
Oh well, may the best club win: Surely Holland, Spain or Portugal!
Comunque sempre Forza Azzurri!
in 1978 world cup which holland won 2-1 and reached the final
in 2000 euro which ended 0-0 but italy went on penalties
and in euro 2008 which holland won 3-0
the other meeting were just friendlies
Such results show the beauty of this sport. We cannot expect the same teams to always win or loose. Otherwise it will be a boring sport. The Italian team is not at its best. Maybe they did not have the right preparation or else they need fresh blood in their rankings.
Starting the first match with Milan's midfield was not the right choice however we must also not forget the outstanding performance of the Dutch team. Holland reconfirmed their form against France. We can keep on arguing and commenting about the game for ever but let's stop and enjoy this European football festival and accept whatever result and may the best team wins.
Jose'
Joe, indeed. The referee admitted that he was wrong in disallowing Luca Toni's goal. Guess what was UEFA's reaction? UEFA said that the referee did the right decision in allowing the goal. What is even worse, is the fact that UEFA has decided to award the referee for being 'right' in his decision and for being honest by admitting his fault. The prize is a one-way return flight to his home.
I am seeing too much paralells with the 2002 World Cup.
Jes
P.S. Toni's goal was not offside ( but who cares for Italy?)
P,S,S, Grande Chiello!!!
While, Italy's nightmare continues, the Dutch's dream is evolving itself into a reality. The Holland is playing wonderful football and have positioned themselves as the favourites for the final victory.
Jes
If I am not mistaken if an attacking player is in an offside position but does not interfere with play (according to the the ref's judgement ?) he is considered ONSIDE. Panucci was well outside the field of play, on the floor with no sign of getting up - he had just been hit on the head (shouldn't play have been stopped?). The ref judged him in play because he hadn't asked for the ref's permission to leave the pitch U HALLUNA
It’s not just an issue of pessimism. As per the criticism towards Donadoni’s choices I strongly believe that the coach (who I like) made a crucial mistake by trying to adapt the MILAN’s midfield style and at the same time ignoring two crucial elements. Gattuso, Ambrosini and Pirlo didn’t have their best season. Gattuso, Ambro and Pirlo, in the Milan’s model, are aided by a certain Kaka and at times by Seedorf. The flair in the pitch comes from Kaka and Seedorf (together with Pirlo). As such Donadoni should have used Del Piero and/or Cassano to assist Pirlo. One can’t expect Ambrosini or Gattuso to do a Kaka or Seedorf kind of role. Del Piero could.
@ J. Caruana
I still believe that UEFA said what it said, to cover the referee’s mistake. Re Domenech’s comments, for once, I find his words worth the air space they occupy.
I never said that Italy didn't deserve to lose. Holland won a well deserved match. You referred to the fact that the Swiss didn't deserve to loose. I think that even Russia lost undeservedly. However it's part of the game...and like the Champions League has shown, it is not always the case that the best team win or the worst loose.
Noted. Yet when you sleep, eat and think football, such things go beyond the 'only football' approach.
@ J Farrugia
Thanks for your reminder that it's a sport blog.
My commentary tends to be inspired by what hits the headlines. At the moment it's Euro 2008 and football. In the past there was reference to F1, Tennis, Water Polo, Sailing, Athletics and P1.
Unfortunately, the only comments that come on 'other sports' are your reminders, which I appreciate too.
However If you have any additional recommendations, I invite you to send me an email (like other commentators do) on jes.on.sport@live.com.
I didn't even mention about the regularity of the first goal. If those are the rules (what rules?) then I agree with the referee for convalidating that goal. (Even the Dutch were surprised about the goal)I am sure you knew this rule. As French coach Domench said I hope that the supporters behind the goalposts won't keep the players in the game and not offside next time.
P.S. - With or wothout the english I see no difference. Usually they are home early and my grandpa remembers them winning something ( although Hurst's goal didn't pass the line yet!)
In my opinion, Panucci, an experienced defender, knew that he was not going to be able to get up quick. If one notices the replays, Buffon (and not Kuyt) pushed him on the back and he went down with his hands on his face.
In my opinion, before the 3-0 and Van der Sar's spectacular save on Pirlo's free-kick, if TONI had scored that lob, then the result would have been 2-1, with 15 minutes remaining and the Dutch tiring down, today we would have been speaking about Italy's 2-2 comeback and the tone of your article would have been different.
The Italian journalists are playing the DO-YOUR-FORMATION GAME. I don't agree with them (wara kullhadd bravu). The only blame I give to Donadoni is that 2-0 down at half-time, he should have substituted two players straight away from the dressing room to show the Dutch that now there is a different approach and leave the third one for any unexpected injuries.
Why the fuss cause Italy lost ?Switzerland did not deserve to loose.
That is football.The Referee had no blame in the goal.If one should be sent home its the Assistant Referee BUT I think you should read the statement issued by UEFA on the goal being allowed.It was a a good decision.So check out the laws of the game(FIFA).
So far we had good football(pity about the English not being present) all round with good Refereeing,the stadiums were all full with colourful fans and most important no incidents.
Great news for CFC in appointing Scolari,good choice I think.
Don't be too pesimistic. Yes ok we played badly but we are still very much in chance to pass the group (thanks also to the draw between France and Romania). We now have to beat Romania at all costs and then even a draw against FRance can do (if France dont win against Holland).
And I think it is much better to be in the tournament UNLIKE the english. At least we have one flag (with FOUR stars on it). They have the English flag (which is nice and tidy in the shelves since 1966..nispera li ghamlu il bocci tal kamla), a Holland Flag, a Romanian Flag and a French Flag (which was bought 2 years ago in vain). So it must have cost them a fortune!!!
After all only 2 years passed from our last world cup ( 4 in all), so if others did wait 42 years (and a minimun of another 2 years), we can cope with this summer even if we don't win the euro.
So cheer up Jes and let's think on the less fortunate.