South Africa 2010

From Berlin to Cape Town: Italy does not give up and DeRossi ties

Città del Capo 14/06/2010

 From Berlin to Cape Town, four years later.  The field says that the World Champion Italian team exists, it is alive and knows how to play football with determination.  In Germany, the long road towards the title had begun with a win against Ghana 2-0, in South Africa, at the Green Point Stadium, under the pouring rain and a slippery field, the road starts with a tie against Paraguay:  in the first half the goal on a header by Alcaraz, in the second half goal by Daniele De Rossi.
“These are matches to win” said Lippi at the end of the match. But Italy is no longer worrying, Italy is ready.  Now a little more convinced in their mind and body, the National team will have six days of time to prepare for the match against New Zealand.
The head coach starts off with a 4-2-3-1 with six World Champions on the field:  Buffon as goalkeeper, on defense Zambrotta on the right, Cannavaro-Chiellini in the middle, on the left Criscito, in front De Rossi and Montolivo, with Pepe and Iaquinta on the touches and Marchisio right behind the up front forward, Gilardino.
Italy starts off strongly and on 6’ a pass from Marchisio to Pepe, blocked by Morel.  On 21’, Italy again with Montolivo recovering a ball and shoots on a counterattack but his shot is too weka.  One minute later, Paraguay tries with a left-footed shot by Torres who  misses the net.  On 35’, Iaquinta heads a pass to Gilardino who is blocked by Morel.
The physical condition shown by this Italy is without a doubt better than what was seen in the last two friendly matches against Switzerland and Mexico, but Paraguay is a tough opponent that never gives up.  And on their first occasion, they shoot and score.  On 39’, when Chiellini makes a foul on Valdez and the Mexican referee Archundia – the referee of the semifinal four years ago against Germany – gives Paraguay a free kick:  a shot by Torres, Alcaraz gets between De Rossi and Cannavaro and heads the ball past Buffon. 
The goal shocks the Azzurri and six minutes later the teams go to their locker rooms.  The second half starts off with Marchetti in for Buffon.  Paraguay is on the field with Vera shooting a right-footed shot that goes high.  Montolivo reacts 10’ later with a central shot that Villar saves with no problems. 
On 13’ Lippi sends Camoranesi in for Marchisio and the team goes to a 4-4-2.  Italy battles on every ball they have and on 18’ they tie on a corner kick:  Pepe shoots from the corner and De Rossi sends the ball into the net past Villar.  It was the ninth goal on the National team by the Roma player who has his moment of glory after the long disqualification in Germany that did not allow him to enjoy the World Cup fully.
Italy attacks again and on 27’ Di Natale goes in for Gilardino.  The team is tactically different with respect to the first half but still determined, perhaps faster and continues to give Paraguay problems.  Montolivo tries on 38’ with a shot from the distance  that Villar blocks. Three minutes of overtime as Italy continues to attack but the final score does not change.