Three significant matches were played last night and I am pleased to blog that 2 of those ended favorably well.
Match 1: Italy 3 - 1 Portugal
Click below for goals
1 - 0
2 - 0
2 - 1
3 - 1
Italy are the world champions while the Portugese was the fallen finalist at the last Euro competition in 2004. In a match pitting technical versus flair, the Italians proved that they are serious contenders in June in Euro 08.
This match featured the new Italian Euro 08 kit and I sure am looking forward to buy this one.
Also featured was the Euro competition match ball, which costs a whopping $200 in stores here!
It was also an occasion for Ronaldo to captain his side, not the first and definitely not his last. In goal, Buffon was replaced by Amelia due to injury.
Italy started with a 4-3-3 formation with Pirlo playing the more advanced position in midfield while Portugal played with 4-2-3-1.
In the 4th minute, Italy had the ball in the net only for Pirlo to be wrongly ruled for handball.
Quaresma then made the first of his many good runs with the ball in the 11th minute and Ronaldo thread a ball to Caneira, the left back, only to be ruled for offside. A couple of minutes later, Italy displayed one-touch football, one of the first of many good offensive play, left/right forward, Palladino, failing to connect with a slide-rule pass from the right flank.
These two sets of play were rather the order of the night with Italy relying on good build-up play while Portugal relying on the individualism specifically, Ronaldo and Quaresma. However, based on his performance, Ronaldo will not survive Italian football.
Quaresma, who started on the right flank, took over Ronaldo's flank on the left on the 18th minute and proved as effective with the ball there, and making a menace of himself, though the end product was still lacking. Ronaldo won the first of 3 direct on goal set-piece situations and cue his trademark rugby-style, but the ball slammed into the wall and deflected out for a corner, from which Alves, the centre-back, made a surging run but his header sailed over the top. At this moment, Portugal were gradually increasing their performance. One such play came in the 25th minute when Italy had their defence stretched and Deco shot wide.
The counter riposte, however came when Toni split apart the Portugese, Di Natale getting his shot on target but calmly palmed away by Ricardo for a corner.
The 1st substitution of the night came in the 29th minute when Grosso took over Zambrotta at left-back who seemed to have sustained a slight injury.
Another example of reliance on Ronaldo and Quaresma was in the 34th minute when the two exchange one-two passes before Ronaldo got a corner for his efforts. Italy almost punished them when Toni just failed to latch on to Grosso's cross when Toni had a clear path to goal. The Portugese defence led by Carvalho and Bosingwa seemed to have trouble coping with the 3 Italian forwards.
At this point, Portugal was enjoying ball possession, while the classic Italians absorbed the pressure. Makulula, the lone Portugese striker, got a shot just wide off the post, belying the lack of creativity in that build-up despite the presence of Deco and the two flying wingers. Italy too were dearth of attacking onus upfront lacking the creativity and inspiration of a true no.10 in the mould of Totti or Baggio. De Rossi, wearing the coveted number, is not that player.
In the 41st minute, Ronaldo won a 2nd free-kick and this time, he managed to shoot on target.
Just before half-time, Quaresma tried to play Ronaldo but his pass was over-hit and from the resulting offensive transition, Grosso got in another cross, a low one this time and Toni was at hand to tap in for the game's opener. After a slow start, the match was turning out to be an highly entertaining affair. Portugal had for the most parts about 4 players in Italy's half while Italy were able to efficiently break down Portugal's attack and convert from defensive to offensive phases with ease.
The second half saw the introduction of Nani for Deco, who looked out of sorts, Fernando Meira for Petit and Ferreira for Caneira. The introduction of Nani allowed Ronaldo to play in a more central forward position.
It was Italy, however who went 2-0 up. From a corner, a loose ball fall to Pirlo just outside the box and his shot deflected off Cannavaro before nestling nicely in the bottom corner of the net.
More substitutions came shortly after, this time for the Azzuris. Gamberini took over Barzagli in central defence and Perotta took over De Rossi in midfield. Almeida replaced Makukula as a central striker, who was isolated in this match due to the individualism.
Another example of transition from defence to attack was displayed in the 58th minute, Di Natale providing the last touch but failing to add to the tally. Minutes later, another one-two between Di Natale and Toni was cut out, but Portugal will have been wise to take notice as they too have such players at their disposal to play such one-two movements, yet it was for the most part not evident.
Meireles then replaced another out-of-sorts Portugese player in Maniche.
A neat play from Perotta found Cannavaro who crossed well for Palladino, who chested down nicely and shot brilliantly to be denied equally excellently by Ricardo who forced his shot off the crossbar. Italy were really turning on the style.
Ribeiro was on for Bosingwa in centre-back for Portugal and Borriella replaced Toni who received a standing ovation for his efforts.
The Portugese then exerted some pressure and pulled a goal back in an almost similar fashion as to Italy's first goal. This time, Nani was the provider, his low cross drilled across goal eluding all but Quaresma who was at the back post to clinically finished his shot into the roof of the net.
Minutes later, a crossfield pass from Grosso met Di Natale, who really deserved a goal for his performance, had the awareness to flip the seemingly unreacheable ball back to Perotta who headed back into the 6-yard area and found Quagliarella. The subsitute who had replaced Palladino, was looking for his 1st Italy goal and he directed Perotta's cross over the unfortunate Ricardo, who was not helped by his abysmal defence.
Ronaldo was struggling all night against the Italian defence and also could not inspire Portugal, but his last trademark free-kick of the night almost found the back of the net but denied by a mostly untested Amelia. Nani also had his effort denied by the stopper, and in him, they may have found a safe back-up for Buffon.
When the final whistle blows, Italy were mildy celebrating an impressive win proving their Euro 08 credentials. Donadoni seemed to have forge an attacking identity, yet still maintaining Italy's famed watertight defence. In a 4-3-3 formation, the one aspect lacking in this tactic seemed to be the attacking functions of the 3-men midfield who are more build for defensive play rather than offensive. The two midfield destroyers in Ambrosini and De Rossi do not provide the attacking edge and Pirlo plays to receive the ball deeper than Totti or Baggio did previously.
Positively, the midfield ably support the forwards as and when needed. Quick interchange of passes and the superb and swift transtition from a defensive phase to offensive phase meant that Italy were dangerous on the counter-attack. It helps when you have defenders with good ball control such as Cannavaro and Zambrotta who can play out of defence.
They rely on the 3 forwards to convert and create chances and based on last night's match, the forwards were in tandem and played off the other very well with three distinctive styles. Toni being the only true striker for Italy at the moment being tall and technically sound. Palladino being the foil for Toni while Di Natale used his wits. Yet, the true test will come when either of the 3 do not come good.
Another positive aspect is the overlapping full-backs, mostly through Grosso who shone through at the last World Cup. Oddo does not get forward as often and playing Zambrotta in his place may solved this.
In goal, Italy seemed to have found a successor to Buffon, though admittedly at 30, Buffon's decline still seemed light years away.
As for Portugal, they really have issues to sort out if they are to challenge.
In defence, they were on the whole torn apart by one-two passes and failed to subdue the Italian trio of forwards.
In midfield, Deco, like at Barcelona, was subdued. Maniche is not the same player when he won the Champions' league with Porto in 2004. Petit is simply not good enough for Portugal. Bringing in a youngster may be the solution and give a fresher angle. As mentioned, Portugal relies on Ronaldo and Quaresma. Yet, Ronaldo was effectively marked out though Quaresma impressed and more often than not, got the Italians on the backfoot. Ronaldo's free-kicks, however, will be a crucial weapon as long as he practices them and score them as he does with Man Utd. As a result of this over-reliance, there was no significant interplay between the midfield exhibited to the fore by the Italians and quick one-two passes were noticeably missing despite the array of talent.
The most disappointing was the central striker role. They had no focal point, hasn't been since Pauleta. It was firstly Makukula and later Almeida. Almeida especially disappointed when he kicked air on a couple of occasions including the only Portugal goal.
~akim~
Match 1: Italy 3 - 1 Portugal
Click below for goals
1 - 0
2 - 0
2 - 1
3 - 1
Italy are the world champions while the Portugese was the fallen finalist at the last Euro competition in 2004. In a match pitting technical versus flair, the Italians proved that they are serious contenders in June in Euro 08.
This match featured the new Italian Euro 08 kit and I sure am looking forward to buy this one.
Also featured was the Euro competition match ball, which costs a whopping $200 in stores here!
It was also an occasion for Ronaldo to captain his side, not the first and definitely not his last. In goal, Buffon was replaced by Amelia due to injury.
Italy started with a 4-3-3 formation with Pirlo playing the more advanced position in midfield while Portugal played with 4-2-3-1.
In the 4th minute, Italy had the ball in the net only for Pirlo to be wrongly ruled for handball.
Quaresma then made the first of his many good runs with the ball in the 11th minute and Ronaldo thread a ball to Caneira, the left back, only to be ruled for offside. A couple of minutes later, Italy displayed one-touch football, one of the first of many good offensive play, left/right forward, Palladino, failing to connect with a slide-rule pass from the right flank.
These two sets of play were rather the order of the night with Italy relying on good build-up play while Portugal relying on the individualism specifically, Ronaldo and Quaresma. However, based on his performance, Ronaldo will not survive Italian football.
Quaresma, who started on the right flank, took over Ronaldo's flank on the left on the 18th minute and proved as effective with the ball there, and making a menace of himself, though the end product was still lacking. Ronaldo won the first of 3 direct on goal set-piece situations and cue his trademark rugby-style, but the ball slammed into the wall and deflected out for a corner, from which Alves, the centre-back, made a surging run but his header sailed over the top. At this moment, Portugal were gradually increasing their performance. One such play came in the 25th minute when Italy had their defence stretched and Deco shot wide.
The counter riposte, however came when Toni split apart the Portugese, Di Natale getting his shot on target but calmly palmed away by Ricardo for a corner.
The 1st substitution of the night came in the 29th minute when Grosso took over Zambrotta at left-back who seemed to have sustained a slight injury.
Another example of reliance on Ronaldo and Quaresma was in the 34th minute when the two exchange one-two passes before Ronaldo got a corner for his efforts. Italy almost punished them when Toni just failed to latch on to Grosso's cross when Toni had a clear path to goal. The Portugese defence led by Carvalho and Bosingwa seemed to have trouble coping with the 3 Italian forwards.
At this point, Portugal was enjoying ball possession, while the classic Italians absorbed the pressure. Makulula, the lone Portugese striker, got a shot just wide off the post, belying the lack of creativity in that build-up despite the presence of Deco and the two flying wingers. Italy too were dearth of attacking onus upfront lacking the creativity and inspiration of a true no.10 in the mould of Totti or Baggio. De Rossi, wearing the coveted number, is not that player.
In the 41st minute, Ronaldo won a 2nd free-kick and this time, he managed to shoot on target.
Just before half-time, Quaresma tried to play Ronaldo but his pass was over-hit and from the resulting offensive transition, Grosso got in another cross, a low one this time and Toni was at hand to tap in for the game's opener. After a slow start, the match was turning out to be an highly entertaining affair. Portugal had for the most parts about 4 players in Italy's half while Italy were able to efficiently break down Portugal's attack and convert from defensive to offensive phases with ease.
The second half saw the introduction of Nani for Deco, who looked out of sorts, Fernando Meira for Petit and Ferreira for Caneira. The introduction of Nani allowed Ronaldo to play in a more central forward position.
It was Italy, however who went 2-0 up. From a corner, a loose ball fall to Pirlo just outside the box and his shot deflected off Cannavaro before nestling nicely in the bottom corner of the net.
More substitutions came shortly after, this time for the Azzuris. Gamberini took over Barzagli in central defence and Perotta took over De Rossi in midfield. Almeida replaced Makukula as a central striker, who was isolated in this match due to the individualism.
Another example of transition from defence to attack was displayed in the 58th minute, Di Natale providing the last touch but failing to add to the tally. Minutes later, another one-two between Di Natale and Toni was cut out, but Portugal will have been wise to take notice as they too have such players at their disposal to play such one-two movements, yet it was for the most part not evident.
Meireles then replaced another out-of-sorts Portugese player in Maniche.
A neat play from Perotta found Cannavaro who crossed well for Palladino, who chested down nicely and shot brilliantly to be denied equally excellently by Ricardo who forced his shot off the crossbar. Italy were really turning on the style.
Ribeiro was on for Bosingwa in centre-back for Portugal and Borriella replaced Toni who received a standing ovation for his efforts.
The Portugese then exerted some pressure and pulled a goal back in an almost similar fashion as to Italy's first goal. This time, Nani was the provider, his low cross drilled across goal eluding all but Quaresma who was at the back post to clinically finished his shot into the roof of the net.
Minutes later, a crossfield pass from Grosso met Di Natale, who really deserved a goal for his performance, had the awareness to flip the seemingly unreacheable ball back to Perotta who headed back into the 6-yard area and found Quagliarella. The subsitute who had replaced Palladino, was looking for his 1st Italy goal and he directed Perotta's cross over the unfortunate Ricardo, who was not helped by his abysmal defence.
Ronaldo was struggling all night against the Italian defence and also could not inspire Portugal, but his last trademark free-kick of the night almost found the back of the net but denied by a mostly untested Amelia. Nani also had his effort denied by the stopper, and in him, they may have found a safe back-up for Buffon.
When the final whistle blows, Italy were mildy celebrating an impressive win proving their Euro 08 credentials. Donadoni seemed to have forge an attacking identity, yet still maintaining Italy's famed watertight defence. In a 4-3-3 formation, the one aspect lacking in this tactic seemed to be the attacking functions of the 3-men midfield who are more build for defensive play rather than offensive. The two midfield destroyers in Ambrosini and De Rossi do not provide the attacking edge and Pirlo plays to receive the ball deeper than Totti or Baggio did previously.
Positively, the midfield ably support the forwards as and when needed. Quick interchange of passes and the superb and swift transtition from a defensive phase to offensive phase meant that Italy were dangerous on the counter-attack. It helps when you have defenders with good ball control such as Cannavaro and Zambrotta who can play out of defence.
They rely on the 3 forwards to convert and create chances and based on last night's match, the forwards were in tandem and played off the other very well with three distinctive styles. Toni being the only true striker for Italy at the moment being tall and technically sound. Palladino being the foil for Toni while Di Natale used his wits. Yet, the true test will come when either of the 3 do not come good.
Another positive aspect is the overlapping full-backs, mostly through Grosso who shone through at the last World Cup. Oddo does not get forward as often and playing Zambrotta in his place may solved this.
In goal, Italy seemed to have found a successor to Buffon, though admittedly at 30, Buffon's decline still seemed light years away.
As for Portugal, they really have issues to sort out if they are to challenge.
In defence, they were on the whole torn apart by one-two passes and failed to subdue the Italian trio of forwards.
In midfield, Deco, like at Barcelona, was subdued. Maniche is not the same player when he won the Champions' league with Porto in 2004. Petit is simply not good enough for Portugal. Bringing in a youngster may be the solution and give a fresher angle. As mentioned, Portugal relies on Ronaldo and Quaresma. Yet, Ronaldo was effectively marked out though Quaresma impressed and more often than not, got the Italians on the backfoot. Ronaldo's free-kicks, however, will be a crucial weapon as long as he practices them and score them as he does with Man Utd. As a result of this over-reliance, there was no significant interplay between the midfield exhibited to the fore by the Italians and quick one-two passes were noticeably missing despite the array of talent.
The most disappointing was the central striker role. They had no focal point, hasn't been since Pauleta. It was firstly Makukula and later Almeida. Almeida especially disappointed when he kicked air on a couple of occasions including the only Portugal goal.
~akim~
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