The final round of Group F is extremely critical for the Italian team. In the first two games, the Blues Italy only scored 2 points. If they want to get a chance to qualify, they must defeat their final opponent Slovakia.
In this campaign, Slovakia made a lot of adjustments to the starting lineup. Weiss brought in his son Weiss Jr., Storch, Kuka, Jendrysek, and Zabavnik into the starting lineup. For Italy, the midfielder
Core Pirlo came on the bench, Di Natale and Gattuso replaced Marchisio and Gilardino in the starting lineup, Cannavaro and Chiellini were still on the defensive line, and Marchetti guarded the door.
In the end, Italy lost to Slovakia 2-3, and the defending champion was eliminated at the bottom of the group. Vitek scored twice, Kopnek scored, and goals from Di Natale and Quagliarella once brought Italy close to a miracle, but in the end
Falling short of success.
In the past few days, all Italian supporters have used the most vicious words to attack Cannavaro. But as the game ended and Italy was eliminated, people's anger was finally relieved. At this moment,
Cannavaro was also relieved. Because everything that happened that night determined that Cannavaro, who had been fighting on the World Cup battlefield for 12 years, said goodbye to the World Cup forever.
Since 1998, Cannavaro has become the main central defender of the Italian team. In that battle, Cannavaro left a tough guy image. In the 14th final, he was hit on the forehead by French team forward Givache.
But after a simple bandage, he played with his head wrapped in gauze and made several headers to save the ball. His performance became one of the classics left by that tragic Italian team.
In 2002, Cannavaro, together with the Italian team, experienced an embarrassing qualifying in the group stage and a humiliating defeat against South Korea. That year was special for Cannavaro, because he was defeated by Ahn Jung-hwan.
Maldini, who grabbed the header himself, announced his retirement from the national team, and Cannavaro became the new captain of the Italian team.
The 2006 World Cup was the pinnacle of Cannavaro's 12-year World Cup history. The Italian team's defense led by him only conceded 2 goals in 7 games, and one was an own goal and the other was a penalty kick. That tournament was destined to happen.
It belongs to Cannavaro, not only because he won the championship and the Ballon d'Or after the game, but more importantly because the final of that World Cup was Cannavaro's 100th national team game.
Tournament. Winning the championship trophy on a milestone night is an impossibly more perfect achievement for a 33-year-old veteran.
But the problem is that the 33-year-old Cannavaro should have chosen to quit. Just like Maldini quit the Italian national team at the age of 34. But Cannavaro did not. Not only did he refuse to quit the national team
, he has also become a problematic figure in Italy. In the words of "Gazzetta dello Sport", Cannavaro relies on his credit to seize power and eliminates dissidents in the national team. His objection is that Cassano and Balotelli did not participate in the national team.
The key; his support is the main reason why Lippi trusts veterans and rejects newcomers.
Cannavaro has a good idea. He hopes that he will succeed in the World Cup again at the age of 37, so that his legendary career will have the most perfect ending. Many professional players have such a dream.
But many legendary players cannot do this. For example, Maldini and Nedvěd retired with hatred in the embarrassment of not having a championship. This is even more true for Cannavaro. The difference between him and the first two is that
, although the first two are regretful, there is no need to blame themselves; while Cannavaro has become the number one cancer for Italy's elimination from the group!
In Italy's first two games, the opponent only had two chances to shoot on goal, and the opponent scored two goals. Both goals came from Cannavaro's mistakes: against Paraguay, he was scored on top of his head.
In the second game, he stopped the ball directly to the opponent's forward. So before the third game, Italian reporters yelled at Lippi at the press conference, "If you are a man, replace Cannavaro!"
"
In the crucial third game of the decisive battle, Cannavaro really tried his best. 8920 meters of running, 22 pre-judged interceptions, and 6 headers. These data look gorgeous. But after all, he is an old man.
Yes, he not only needs to bear some responsibility for the second goal conceded by his team, but also, he conceded the ball in the backcourt 8 times in the whole game, each time it may be a fatal mistake! Such a player, no matter how much he has done in the past,
How can he deserve to appear in the World Cup? His disappointment is actually his own fault. His departure has given relief to all Italian fans who had had enough.
Similar to Cannavaro, many big-name stars bid farewell to the World Cup with a disgraceful image. For example, Di Natale (32 years old) who has repeatedly had opportunities to masturbate, and Gattuso, who has announced that he will retire from the national team.
(32 years old), such as Zambrotta (33 years old) who has been reduced to a substitute in Milan, such as Camoranesi (33 years old) who has spent half of his time in hospital in recent years. These people, judging from their age and
Judging from the development trend, it is almost impossible for them to participate in the World Cup next time.
It is certainly sad for them to say goodbye with regret. But if their departure can allow more young people who are better than them to get opportunities, then this will definitely be a good thing for Italian football.
Italy lost 2-3 and was eliminated sadly. The thrilling battle in the last 15 minutes was enough to prove that this Italy has not lost its spiritual power. But this Italy's hard power is too weak. An important proof is: Italy's performance in this World Cup
In the last 270 minutes, only ten minutes showed the style of the Italian team back then. And the key figure who brought about the "qualitative change" in these ten minutes was actually Pirlo, who was tortured by injuries and was only half as strong!
Italy fell behind soon after the start, forcing the conservative Lippi to make a last-ditch effort. He first used two substitutions, but the game situation did not change. As time passed by,
There were only the last few dozen minutes left for Italy to save its destiny. The last substitution was considered to be the last trump card. Lippi used this trump card on Pirlo. At that moment, everyone knew,
He is the only player capable of saving the team.
But Pirlo was not in form. Due to injuries, although Pirlo played, his body was obviously unable to keep up. After one minute of playing, he lost the ball on the wing. After several midfielder escapes, his technical movements were also very good.
It was incoherent, showing that his physical condition was only half of normal.
But even such Pirlo still brought about huge changes! As soon as he played, Italy became a whole again, and began to have transfers and cooperation. Italy continued to threaten the opponent's goal, and Di Natale's shot came from Pirlo.
Luo's midfielder's ball; Quagliarella's shot was blocked by the opponent at the goal line, which also came from Pirlo's ball.
At the last moment of the game, although the Italian team conceded one goal, they scored two goals. The most critical first goal started from Quagliarella's inward cut from the right. This inward cut was initiated by Pirlo's transfer ball.
In less than 40 minutes of playing, Pirlo successfully passed the ball into the penalty area 7 times, initiated diagonal transfers 10 times, and completed pre-judgment interceptions 5 times. This is exactly what he did in the midfield and continued to initiate offensive passes.
The ball allowed Italy to launch a heroic counterattack at the last minute.
Many people sighed: What would have happened to Italy if Pirlo had not been injured? What would have happened to Italy if Pirlo could come back one game earlier... But these questions are not important. The really important question is: Why did Italy fall into this situation?
At this point, Pirlo, who has been reduced to half by injuries, is still far better than those so-called international players? Why does Italy have more than 20 so-called elite players, but at the last moment, they can only count on one playing with an injured leg?
Pirlo will be the savior? After all, Pirlo is 31 years old. Who will Italy rely on when he gets old? Who will Italy rely on after he retires?
These problems are what people are most worried about. In the current Italian team, there are fewer and fewer people who can be called "world-class stars". There are only a few, and they are all players over 30 and declining. Young.
Among people, De Rossi had two wonderful performances, but became the sinner in the decisive moment; Montolivo, Pepe and others tried their best, but nothing happened. Di Natale, Iaquinta and others had original abilities.
It is limited; Marchisio and others paid the price for their youth. It can be concluded that Italy is counting on Pirlo to be the savior. On the one hand, it is because of Pirlo’s outstanding strength. On the other hand, the key reason is that other Italians
The players are too weak, they are so weak that they are not as good as half Pirlo!
There are many reasons for this phenomenon. The downturn of Juventus has directly affected the status of most players; the shortage of Italian talents has directly caused the decline in the overall strength of local players; the favor of foreign players by teams such as Inter Milan has caused the local players to be cultivated.
The growth of rookies is hindered; the illegal monopoly of agency companies such as GEA has led to chaos in the Italian player transfer market; Lippi's willfulness has left many available people with no way to serve the country...
There are many reasons, but they can be summarized into one point: Serie A can provide too few local players, causing the Italian team to be reduced to a backwater. Therefore, in the final analysis, the Italian team's problems still need to be solved in the league.
If Serie A is not revived, how can the Italian team be revived?
From winning the World Cup four years ago to being eliminated in disgrace in the group stage four years later, the sharp contrast between the Italian team in the past two World Cups has shattered the eyes of football critics. It is hard to imagine that planning these two dramas
The director of both is Lippi. Within two weeks, the handsome silver fox lost all his championship reputation. Is his arrival a blessing or a curse for Italy? Maybe the answer is no longer important.
After the game, Lippi hurried back to the locker room without saying hello to anyone. Unlike Domenech who refused to shake hands with the opponent's coach after France was eliminated, the Silver Fox did not even go to comfort the players who had struggled with him for more than two years.
I know that many of them are from Juventus's old team who followed him in the arena in his early years. Lippi, who is usually fatherly, is now more like a king who watched soldiers die on the battlefield with cold eyes. The moment he walked off the altar, we even saw from the camera
Since you can't see his emotions, could it be that he guessed this ending from the beginning?
Back on June 27, 2008, the Italian Football Association announced that the 60-year-old Lippi would take over the former Italian coach Donadoni. This gave the Silver Foxes, who had retreated after winning the championship in 2006, a chance to "enter the palace for the second time." Although there are many
The Italian people do not expect him to lead the Azzurri to successfully defend their title, but South Africa still has high expectations for him, and many local Italian media also believe that he can lead the national team out of the haze of the 2008 European Championship defeat.
But before the World Cup, Italy's performance in the warm-up matches exposed many shortcomings. Except for Buffon's still strong gate, scattered defense, unorganized midfield, and forwards who can't shoot, Lippi's Italy almost
There are problems all over his body. However, Lippi has always gone his own way. Perhaps the championship four years ago gave him strong confidence. Before the start of the group stage, he was still praying for a miracle to happen: "Italy came to South Africa not just to play games.
, I still want to win the championship.”
Of course, everyone knows that defending the title is very difficult, but no one thought that the defending champion led by Lippi would perform so poorly in this World Cup. With two days left until the second anniversary of Lippi's taking office, the Silver Foxes
The team bid farewell to sunny South Africa with the bottom result in the group. Di Natale squandered opportunities at will, Cannavaro is old, only Zambrotta is left with a torso moving, and Iaquinta
, Montriveau, Pepe...Four years ago, Italy was born in Lippi, and four years later, Italy died in Lippi.
People can't help but ask, why not bring Grosso, Balotelli, Cassano and other players to South Africa? Lippi has already answered this: Balotelli? The bad boy is naughty. Cassano? The old naughty boy.
Likes to make trouble. Rossi? Not suitable for tactical requirements. Borriello? Inexperienced in international competitions. After seeing the offensive disadvantages and weak defense in the first two games of the group stage, Lippi certainly wanted to make adjustments, and Lippi also made adjustments. In the end
In the first game, he decisively changed his formation to 433 in order to save himself. When the score fell behind, Quagliarella and Pirlo were substituted to strengthen the attack. Lippi's reaction was not slow, but he did not have many cards in his hand.
At this moment, we feel sad for Italy's elimination, and we also feel sorry for Italy's elimination. If Cassano and Balotelli were brought, would the Azzurri have a different result? The fact is already difficult
Change, looking at Quagliarella's tears after the game, maybe Cassano, who was sitting in front of the TV, felt equally heavy. The same scene happened to him in the European Championship six years ago.
After the game, coach Lippi admitted full responsibility. He denied that the players were demoralized because they learned that he was leaving after the World Cup.
"I take full responsibility," Italy coach Lippi said at the press conference. As the defending champion, Italy's trip to the World Cup was not smooth. First, Pirlo was injured and could not play. In the first game, the main goalkeeper
Buffon was injured again. The Italian team only achieved two pitiful draws in the first two games of the group stage, which made them place all their hopes of qualifying in the last game against Slovakia, but the team lost 2-3.
given to the opponent.
"If the team goes into the game with injuries and psychological fear, it means that the coach is not prepared either tactically or psychologically." Lippi said helplessly. In the three games of the World Cup, the Italian team had 2 draws and 1 loss.
Having no choice but to stop in the group stage, Lippi admitted that he had made certain mistakes. "I made some mistakes in selecting people, and there were also certain problems with the tactics I formulated. If the team wins, I will be very proud, but now that the team loses, I will
Take full responsibility."
Lippi has been the head coach of the Italian team since 2004 and led the team to win the 2006 World Cup in Germany. After the 2008 European Cup, he succeeded Donadoni who had poor results and became the head coach of Italy again. Although this time he lost to South Africa.
, but Lippi said, "I don't regret coming back." He pointed out, "I want to replicate the successful experience four years ago. I believe I can do it, but I'm sorry."
At the press conference, a reporter asked, did the team members know that Lippi would step down after the World Cup, which would lead to them not working hard or even losing morale? Lippi denied this. "The team members actually know this, and this matter was confirmed as early as May.
Already."
The Slovakia team, which defeated Italy, joined the Paraguay team, which drew 0:0 with New Zealand, to advance to the World Cup knockout rounds.
It started by relying on defensive counterattacks and has a concrete defense line. This is not Italy, but Paraguay. Now, Paraguay, known as the "Italy" of South America, has qualified, but the "genuine" Italy is going home. 2006 World Cup, Paraguay team stage
They were eliminated, but Italy lifted the Hercules Cup; in the 2010 World Cup, Paraguay advanced to the top 16, but Italy was eliminated in the group stage. From Germany to South Africa, it goes back and forth in four years. "Copycat" Italy vs. "Genuine"
In Italy, who is possessed by whose spirit?
Paraguay, this "copycat" Italy, is indeed well-deserved. In the 2010 World Cup South American qualifiers, Paraguay finished third in the South American region with a record of 10 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses. In a total of 18 games, Paraguay only conceded 16 goals.
The number of goals conceded ranks second to last in South America, only 5 goals more than the first-place Brazil team in South America. 6 goals less than the second-place Chile team, 4 goals less than the fourth-place Argentina team, and the fifth-place Uruguay team! Paraguay
This is evident from the high quality of the team's defense.
In addition to having an Italian "concrete" defense line, Paraguay also has an efficient attacking lineup. 24 goals, although only more than Argentina (20 goals) among the top five in South America. However, in the long South American qualifiers
, Paraguay actually defeated all its opponents! It beat Brazil 2-0, beat Argentina 1-0, beat Chile 3-0, narrowly beat Uruguay 1-0... Paraguay's performance in sweeping through the top powers in South America is amazing. At the World Cup in South Africa
, Paraguay took defense first and offensive practicality to the extreme.
In the three group matches, Paraguay scored 3 goals and conceded 1 goal. The number of goals scored was only one more than that of New Zealand, ranking second from the bottom of the group, and the number of goals conceded ranked first from the bottom of the group! Such extreme data, for Paraguay
The team won 1 win, 2 draws, 5 points, and the incredible result of first place in the group. This Paraguay team is somewhat similar to the Italian team four years ago. In the 2006 World Cup, Italy won the first place in the group with 2 wins and 1 draw, and entered the group.
Conceding 1 goal out of 4, the goal conceded was an own goal by defender Zalgado. In that World Cup, the Italian team only conceded two goals in total, once again allowing the world's top players to experience the power of Italian concrete defense.
Four years later, the Paraguay team was "possessed by the soul" of the Italian team four years ago, and the Italian team suffered from Paraguay's bad luck four years ago. In the 2006 World Cup, Paraguay had 1 win and 2 losses and ranked third in the group.
Qualifying. In the 2010 World Cup, as the defending champion, the Italian team actually achieved a record of 2 draws and 1 loss, ranking at the bottom.
Compared with Paraguay four years ago, the Italian team's results can only be described as "horrible". Lucky people are all similar, and unfortunate people have their own misfortunes. Whether they are copycat Italy or genuine Italy, they are all
We are striving to create ourselves. In the World Cup, the roles of "washing utensil" and "cup utensil" are just interchanged. This is football, you never know what will happen in the next second.
