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Showing posts with label Italy v Spain Final. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italy v Spain Final. Show all posts

Saturday, June 30, 2012

EURO 2012: ITALY v SPAIN: FINAL Preview

Nearly one month ago our journey into EURO 2012 began with the daunting task of opening against the reigning WORLD and European Champions, Spain. Few gave the Azzurri a chance of success against the Spanish. Following back and forth nature of the first match; impressions of the Azzurri began to change. The 1-1 result did not do justice to the pace and ferocity of the match. The Azzurri matched and at many times during the match met and exceeded the pace and tenacity of their Spanish counterparts. Had lady luck focused her bright light on the Azzurri; they could have easily put the Spanish to bed within the 90 minutes. However, as history goes; with a few foiled opportunities and shaky legs to finish off the final 20 minutes of the match; the Azzurri would settle for the draw.

Fast forward one month to July 1st and Italy are now in the finals. Behind them lay the charred wreckage of Croatia, Ireland, England and Germany. When you consider that for a moment; not bad notches to add to our bed post.  In both our Quarterfinal and SemiFinal match; the Azzurri were underdogs to a resurgent English squad and a youthful German team. In fact prior to both matches media pundits claimed the English followed by the Germans would lay waste to the Italians. However, following the two matches it became clear that the media had called Italy all wrong. 

Tear up the script; because this is not the Azzurri we remember. This is not the Azzurri of our fathers generation or the Azzurri of our early childhood. This is not the Azzurri of 2006 or 2000. In fact the only squad I can place this team to resemble is the team of destiny in 1982.  During the WORLD CUP in 1982; the Azzurri started off disappointing; not looking like contenders; we quickly grabbed our stride with victories over Brazil and Argentina in the second group stage; as the momentum built to fever pitch; we'd soon face West Germany in Madrid for the World Cup final; considered to be one of the favourites of the tournament; West Germany succumbed to our awesome power and lost 3-1 for Italy to hoist their third WORLD CUP. 

The 1982 team, if you're not aware, was much like this one; a team, put together with a lot of grit; with P. Rossi returning to the National fold after a two year ban; with all of Italy in the shadow of another Calcio scandal. That's not the similarity; the similarity I see in this team to the 1982 team is the grit in the midfield; the feisty display of winning the ball; the willingness to maintain possession and take the game to our opponents. In 1982 we would have never scored three goals against a Brazilian team that some say was the greatest team in history, without taking the game to the Brazilians. in 2012; at this European Championships we have done the same. We have taken the game to our opponents; going against conventional wisdom and flooring many of the 'experts'. 

And so it is with this style of football that we arrive in Kiev tomorrow to face the Spanish, a team that has nearly perfected the possessional game. 

SPAIN
The Spanish arrive into tomorrow's final having left behind Ireland, Croatia, France, and Portugal. During their tournament they seemed to look in control against the Irish and the French; while the Croatians and the Portugese seemed to have caused them a little concern. Albeit, they did escape all of their matches with a positive result; it seems the Spanish are not carrying as much confidence as one would expect. I've seen some comments from fans claiming that the Spanish are far too cocky and will lose. That's just ignorant hogwash. This is a team that's anything but cocky and a team that has stuck to their game plan without wavering whatever the cause. I was a little surprised that Del Bosque continues to resort to the false 9 in Fabregas instead of calling on the height and goal scoring ability of Torres. This is especially true since Torres has been able to open up the game in favour of the Spanish in every match he has partaken. 

That being said, they have continued to score some nice goals; but have had trouble against technically stronger opponents (Portugal and Croatia). Del Bosque will be looking to make history in tomorrow's match with Spain on the cusp of winning three major International tournaments in a row. 

ITALY 
The Azzurri arrive into tomorrow's match having exceeded expectations and defeating a German team considered perennial favourites to win this tournament. The scoreline of 2-1 was far too generous for the Germans as Italy seemed to best the Germans in just about every quarter of the park. There are concerns arriving into tomorrow's match with the tweaked Abate and DeRossi still making the rounds as well as Chiellini looking completely off colour in the semifinal bought; however in the good news department Christian Maggio will return to the lineup to lend a helping hand following a suspension from the semis. 

I don't believe Prandelli will resort to the 3-5-2 formation which he executed in the first match; instead, it's likely he will remain with the diamond midfield and line Maggio/Abate on the right with Balzaretti on the left. The question mark becomes in the centre of defence. After Barzagli and Bonucci have played incredibly during the Germany and England matches; not conceding a single goal in either of the matches (I don't count a bull$@*t penalty in injury time) would it be wise to go back to Chiellini who really hasn't looked that good in the tournament. Yes, one can argue that Barzagli and Bonucci have been helped by a resurgent Buffon; but is it worth a risk to pick Chiellini over either Centre Back? 

In midfield; it's quite likely the status quo will be maintained with Montolivo, Pirlo, Marchisio and DeRossi shoring up the centre of the park. Each of these guys have had a great tournament with obviously Pirlo and De Rossi standing out amongst the crowd for their contributions. Against a midfield with the depth that the Germans exhibited Pirlo had less of an effect in the centre of the park; Montolivo was able to pick up some of the slack with a great assist on Balotelli's second goal;  but it might be worth a shot bringing Nocerino or even T. Motta into the fray to help displace the Spanish midfield and break up some of their plays - as they obviously tend to move the ball around the pitch quite a bit. 

In attack; its very likely the dynamic duo of Cassano and Balotelli will get the nod up front. Both have put together an incredible tournament and will be looking to build off their earlier performances with a pièce de résistance being produced in tomorrow's Final. I'd like to see Cassano taking more shots and not resorting to little flick passes in the box as much. But we shall see. 

What to Expect
Tomorrow's match will obviously be the most difficult for the Azzurri. Although one or two chinks in the Spanish armour have been witnessed throughout this tournament it's wholly expected Del Bosque will have been working to sort everything out for the grand finale of this European Championships. In turn, Prandelli will hopefully also be ready and prepared for the match tomorrow. The Azzurri have not had the kindest of schedules; however, after seeing how they went the distance against England only to play three days later and so deliberately defeat the Germans fitness is not my biggest concern. These are professional athletes that are fully aware of the job they need to undertake over the course of the 90 minutes tomorrow. 

For the match our biggest concern will be to remain focused for the entire 90 minutes tomorrow. In just about every match we've played at EURO 2012 our focus and fitness has dipped into the second half of the match. We need a concerted effort like the one put forth against England to really make a dent. Up front, an early goal will do wonders to sway momentum immediately; further, if we do manage an early goal we cannot rest on our laurels and need to continue the attack similar to our effort against the Germans. 

Spain will be supremely focused for the match tomorrow; they've been on this stage over the last 4 years on three occasions; its worth to note they come in as vetrans of the big stage. It's the Azzurri who will need to rise to the moment and grasp victory; we have the fire power; the midfield; the defence; and of course the Goal Keeper to make the difference on tomorrow's Final stage of EURO 2012. We need it all to come together; to give birth to a new generation of heros; men capable of picking up the torch and holding it higher than it's ever been before. The Azzurri cometh ...

FORZA ITALIA!!! FORZA AZZURRI!!!