If the day after the game Spain are blaming the pitch, claimed they should have won and damning their opponents with feint praise, you know you have done a fine job.
FORMATIONSSausage Del Bosque thought he'd spring a surprise by copying Barcelona and play with a 'false 9' in Cesc Fabregas. So Spain lined up in a 4-6-0 familiar to fans of Roma under Luciano Spalletti. Otherwise, there were no shocks in his starting XI.
Prandelli matched Del Bosque's 'false 9' and raised him a 'false 4', in Daniele De Rossi. The only startling addition was Giaccherini on the left in place of the usually impressive Balzaretti. Italy's 3-5-2 was an open secret and it took brass balls to play it here.
SUMMARYSpain enjoyed plenty of possession but lacked true penetration. Italy looked composed on the ball and determined in defence, each man accepting his one-on-one battle with real 'grinta'.
The first chance of the game fell to David Silva. However, his attempt was easily saved by Gianluigi Buffon. But Italy pressed forward, looking very dangerous on the counter, with Balotelli and Cassano linking and holding the ball well.
From there on, Italy gained confidence. Antonio Cassano was next up, collecting Claudio Marchisio's through ball, but his shot in the box went just wide of the far post with Casillas beaten.
Iniesta must never be forgotten, on and off the ball he is a genius and the Barcelona man came close with a two-touch lob.
Italy finished the half strongest, with the quietly impressive Thiago Motta stealing into the box to knock a good header just too close to Casillas to cause real trouble.
In the second half, Spain came quick out of the blocks. Iniesta was quick to fire yet another attempt at the Juventus No. 1 from distance, before a moment of madness saw Balotelli through on goal with the box gaping, but he wanted far too much time on the ball and was eventually dispossessed by Sergio Ramos.
However, De Rossi continued his defensive masterclass, intercepting throughballs, initiating attacks and winning many aerial battles. At last a national manager has figured out a way to play De Rossi and Pirlo in the same team. Pirlo was at his majestic best. Save from dawdling on the ball on a few occasions, his vision and passing range was a thing to behold.
As the half-progressed, Balotelli continued his high work-rate and robbed Ramos of the ball, driving towards goal his mind went swimming when an easy lay-off to Cassano was on... and Ramos recovered to tackle it out for a corner. Balotelli will receive a lot of criticism for that mistake but he made that chance himself, won a ball that was 90-10 in favour of Ramos, so he shouldn't be too harshly judged. Mario put in what was, for him, a selfless shift. His hold up play was good and I think he deserves another shot.
Prandelli, probably concerned that the Hungarian ref was dipping casually into his pocket, hauled Balotelli off for Toto Di Natale. Within minutes Pirlo put Toto through, to finish exquisitely past the Spanish keeper. Four years on from his penalty miss nightmare, Toto was vindicated.
However, just four minutes later, Spain took advantage of some uncertain defensive play by the Azzurri, as neat link-up play between Iniesta and Silva saw Fabregas ghost into the box to coolly restore parity.
As the game rumbled to its conclusion, Buffon's sure handling made up for an increasingly ragged and tired performance from Italy's defence, with Bonnucci, in particular looking reckless.
Cassano came off for Giovinco, having put in as much quality and effort as you can possibly expect from a man who almost died in October! Cassano gave his all and but for Balotelli's mishap, would have scored.
It was another great sub from Pranders, as Giovinco looked razor sharp. His best moment came when he scooped up a delightful pass into the path of Di Natale, who peeled away from Gerard Pique in the danger area, but he could not connect with the ball as he would have liked, sending his effort loop just wide of the target.
Late substitute Fernando Torres gave Prandelli a perfect lesson. 'Perfect' because he exposed our weakness to well-timed runs behind our 3-man defence, without punishing us for it. Torres looks like a new born deer in front of goal and I never fancied him against Gigi, who is almost back to his very very best.
Amongst a lot of pressure from some admittedly sumptuous "titty-taka", Marchisio made a lung-bursting run deep inside his own half, gliding through midfield for a one-two into the box. Ultimately his legs gave out and he couldn't steer the ball anywhere other than into the 'keeper.
PLAYER RATINGSBUFFON - 7. Whatever he had to do, he did very well. A 'clean' and calm performance from the captain. Solid.
BONNUCCI - 6.5. Very little to complain about. Bonnucci put his body on the line countless times and made a number of important interceptions. However, he looked ragged towards the end and his misplaced pass led to Spain's goal. Impressive.
DE ROSSI - 9. Not since the Germany semi-final in 2006 or Chiellini's performance against Spain in 2008 have Italy had a player in defence so adept. De Rossi was everywhere, doing everything. He started our counters, he intercepted through-balls, he fought like a dog on the floor, he bossed it. Masterful.
CHIELLINI - 8. Giorgio was in his element. Full of smiles, he bit the ankles of the Spanish attackers, won almost every header he leapt for and his defining moment was harassing Xavi, sending the Spaniard scuttling back to the half-way line like a post-man running away from a terrier. Rock.
MAGGIO - 6.5. Defended well, got forward when he could. Importantly, early on, he went on a powerful run that let Spain's full-back know right away, he was a danger. His crossing wasn't perfect but this position is his, now. Redeemed.
MARCHISIO - 7. Marchisio had a slightly thankless task. He would love to make more runs into the box. But he showed true discipline and a 3-litre engine, constantly harrying Spain's midfield. His expert left-foot volley and driving run late in the game cement his position. Powerful.
MOTTA - 7. Prandelli made a fine decision here. Motta does nothing spectacular but his awkward tackling, easy passing and aerial prowess make him an essential cog in the azzurri machine. you cannot dominate games without a player like this. Nocerino would also prosper in this position but Motta has done nothing to lose his place. Honest.
PIRLO - 8.5. Andrea is back to his very peak, shrugging defenders off, weaving runs, game-changing throughballs. On the odd occassion he mesmerisies himself and loses the ball, he can be forgiven. Spain may have Xavi and Iniesta, but we have Andrea Pirlo. And for that, I am happy. Beautiful.
GIACCHERINI - 6.5. Making your international debut in a game of this magnitude is not easy. Giaccherini made one terrible mistake, losing Fabregas for the goal. But he was caught on his heels after Bonnucci lost the ball. Also, for an attacking midfielder, he showed tremendous focus and discipline. I would be interested to see Balzaretti play in his place but would also not be diappointed to see Giaccherini given another half. He linked up well, played some good first touches and for the most part defended better than we could have hoped. Growing.
CASSANO - 7.5. Antonio hasn't lost his touch. He found the first quarter of the game hard as he was being asked to chase too many 50-50 balls. but when played to his feet or behind the defence, he made great use of the ball. He has become a very simple player who makes great decisions in pressure moments. I am happy to see him start and Giovinco to deputise. This guy has barely played for 6 months. Remarkable.
BALOTELLI - 6. He gets the lowest score, not because he did particularly badly, but because he saw very little of the ball. He linked up well, had a few wonderful touches and intercepted 4 passes, which - for a striker - is rather amazing. Yes he lost the plot when he should have scored or let Cassano in, but he grafted to create that chance himself, so he deserved another go against the Croats, I think. Improving.
DI NATALE - 8. Toto does what he does: score. He looked sharp, fresh and full of energy. He is a man to find in the box. More of a reference point than Prandelli likes. But what a reference point! Elegant.
GIOVINCO - 7.5. Giovinco brings dribbling ability, vision and an eye for goal. He is a great option and he was unlucky not to notch up an assist with his divine chip to Di Natale. Inspired.
NOCERINO - n/a. Great beard and his hair is coming along, too. Barbers.
PRANDELLI - 9. Confounded Sausage Del Bosque. Took an extremely brave decision to play 3-5-2 in such a defining game and it 1005 paid off. He restored pride in the azzurri, confidence and his greatest achievement is turning the team around inside 2 years. his team selection was excellent, his subs even better and I am genuinely happy for this honest and thoughtful man. Genius.
NEGATIVESEvery game throws up new challenges. Italy may not be able to play the 3-5-2 against Coratia as effectively. Bilic is a clever coach and he will not attack Italy like Spain, making our countering style less effective. Also, Croatia's aerial threat may be a problem with De Rossi, although I am loathe to doubt De Rossi at all right now. But it is something to consider. Italy are blatantly open to runs behind them froma clever number 9. So, they must guard against Jelavic.
Giaccherini and Balotelli did the least to justify their positions but I believe both should be given another shot.
POSITIVESItaly's spiritm belief and focus was incredible. Prandelli has inspired true faith from his charges. Personal battles were won as a national demon was exorcised.
All over the pitch we have cause for great hope. Our spine is strong with Buffon, De Rossi, Chiellini, Pirlo, Marchisio and Cassano. and our fringe players are standing tall.
Croatia is a must-win game for us as we do not want to enter the final match needing more than a point. Let's hope we see more free-flowing football, greater possession and shots on goal in double figures. Playing against Spain is a strange thing for a team in that they present a tactical anomaly. Only after three games can we judge the success of this formation and group of players. But signs are extremely positive!
Final comment: isn't it just like Spain to blame the grass? I love the fact they asked Italy if they could water it and we said 'no'. The universe doesn’t revolve around the Spanish, especially when there is a great blue star in orbit!
FORZA!!!!!I'm sure you guys have different views from mine... what did you make of it?
