So you are cheering against Italy because you think they dive too much.... against a South American team not named Argentina
It's kind of like cheering for "the little guy" in a midget vs midget MMA fight (which I am a big proponent of - for the record)
Half Pint Brawlers on Spike TV.
Italy is no "Midget" team by any stretch of the imagination, I just feel they didnt pick the best squad to take.
They've also earned themselves a reputation, which, in many ways is well deserved. They're a good team, but they're not as good as they like to believe. Scoring their way out of trouble is not going to work, so the 2 instances of sloppy defending has cost them.
They're not looking sharp, is it because its the first game of the tournament, or is this team just not as capable as believed?
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
Divers never win, except for Italy so why buck the system.
171648591-1
1 7:11am 14-Jun-10 11:30am 14-Jun-10 Soccer
Spread Italy (-1.5) vs Paraguay for Game 5.260 50.00 213.00 World Cup 2010 Match 171661408-1
2 10:28am 14-Jun-10 11:30am 14-Jun-10 Soccer
Spread Italy (-1) vs Paraguay for Game 3.950 65.00 191.75 World Cup 2010 Match 171666845-1
3 12:23pm 14-Jun-10 11:30am 14-Jun-10 Soccer
Money Line Italy vs Paraguay for Game 6.650 40.00 226.00
Italy 1-6-1 in 8 matches at the World Cup previous to today in which trailing after the first half. The way the offense has looked so far, I'm predicting a seventh loss.
You realize that the last time Italy lost a game that they were trailing in the World Cup, you'd have to go back to 2002, right? The only players that are the same are Zambrotta, Buffon and Cannavaro. I can still see them losing this one, but stats from 8 years ago mean absolutely nothing.
Another goalkeeping blunder, considering the Germans are without their preferred top two keepers, I'm bgecoming increasingly concerned that this goalkeeping bug is contagious.
Thats standard fare though, the Italians equalize, and now we've got a game on our hands.
Enter Roque Santa Cruz. Good for Paraguay, not so good for Italy, Santa Cruz is dangerous.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
Divers never win, except for Italy so why buck the system.
171648591-1
1 7:11am 14-Jun-10 11:30am 14-Jun-10 Soccer
Spread Italy (-1.5) vs Paraguay for Game 5.260 50.00 213.00 World Cup 2010 Match 171661408-1
2 10:28am 14-Jun-10 11:30am 14-Jun-10 Soccer
Spread Italy (-1) vs Paraguay for Game 3.950 65.00 191.75 World Cup 2010 Match 171666845-1
3 12:23pm 14-Jun-10 11:30am 14-Jun-10 Soccer
Money Line Italy vs Paraguay for Game 6.650 40.00 226.00
tsk tsk you know better than the forcefeed that. Paraguay are solid.
__________________
Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Italy will take that as they are notorious slow starters. They look ok, regardless about what the experts say, and will be difficult to beat again this time around.
I will take that draw, Italy actually looked pretty good and only real issue was on set plays defensively.
Italy was 100 times better when they moved to 4-4-2, they do not have the midfield talent or pace to only keep 3 in the middle.
Up front a good game from Pepe, Gilardino is much better in a super sub role and Di Natale should be starting the next game.
De Rossi was much better in the second half, strong defensively, making good passes and of course scored the goal. Made up for his terrible first half.
Liked the way Criscito and Zambrotta played. Expected a lot more from Marchisio, game open up once Camoranasi came on but he lacked the final ball needed to open up the D and flubbed a couple plays up.
