Battle of the Blues
What'd you know, in spite of all the pre-tournament gloom and doom for both of these teams, the 2006 FIFA World Cup trophy will be contested between the Azzurri and Les Bleus.
Both came through to the final on the basis of a steely defence marshalled by guile, experience and poise. Both are dangerous by way of counter-attacks down the flanks delivered with pace, youth and fervour. As are typical of traditional European powers, both are technically very sound and tactically astute. Away from the field, both were largely written off by pundits and journos before the tournament began - citing reasons such as over-dependence on aging stars, less-than-convincing results in the previous tournament, and in the case of Italy, a raging domestic scandal. In short, Italy and France are similar in many ways and it will be like vs like this coming Sunday night.
Regardless, the Azzurri have been installed as slight favourites over Les Bleus, based largely on their defeat of hosts Germany, whom many thought would be lifting the trophy come Sunday. As an Azzurri fan, I would not disagree, of course. But more than that, I think the Azzurri have an advantage over the French that no other teams have - that match-fixing maelstrom back home that seemed to have galvanised the Italian players. Cannavaro the Colossus (despite his age and physical stature) is playing the best tournament of his career and goalkeeper Buffon has been nearly impossible to get past. The French have been finding it difficult to score goals and, barring any unforeseen or unfortunate incidents, it is only going to be much harder against the Azzurri, who have not conceded an opposition goal the whole tournament. Last but not least, they have as coach Marcello Lippi, who has proven beyond all doubt that his is the best tactical mind on display this World Cup. Yes, as seen against the Germans, even better than Scolari.
Sorry, Titi, but it's FORZA AZZURRI alllll the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!
Both came through to the final on the basis of a steely defence marshalled by guile, experience and poise. Both are dangerous by way of counter-attacks down the flanks delivered with pace, youth and fervour. As are typical of traditional European powers, both are technically very sound and tactically astute. Away from the field, both were largely written off by pundits and journos before the tournament began - citing reasons such as over-dependence on aging stars, less-than-convincing results in the previous tournament, and in the case of Italy, a raging domestic scandal. In short, Italy and France are similar in many ways and it will be like vs like this coming Sunday night.
Regardless, the Azzurri have been installed as slight favourites over Les Bleus, based largely on their defeat of hosts Germany, whom many thought would be lifting the trophy come Sunday. As an Azzurri fan, I would not disagree, of course. But more than that, I think the Azzurri have an advantage over the French that no other teams have - that match-fixing maelstrom back home that seemed to have galvanised the Italian players. Cannavaro the Colossus (despite his age and physical stature) is playing the best tournament of his career and goalkeeper Buffon has been nearly impossible to get past. The French have been finding it difficult to score goals and, barring any unforeseen or unfortunate incidents, it is only going to be much harder against the Azzurri, who have not conceded an opposition goal the whole tournament. Last but not least, they have as coach Marcello Lippi, who has proven beyond all doubt that his is the best tactical mind on display this World Cup. Yes, as seen against the Germans, even better than Scolari.
Sorry, Titi, but it's FORZA AZZURRI alllll the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!
posted by snowcalla @ 6:22 pm (UTC+8)
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