Can Italy Come Back?

Burnt in Bern.

I’ll admit it’s a catchy title but because of its significance, I hated Collette Wong for saying it, regardless that she’s a hot mum and all.

About two years ago I wrote a similar blog post to the one I’m doing right now. It was titled ‘Italy’s Flaw’ and in it I discussed my fears for the Italian national team at the 2006 World Cup after they were held to a draw by the US. A nation which by itself defines ‘football’ as a game played using your hands.

How does Italy expect to do well in a tournament if you’re already embarrassed in your second group match? Oh, believe me, it was an embarrassment. A case in point: Italy’s most capped player is Paolo Maldini. Theirs is Cobi Jones. That’s the gulf in class and just goes to show which nation pays more serious attention to this sport.

In that post I spoke on how Italy would have serious problems in scoring goals, considering how one-dimensional the Italian strikers of that team were compared to the others such as the Brazilians and Argentineans. Yet, I was proven wrong and they did score a few goals after that and went on to win the damn thing.

Two years later, we’re back in the same boat. Only this time, it’s not only déjà vu, but much, much worse.

Just like in the WC, for the Euros, if you’re one of the favorites, the least you could do is to win your first game. Get your nerves settled early on in the tournament. To draw is not a disaster but still a pressing concern nonetheless. A defeat is a disaster. But a 3-0 thumping? Now, that’s an absolute catastrophe.

This scenario reminds me of Euro 96. To this day, I can still remember the headline on the Malay Mail sports section when it emblazoned the words ‘Czech-ed’ on the back of that defeat that has all but distinguished Italy’s hope of progressing further. Taking into consideration the third and final game in which they need to get a result, no matter what, was against the Germans. For those of you need reminding, the Germans were the eventual champions that year. All they could muster was 0-0 draw and Italy got kicked out.

It was such a heartbreak because two years before that, Italy were in the World Cup final against Brazil contesting for the big prize. At that time, Italy was among the two best teams on the planet. Come ’96, another major tournament and this time no Brazil. So, the onus was good. Who else could come in their way? Unfortunately, they didn’t listed down ‘aarogance’.

Now, in 2008, the title of world champions has again lifted hopes and expectation at its loftiest. Cue in the Dutch demolition and all the nightmarish memories came back flooding in.

There is still hope, no doubt about it, but it does look very vain at the very best.

A win against Romania is a must. There’s no two way about it. Another defeat would be unthinkable as that will mean Italy is out of the competition as they did in ’96 and ‘04. A draw is merely a prolonged sentence since a win in the third game is the only way to survive and that means beating the French. And you know how the French are. More worrying if the Dutch pulled off another encore performance which will mean the French would need a result too. Two powerhouse nations in locked horns, desperately looking for a win. A fantastic prospect for the neutrals but they will be much French and Italian swearing taking place in the background should that happen.

Now, the interesting part. Let’s dissect that performance at Bern, shall we?

In short, every one that day was rubbish. For starters, make no mistake, the loss of Fabio Cannavaro is a massive blow. There was wishful thinking that maybe his absence would not affect the team’s preparations as much. But it did, judging by the defensive performance against the Dutch. His defensive qualities and calming influence was sorely missed.

Buffon was clearly burdened by his role as captain hence, affected his performance. He usually takes guidance from Cannavaro and with him gone, the sudden responsibility outweighed his shoulders. As for Materazzi, well, he’s the Jekyll and Hyde type. Brilliant in one game and awful in the next. He was no Jekyll this time around. Which is a big letdown as you’d expect him to step up and be the leader of the backfour and especially his center back partner, Barzagli, who hasn’t racked up enough caps to be comfortable playing at a major tournament. Zambrotta, despite his versatility, would have posed more danger playing on the right. Then, he would not have to cut back every time he wanted to deliver a cross which he continuously need to do coming from the left, which enabled the Dutch defence to cope with his play. No why on Earth was Panucci pitted against someone like Van der Vaart? Thank heavens it wasn’t Van Persie or Robben for that matter. It could have been 3-0 in the first 20 minutes.

As for the midfield, I understand for the need for familiarity and that’s why the three midfielders from Milan started the game. But, then again, Milan finished fifth in the league and the trio of Pirlo, Gattuso and Ambrosini had Seedorf and Kaka to pass to initiate attack. Comfortable holders of the ball which the same cannot be said of Di Natale or Camoranesi.

As for Toni, like I said two years ago, he’s a finisher. A van Nistelrooy type. He cannot make goals on his own, he needs service. Kind of like Ribery provides him at Bayern though that may be pushing it.

Anyway, the biggest flaw this time around for Italy is the whole spectrum of its attack. Clearly, something needs to be done to gain better possession of the ball and the linkage between midfield and forwards. Ambrosini needs to be replaced with someone with more sense of adventure and dynamism. The likes of Perotta, Aquilani or De Rossi. And it’s high time Del Piero gets a start. 18 league goals is no fluke. Pair him up front with Toni ,not on the left wing and maybe, just maybe, he’ll continue that good run of form for club to country.

As much as I fear and excited by this Friday’s match, please, let me be proven wrong, yet again, as I was two years ago. Forza Italia.