The World Cup Today
Italy 3-0 Ukraine
Italy immediately looked dangerous in the opening minutes, with Camoronese providing a real spark out of the midfield. The Argentine-born Camoronese gets short shrift at times in Italy, but his value to the struggling Azzuri offense was apparent.
Lippi's decision to sit Gilardino and play Toni up front alone looked to be a tactical master-stroke, as the Italians really linked well in the midfield - the indefatigable Gatusso also looked great both attacking and, as always, defending and winning balls.
Zambrotta combined well with Totti in the midfield and blasted a left-footed strike past Shovkovsky in the 7th. It was a rocket, but the keeper should have done better - he might have been screened as the ball travelled through a Ukraine defender's legs. Still, not a great way for the Ukraine to start.
The Ukraine looked decent in their own right, settling down after the early goal, and began to create some chances. Schevchenko missed on a tough header, but gave up on the play, failing to make a run for the great cross on the follow-up. Tymoshuk ended a great tourney, with another solid game, creating some chances and working hard all over the pitch.
In the 2nd half, the Italians showed some of why they have been deemed lucky by some. A save by Buffon from a point blank blast, followed by another by Zambrotta off the line kept the Ukraine from leveling.
The Ukraine paid immediately for missing their chances. Italy played a short corner to Totti, who delivered a gorgeous ball to Toni, who headed home while deftly shielding his defender. He has certainly deserved a goal this World Cup, and his first gave Italy the 2-0 cushion.
The Ukraine didn't give up and almost scored right away, as Gusen, a solid threat in the air all day, had his header beat Buffon but not the crossbar. From there it was downhill though, as the Ukranian defense tired and began carelessly giving the ball away to the now circling Italians.
Eventually, it was the man who started the scoring creating the final goal. Zambrotta, a terror from box-to-box all day, linked well down the left side, before a great cut inside and perfect set-up for a Toni tap-in. 3-0 Italy in the end.
The Italian defense, though keeping a clean sheet, did not look great with the noted exception of Canavarro. Canavarro has been absolutely incredible throughout the World Cup, and he had another great match today.
But overall, a great perfromance for the Azurri.
Germany 1-1 Argentina
(Germany wins on PKs)
As expected there was little between Germany and Argentina in the first quarterfinal match today. On balance, I would have to say Argentina played better though both teams struggled to create chances and relied mostly on set pieces.
The game didn't get off to a great start during a chippy, faltering first half. The referee handled it well, but was forced to book Podolski for a real cheap shot. The Argentines were handling Germany's high pressure defense and did not allow the hosts to ride the pro-German crowd to a flying start . Argentina found some nice space attacking down the left-side on switches, bringing Tevez or an overlapping Sorin into the attack.
Germany captain Michael Ballack suffered through a miserable half (and until his PK conversion, miserable game), repeatedly turning the ball over in the midfield (I counted 5 turnovers) and failing to choreograph the German attack. Ballack did however have the first quality chance, but missed the target on a header from a beautiful cross from Schneider.
Juan Requelme again failed to find the form he showed early in the tournament. He was unable to spring the Argentine attack from the midfield, and Argentina increasingly started playing long balls from the back. Though Tevez proved a good outlet target at times, this was certainly not their preferred style of attack.
With Ballack and Requelme off their games, the game bogged down a bit in the midfield, with each team rarely threatening throughout the half. Both defenses looked solid containing attacks and neither team was often caught without substantial numbers behind the ball.
The second half looked livelier from the off, with Maxi Rodriguez gaining some traction down the right side. His endeavors lead to the first goal off of a corner kick, with Ayala bravely hurling himself and heading in front of Klose for the opening goal in the 49th minute. Credit to Requelme for a great delivery.
Immediately after the goal, Argentina had a great counter-attack opportunity against a frazzled German side. Requelme held on to the ball too long (as he has repeatedly over the last 3 games) and failed to deliver a through pass to a driving Crespo.
From there, however, the game shifted. The Argentines stopped attacking completely, and were unable to hold posession for any extended period, often resorting to knocking long balls to the German defense.
The Germans brought on Odonkor, who immediately provided a threat down the right wing. The Germans began probing deeper into the Argentine defense, and Ballack nearly equalized from a loose ball, after Abodonzierri flailed coming out on a corner kick. The keeper injured himself colliding with Klose on the play, and 5 minutes later was forced to leave the pitch for backup keeper, Franco.
Jose Pekerman was forced to remove a tiring and ineffective Requelme, who failed to provide the ball posession that the tiring Argentine defense needed. Cambiasso came in to the match, followed shortly by the German Borowski, who replaced an equally ineffective Schweinsteiger. Crespo, on his last legs, was next to go, replaced by Julio Cruz. Surprising that Pekerman did not give fleet-footed Messi a chance, but i guess he wanted experience and defense.
When Tevez was whistled for a phantom call, the Germans had a dangerous free kick opportunity. Podolski squandered the chance, blasting into the wall.
A few minutes later, a tiring Ballack delivered a great ball into the box that found Klose after a flick on by sub Borowski. The striker buried the header and it was a new game in the 80th minutes. It was a deserved punsihment for Argentina's inability to pass the ball or create anything in the last 20 minutes.
I wonder if Pekerman was rueing his substitute choice of Cruz now, as the midfield was wide open, with Michael Ballack reduced to standing in one postion and heading the ball occasionally.
Maxi Rodriguez was unable to get the best of Lamb from inside the box and resorted to a desperate flop over creation. On to OT.
In the overtime, fatigue really showed, as both teams, but particularly Argentina, struggled to find any quality at key moments. Germany was severely hindered by an immobile Ballack, though Odonkor continued with his great work down the right wing, winning another corner kick for his side. On to PKs.
Germany proved too much in the shootout, hitting 4 PK gems past the sub keeper, including Ballack. Lehman came up big for Germany twice in the shootout, especially his clinching save against Cambiasso when he blocked it at full stretch.
Germany, when their elation has worn off, will be concerned by an Italian team that is finding its attacking form. While Germany struggled in the midfield in their game, the Italian midfield played as well as they have all tourney (granted Germany faced stronger opposition). Throw in a Toni now hitting the mark, and they are suddenly a very scary proposition. The Germans created very few chances today against a top defense, and they need Ballack, Klose, and Podolski to click once again if they are to beat the Italians.
The Idiot
Italy immediately looked dangerous in the opening minutes, with Camoronese providing a real spark out of the midfield. The Argentine-born Camoronese gets short shrift at times in Italy, but his value to the struggling Azzuri offense was apparent.
Lippi's decision to sit Gilardino and play Toni up front alone looked to be a tactical master-stroke, as the Italians really linked well in the midfield - the indefatigable Gatusso also looked great both attacking and, as always, defending and winning balls.
Zambrotta combined well with Totti in the midfield and blasted a left-footed strike past Shovkovsky in the 7th. It was a rocket, but the keeper should have done better - he might have been screened as the ball travelled through a Ukraine defender's legs. Still, not a great way for the Ukraine to start.
The Ukraine looked decent in their own right, settling down after the early goal, and began to create some chances. Schevchenko missed on a tough header, but gave up on the play, failing to make a run for the great cross on the follow-up. Tymoshuk ended a great tourney, with another solid game, creating some chances and working hard all over the pitch.
In the 2nd half, the Italians showed some of why they have been deemed lucky by some. A save by Buffon from a point blank blast, followed by another by Zambrotta off the line kept the Ukraine from leveling.
The Ukraine paid immediately for missing their chances. Italy played a short corner to Totti, who delivered a gorgeous ball to Toni, who headed home while deftly shielding his defender. He has certainly deserved a goal this World Cup, and his first gave Italy the 2-0 cushion.
The Ukraine didn't give up and almost scored right away, as Gusen, a solid threat in the air all day, had his header beat Buffon but not the crossbar. From there it was downhill though, as the Ukranian defense tired and began carelessly giving the ball away to the now circling Italians.
Eventually, it was the man who started the scoring creating the final goal. Zambrotta, a terror from box-to-box all day, linked well down the left side, before a great cut inside and perfect set-up for a Toni tap-in. 3-0 Italy in the end.
The Italian defense, though keeping a clean sheet, did not look great with the noted exception of Canavarro. Canavarro has been absolutely incredible throughout the World Cup, and he had another great match today.
But overall, a great perfromance for the Azurri.
Germany 1-1 Argentina
(Germany wins on PKs)
As expected there was little between Germany and Argentina in the first quarterfinal match today. On balance, I would have to say Argentina played better though both teams struggled to create chances and relied mostly on set pieces.
The game didn't get off to a great start during a chippy, faltering first half. The referee handled it well, but was forced to book Podolski for a real cheap shot. The Argentines were handling Germany's high pressure defense and did not allow the hosts to ride the pro-German crowd to a flying start . Argentina found some nice space attacking down the left-side on switches, bringing Tevez or an overlapping Sorin into the attack.
Germany captain Michael Ballack suffered through a miserable half (and until his PK conversion, miserable game), repeatedly turning the ball over in the midfield (I counted 5 turnovers) and failing to choreograph the German attack. Ballack did however have the first quality chance, but missed the target on a header from a beautiful cross from Schneider.
Juan Requelme again failed to find the form he showed early in the tournament. He was unable to spring the Argentine attack from the midfield, and Argentina increasingly started playing long balls from the back. Though Tevez proved a good outlet target at times, this was certainly not their preferred style of attack.
With Ballack and Requelme off their games, the game bogged down a bit in the midfield, with each team rarely threatening throughout the half. Both defenses looked solid containing attacks and neither team was often caught without substantial numbers behind the ball.
The second half looked livelier from the off, with Maxi Rodriguez gaining some traction down the right side. His endeavors lead to the first goal off of a corner kick, with Ayala bravely hurling himself and heading in front of Klose for the opening goal in the 49th minute. Credit to Requelme for a great delivery.
Immediately after the goal, Argentina had a great counter-attack opportunity against a frazzled German side. Requelme held on to the ball too long (as he has repeatedly over the last 3 games) and failed to deliver a through pass to a driving Crespo.
From there, however, the game shifted. The Argentines stopped attacking completely, and were unable to hold posession for any extended period, often resorting to knocking long balls to the German defense.
The Germans brought on Odonkor, who immediately provided a threat down the right wing. The Germans began probing deeper into the Argentine defense, and Ballack nearly equalized from a loose ball, after Abodonzierri flailed coming out on a corner kick. The keeper injured himself colliding with Klose on the play, and 5 minutes later was forced to leave the pitch for backup keeper, Franco.
Jose Pekerman was forced to remove a tiring and ineffective Requelme, who failed to provide the ball posession that the tiring Argentine defense needed. Cambiasso came in to the match, followed shortly by the German Borowski, who replaced an equally ineffective Schweinsteiger. Crespo, on his last legs, was next to go, replaced by Julio Cruz. Surprising that Pekerman did not give fleet-footed Messi a chance, but i guess he wanted experience and defense.
When Tevez was whistled for a phantom call, the Germans had a dangerous free kick opportunity. Podolski squandered the chance, blasting into the wall.
A few minutes later, a tiring Ballack delivered a great ball into the box that found Klose after a flick on by sub Borowski. The striker buried the header and it was a new game in the 80th minutes. It was a deserved punsihment for Argentina's inability to pass the ball or create anything in the last 20 minutes.
I wonder if Pekerman was rueing his substitute choice of Cruz now, as the midfield was wide open, with Michael Ballack reduced to standing in one postion and heading the ball occasionally.
Maxi Rodriguez was unable to get the best of Lamb from inside the box and resorted to a desperate flop over creation. On to OT.
In the overtime, fatigue really showed, as both teams, but particularly Argentina, struggled to find any quality at key moments. Germany was severely hindered by an immobile Ballack, though Odonkor continued with his great work down the right wing, winning another corner kick for his side. On to PKs.
Germany proved too much in the shootout, hitting 4 PK gems past the sub keeper, including Ballack. Lehman came up big for Germany twice in the shootout, especially his clinching save against Cambiasso when he blocked it at full stretch.
Germany, when their elation has worn off, will be concerned by an Italian team that is finding its attacking form. While Germany struggled in the midfield in their game, the Italian midfield played as well as they have all tourney (granted Germany faced stronger opposition). Throw in a Toni now hitting the mark, and they are suddenly a very scary proposition. The Germans created very few chances today against a top defense, and they need Ballack, Klose, and Podolski to click once again if they are to beat the Italians.
The Idiot
posted by the idiot at 3:38 PM
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