SPAIN 0 vs 0 ITALY
(0 - 0 aet, 4 - 2 on penalties)
Entertainment value: 2.5/5
***
World champions Italy lost out on penalties to Spain in the last q-final tie of the Championships after both teams failed to break the deadlock in normal and extra time.
The Italians shifted back into defensive mode willing to let the Spaniards take initiative throughout the match, confident as ever as proven in previous tournaments, in their ability to absorb pressure. As a result, Spain passed more often and got more shots on goal. However, the chances were sometimes limited to wayward long range shots, rendering the game as dull as it can be.
The Italians could not find any attacking outlet as the input from midfield was sorely lacking. If only Pirlo the playmaker was not suspended for this game. Toni was being asked for too much as the focal point in attack and he ended his disappointing campaign with no goal to his name. These are all very worrying signs for Italian football. They need to find that player who can take over Pirlo's mantle and at the moment, there is none who is as adept as him especially at the major Serie A clubs. Toni is a fantastic individual on his own but he needs the regular supply for him to be of any value to Italy.
Spain was not much better really as Torres did not get the ammunition from his own midfield too as the midfield were guilty of over-elaborating sometimes. They were more dominant, true, but they did not seem to know what to do with the ball, even more so given the space ahead of them. As they face Russia next, a team they had walloped 4-1 in the group stage, they will be confident they can win again. Russia now has Andrei Arshavin though and Spain must now improve as Russia will have taken note of Spain's inability to unlock the the Italian defence.
As as Italian fan, I have told my friends that I will not be disappointed with a Italy loss. True winning the trophy will have been great but I felt the euphoria when 2 years ago Italy became world champions! So all the best to the remaining teams, Italy will see you at World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
***
akim the Italian fan
(0 - 0 aet, 4 - 2 on penalties)
Entertainment value: 2.5/5
***
World champions Italy lost out on penalties to Spain in the last q-final tie of the Championships after both teams failed to break the deadlock in normal and extra time.
The Italians shifted back into defensive mode willing to let the Spaniards take initiative throughout the match, confident as ever as proven in previous tournaments, in their ability to absorb pressure. As a result, Spain passed more often and got more shots on goal. However, the chances were sometimes limited to wayward long range shots, rendering the game as dull as it can be.
The Italians could not find any attacking outlet as the input from midfield was sorely lacking. If only Pirlo the playmaker was not suspended for this game. Toni was being asked for too much as the focal point in attack and he ended his disappointing campaign with no goal to his name. These are all very worrying signs for Italian football. They need to find that player who can take over Pirlo's mantle and at the moment, there is none who is as adept as him especially at the major Serie A clubs. Toni is a fantastic individual on his own but he needs the regular supply for him to be of any value to Italy.
Spain was not much better really as Torres did not get the ammunition from his own midfield too as the midfield were guilty of over-elaborating sometimes. They were more dominant, true, but they did not seem to know what to do with the ball, even more so given the space ahead of them. As they face Russia next, a team they had walloped 4-1 in the group stage, they will be confident they can win again. Russia now has Andrei Arshavin though and Spain must now improve as Russia will have taken note of Spain's inability to unlock the the Italian defence.
As as Italian fan, I have told my friends that I will not be disappointed with a Italy loss. True winning the trophy will have been great but I felt the euphoria when 2 years ago Italy became world champions! So all the best to the remaining teams, Italy will see you at World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
***
akim the Italian fan