AZZURRI ADDS COLOUR TO WORLD CUP (Italy National Football Team)

Member Name: C_Padd

Product:	Italy National Football Team
Date:	06/06/02 (210 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stong defense, same team as Euro 2000 with a new striker who can score

Disadvantages: Tendancy to let down people, too much skill, not enough subsitiance

A continental newspaper recently made the point in mock outrage that World Cup games starting in the morning and wondered at the Italians ability to cope. They like to watch the game over an evening meal with the family, and now will have to fit 10:00 starts around work. This still did not stop over a third of the whole country tuning in to watch a confident and stylish performance against Ecuador in their first game, a performance that only heightened their chances after disappointing performances by other favourites like France, England and Brazil.

Italy are one of the most accomplished European teams of all times. A role of honour stretching to back to back titles in 1934 and 1938 made them the first team ever to successfully defend their crown in the second and third ever World Cups. Other successes in 1982 World Cup and runners up twice make them close with Germany to the best European football nation. Add to another European Championship and runners up only in the last minute to France in Euro 2000 they have a pretty fine record. They do this with a flair and typical Italian class and style and have produced many stars, Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli, Roberto Baggio, Franco Baresi and Dino Zoff spring to mind. It is with little surprise that Italy claim to be one of the favourites this time around, as ever they are a top footballing force and have a current crop of players that can make it.

A last minute goal from France deprived Italy of their glory in Euro 2000. Their squad this time around is very similar to the one that came so close two years ago with one exception. They now have a proven fit goal scorer in Christian Vieri and this will only make them more impressive. It was Vieri that secured the win over Ecuador with a brace of goals and showed he was back with vengeance after injury kept him out last time around.

Italy’s main strength as is often the case is a strong back line. Paolo Maldini is still goin
g strong after serving his country for many years at left back and centre back. Alessandro Nesta from Lazio is a target for Manchester United and one of the best in the game at the moment, while Fabio Cannavaro and Iuliano add steel. Italy lack any natural wingers and wide players, but have plenty of talent in midfield. Francesco Totti is one of the starts of the team, and popular with the ladies. He is a cross over and link between midfield and attack, while Vieri is an out and out striker. It is a strong team, all are experienced players and no shortness of talent. They will be a force to beat and are rightly one of the favourites.

Gianluigi Buffon – The most expensive keeper in the world with a £32 million price tag on his head. Now playing for Juventus following his record transfer from Parma, he is a top keeper. Only 24 and established number 1 for club and country, he often makes spectacular shots and is a solid keeper for the Azzurri.

Paolo Maldini – At 34 he has been around for a very long time and this will be his fourth World Cup. Has played for AC Milan all through his career he has over 120 caps and is the team captain. Maldini is either the left full back or left hand side of a back three or even as the continental libero position but wherever he plays he is a class act.

Francesco Totti – The playmaker of the team, blessed with skills and good looks as well. Roma through and through he is the star player for the Roma giants and is well loved by the fans. Links between attack and midfield, great on the ball and can score some spectacular goals.

Alessandro Del Piero – Like Totti superbly talented and very skilful, but poor club form for Juventus has stemmed from bad knee injuries and drugs scandals but is coming back strongly. Not a full striker like Totti, Trappattoni the boss is keen to play both of them and adding to the quality of Italy.

Christian Vieri – Set a world recor
d for a transfer fee at £32 million that was soon broken, but over £70 million changing hands over him from three big transfers. A proven goal scorer with Inter Milan, Juventus and Athletico Madrid he has scored goals wherever he has been, including intentionally. 24 caps resulting in 10 goals, including 5 at the last World Cup, injuries have restricted his career, including at Euro 2000.

Italy are managed by Giovanni Trappattoni, widely seen as one of the best home grown Italian managers. As a player he made his name with AC Milan winning scudettos there and also an Italian international. As a manager he has managed several of the top sides in Italy among them AC Milan, Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Juventus where he is most famed winning six titles in ten seasons. He also had two stints with Bayer Munich in Germany, but neither were as successful. He succeeded Dino Zoff after defeat at Euro 2000 and guided Italy comfortably through qualifiers to Japan and Korea. Trappattoni may have lost some people for refusing to take Roberto Baggio, most famous for his penalty miss to 2002. Generally though he has picked a squad that is full of talent and flair, but also to suit all people.

Italy are placed in Group G along with Ecuador, Croatia and Mexico. They are currently top on goal difference after a 2-0 win over Ecuador with them and Croatia on three points. Italy have gained somewhat of a reputation for being slow starters, but should get through with ease. Their route to the top would then include possibly Portugal or USA, then Ireland or Germany and finally maybe England. More importantly they are not due to play the biggest threats or Argentina, Brazil or France until the semi-finals or final. A relatively easy flow through, could see Italy work up some pace to take others by storm.

Overall Italy have got the same basics of a nearly championship winning team from last time, with a proven goal scorer this time around it should be even
better. The usually mean back line is a good as ever and the flair players of Totti and Del Piero are back to their best. It could be a great tournament for Italy, hopefully they wont disappoint and give something that makes the World Cup special.


Links –

www.fifaworldcup.com
www.bbc.co.uk/worldcup
www.itv.com/worldcup

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