Italy 2 – 1 England World Cup 2014
When I hear people talking of the best leagues in Europe I often find myself failing to understand why when it comes to the premiership, nobody seems to have any interest in the English national team. Of the so called ‘strongest leagues’ the German and Spanish top tiers provide their national outfits with a steady supply of talent. Whilst considered below these nations, the leagues of Italy, France and Portugal also produce a steady level of quality for international competition.
Yet the english premiership, the league which many suggest as the strongest, consistently fails to provide top class talent to the national squad. It may be the richest, and most commercially viable for foreign investors, of which there are a growing amount, but the majority of the highest earners are not english. The best clubs are increasingly filled with more foriegners than domestically produced quality. This impacts the ability of England to compete on the international stage, and goes a long way to explain why England have rarely looked threatening in the EUROs or World Cup since 1996 when they hosted the tournament.
Raheem Sterling was a constant menace for England
There is one team in the upper echelons of english football, who deploy a fair amount of englishmen; Liverpool. And it was the Liverpool contingent’s wonderful domestic form which has completely altered the tactics and perhaps the potency of the England side. Sterling, Sturridge, Johnson and Gerrard came so close to winning their first title for many moons. Pipped at the post by the foreign hordes of Man City.
With Lallana and Barkley also showing wonderful promise, it appears that finally, a few english players are re-affirming the domestic talent pool in a league which has been over-run with foreigners for far too long, to the massive detriment of the national side.
My measure of the strength of a domestic league includes the quality of players produced for the national side.
Performed superbly in a sweeper role for Italy, Daniele de Rossi gave one of his finest showings in an azzurri shirt.
Hodgson was brave in his tactics, opting for a front-line containing 4 forwards. To accommodate Sturridge as the main target man, Rooney is forced to play on the left side of an attacking midfield trident, alongside Sterling and Wellbeck. The tactic was to get men behind the ball, then break with numbers and pace. Henderson and Gerrard were tasked with maintaining a solid fulcrum in front of the defence.
Italy, already under strength due to the Montolivo’s broken leg in the recent friendly with Ireland, and the questions regarding Rossi’s match sharpness leading Prandelli to leave him at home, were dealt yet more injury woe in the lead-up to the game. First choice left back De Sciglio pulled up in training and was followed to the treatment room by super star goalkeeper, Buffon, suffering with a lightly sprained ankle. Three of those mentioned would surely have featured in the ideal starting XI.
Fortunately, Italy always have decent keepers. Sirigu of PSG fame was given the chance to deputize for Buffon. Chiellini was placed at left back, with Palletta coming into central defence alongside Barzagli.
The game started at a lively pace which continued until early in the second half when Italy grabbed their second. After which, the pace died down, no doubt due to the oppressive heat sapping the energy from both sets of players.
Rooney set up England’s equalizer with a beautiful pass for Sturridge to bury.
It was an even match, with the attacking quartet of England asking constant questions of the Italian rearguard. Which stood up remarkably well given the make-shift nature of the line-up. A special mention must be made of young right fullback Darmian whose covering, tackling and attacking enthusiasm led to the second goal and impressed throughout. I hope the rumours are true regarding his possible move to Juve. For he proved his value tonight, owning the right flank, solid at the back and at threat moving forward.
Aside from the goal, England’s best chance in the first half, other than a couple of shots from long range, came when the ball was whipped across the 6 yard area by Wellbeck, with Sturridge closing in on the loose ball in flight, Barzagli produced a top drawer piece of defending, flicking the ball to safety with his outstretched leg.
Italy took the lead when a corner was taken short, the ball seemingly played to Pirlo whose dummy oozed class and gave Marchisio time and space to drive a brilliant strike into the bottom corner from outside the box. Much to the dismay of the italians, England were level moments later, caught napping at the back when Rooney drove down the left flank, released by Sterling, chipped in a perfect pass for Sturridge to score from close range.
Italy regrouped and increased the pressure before half time, going close to a second twice in quick succession. Firstly, Balotelli was found in the box, who turned the keeper, found himself at an acute angle, placed a gorgeous chip towards the empty net, which was cleared mid-air off the line. Soon after, Candreva hit the post.
The second half started at the same exciting pace, but Italy were the more dangerous on the ball. Darmian charged up the right flank, released Candreva who turned to place a delightful curling left foot cross between keeper and defence where Balotelli was lurking to head Italy back into the lead at Hart’s near post.
Perhaps the most complete creative midfielder in the world game, Pirlo played like a true maestro, hitting the bar late on with a trademark free-kick.
There was one great chance for Rooney later in the game, yet he snatched at the shot and dragged it inches wide from a wonderful position in the box. However, in terms of chances, Italy also made an even closer attempt in the dying moments. Pirlo on the ball with a free kick from a fair range. With a minute left on the clock, it would have been no surprise to simply maintain possession. Yet that is not Pirlo’s style. He thrives on pressure. And so decided to shoot. Given his deserved reputation as one of the strongest free kick takers in the world, it was no surprise to see the ball curl wickedly in the air, fly past Hart and cannon of the cross-bar.
On the balance of play and clear cut chances made, Italy merited their victory. Their passing was fluid, their defence pretty solid. Balotelli looked threatening in the final third and the tactic of employing two forward thinking midfielders in supporting roles worked a treat as Baines had a torrid time dealing with Candreva and Darmian on the English left flank. Marchisio is an intelligent player, happy to work the percentages, clear, cover, get in the box when required. Given the lack of a natural fullback on the left side of defence, it was clear that his work would involve covering for his Juve team-mate Giorgio.
Chiellini is a world class centre back, and can play at left back, but expecting him to provide the kind of support given by Darmian is unrealistic. I am happy to see him there, for I prefer all defenders to be first and foremost strong in the challenge and quick with their feet and minds. Hence it came as no surprise that Italy’s attacking focus was heavily weighted down the right.
Pirlo was in majestic form. De Rossi absolutely superb as a sweeper. Verratti not involved as much as he would have liked, but I was impressed to see him lining up alongside Pirlo and happy for him to get his first taste of world cup finals action against a decent team like England.
It was a shame to see Immobile given a run-out without any support, as he is at his best when playing with wide forwards or wingers, but Italy needed an outlet to aim for to help take the pressure of the defence and midfield.
Confident and dangerous in the final third, Torino’s Matteo Darmian enjoyed a solid world cup finals debut
England were more impressive than I have seen since the 96 EUROS. Their attacking endeavour was brilliant to watch and dangerous. They are clearly a work in progress, yet so are Italy. Whether they should continue to deploy Rooney as an attacking midfielder expected to track back as well as work the flank is a question likely turning through Hodgson’s mind. He is a natural centre-forward, yet that role is taken by Sturridge. Perhaps it would be better to alternate him with Sturridge? Allow Barkley to take his place behind the front-man.
Henderson and Baines were disappointing, but they paid the price for a system geared towards counter-attacking with four strikers at lightning pace. Sterling was a joy to behold, his quick feet and eagerness to take on players suggested an English pele in the making!
The English lacked that little bit of intelligence the italians seem to have in their DNA. In terms of tactical movement Prandelli’s men were technically more accomplished. Yet the early signs for the fortunes of both teams in the tournament are very promising indeed. Both can be pleased. Obviously the italians will be happier, but the defence of Costa Rica and Uruquay does not include Chiellini, De Rossi and Barzagli…
Despite the run of poor results in friendly matches played since world cup qualification was achieved, Prandelli’s record in international competition remains very strong. He has lost only twice in 90 minutes in four years, once in the EURO 2013 final and again against Brazil at the confederations cup.
My man of the match is shared between De Rossi and Darmian. The veteran Roma man seems to have finally found his perfect role for la nazionale, providing minder duties for Pirlo, cleaning up at the back and confronting any attacks arriving in the central channels. The youngster of Torino appeared confident and not at all overawed by the occasion for a sensational debut.
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