Finally Italy has clicked. While the comeback win against Estonia was a good result, this 5-0 win shows that Prandelli has found harmony within the team. Prandelli’s home debut as the coach of the Italian National team is certainly positive, Cassano inspired the team, and he looks ready to face any opposition. And with this win, Italy take command of the qualifying group at first place with six points, two points ahead of Serbia who are second.
The match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi marks a step forward, Prandelli decided to start with Gilardino center-forward, with Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi supporting him. The midfield three were Pirlo, De Rossi, and Montolivo, and the defense was made up of Antonelli, Bonucci, Chiellini, and De Silvestri in front of Viviano in goal. A good selection from Prandelli, with Pirlo and Cassano acting as the architects which pass and penetrate the Faroe Islands’s defence.
As the match kicked off, the usual Italia fan invaded the pitch, the same one who back in the Lippi days wore a shirt which said, “Cassano in Nazionale”, which means “Cassano in the national team”. This time he went over to Cassano, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and ran off peacefully saying good-bye to Prandelli.
After that interesting incident, Italy began well, they attacked and created attacking opportunities right away. Italy constantly kept possession in the opponent’s half, causing plenty of trouble with Cassano and Pirlo’s passing masterclass. Bonucci rose up from the defence in a similar way to Lucio, expertly weaving his way around defenders hoping to get a chance to score, and the rest of the team made sure to accommodate the Juventus player’s runs.
It was in the 11th minute that Italy scored, Gilardino flicking with his head a corner swung in by Pirlo. It was 11 months that Gilardino didn’t score, and this goal is very welcome by the Fiorentina striker, especially after the disappointment in South Africa.
The second goal came from Daniele De Rossi in the 22nd minute, unmarked in the area, first hits his first shot against the defender, and the lucky rebound comes right to him which he smashes into the net. The Roma midfielder’s shot deflects off of Gregersen’s heel, but the ball would’ve most likely finished up in the net anyway.
At 2-0, Italy continued to play with an attacking style, a defensive wall stopped everything the Faroe Islands tried to do, and the ball circulated around the Azzurri’s feet. Then, about five minutes later Cassano shows why Lippi should’ve picked him for the World Cup: the Sampdoria forward cuts in from the left side and lashes a shot across the keeper into the goal which makes the Artemio Franchi Stadium explode with joy.
The Italy players were relaxed and calm as they filtered the ball through the Faroe Islands defence over and over, eventually scoring a fourth and a fifth goal. Quagliarella found the back of the net somehow as everybody scrambled for the ball, and Pirlo beautifully curled a close-range free kick under the bar.
A perfect performance from the Azzurri which helps forget the disappointment of the World Cup in South Africa, and hopefully move on towards a positive campaign in the European Championships. How do you think Italy played? Comment below!
Related posts:
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- Italy 2-1 Spain: New Coach Cesare Prandelli Gets A Major Confidence Boost
- Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio: Midfield Duo Behind Italy’s and Juventus’s Surge?
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- Can Mario Balotelli Lead the Azzurri to Glory in Euro 2012?
Hi Niccolo,
This is the largest margin of victory for the Azzurri in many years as far as I can remember. I do believe Cassano is beginning to make a difference but credit to Prandelli for trusting younger players and for concentrating on being more attack-minded.
I still think those two teams (particularly Faroe Islands) are weak opposition and we must wait till Azzurri take on a stronger team. I believe Italy might suffer because Inter, as Italy’s best team, does not rely on Italians. This is an article I wrote about that and about Juve’s linked future with the Italian national team:
http://www.serieaweekly.com/2010/08/italys-revival-linked-to-progress-at-juventus.html
Hi Rami,
While I’ve always thought that with the downfall of the Juventus, the national team would follow, I’m hoping that another Serie A team can take the reins of developing Italian talent. And it seems like Inter Milan are actually beginning to contribute: I saw some amazing youngsters play for them in the summer like Biraghi, Natalino, and Benedetti, and I know that there are more.
They also are beginning to bring through Destro who is on loan at Genoa, and Santon will hopefully return to fitness sometime soon. Plus, you can’t forget about Balotelli, one of the most important players for Italy right now.
Maybe Inter’s lack of spending this summer shows that Moratti hopes that the team can begin to rely on younger and talented players, and maybe help out the Italian national team as they develop them. Sorry for the late response to your comment, what do you think?
What are your thaughts on “la formica atomica”? . . . I know he hasn’t played much recently and has been recovering from injury, but when he has played he has definately proved that dynamite comes in small packages! Do you guys predict he’ll get a chance or not? . . . How do/dont you think he’ll fit in with this team?
Well, I’ve always been a huge fan of Giovinco, I think that he’s full of talent. And he’s most certainly Cassano’s replacement for Italy, I imagine a trident with Giovinco, Balotelli, and Giuseppe Rossi in Brazil 2014.
But sadly he’s been having some trouble with his club, although he has now moved to Parma, the time he spent at Juventus was a waste. The club didn’t appreciate his talent, and they decided to pick players like Amauri, Iaquinta, and Trezeguet over him.
I’m hopeful that at Parma he’ll have the entire team rotating around him, therefore helping him improve. We’ll have to see how he does in the Serie A, and if he begins to show a little bit of magic, I’m sure that Prandelli will notice.
Thanks for the comment Christian, are you a Juventus fan?
Ciao Niccolo,
Thanks for the response. No, I’m an Aquilotto, a very proud one at that. However, I have a strong interest in all the Italian teams and their players and always try to keep an eye open for talent.
Like many Italians, football is my religion. I am still recovering from the summer shock which will not be mentioned! I was a degected man, like the national team i was a shadow of my former self. However my confidence, like that of so many youngsters on the national team, is growing!
I just want us to be back on top, recognised and respected as one of . . . if not THE best football nation. . .