Sunday, June 04, 2006

What have we learned?

As I sit watching Torino fight to get into the Serie B play-off final, I muse over the friendlies of the last few days and how Italy's build-up is going for Germany. I find myself caught in a halfway house between optimism and pessimism. I never expected Italy to sparkle in matches so close to the World Cup and, to be honest, I wouldn't have wanted them to. It's a bit of a waste of time playing great before the tournament proper starts.

I admit, I was worried by the performance of Zaccardo against Switzerland who looked out of his depth. The same could be said for Iaquinta but I have never thought he was really worthy of the Nazionale. And as for Materazzi, well, enough said.

It was a good workout for Totti who looked to be heading in the right direction but I am worried about Pirlo. His form has dipped a lot and he is vital to our team play. Best players looked to me to be Cannavaro (who was in outstanding form) and probably De Rossi (ready to battle hard). A strike force of Gilardino and Toni looks powerful. The first choice defence is solid. It's a question of hitting form now.

With just a few days to go, everything still has to click into place but we don't look too bad. Be nice to win the group, then the draw opens up for us. But I can't believe old Italia will let us have it so easy...

9 comments:

martinobhoy said...

Welcome back old boy. I thought you had retired!

Pirlo is my worry. I saw him for Milan against Chievo towards the end of last season and he did look out of sorts.

Still you can get players like that and then they suddenly light up once the World Cup starts.

Have you got your viewing arrangements sorted for the opening 3 games?

ginkers said...

Our home base is going to be at my old father's house but the afternoon one might have to be at mine. I still haven't given up hope of coming up to Marcus for the Saturday game but wherever I am, I will be going bananas as usual.

Mind you, don't know if we should bother turning up with Crouchy in such blistering form...

martinobhoy said...

I'm taking a half day for the Czech Republic game but hopefully qualification will be in the bag by then.

But as you said, knowing Italy.....

Spangly Princess said...

much happier with De Rossi than Pirlo, and not just as a romanista. and wouldn;t myself play them both together anyway, I don't think.

ginkers said...

I wouldn't have a problem with De Rossi and Pirlo together along with Gattuso as a midfield. Just hoping it all gets back to the form of the games with Germany and Holland as soon as the real business kicks off.

ginkers said...

Apparently Gattuso is ruled out with injury - makes it look like a big Roma midfield with Perrotta and De Rossi!

martinobhoy said...

Oh no! He was in my twatball team. I was counting on the bookings. Looks like I'll have to rely on Dado Prso now.

a.c.t. said...

Bless our boy Gattuso. This is what he said on acmilan site: "Io comunque in Germania ci vado, anche legato con una corda al pullman." That's the spirit!

ginkers said...

That's a great quote and typical of Rino. I interviewed him briefly after the Scotland-Italy game where he came out munching an apple and addressed the media thus: "Ma che cazzo volete!". Class, pure class.