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Match Report – 22 June 2008 – Italy Pay the Penalty
Italy took exactly what they deserved from this superpower showdown. From the start of the game it was easy to predict how the next couple of hours would pan out and with the Azzurri at their defensive, cynical worst it was also a fair bet that it would drag. And it did.
With the Spanish seemingly incapable of breaking down Italy’s two banks of five and both teams’ horrendous record from the spot in major tournaments, this match had "penalties" written all over it. What’s more, it was about the only way we were likely to see a goal.
In his defence (no pun intended), Roberto Donadoni was forced to name a team without his midfield engine room of Gattuso and Pirlo. However, in all honesty, Italy have been distinctly unadventurous throughout UEFA EURO 2008™ and it was no surprise that they set the record for the most 0-0 draws in the history of the competition last night.
In a first half largely devoid of entertainment, Toni had Italy’s best chance with a header that he directed straight at Casillas. Silva meanwhile shaved both posts from long distance as he tried to find his range for Spain, who were also harshly denied a penalty when Villa seemed to be kicked inside the area.
Just before the hour mark, both managers made changes that livened up the game. Fabregas came on for Spain while Camoranesi took the field for Italy and, within minutes, the Argentinean-born winger forced an instinctive – and match-winning – save from Casillas.
With Torres and Villa kept in check by the expert Italian defence, most of the Spanish chances fell to midfielders. Silva had two more presentable chances while Senna hit a low drive that dribbled through Buffon and, to the big goalkeeper’s relief, returned to his arms via the foot of his post. However this was about as good as it got.
So after 120 minutes of largely forgettable football, it was time for penalties – a cruel lottery that has been unkind to both of these teams over the years. However, Spain’s record of losing three quarter final penaly deciders on this date in recent years does take a lot of beating.
Villa’s assured penalty was the first step in laying that particular ghost to rest and, although Guiza’s effort was saved by Buffon, failures by De Rossi and Di Natale eventually ensured a 4-2 win for Spain…and a victory for the beautiful game.
You may have noticed that I was less-than-impressed by the way Italy approached this game. How about replaying it as Italy and adjusting your tactics and personnel with the aim of winning the game in normal time. Even better, try to get a few goals and, if you do, post a video of it so I can wipe the real game from my memory!
Villa and Torres have arguably been the best strike partnership in the tournament so far but they were kept quiet by the Italian defence. Try playing as either of them in Be A Pro mode and bag some goals.
(The camera is definatly affecting my performance, but I like switching cameras about. More enjoyable).
OH CHANCE FOR ITALY! Perrota crosses it in for Toni, who's header comes off the post! Cleared out by Ramos, Ambrosini picks it up. Passes it to Grosso, to Perrota. Perrota first time pass to Toni, who takes on Ramos to then cross it in low to Cassano. But it comes off Xavi first, but Cassilas slipped! Xavi then manages to get up and clear the ball off the line. No one can believe that Cassilas slipped! Italy have created the far better chances.
Half time in extra-time. When Spain get possesion, they just can't do anything. Italy's defence has been solid.
GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL! Fantastic goal, by TONI! His first of the tournament, what a well place header. Zambrotta slides in to get the ball off Silva on the right, Aquilini picks it up. Then places the ball through Capdevilla and Marchena for Cassano to run onto. Cassano then crosses the ball over to Toni who put the power and placement behind the ball to get it past Cassilas into the top corner. And his celebration shows how much it meant to him. 0-1 with 109 minutes played at the Ernst-Happel Stadion.
Full-time, Italy hold on for the win. Italy did go out and attack, they wasn't negative. They face Russia in the Semi-Finals.
Spain Vs. Italy (Same lineup for Italy, default for Spain. Not much differance though)
Match Type: Quarter-Final
Half Length: 4 Minutes
Dificulty Level: World Class
Ball: Europass
Stadium: Ernst-Happel Stadion
Weather Conditions: Clear Night
Pitch Pattern: Default
Kick off. Italy without Gattuso and Pirlo could really struggle today, with the Spannish flooded with midfield creativity on the field and the bench.
De Rossi plays the ball to Grosso on the left, he gets down the wing. The cross heads for Gattuso, but headed away by Puyol. Italy are showing an attacking intent. Oh chance for Spain, Fabregas passes to Torres. Torres tried playing through Joaquin, but the pass was blocked. It fell to Torres again, who had a space to run into the box with. Torres shot as Buffon ran out but it narrowly goes wide. It's a quiet game that's having good chances. 23 mins on the clock.
What a save. Ambrosini is doing well, he won the ball off Fabregas. Set Luca Toni through on goal, but he had one touch to many. And Cassilas managed to make himself big enough to block the shot.
OH CHANCE BY PERROTA! He ran the ball from the half way line. Getting into the box after an outstanding run, but his shot went well wide! (I need to change back to assisted on *****, I can score then! :D) Italy dominated possesion till the end of half time, but couldn't find a way through. It's been a quiet game, with few chances, but the quality of chances were top class.
Italy get the ball rolling in the second half. Oh chance for Italy. Aquilani switches the ball to the left flank, Perrota picks the ball up at the crossing zone. Whips in one, but Toni's header goes over the bar. Italy had a chance before that aswell, Perrota done a nice first touch to play in Toni. Who's first time shot went narrowly wide.
Corner to spain on the 102nd minute. AH TORRES! Fabregas crosses it to the near post, Torres heads it to the backpost, but the outstanding Buffon manages to reach and push it onto the top netting. What a keeper he is. Corner to Spain, Fabregas crosses it to the 6 yard box, it was scraped away. Ramos on the volley with his left foot narrowly goes over.
ANOTHER CHANCE GOES BEGGING! Torres is proven the differance here, really stepped up his game in extra-time. Fabregas plays it through to Torres who's on his own with 4 defences infront of him. Torres does brilliantly to get past Gattuso on the edge of the penalty box on the left. The ball goes out of Torres's reach, but he slides in and manages to get it across to the incoming Villa in the 6 yard box, who's shot rattles off the post. The whistle then goes, that should of been 2-0. But did the ball go out of play?
Second half of extra-time. Nothing happens, full-time. Spain go through curtosy of an own goal, but Torres was the differance. Despite no goals.
I might do some Be A Pro matches with the Pro camera abit more. I liked using the pro camera for the team on Fifa 08, wish you could on Euro 2008 aswell. Although I love the Broadcast camera aswell as Pro camera, just their so dificult. I'll start practicing :D
Seconds away from half-time and Perrota nearly put Italy ahead. Torres is working his socks off to try get the ball, as the Spannish midfield and defence can't. Italy are playing around them like cones, Perrota gets released who's shot to the near post is well saved by Cassilas. Corner kick. Nothing happens, half-time.
Looks like a bore-draw here, few half chances. Whenever Spain release Torres or Villa, they get snuffed out like rats.
Second half. 60 minutes gone, nothing. So boring to watch. (Is it me, or is the Pro camera extremely dificult?) Fabregas and Joaquin on for Iniesta and Senna. Let's hope this liven things up. 20 minutes to play. (*** hell, I wish my team wouldn't pass to me in the **** of positions). 85 minutes gone, still nothing.
Extra time. I wonder if there's anything to type down. OH WHAT A CHANCE! And what a save! Joaquin with the ball on the right, plays it to Torres who passes it back to Villa. It goes out wide to Silva. Villa gets the ball on the edge of the penalty box, plays it into the narrowest of margins for Torres to run onto. First time shot, right in the bottom corner with his left boot. But Buffon does an absolutely astonishing save. Corner to Spain. 92 minutes gone.
The ball gets headed out to Fabregas, who volleys it over. Chance wasted. IT'S A GOAL! An OWN GOAL!?! Spain have played some decent football in extra-time, Xavi passes it to Fabregas who gets it out wide to Capdevilla, outside the penalty box. Capdevilla plays a through ball to Torres running towards the six yard box on the left. Torres does a first time ball across through two defender's towards Fabregas. But Materazzi who tried to clear
Be A Pro (As Fernando Torres, i'll be using the Pro camera for funzies :P)
Spain Vs. Italy (Same lineup for Spain, Italy's default line up)
Match Type: Quarter-Final
Half Length: 4 Minutes
Dificulty Level: World Class
Ball: Europass
Stadium: Ernst-Happel Stadion
Weather Conditions: Clear Night
Pitch Pattern: Default
Italy's appeal over Gattuso's and Pirlo's yellow cards have, surprisingly been accepted. Spain are obviously furious, when do you ever see this happen? Platini has some explaining to do.
Kick off for Spain, let's hope it's a gooden. Ramos picks the ball up on the right, passes it to Iniesta just past the half way line, who see's Torres's run down the right and brilliantly plays it through to him, where Torres runs on with the ball and crosses it to the centre of the box but was headed away by Panucci. Villa was close to getting onto that. Great vision by Iniesta and run by Torres for that move.
Italy are controlling all the possesion, with their boring football. It took them 8 minutes to finally get the ball to Spains penalty box, and the cross was cleared away easily. Italy have the ball again to dominate possesion and bore us.
OH CHANCE FOR SPAIN! Torres wants a penalty, he was punched in the face! Senna wins the ball off Pirlo, who passes it to Torres. Who was closed down immidiatly, Senna picks up the ball again. Italy playing very high up the pitch, Senna once again passes it to Torres. Who's first touch recently Villa down the pitch. But Villa was quickly closed down by the Italy defence, which he resorted to a shot outside the area. Buffon fumbled it, Torres running in. Get's a foot on the ball where Chiellini actually hits him in the face. Torres managed to stay on his feet, but the penalty was denied. (Went on the instant replay, and Chiellini's hand does hit Torres's face.)
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