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Italy v Ukraine review
It’s Toni time
Luca Toni finally broke his goal drought with a brace to sink Andriy Shevchenko’s Ukraine and send the Azzurri to the final four. Susy Campanale saw all the Italian pieces coming together in Hamburg |
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FHe was the one remaining piece of the puzzle. All the other forwards, including Francesco Totti, had netted in Germany except for the most eagerly-awaited hitman. Luca Toni was dropped for the Australia clash, but came back with a vengeance to prove he was still the player who scored 31 goals in Serie A last season.
“It was important for me to have Marcello Lippi’s confidence and I have to thank him for giving me this chance, especially as not many people still had faith in me. I was accused of not playing for the team and having a bad attitude towards my teammates, which was completely untrue. I was the only forward yet to score, so it’s great to break that duck.
“It’s a wonderful moment, as I don’t know if I’ll ever play in a World Cup again, so they’re probably the most important goals of my career,” said the Fiorentina star after his brace. The superstitious reacted by pointing out that Pablito Rossi only scored his first goal in the quarter-finals too. “We can only hope! It’s not important who scores, as long as Italy reach the Final.”
The Coach had come in for criticism for keeping faith with Toni in a 4-4-1-1 system, but once again it seems he proved right to resist the media’s calls. “We waited for Totti and for Toni,” said the tactician. “Thankfully both of them arrived. After all, Luca scored 50 goals in two seasons, so it was impossible to think he’d suddenly lost his talent. There is a fantastic team spirit that enables us to work through many problems and changes. I am so proud of this side and its incredible character. However, this is only a starting point and from now on anything is possible.”
The scoring had been opened from an unlikely source, as Gianluca Zambrotta powered in only his second ever international goal. “I was fortunate, as the goalkeeper could have got to it and turned it round the post for a corner, but I put my strength into it and the desire to score,” said the Juventus stopper. “I was also lucky for the goalline clearance when the ball gravitated towards me.”
That was the nerviest moment in a 20-minute spell after the break, the only time when the Ukraine really threatened, but Gianluigi Buffon was again decisive and hit his head on the upright in keeping out Andriy Gusin. “I needed to be brave and concentrated,” he stated. “My head is swollen, but thankfully it’s hidden under my hair!”
The Azzurri certainly have been a solid unit, as Massimo Oddo’s appearance ensured all the outfield players contributed to the cause. “The team is very much built in Lippi’s image, as we fight hard for 90 minutes and bring home the result. We’ve changed the system over the past few games based on studying our opponents,” explained FIFA Man of the Match Gennaro Gattuso. “This is a dream that just keeps on going. I never thought I’d have the chance to be a key figure in a World Cup. That’s why I don’t want to close my eyes – I have to experience every moment in all its glorious detail.”
Some of the changes were forced upon them, as the injured Alessandro Nesta and suspended Marco Materazzi meant Andrea Barzagli had to make only his fifth senior start in central defence – his first in a competitive match – but he still managed to keep former Milan hero Andriy Shevchenko silent. “Every member of this squad has contributed and proved themselves,” explained captain Fabio Cannavaro. “It all becomes easier at the back when the whole team keeps working hard. Barzagli is a youngster of real quality and we all just told him to relax. He hasn’t had too many opportunities to shine for Italy yet, but he is the future of this side.”
STAR MAN – GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA
Although the FIFA award went to Gennaro Gattuso for another tireless performance, Zambrotta effectively decided the match in every area of the field. He scored only his second Azzurri goal from right-back, set up another for Luca Toni as a left-winger and performed a goalline clearance. Zambro is Total Football personified. |
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| Match report |
| Ita - Ukr 3-0 |
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