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Germany v Italy semi-final review
Fabio-lous Italy leave it late
It seems every World Cup encounter between Italy and Germany has to be memorable, and the epic clash of the titans in Dortmund was no exception. Susy Campanale saw a dramatic finale to the game of the tournament |
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There’s always something special when these two masters of the sport come together, especially in a major competition. Thoughts went back to the legendary 1970 battle of the Azteca Stadium, where a 4-3 extra time Italy victory became known as one of the greatest games in World Cup history. For those who witnessed 120 minutes of rare quality, endeavour and sheer willpower, the Azzurri’s win against the hosts in Dortmund belongs in the same book. “It’s certainly comparable to 1970,” said Sandro Mazzola, one of the heroes of Mexico. “The same heart, determination and grit was on show, with the extra bonus of doing it all in their own back yard.”
It was a delicately poised meeting and emotions were running high just hours after the Calciopoli trial prosecutor requested relegation for Juventus, Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio. Torsten Frings’ ban, inspired by Sky Italia footage of the midfielder throwing a punch at Julio Cruz in the post-penalty brawl with Argentina, also caused tension. Thankfully the match was played in the best possible spirit throughout and those who feared the Azzurri would be distracted by events back home were proved wrong yet again.
“We’ve reached the Final because we knew how to channel all of the anger which had built up inside of us from the Calciopoli situation and the German media’s provocation,” explained captain Fabio Cannavaro, who again was immense at centre-back. “We must show respect to our opponents, even if they showed no respect to the Italians living in their own country.”
When Alberto Gilardino and Gianluca Zambrotta hit the woodwork in extra time, the spectre of penalties – and the nations’ respective records in these shoot-outs – was looming. Italy have made a habit of dramatic finales this summer and Dortmund was the most astonishing of all, as with 90 seconds remaining Andrea Pirlo’s reverse pass found Fabio Grosso for a perfect curling left-foot finish past Jens Lehmann. “I don’t have the words to describe it,” said the man whose celebration was reminiscent of Marco Tardelli against Germany in the 1982 Final. “We deserve this, because we’ve said since the start that this is a great squad with real team spirit. I can’t wait to celebrate with them and embrace everybody.”
The icing on the cake was provided by Alessandro Del Piero, a man more famous for missing chances in major tournaments than scoring them, but he ran the entire length of the pitch to support Gilardino and curl it past the ‘keeper with the last kick of the game. “As the away side and with everything happening, we had it all against us,” said the No 7. “I was a long way back, but Gilardino did well to hold up the ball and hear me call again when I got closer. We beat a very strong team and could’ve scored earlier, but our desire today was superior to any obstacle.”
Coach Marcello Lippi revealed why he chose Del Piero, one of three attacking substitutions, to seal the late victory. “On the bench I said Del Piero would score,” explained the ex-Juventus boss. “He watched his teammates during the warm-up and in the game as if he was already out there. You could see how much he wanted to play and I believe that can make the difference. It really would’ve been a pity if we hadn’t won this match on the field. Perhaps we would’ve triumphed on penalties anyway, as we certainly played better than Germany in their own back yard in front of thousands of German fans. The lads were absolutely extraordinary and this was probably the most important game in my career.”
Grosso and Del Piero ensured Italy had by now scored 11 goals from 10 different men and, with the fact all the outfield players have been used, their strength in depth was evident. “We are in the Final and when we started perhaps even we didn’t expect to go this far,” explained Luca Toni, the only man to net twice. “We didn’t think there was a team better than us, but certainly ones as good as, and you need luck to reach any Final. You need good players to win, but you also require people willing to make sacrifices and share the load. The substitutes are every bit as good as the starters and the strikers work more to set up their teammates than to go for glory.”
Gilardino also revealed the key to their extraordinary unity. “We said before this adventure began that the Final was our objective and we got there with determination, humility, great character and some good football,” explained the Milan ace. “We always believed in ourselves, as the team spirit is responsible for 80 per cent of this victory. All the strikers scored in this tournament and proved their worth when called upon. The Coach always keeps us on tenterhooks until the last minute to give us the line-up and that’s very important to keep everyone in the loop.”
The hard work of the water-carriers is often under-estimated, but Gennaro Gattuso stood up for the little man in this World Cup. “People admire me for the hard work I put in, hardly for the classy play, but my idol has always been Salvatore Bagni. I am proud of my role and what I have to do on the field. It’s all I can do,” insisted the midfielder who fought like a lion despite the threat of suspension for the Final.
Perhaps the greatest achievement in Germany has been to change the perception of the Italian game after so many disappointing competitions and another summer of scandal. “I think that after this match a lot of people will have to change their preconceptions about Italian football,” maintained Marco Materazzi. “Although some believe we’re a nation of cheats, simulators and time-wasters, we’ve proved in this competition that we play great football and are nothing like the clichés. I think the entire squad works together. It’s wonderful to see Gattuso, with a yellow card hanging over his head, running for 120 minutes and tackling in every inch of the field. That’s why the defence is so strong – it’s teamwork.” It’s that kind of attitude that took the Azzurri all the way to the World Cup Final.
STAR MAN – FABIO GROSSO (ITALY)
It’s difficult to pick one among a team of giants on the night, but the Palermo full-back cannot be denied for his decisive goal. It’s not just Brazilian defenders who can curl the ball like that, you know! Already crucial against Australia, he has grown throughout the competition and now truly belongs at this level. Other candidates include the inevitably brilliant Cannavaro, plus Pirlo and Gattuso, who nullified Michael Ballack and the German midfield with grit and sheer class.
[Click here for Portugal v France review] |
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