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| Wednesday 18 June, 2008 |
| Blog: Made in Italy |
| When it comes to qualifying from a group, Italy like to do it in their own inimitable way as Antonio Labbate explains |
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It was no miracle. It was typically Italian. For the umpteenth time in major championship history, the Azzurri have come back from the brink of elimination to still be in with a chance of going home as winners. It would almost be unbelievable, if it hadn’t happened before.
You can never write off the Germans, they say, but surely our beloved Nazionale are world football’s most accomplished great escape artists. Clichéd slow starters, the kings of sneaking through, the Italians have a bar tab at the last chance saloon.
Italy were certainly drinking there last night. Having collected one point from two games and being an Adrian Mutu penalty away from a tomato pelting return home, they did the business against the French – oh, how sweet it is to beat those cockerels – and Holland put fair play before their own good by defeating Romania. Would Italy have done the same? Doubtful.
I have to be honest, despite what history tells us, I was expecting to start work on Italy’s Euro 2008 post mortem today. Instead, there was a whiff of belief mixed in with the espresso aroma at my local coffee house this morning that despite the side’s shortcomings, they’re still in it to win it.
Fate and destiny have already shown their hand. Not only through the gloves of Gigi Buffon – that penalty save just gets better and better – but in other ways. Italy qualified with four points, whereas Giovanni Trapattoni’s sorry incarnation four years ago were deported with five.
Then there are the similarities with the 1994 World Cup. An equally confused Italian side, then under the guidance of Roberto Donadoni’s master Arrigo Sacchi, bungled their way through the group with a loss, a win and a draw. They went all the way to the Final, defeating Spain in the quarter-finals.
The reality, though, is that Italy will have to depend on a little bit more than memories to see off Luis Aragones’ impressive collection of individuals on Sunday. But who would bet against that happening now? After all, isn’t it about time that the Spanish self combusted in the way they only know how?
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I would just like to say that we all know what Italy are like in football. They give us the highs and the lows, but they are always at their best when they have their backs up against the wall. Like most of us, Italians are better under pressure than when we have it easy – it is what makes us and it is in our DNA to do it the hard way. But well done guys and perhaps there is a rematch with Holland – a side who have peaked too soon.
Gino
Now that we have reached the quarter-finals, I am quietly confident that favourites Spain will not fancy playing the Azzurri. It’s true that being a Nazionale supporter does age you by five years every tournament you watch. If Italy can get it right on the night and keep Torres, Villa and Fabregas quiet then Italy will win 2-1.
Davide Longo
Andrea Pirlo's absence will greatly affect Italy in the QFs. People just don’t know how important he is to the Azzurri and Milan. He may be seen making some mistakes due to his lack of speed, but if you pay attention to who is setting up Italy's chances and goals it is Andrea!
Chaikin, Dubai
Italy aren’t always slow starters. Out of the last 10 big tournaments they've participated in, from Euro '88, they've qualified with ease on five occasions. Just wanted to point that out. Seems like the "truth" isn't as true as most people think.
Jonas Söderström
Of course losing Pirlo for our forthcoming quarter-final match against the Spanish is a massive blow, but what a great time to field Aquilani who in my opinion is a fantastic prospect and should be given the opportunity. I would keep with the 4-3-2-1 option and in midfield would have De Rossi, Aquilani and Ambrosini, with Del Piero and Camoranesi sitting just in front and behind Toni.
Dino Forte
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