Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Archived Boards => 2010 World Cup - South Africa => Topic started by: E-man on June 13, 2010, 01:28:42 PM
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Italy-Paraguay preview (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061484/preview.html)
The defending world champions make their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ debut against Paraguay in a match that ought to have a major bearing on who tops Group F. And not for the first time in their history, the men in blue will be heading into their opening match with several questions to answer.
The match
Italy-Paraguay, Group F, Cape Town, Monday 14 June, 20:30 (local time)
Those doubts are largely founded on Marcello Lippi’s decision to keep faith with nine of the players who tasted glory in Germany, a policy of continuity that has not met with the unanimous support of Squadra Azzurra fans. “It’s only a month and there’s no problem,” said the silver-haired coach, responding to criticism that his side is too old. “And in any case, the best broths are cooked in the oldest pans.”
The experienced Italians should face a stiff test from Los Guaraníes, who finished third in the CONMEBOL qualifying zone, just behind Chile on goal difference. Traditionally hard to break down, the South Americans have acquired a deserved reputation as one of the best-drilled sides on the continent.
The two previous meetings between the sides both went Italy’s way, La Nazionale securing a 2-0 win at Brazil 1950 and a 3-1 victory in a 1998 friendly. La Albirroja have been impressive in the build-up to the world finals, however, losing only to Republic of Ireland and beating Korea DPR and Greece and earning a creditable draw with Côte d’Ivoire.
Players to watch
Lucas Barrios vs Fabio Cannavaro
Representing the country of his mother’s birth, the Argentina-born Borussia Dortmund forward, only obtained Paraguayan nationality a few months ago. Coach Gerardo Martino had little hesitation in calling him up to the squad to fill the void caused by the tragic shooting of star striker Salvador Cabanas. Barrios certainly looks the part, scoring 19 goals for the Bundesliga club in 33 games last season, his first in the German top flight.
One of the men attempting to shackle him on Monday will be the Italian stalwart, who is appearing in his fourth and last FIFA World Cup. Cannavaro has not enjoyed the best of seasons with Juventus, although few players have his ability to hit peak form at major tournaments. The 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year may be in the twilight of his career, but there is little question he still presents a formidable obstacle for opposing forwards.
The stat
1-1: Italy failed to win either of their warm-up games for South Africa 2010, losing 2-1 to Mexico and drawing 1-1 with Switzerland, not that too much should ever be read into Azzurri form on the eve of the competitions that matter. In fact, that stalemate with the Swiss is an encouraging omen for the Italians, who recorded exactly the same score against their northern neighbours in their final matches before Spain 1982 and Germany 2006, competitions that they went on to win.
What they said
“We don’t have a star like Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo Messi or Wayne Rooney, and we can’t play like Brazil, Spain or the Portuguese. But when it comes to defending there’s no one that can match us,” Fabio Cannavaro, Italy defender.
“This is going to be a midfield battle, without question, and it’s sure to be competitive. We’ll be working hard on playing the ball around and having some possession, though. That’s the way to hurt Italy,” Enrique Vera, Paraguay midfielder.
Voice of the fans
“Come Monday the whole world will stop underestimating us and they’ll see that we’re serious candidates for the title. People don’t put Paraguay in the same category as Spain, Brazil, England, Netherlands and Argentina because we don’t have the star names, but we have more than enough quality and I know we can show that,” FIFA.com user bnjalbirrojo.
The question
Who will come out on top in Group F?
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dead out draw i predict.
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dead out draw i predict.
this shitty italy team will find a way to win but paraguay brand and italy struggles is a good recipe for a 0-0 draw.
i supporting paraguay.
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FORZA ITALIA!!
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dead out draw i predict.
If Italy lucky.
I going out on a limb and picking Paraguay to beat Italy. Barrios is the danger man but Santa cruz might profit from his scraps.
I actually pick Paraguay to top this group with Italy second.
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Does anyone remember that Italy is actually the defending champion of this tournament?
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Does anyone remember that Italy is actually the defending champion of this tournament?
OK so dey gettin brownie points.
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Does anyone remember that Italy is actually the defending champion of this tournament?
So was France at the start of the 2002 World Cup.
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Does anyone remember that Italy is actually the defending champion of this tournament?
So was France at the start of the 2002 World Cup.
lol true.
I just mentioned it because I myself had kinda forgotten that...
Seems like very little recognition for the team defending their title.
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Does anyone remember that Italy is actually the defending champion of this tournament?
So was France at the start of the 2002 World Cup.
Dat was meh 1st thought but I say dat should mean very little so it have 2 b d brownie pts.
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Does anyone remember that Italy is actually the defending champion of this tournament?
So was France at the start of the 2002 World Cup.
lol true.
I just mentioned it because I myself had kinda forgotten that...
Seems like very little recognition for the team defending their title.
They're playing horribly. Very slow and unimaginative. That along with the fact that their usually sound defense is weakened makes defending the title extremely difficult.
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Does anyone remember that Italy is actually the defending champion of this tournament?
"1986"
plus they are notoriously slow starters. They actually lucky that they get Paraguay and not Chile in this group.
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dead out draw i predict.
If Italy lucky.
I going out on a limb and picking Paraguay to beat Italy. Barrios is the danger man but Santa cruz might profit from his scraps.
I actually pick Paraguay to top this group with Italy second.
Italy is a top side, still! Alot of good youth coming through. 2-1 Italy
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my money on the Italianos
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Italy is most dangerous when ppl expect little from them, for past several world cups they always had problems leading up to the tournament but they reached at least semis in 90, 94 and 2006, quarters in 1998. only 2002 they got knocked out early...i predict italy win by 1 goal but this game could be just like the uruguay/france game....i supporting paraguay...paraguay doesnt seem to have much offence so i dont know where the goals coming from
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d team d that dont make me fall asleep wins!
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This game so far is Italy attacking in waves and Paraguay defending for all they worth.
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Ok, Paraguay settle down and beginning to threaten.
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and Paraguay scores!
1-0 Header off a free kick.
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Goal by Alcaraz (Wigan)...decent header
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GOAL in they kakahole
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Goal by Alcaraz (Wigan)...decent header
DECENT ::)
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ahhh yessss ;D
Big Up!
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Bout time somebody brake de ice.
Ah tort the stadium was about to
start de wave and ask de players
to join in. ;D
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That goal came against the run of play too.
Italy has actually been playing attacking football for a change.
Paraguay though, converted its set piece perfectly.
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i surpise italy playing so positive...real good for de game that paraguay score, italy will be forced to attatck versus dem take de lead and defend for the rest of the game.
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anytime Italy had score first, it would ah be time to pull cover and suck yuh finger - SNOOZE FEST!!
Now they have to attack.
Leh we see if Paraguay could keep it up.
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Anybody see de alleged injury of de Italian keeper.
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STEUPSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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De Rossi!
1-1
Keeper lapse on that one.
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What is it with goalkeepers in this world cup?
Paraguay 1, Itay 1
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Despite the fact there these are 2 very defensive sides, this game is quite entertaining.
It deserve a
(http://travelblog.portfoliocollection.com/FeaturedImage/vuvuzela.jpg)
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the corner was decent enough but Villar decided rather than catching it to perform a kind of modern dance interpretation of a swallow gliding on the winds and simply sailed past the ball. De Rossi jabbed it in from two yards and Italy are hugely relieved to be back level at 1-1.
:rotfl:
from de uk guardian commentary
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Despite the fact there these are 2 very defensive sides, this game is quite entertaining.
It deserve a
(http://travelblog.portfoliocollection.com/FeaturedImage/vuvuzela.jpg)
(http://www.ihasaids.com/upload/data/1276623271.gif)
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De Rossi!
1-1
Keeper lapse on that one.
BIG TIME
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Ths result benefit Paraguay more than Italy..Now the fight is on to see who tops the group...
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OH PHOQ PARAGUAY
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What is it with goalkeepers in this world cup?
Paraguay 1, Itay 1
D BALL
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What is it with goalkeepers in this world cup?
Paraguay 1, Itay 1
D BALL
Good point.
I eh know if Greene could blame his blunder on th ball though.
But good point nevertheless
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The keepers are no different from some of the past.. The Paraguay keeper miss the punch and his team got punished. Othan that he save well.
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dammit if only i put in my freakin predictions i would be ranked number 1 ...
all my predictions, japan win, italy tie and holland win.. all pull threw :)
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dammit if only i put in my freakin predictions i would be ranked number 1 ...
all my predictions, japan win, italy tie and holland win.. all pull threw :)
What is the lotto numbers for this week??.... :devil: ;D
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lol :)