Right.
The hour is fast approaching.
I am a die-hard Italian soccer fanatic, and extremely nervous.
Italy is a notoriously slow starter, and Totti himself declared he is only 70% fit.
Ghana beat South Africa to the World Cup final, so we know a bit about them. They have some quality but really shouldn't pose a serious threat to the Italians.
Zambrotta and Gatusso are injured as well. I'm glad Gatusso won't play. De Rossi is much better.
As for Totti... We can only hope he features at some point. I don't think he should start. Del Piero at 100% is better than Totti at 70%.
Luca Toni should spearhead the attack and score 2 goals early at which point he will be promptly substituted in typical Italian fashion in favour of a defensive midfielder and Italy will close up shop. Boring as hell and nerve wracking for the Italian fans, but largely effective.
I'm going for 2 - 0 Italy.
At least I hope that’s how it pans out.
Hopefully the slow starting curse doesn’t affect us again.
Anybody else care to add some thoughts, or even a prediction?
Originally posted by ASROMAI'm quite curious to see both Ghana and Italy.
Right.
The hour is fast approaching.
I am a die-hard Italian soccer fanatic, and extremely nervous.
Italy is a notoriously slow starter, and Totti himself declared he is only 70% fit.
Ghana beat South Africa to the World Cup final, so we know a bit about them. They have some quality but really shouldn't pose a serious threat to the Italians.
Za e doesn’t affect us again.
Anybody else care to add some thoughts, or even a prediction?
In Italy, I'm curious to see how Luca Toni starts this world cup. He definitely has the potential to be top scorer if Italy do well even if the group is a tough one.
As for Ghana, they also have the potential to create the first major upset tonight. Italy is prone to start slowly and Ghana's has a quite decent defence and midfield. Still, I think they miss something upfront, so a standard relatively defensive Italy would be enough to guarantee a clean sheet. Still, you never know with football...
I say Italy 1 - Ghana 0 in a defensive match and Luca Toni will be the man breaking the deadlock.
Originally posted by Palynka2-0 Italy. Toni to win the Golden Boot.
I'm quite curious to see both Ghana and Italy.
In Italy, I'm curious to see how Luca Toni starts this world cup. He definitely has the potential to be top scorer if Italy do well even if the group is a tough one.
As for Ghana, they also have the potential to create the first major upset tonight. Italy is prone to start slowly and Ghana's has a quite de ...[text shortened]... y Italy 1 - Ghana 0 in a defensive match and Luca Toni will be the man breaking the deadlock.
Originally posted by marinvilleoh, no, let's cross fingers it isn't that way... I hate when they play 'catenaccio', I absolutely despise them for that... shame, shame on them if they do! ðŸ˜
1-0 to Italy. Italy are usually slow starters, and I predict they will get a goal within the first 30 minutes and get defensive and play it safe the rest of the match.
Edit. Worst and most boring World Cup ever: Italy '90
Originally posted by SeitseI'm the opposite, i love watching a great defence play just as much as i like watching a great attack play. There is absoloutley no shame in having one of the worlds best defence and using it.
oh, no, let's cross fingers it isn't that way... I hate when they play 'catenaccio', I absolutely despise them for that... shame, shame on them if they do! ðŸ˜
Edit. Worst and most boring World Cup ever: Italy '90
Originally posted by Esotericoh, well, the old discussion of spectacle against being effective. I love a good defence game, also, but one thing is defending good and other is to be 'football scrooges' and miserable with the audience -like the Italian catenaccio.
I'm the opposite, i love watching a great defence play just as much as i like watching a great attack play. There is absoloutley no shame in having one of the worlds best defence and using it.
Such a great midfield and attackers, to end up 'defending' miserably, selfishly *sigh*
Anyway, let's hope they defend good instead of murdering the spectacle.
Originally posted by SeitseAgreed!
oh, well, the old discussion of spectacle against being effective. I love a good defence game, also, but one thing is defending good and other is to be 'football scrooges' and miserable with the audience -like the Italian catenaccio.
Such a great midfield and attackers, to end up 'defending' miserably, selfishly *sigh*
Anyway, let's hope they defend good instead of murdering the spectacle.
