Italy does not play catenaccio anymore

[divinocodino1018]

I've decided to post this thread because all i read is "Italy will play a boring game because they play catenaccio." I just don't feel like reading that anymore so i decided to post a thread title as stated. Italy no longer play that boring defensive game, for example, their game vs Holland. Marcello Lippi has a different mindset and I have no doubt that Italy will emerge as winner of the group.

[uclacarlos]

Do you think it's a catenaccio modernizato, evolved? Or is the emphasis on defense almost completely gone?

I've notice that even b4 Japorea, Serie A was no longer utterly dominated by catenaccio and games are much more wide open than in the past.

[divinocodino1018]

Do you think it's a catenaccio modernizato, evolved? Or is the emphasis on defense almost completely gone?

I've notice that even b4 Japorea, Serie A was no longer utterly dominated by catenaccio and games are much more wide open than in the past.


I think what you see in Serie A and and La Nazionale is a tactical game from all phases. Italy no longer play for the 1-0 sitback lead like they once did. In Italian soccer now, you see more of an attack oriented style rather than catenaccio. Don't get me wrong...defense is still the strong point of Italian soccer but sitback defense is no longer the game plan followed in league and national play.

[italia2006]

italy dont play a boring style of defensive soccer anymore, enough is enough, ghana,czech, and especally you u.s. fans id be pretty scared considering what we did to holland beating them 3-1, and dont give me ******** that hollland didnt play ruud,robben,seedorf....well we didnt play our best player totti, cassano and bufffon. any of you who still think this need to come out of your cave and stop watching your ************ mls.

[uclacarlos]

^ :rolleyes:

Geez. This started out as a nice thread where we could discuss playing style in a rational, non-trolling way.

And then you have to come in and get all bellicose and belligerent when... nobody's being that way.

Thanks!!

[italia2006]

^ :rolleyes:

Geez. This started out as a nice thread where we could discuss playing style in a rational, non-trolling way.

And then you have to come in and get all bellicose and belligerent when... nobody's being that way.

Thanks!!


look at dcunited comes in here and starts a thread called "will cannavaro eat his words" thats trolling 101, and you can just tell by his team he like korea

[uclacarlos]

look at dcunited comes in here and starts a thread called "will cannavaro eat his words" thats trolling 101, and you can just tell by his team he like korea
Last I checked, "Italy does not play catenaccio anymore" does not = "Will cannavaro eat his words".

So maybe it's not necessary to destroy every thread b/c one thread is going down the tubes.

[ForzaGiallorossi]

I think the Italian NT still focuses on defense, but puts more emphasis on their offense more then they ever have been. The Italian defense is still very strong, but even the defenders are offense-oriented. Zambrotta is probably faster than some strikers and he has amazing ball skill for a defender.

I like Italy's chances this world cup. They have the speed to keep up with other players, especially a player like beasley, who is pretty fast down the line. Their midfield is great, with an aggressive ball-winner like Gattuso, incredible passes and ball skills from totti and Pirlo, and a player like camonaresi, who although hasn't impressed me as of late, is still a dangerous player. Then we have our offense, with amazing strikers like cassano and gilardino, and the most on-form striker in europe, Toni. With some vets like Del piero, and some new comers like De rossi, and maybe even chiellini and pazzini, we've got a good bench. And then we have Buffon in net, who hopefully has fully recovered from his injury and dominates like he usually does.

I'd say that we have strayed away from catenaccio, and are playing a more attacking, smothering kind of play, with dangerous through balls and set pieces.

[deejay]

From what I can see of Italy they're an excellent team, they maintain a strong defense and take advantage of any opportunity they can get. Their weakness is when they fall behind a goal. They snap mentally and start focusing on the ref's calls instead of getting back into the game.

[ForzaGiallorossi]

From what I can see of Italy they're an excellent team, they maintain a strong defense and take advantage of any opportunity they can get. Their weakness is when they fall behind a goal. They snap mentally and start focusing on the ref's calls instead of getting back into the game.

It sometimes seems like that is the case, but the past two games the Italian National team have played they have come back from a goal down. Holland was beating Italy 1 -0 (even though it should've been 1-1 at that point after having a valid goal disallowed) and then Italy came back to win that game 3 -1. Then against the Ivory Coast, the Ivory Coast scored first but Italy came back and scored a goal, then had a second one disallowed, which judging from replays I'd say it was a legitimate goal which crossed the line but it was not ruled a goal. So, I think that the notion is a bit discredited by these past two games, and with a coach like Lippi and a strike force like Toni, Gilardino, and Cassano, and players like Totti and Pirlo, if Italy went down a goal they have more than the capability to come back and win. With Trappatoni, the team was focused on defence and if the other team scored, it was hard to come back because of the lack of emphasis on offense. This is a new team with a more attack minded coach and I think Italy will do well in this tournament.

[LeGrazie]

It seems to me that Marcello Lippi coaching the azzurri this time instead of Giovanni Trappatoni probably makes a big difference, especially in terms of abbonding the old defensive tactics. The playing style of the Italian team this time may not look a lot like the last one -- to a point - I still think they will be more conservative than many other teams. Also, the Italian public is now very critical of catenaccio -- they just won't put up with it -- especially if the team loses while trying it.

[uclacarlos]

Also, the Italian public is now very critical of catenaccio -- they just won't put up with it -- especially if the team loses while trying it.
Please tell this to the Serbs. Please. I'm begging you.

[deejay]

It sometimes seems like that is the case, but the past two games the Italian National team have played they have come back from a goal down. Holland was beating Italy 1 -0 (even though it should've been 1-1 at that point after having a valid goal disallowed) and then Italy came back to win that game 3 -1. Then against the Ivory Coast, the Ivory Coast scored first but Italy came back and scored a goal, then had a second one disallowed, which judging from replays I'd say it was a legitimate goal which crossed the line but it was not ruled a goal. So, I think that the notion is a bit discredited by these past two games, and with a coach like Lippi and a strike force like Toni, Gilardino, and Cassano, and players like Totti and Pirlo, if Italy went down a goal they have more than the capability to come back and win. With Trappatoni, the team was focused on defence and if the other team scored, it was hard to come back because of the lack of emphasis on offense. This is a new team with a more attack minded coach and I think Italy will do well in this tournament.

Ah yes, but those were friendlies. Still, I'll be the first to admit that a new coach can bring a new attitude. Good luck in the WC!

[dor02]

Also, the Italian public is now very critical of catenaccio -- they just won't put up with it -- especially if the team loses while trying it.I can't blame them one bit.

Honestly, Trapattoni can have fun wreaking VfB Stuttgart because now with Lippi, the Azzurri do look like a quality side. If Lippi was there at Euro 2004, Italy would have easily won against Sweden. Sweden only equalised because Trapattoni let them into the match.

[Dutch Treat]

Italy isn't the Italy of old anymore.I'd have to agree they are not playing catenaccio.I've seen a couple of games,and their last game against the Dutch proved it.Italy deserved to win that game,and no , I'm not going to throw in some absences , although it was very clear that defender Vlaar cost us the game with his vital mistakes,but that's football,no mistakes allowed.Not taking any credit away from your win,but if you really watched the game you know what I mean with Vlaar.

It would actually be a damn shame if Italy was playing defensively with all the class they got in their team.

Some still say Italy plays catenaccio , I don't.
Some say Italy is overrated , I sure as hell won't.Take Italy lightly and it will be your downfall.From back to front they have excellent players,and excellent backups for most positions.

[Garibaldi]

Italia.... a very long time ago played catenaccio but anyone who knows and understand Italian football now-a-days knows pretty well that Italian football is becoming stronger and much much more offensive. Our style of play in my opinion has revolved more on the counter-attack than the sole called " cateneaccio". Plus the new generation of tacticians and players coming on to the scene are all firing on all cylinders - you watch what Italia will do for the world cup 06..... they are going to destroy everyone! and put all that has been said to shame!

I say Italia x Brasil - Finals

Viva L'Italia

[ForzaGiallorossi]

Italia.... a very long time ago played catenaccio but anyone who knows and understand Italian football now-a-days knows pretty well that Italian football is becoming stronger and much much more offensive. Our style of play in my opinion has revolved more on the counter-attack than the sole called " cateneaccio". Plus the new generation of tacticians and players coming on to the scene are all firing on all cylinders - you watch what Italia will do for the world cup 06..... they are going to destroy everyone! and put all that has been said to shame!

I say Italia x Brasil - Finals

Viva L'Italia


I dont think its possible for Italy and brazil to meet in the finals. I think they will have to meet by or before the semis.

[Nutty]

I haven't seen the Italian NT play since WC'02 so I am curious about how the team tactic is more offensive. Do your RB and LB make offensive runs, or is it the midfield pushing up more? I know someone mentioned counter-attacking, which IMO is still playing defensively.

(Not meaning to sound like I am putting Italy down - I am hoping for US and Italy advancing - just trying to learn more on how they've become more offensive in their game.)

[YankHibee]

Is Italy good enough and tactically disciplined enough to still play catenaccio?

[ForzaGiallorossi]

I haven't seen the Italian NT play since WC'02 so I am curious about how the team tactic is more offensive. Do your RB and LB make offensive runs, or is it the midfield pushing up more? I know someone mentioned counter-attacking, which IMO is still playing defensively.

(Not meaning to sound like I am putting Italy down - I am hoping for US and Italy advancing - just trying to learn more on how they've become more offensive in their game.)

Our RBs and LBs do make plenty of runs. Zambrotta has amazing speed and ball skill, and Grosso, who will be our likely starter, plays very well downt he line and has very good crosses. Our Mid is very destructive offensively, with guys like Pirlo, Totti, and Camonaresi, and then a tough ball winner like Gattuso.

Italy is very good at counter attacking because pirlo and totti can make deadly accurate long balls, but also the midfield is very attacking and we like to utilize the side lines and quick passes, and also like to use crosses in the box for guys like Toni to head them in.