Official Italy vs Australia PRE and PBP Match Thread [R]

[leonidas]

this is really looking like a greece game in euro04.

[ZenitChempion]

this is really looking like a greece game in euro04.
How so?

[leonidas]

How so?

i just think the general strategy of the australians is to tire out a tactically superior opponent. i mean, italy is completely dominating this game and theyre blowing all these chances. australia will threaten maybe two or three times and i think they'll likely score and take the game.

[ZenitChempion]

I hope you are right - used to be a fan of italy, but the way they played in group was a BIG turn off. Australia on the other hand have been phenomenal.

[rat2k5]

i just think the general strategy of the australians is to tire out a tactically superior opponent. i mean, italy is completely dominating this game and theyre blowing all these chances. australia will threaten maybe two or three times and i think they'll likely score and take the game.


Italy won't tire. It will be Australia that will wilt

[Autogolazo]

i just think the general strategy of the australians is to tire out a tactically superior opponent. i mean, italy is completely dominating this game and theyre blowing all these chances. australia will threaten maybe two or three times and i think they'll likely score and take the game.

I think "completely dominating" is a vast overstatement.

Pirlo, for example, is having a terrible game. Del Piero didn't do much, either.

I bet possession is roughly even, as well.

Italy has had one or two more chances, that's it.

[eaver]

I hope you are right - used to be a fan of italy, but the way they played in group was a BIG turn off. Australia on the other hand have been phenomenal.

Kudos to the TRUE fans ;)

[leonidas]

I hope you are right - used to be a fan of italy, but the way they played in group was a BIG turn off. Australia on the other hand have been phenomenal.

i dont really like the australian strategy because if i was an italian right now, i'd be going crazy...and too many teams have played against brazil in this fashion and it sucks. but, i would like australia to win.

[Weah]

fwiw, BBC has possession at 56% for Australia and 44% for Italy.
FIFA official site has the same percentages

[romagol10]

Neither team has looked that good so far but Toni really should have scored at least one for Italy.

Del Piero has been terrible, worst player on the field IMO. He has been slow and without ideas. I won't suprised if Camoranesi or Totti start the second half.

[leonidas]

I think "completely dominating" is a vast overstatement.

Pirlo, for example, is having a terrible game. Del Piero didn't do much, either.

I bet possession is roughly even, as well.

Italy has had one or two more chances, that's it.

i dunno. i just think italy have clearly been the superior team. doesnt mean that australia has defended well or anything. i feel italy deserve a lead here. of course, deserving a lead doesnt mean much if you dont actually score.

[Caesar]

i just think the general strategy of the australians is to tire out a tactically superior opponent. i mean, italy is completely dominating this game and theyre blowing all these chances. australia will threaten maybe two or three times and i think they'll likely score and take the game.
Don't know about dominating. They've had the better chances, but according to FIFA's stats Australia's had over 55% of the possession. Shots on goal are in Italy's favour 3 to 2. So not a massive blowout really.

[The Bergamister]

I think "completely dominating" is a vast overstatement.

Pirlo, for example, is having a terrible game. Del Piero didn't do much, either.

I bet possession is roughly even, as well.

Italy has had one or two more chances, that's it.

Pirlo I agree has not touched the ball often, but DP has done some great passes to Toni and Gila, he is so far the most creative Italian, did slid off a bit towards the end

[Americanfootballer]

I like to see Austrailia go threw this, but also like this game to be extra time

[The Bergamister]

Don't know about dominating. They've had the better chances, but according to FIFA's stats Australia's had over 55% of the possession. Shots on goal are in Italy's favour 3 to 2. So not a massive blowout really.

If you watched the game, it was all Italia, only one real shot at goal from Viduka I think, not really spectacular...

[ursula]

The one decent thing the american announcers have pointed out is that the Aussie midfield is winning their battle.

[Caesar]

Italy won't tire. It will be Australia that will wilt
On what logic? Australia has outlasted all of their opponents so far in terms of fitness, coming back strong and offensively in all three matches during the last third. They definitely seem to be one of the fittest, if not THE fittest team at the tournament.

[leonidas]

Don't know about dominating. They've had the better chances, but according to FIFA's stats Australia's had over 55% of the possession. Shots on goal are in Italy's favour 3 to 2. So not a massive blowout really.

yeah ive seen the stats. i dunno, italy has had much of their possession in the australian area...and theyve missed some clear chances. the one schwarzer miracle save and the toni header that was just wide. those couldve been 2 goals easily. australia on the other hand hasnt done much on the offensive end.

[Caesar]

If you watched the game, it was all Italia, only one real shot at goal from Viduka I think, not really spectacular...
I'm watching the game. Like I said, they've had the better chances but I haven't been disappointed with the Australians... they've retained possession, worked the ball around and controlled the midfield quite well, reducing Italy to having to play more and more long balls.

[NGV]

Australia is obviously lacking in offensive ideas without Kewell, and hasn't done much other than send long balls and crosses to Viduka. Still, they could easily capitalize on a single Italian mistake and make it hold up. Their defense has been well organized and effective, and Schwarzer has played well. They've also managed some good attacks, mostly down the left.

Italy's defense has also been good, but the midfield hasn't done much. Toni and Gilardino have barely missed on a couple chances, and seem to be working well together.

I noticed that Viduka seemed to be grabbing the defender to gain an advantage on a couple headers - hasn't been called yet, but that's something to watch out for.