Yeah the 2006 team were full of real "campioni". These guys are great also but they just don't have the flair or names as that team had. They will make a name for themselves with this tournament, however. Especially if they win it all.
this is dead on...though Buffon 2006 might be "=" to Buffon 2012 or Buff 2.0 as good as our D has been, Cannavaro was on another ********ing planet during 2006--it was like he was a ********ing wall...and that's not to take away from anyone else (********, Grosso, Materazzi, Zambrotta were stellar)...but shit...Canna was a monster, a nightmare to other teams that faced us...however, I am REALLY impressed with this year's back line too...man, they are getting the job done... oh, and Toni=Balo....arguable...the rest, spot on.
i say he still should have been brought this year...he would have made a super sub coming off the bench...
To think Canna was 33 at that point. For the most casual international fan or rather the ones who only follow the Euro & WC tournaments every two years, it must have been a shocker to see the Fabio Cannavaro of 2006 and the one who flopped around with the rest of the bunch in 2010. It was like night and day. He seemed invincible in 06 and wasn't even a shadow of his former self in 10. Its a shame that he was such a late bloomer and couldn't maintain it. I mean he was always a great player and all but reached his peak in 06 and after the WC, I think it was downhill from there. I did not see him at all when he was at Real so I can not judge his performances there but looking back in the span of only 5-6 years, its sad that he was gone fairly quickly after the WC. Sadly, there is just no stopping father time.
Yeah Cannavaro was unreal, he was called the "Wall of Berlin" for a reason! The guy didn't get a single yellow card with that AMAZING defending job, exceptional leader too, in other words he was Perfect! As for Buffon, @2006 he only conceded an own goal and Zidane's PK during the entire and longer tournament, that alone speaks for itself, it was a perfect tournament for him too. He didn't allow any mistakes, 2012's Buffon has done some amazing saves but at the same time I saw him being a bit shaky at times. As for Toni, he too wasn't very lucky with the goals like Balo at the start of the tournament, but he had an important presence on the field always trying to create opportunities and keeping the defenders busy, then he finally scored a couple vs Ukraine. I'll definitely consider Mario as being better if he scored in the final, that's for sure.
Toni isnt even close to Balo. There has never been a big man with his technical skill pace power and all around ability but what's most important he just wins.
There was a time though, from around 2003-2009, everything Luca Toni touched turned to gold. Just looking at his goal totals (174 goals) between club and country during that period is scary to say the least. Balotelli is still young enough to reach those numbers and I hope he breaks Toni's goal scoring records but not too many people score that many goals over a 10-12 year career much less 6 years.
2006 more talented when healthy, remember they were without nesta and only had totti at probably 70% maybe less. Also back then pirlo could control a midfield with only one runner/shuttled beside him, he now seems to require two men, though part of that is because tactics nowadays really overload the midfield. So, I think pirlo 2006 was better than now. Who knows, though, in a few years we might look back and realize that chiellini and bonucci were two excellent international defenders just entering their primes if they continue to develop. They will never reach nesta- canna territory though
Just looked this up and saw Pirlo was voted FIFA man of the match in the WC final.... http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991652.stm
Balotelli has already surpassed him at international level. Toni never scored more than 2 in a tournament, let a lone a semi-final game.
I have been thinking a lot about 2010. What the hell was wrong with Lippi? He didn't pick Rossi, Cassano, Balotelli, or even Miccoli.
Lippi claimed Balotelli (in 2010) was still too young to be considered and he hated both Cassano and Miccoli. He did regret not taking Rossi after the tournament but I think the main problem in 2010 was relying on too many 2006 veterans without having capable replacements. Still can't figure out how they couldn't beat New Zealand, a side full of second and third division players. It may have been a mental and a physical thing though..
I think the biggest difference is marchisio. he really gives balance and versatility to the midfield. There really wasn't anyone like that in 06.
Not sure how anyone can honestly say this team was better than 2006. Our second string defenders were better than our starting ones this time around.
I agree. At least Matrix scored 2 goals as Nesta's backup from the defensive position but what about our forwards in 2012? Heck, even the hated Iaquinta scored a freaking goal back then. I mean I'm not taking anything away from Spain because they are a great team and you have to give them credit but seriously , where are the goals or at least the shots on goal from our forwards and how do you expect to win a championship if you can't score? Simple math...... Italy in 2006 scored 11 goals in 7 games 1.57 goals a game..... Italy in 2012 scored 6 goals in 6 games or 1.0 goals a game.....
Del Piero's prime was pre-1999, before his injury. He was never quite the same player after he severed his cruciates. A wonderful player still, but he lost that blistering pace which made him such a frightening player when he was younger. In 2006, Capello preferred Ibrahimovic to Alex, much to the chagrin of most Juve supporters. But yes, across the board, 2006 was a (much) stronger team. That semi-final against Germany is still arguably the best international match I've every seen.