Italy’s title defence off to a stuttering start
CAPE TOWN:
Italy got their title defence off to a stuttering start on Monday when they needed to come from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Paraguay in their World Cup opener.
The four-time champions came into the match at Green Point Stadium under pressure after a underwhelming build-up and they had to dig deep to salvage a point. On a cold and wet night, the South Americans stunned Marcello Lippi’s men by taking the lead on 39 minutes when Antolin Alcaraz headed home a cross. But De Rossi redeemed himself by grabbing the equaliser eight minutes into the second half.
The Azzuri, who are often slow to start at big tournaments, turned up the heat after their goal and they could have had more, but Paraguay clung on to share the Group F spoils.
Italy had the first sniff of the goal after five minutes when the ball bounced kindly for Riccardo Montolivo who shot on the half-volley but it was charged down by Paraguayan defenders. Lippi’s team were in charge early on, making all the running and looking dangerous on the break as the rain poured down.
Vincenzo Iaquinta was in the action soon after and should have done better from inside the six yard box but was hounded off the ball before Alcaraz got the breakthrough by getting on the end of a Aureliano Torres cross. Italy came out for the second-half without veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who apparently had a lower back problem, replacing him with Federico Marchetti. Italy though, started to take charge and Montolivo got a shot on target before they won the corner that led to the goal.
Simone Pepe curled the ball into the box and Villar failed to connect with his punch, leaving the unmarked De Rossi to bury it in the back of the net. The goal proved a tonic and they went close as they pressed for the winner, with Pepe having the best chance, only to see his powerful long range drive kept out by Villar.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 16th, 2010.
Italy got their title defence off to a stuttering start on Monday when they needed to come from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Paraguay in their World Cup opener.
The four-time champions came into the match at Green Point Stadium under pressure after a underwhelming build-up and they had to dig deep to salvage a point. On a cold and wet night, the South Americans stunned Marcello Lippi’s men by taking the lead on 39 minutes when Antolin Alcaraz headed home a cross. But De Rossi redeemed himself by grabbing the equaliser eight minutes into the second half.
The Azzuri, who are often slow to start at big tournaments, turned up the heat after their goal and they could have had more, but Paraguay clung on to share the Group F spoils.
Italy had the first sniff of the goal after five minutes when the ball bounced kindly for Riccardo Montolivo who shot on the half-volley but it was charged down by Paraguayan defenders. Lippi’s team were in charge early on, making all the running and looking dangerous on the break as the rain poured down.
Vincenzo Iaquinta was in the action soon after and should have done better from inside the six yard box but was hounded off the ball before Alcaraz got the breakthrough by getting on the end of a Aureliano Torres cross. Italy came out for the second-half without veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who apparently had a lower back problem, replacing him with Federico Marchetti. Italy though, started to take charge and Montolivo got a shot on target before they won the corner that led to the goal.
Simone Pepe curled the ball into the box and Villar failed to connect with his punch, leaving the unmarked De Rossi to bury it in the back of the net. The goal proved a tonic and they went close as they pressed for the winner, with Pepe having the best chance, only to see his powerful long range drive kept out by Villar.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 16th, 2010.