Just Not Portugal Too, Please...

Am almost too depressed to write anything.

As well as they played against Germany, and indeed, throughout the entire World Cup, I just cannot enjoy watching Italy play.

First, their slimy tactics of delay and diversion, falling to the ground when an opponent's shadow crosses their path, then rolling around like they'll never walk again, is SO obvious, yet veteran referees just cannot get it. Secondly, while defense admittedly does win championships, that brand of soccer is hard to watch. This World Cup has been the unfortunate 'coming of age' for the ultra-conservative 4-5-1 formation. With just one forward, most teams are relying on winning 1-0 on a counter-attack goal.

Couple that with the different set of rules applied for fouls in the penalty area, leading to a dearth of penalty kicks, which would at least force some action, and the traditional complaints of 'not enough scoring' and 'boring tactics', have some validity. While soccer afficiandos can appreciate a titanic scoreless struggle such as the Germany-Italy semifinal, one can also lament the lost art of finishing one's chances surgically to the far post, not just blasting the ball towards frame with as much velocity as can be mustered.

The consolation, small though it may be on this end, is Italy's first goal was struck with the former, not latter, skill set. A truly great finish, but the photos of five young German defenders standing by and watching an Azzuri defender set up for this strike are hard to look at.

From this point, have to swallow hard, again, and root for France, which is playing brilliantly at the moment. The potential of an Italy-Portugal improvisational acting display is not worthy of even the slightest consideration as a World Cup final.

Sorry, no photos for this post.
The only Italy shots I have are against the U.S.,
you know, the maligned side which is the ONLY team
NOT to lose to Italy in this World Cup.....

As with all the content of this blog, written and photographic, Copyrighted 2006, All Rights Reserved, Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA - USA.