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The Azzurri have played their first match, and while some will view the 1-1 draw result as a bad thing, the match was actually filled with positives for Italy. Although we’ve seen Germany demolish Australia 4-0, I think that the Azzurri match was unique, it finally felt like I was watching a World Cup match. Both sides wanted the win, both sides wanted to score goals, and both sides eventually did.While Italy are known for being defensive, they Azzurri &nbsp;went out onto the field with the idea of scoring goals. It was refreshing compared to some of the matches that we’ve seen which were tight affairs in which both teams only defended. But onto the tactics which were part of Italy’s offensive style.
Marcello Lippi finally revealed his starting 11, he had Buffon in net with a back-line (from right to left) of Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, and Criscito. If front of them, De Rossi and Montolivo acted as holding midfielders, freeing up the remaining four players for offensive duties. It was Gilardino alone up front with Marchisio behind him, Pepe on the right, and Iaquinta on the left, completing a relatively attacking side.
Italy started the match a bit slowly, getting the feel of the ball and the pitch, possession was what they tried to keep from Paraguay who had the dangerous double of Barrios and Valdez.&nbsp;But while Italy seemed dominant, one main thing was worrying tactically, Gilardino, Marchisio, and Iaquinta were all very still, not moving and providing options. This left De Rossi and Montolivo with the workload of spreading the play without options up front, only aided by a constantly working Pepe, and a solid Zambrotta. Paraguay scored their goal with a very nice header from a free kick, and another worrying point tactically cropped up; Italy weren’t marking very well, they left men with too much space as they were disorganized in marking. So the first half gone, Italy had work to do in the second half.
<div style="float: left;margin-right: 5px"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignleft" style="border: 0px initial initial" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20100615_WST_2562_africa-rossi.webp&amp;width=270&amp;height=180" border="0" alt="SOCCER/FUTBOL WORLD CUP 2010 ITALIA VS PARAGUAY Action photo of Daniele de Rossi (C) of Italy, during World Cup 2010 game held at the Green Point stadium of Cape Town, South Africa./Foto de accion de Daniele de Rossi de Italia (C), durante juego de la Copa del Mundo 2010 celebrado en el estadio Green Point de Ciudad del Cabo, Sudafrica. 14 June 2010 MEXSPORT/ETZEL ESPINOSA Photo via Newscom" width="270" height="180"></figure></div></div>
Buffon was taken off right at the half, replaced by Marchetti, it seems like he might have a hamstring or lower back problem which was bothering him, and Italy fans will be worried without their number one. But it was a breath of fresh air when Marchisio was taken off, the Juventus player was immobile, useless, and plainly having a bad day as he was replaced by a more active Camoranesi later in the second half. Italy were more decisive, Montolivo began to get more used to his playmaking position as he spread balls around for more dangerous crossing opportunities.
Eventually the goal came, De Rossi’s tap in followed a goalkeeper mistake by Villar who completely misjudged the corner’s trajectory. Italy were tied and had plenty of time to win the match as they pressed on with dominant possession and even better plays from a dynamic Montolivo and a never-stopping Pepe. Sadly putting Di Natale on for Gilardino didn’t get the winner, but Italy were able to win an important point, in a match filled with positives.
I was truly expecting the worst in this match, but Lippi has revealed a much more fluid and offensive team than I thought he would. What do you think about this, be sure to share your thoughts below!

Italy fight out a positive 1-1 draw - World Soccer Talk

Italy fight out a positive 1-1 draw

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The World Cup is one week away, and if you are a soccer fan, it is hard not to be anxious for the tournament to begin.&nbsp; In anticipation of the first Group F match on June 14 (Italy v. Paraguay) I will post of preview of the other three teams in Group F, to help Azzurri fans see the competition in the group stage.&nbsp; Also, I would encourage everyone to visit <a href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/who-will-advance-from-the-world-cup-group-stage/20446#more-20446" target="_blank">EPL Talk and cast their votes</a> on which squads will advance from the group stage.
Paraguay
Manager – Gerardo Martino
FIFA Ranking – 31
Schedule – Italy (6/14), Slovakia (6/20), New Zealand (6/24)
Qualification – Second place, CONMEBOL
Big name player– Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City)
Last time did not qualify for WC – 1994
For many experts, Paraguay is considered the second team most likely to advance from this group.&nbsp; The nation is playing in its fourth consecutive World Cup but has never advanced past the second round.&nbsp; To advance even further, it needs to&nbsp;rely on its defense while hoping its thin front line and inexperienced manager can come through when needed.
Paraguay finished a convincing second in the tough CONMEBOL, only one point behind first place Brazil.&nbsp; In qualifying they won matches&nbsp;versus&nbsp;Brazil (2-0), Argentina (1-0), at Chile, and at Columbia, with a draw at Argentina.&nbsp; But the big story in the lead up to the World Cup was the shooting of striker Salvador Cabenas in March, prompting his temporary retirement from soccer and depriving&nbsp;la Albirroja&nbsp;of a very talented striker.
Cabenas’s absence means the club will further need to rely on Roque Santa Cruz, the Premier League veteran who notched three goals in 18 EPL matches this season.&nbsp; He is one of four players on the squad who played in England this year, and Serie A fans will recognize midfielder Edgar Barreto, who starred for Atalanta this season.&nbsp; But other than those, most of the players have made their careers in South American leagues.&nbsp; The stars of the 1998 and 2002 squads that have retired are being replaced by players&nbsp;that are&nbsp;veterans of the Paraguay squads that won the Milk Cup in 2002, 2003, and 2006.
One place where there is glaring inexperience is on the bench.&nbsp; Manager Gerardo Martino was appointed in 2007, and this will be his first World Cup as a manager or player.&nbsp; He was successful at the club level in Paraguay, but the difference between the national league and the world stage may place Paraguay at a slight disadvantage, especially against experienced squads like Italy.&nbsp; He favors a 4-4-2 formation with Santa Cruz and Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund) up front.&nbsp;
Defense is the key for la Albirroja, as the club tends to play tight in the back and wait for opportunities to counter.&nbsp; The keeper is Justo Villar, who made 15 appearances in La Liga for Real Vallalodid but has only seven minutes experience in the World Cup.&nbsp; He has, however, appeared in multiple Copa America tournaments.&nbsp; Cristian Riveros in the middle is the key to the counter – the&nbsp;left winger&nbsp;will lead the&nbsp;breaks and push the ball to the forwards to create scoring chances.&nbsp;
But Paraguay is vulnerable to experienced teams that maintain possession.&nbsp; And this is why they&nbsp;are an excellent first match for the Azzurri, an experienced and disciplined club.&nbsp; Italy certainly has more talent, and if they dominate possession and take advantage of their scoring chances, the Paraguay match offers them an opportunity to&nbsp;build positive momentum&nbsp;into the next round.&nbsp; But sloppy and undisciplined play and they could have problems with Paraguay, casting doubt on their repeat chances.
Paraguay has the talent to advance and cause problems for the Italians, as well as advance into the round of 16.&nbsp; But anything more than that may be too much to ask.&nbsp; But what do you think?

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Daniele De Rossi

Italy fight out a positive 1-1 draw

General

Group F Preview – Paraguay