Deserved to lose...

[Forza Azzurri]

This is not the 1980s. You cannot bunker for 90 minutes anymore and expect to get a result.

For all his talk about offensive football, when push came to shove, Prandelli reverted to playing Catenaccio: tactics that worked 30 years ago but no longer do.

A few weeks ago, I watched the Italy-Argentina game from 1982. Using today's reffing standards, Gentile (who marked Maradona) would have been red carded after 30 minutes for accumulation of yellows and at least 8 other players would have been given yellows within the first 30 minutes.

Two-footed, studs up tackles were common. Brutal fouls were commonplace. Every time Maradona touched the ball he got hacked down like an Xmas tree. In fact, the only players booked were two players who were booked for dissent after compaining about watching teammates getting taken out with brutal fouls.

It made playing defensive football so much easier. Guy gets by you, take him out.

Today you get a yellow card for a late tackle and a straight red for a cynical one. Cannot play that way anymore.

For all that FIFA does wrong, one thing they have gotten really right is how they have completely cleaned up the game.

There is a reason that teams like Mexico go for the win when needing only a draw. Playing offensive football has become the best way to secure a result.

And it is such a shame. Italy actually has much more talent than Uruguay does.

Had they decided to play, they could have beaten them straight up.

Good for the Cup that they are going home.

Suarez should be banned for life.

 

[Noexcuse]

This is not the 1980s. You cannot bunker for 90 minutes anymore and expect to get a result.

For all his talk about offensive football, when push came to shove, Prandelli reverted to playing Catenaccio: tactics that worked 30 years ago but no longer do.

A few weeks ago, I watched the Italy-Argentina game from 1982. Using today's reffing standards, Gentile (who marked Maradona) would have been red carded after 30 minutes for accumulation of yellows and at least 8 other players would have been given yellows within the first 30 minutes.

Two-footed, studs up tackles were common. Brutal fouls were commonplace. Every time Maradona touched the ball he got hacked down like an Xmas tree. In fact, the only players booked were two players who were booked for dissent after compaining about watching teammates getting taken out with brutal fouls.

It made playing defensive football so much easier. Guy gets by you, take him out.

Today you get a yellow card for a late tackle and a straight red for a cynical one. Cannot play that way anymore.

For all that FIFA does wrong, one thing they have gotten really right is how they have completely cleaned up the game.

There is a reason that teams like Mexico go for the win when needing only a draw. Playing offensive football has become the best way to secure a result.

And it is such a shame. Italy actually has much more talent than Uruguay does.

Had they decided to play, they could have beaten them straight up.

Good for the Cup that they are going home.

Suarez should be banned for life.

Prandelli got it wrong on several counts. First placing too much faith in Balotelli and Cassano. Rossi should have been on this team, and probably Destro as well. The Costa Rica game was where they really bunkered down though, leaving Balotelli alone up front, subbing Mota for Veratti and breaking up the Candreva/Darmian tandem on the right flank. Abate is a hard nosed player, but he just is not going to give you quality service on overlaps and crosses. The central defense was a travesty by Italy standards (though I can't really blame him for that) and unfortunately there is no Canavarro or Nesta waiting in the wings. No cover for Di Rossi (who was hurt going in), limited service to the lone striker and no urgency in attack whatsover. Florezi and Giacherinni would have made a difference against Costa Rica's high back line because they would have been able to carry the ball forwards and towards the defenders forcing them to back track and lose their positions in the line. Pirlo and Buffon go out on a low note, but was it really going to be any different for them? The heart was there but the body just wasn't. Time for a new wave and a new way of thinking about things. Abete is probably out and Albertini who has been somewhat of a critic of the just do enough to get by style of play may be in as head of FIGC. I expect Prandelli to step down and there will be a strong push to bring in Ancelloti. Not sure if he will take it. Maybe Zeman or Mancini. idk, they are so frustrating.

 

[ImperialOrange]

If Italy don't go a man down they win that game. No doubt in my mind. Uruguay was frusterated and out of ideas until that red card lit a fire under them.

 

[PeteCalvin]

If Italy don't go a man down they win that game. No doubt in my mind. Uruguay was frusterated and out of ideas until that red card lit a fire under them.

It was a stupid foul in a game full of stupid theatrics. And they paid the price. Should have given Suarez a red card as well. Instead, Uruguay gets a goal.

 

[Noexcuse]

It was a stupid foul in a game full of stupid theatrics. And they paid the price. Should have given Suarez a red card as well. Instead, Uruguay gets a goal.

Yeah, out of character for Marchisio, imo. Blame it on electrolyte imbalance. I think he got warned on the high kick earlier and the ref went straight red on what was pretty much a par for the course foul in that game. Hopefully, Chiellini has had his tetnus shot. Or maybe rabies.

 

[Noexcuse]

Well that was quick. Evidently Prandelli and Abete both resigned.

 

[orange79]

 

[orange79]

 

[orange79]

 

[orange79]

 

[CuseCPT]

The commentators were talking about the changes you discussed during the England game. When discussing a yellow card the comment was "20 years ago that would have been a great tackle".

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Prandelli got it wrong on several counts. First placing too much faith in Balotelli and Cassano. Rossi should have been on this team, and probably Destro as well. The Costa Rica game was where they really bunkered down though, leaving Balotelli alone up front, subbing Mota for Veratti and breaking up the Candreva/Darmian tandem on the right flank. Abate is a hard nosed player, but he just is not going to give you quality service on overlaps and crosses. The central defense was a travesty by Italy standards (though I can't really blame him for that) and unfortunately there is no Canavarro or Nesta waiting in the wings. No cover for Di Rossi (who was hurt going in), limited service to the lone striker and no urgency in attack whatsover. Florezi and Giacherinni would have made a difference against Costa Rica's high back line because they would have been able to carry the ball forwards and towards the defenders forcing them to back track and lose their positions in the line. Pirlo and Buffon go out on a low note, but was it really going to be any different for them? The heart was there but the body just wasn't. Time for a new wave and a new way of thinking about things. Abete is probably out and Albertini who has been somewhat of a critic of the just do enough to get by style of play may be in as head of FIGC. I expect Prandelli to step down and there will be a strong push to bring in Ancelloti. Not sure if he will take it. Maybe Zeman or Mancini. idk, they are so frustrating.

Check out article by Marcotti on ESPNFC...

http://www.espnfc.us/blog/world-cup.../prandelli-quits-after-dumping-his-philosophy

 

[Forza Azzurri]

The commentators were talking about the changes you discussed during the England game. When discussing a yellow card the comment was "20 years ago that would have been a great tackle".

Yup...those changes have made the game so much better...more attacking, less cynical...

Teams now get rewarded for attacking...the only teams that really should bunker these days are ones that are just completely overmatched (ie. Iran vs Argentina)...

Bunkering for 90 minutes has become almost impossible. In addition to not being able to foul nearly as much, set pieces, especially direct kicks, have become so much more dangerous.

30 years ago, teams wouldn't think twice about taking someone down 25 yards from goal to prevent a shot.

With the changes to the ball, a 25 yard free kick is now a real danger. That was not the case 30 years ago.