Italy Almost Lost

Italy 1 – Paraguay 1

CAPE TOWN  – Italy survived the defeat in the inaugural match of allowance for Group F World Cup 2010 Stadium in Cape Town, Sunday (14/6/10), against Paraguay. Got a goal left behind by Antolin Alcaraz’s header  in the first half, "GLI Azzurri" finally able to get back in the second period through  Daniele De Rossi kick, grabbed Pepe corner kick.

Thus, both teams collect a point and inhabit a top position. They will wait for the results of Slovakia vs New Zealand which will take place Tuesday night.

Italy took the initiative to attack from the kick-off whistle sounded. The flow of the ball from the center conducted by Riccardo Montolivo and Daniele De Rossi, making "GLI Azzurri" continues to dominate the game while looking for opportunities to score goals.

However, Marcello Lippi kids effort is still not reaping the rewards when meeting Paraguay’s defense. "La Albirroja", which seems more ready to accept the Italian attack, do not let the duo Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta standing free inside the penalty box. Thus, until the first 15 minutes, no chance endanger the goal of Paraguay.

Only in the 20th minute, Italy had the opportunity to rip Justo Villar net. Unfortunately, Montolivo who received a long feed from behind, not soon make a counterattack. After passing through the center line and just facing two opponents, he hurriedly release a kick , which is easily captured by Villar.

After that opportunity, Paraguay also respond and turns pressing the Italian defense. As Italy did, , "Los Guaranies" was unable to penetrate the  Italy defense barricade coordinated by captain Fabio Cannavaro.

Minutes of the 29th, Italian made Paraguay back line working hard, when they got a corner kick. Fortunately, Alcaraz very swiftly anticipate De Rossi kick which is directed into the goal mouth, because while flying, he managed to drive the ball with his foot.

Continue to dominate the game, Italy conceded a goal in 39 minutes. Alcaraz became a nightmare for GLI Azzurri, because his header  to deflect Aureliano Torres free kick , deceive Gianluigi Buffon.

Despite of about guarding by four Italian players, Alcaraz head managed to reach the skin round directing to the top left corner of the goal, but Buffon was already moving to the right. 1-0 score lasted until the interval.

Started the second round, Paraguay appear more confident. Unlike in the early game where they are under Italian pressure, this time  Paraguay able to compete Italian game. In fact, they do more attack to Azzurri goal, which in the second round was escorted by Cagliari goalkeeper, Federico Marchetti (replaces Buffon).

Italy also provides a fairly dangerous counterattacks. At minute 53, the defending champion team was getting a pretty good chance for an equalizer. However, Simone Pepe  failed to maximize Gianluca Zambrotta feed. With salto motion to welcome Zambrotta bait, Pepe failed because of his kick missed the target, so that the ball left the field.

Looking at the performance of the middle row is less good, Lippi pulled out Claudio Marchisio and entering Mauro Camoranesi. Just entering the field, Juventus veteran players give mature feedback directly to the Pepe which  stands at the mouth of the goal. But Villar is very spry anticipates that and successfully catch the ball.

The presence of these long-haired players actually change the game of Italy, who returned to take control of the game. As a result, in the 63rd minute they were able to equalize the score to 1-1 through De Rossi kick, who welcomed Pepe corner.

Eight minutes before the game over, the Italian again endanger Paraguay goalkeeper. This time, Montolivo released thunderbolt kick directing horizontally from outside the penalty box to the right corner of the net. However, dropping the body, Villar managed to reach the round leather and brushed it off out.

After the exam given by Montolivo, no longer best chance for both teams. Until the game ended, the score remained at 1-1, so both teams had to settle for sharing a single digit.

Furthermore, Italy will face New Zealand on June 20 next. On paper, Cannavaro and his friends going to win this duel. Meanwhile, Paraguay will face opponents who can not be viewed lightly, Slovakia, also on the same date.

Players composition

Italy: 1-Gianluigi Buffon (Federico Machetti 46 ‘); 4-Giorgio Chiellini, 5-Fabio Cannavaro, 3-Domenico Criscito, 19-Gianluca Zambrotta; 6-Daniele De Rossi, 22-Riccardo Montolivo, 15-Claudio Marchisio (16 -Mauro Camoranesi 59 ‘), 7-Simone Pepe, 11-Alberto Gilardino (10-Antonio Di Natale 71′), 9-Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Paraguay: Justo Villar-1; 21-Antolin Alcaraz, 14-Paulo Da Silva, Claudio Morel Rodriguez-3, 6-Carlos Bonet, 15-Victor Caceres, Cristian Riveros, 16, 17-Aureliano Torres (11-Jonathan Santana 60 ‘ ), 13-Enrique Vera, 19-Lucas Barrios (7-Oscar Cardozo 76 ‘), Nelson Haedo Valdez 18-(9-Roque Santa Cruz 68).

Buffon Injured

In this game, coach Marcello Lippi made a surprising decision. At the beginning of the second half, Lippi pulled out the main goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and put Federico Marchetti.

Apparently, blond-haired coach’s decision was very reasonable, as Buffon had a little trouble at the back. As a result, Juventus goalkeeper can not resume the match, so the 45-minute duel in the second half of the Stadium, Cape Town, his position was replaced by Marchetti, Cagliari goalkeeper.

However, Buffon’s injury not serious because he’s optimistic can recover within two days. Therefore, number one goalkeeper of "GLI Azzurri", said that when they doing second group stage match against New Zealand, on June 20 next, his condition must have been 100 percent fit.

About this minor disruption, the team physician Enrico Castellacci said he had not done anything before held a series of diagnostic tests.

Italy, World Cup defending champion, started the game in this tournament with unsatisfactory results because played draw 1-1 over Paraguay. However, this result is good because they actually left in the first half, before Daniele De Rossi scored a reply on the 63rd minute.