What Went Right? On the rare occasions when Italy played with confidence, put passes together, took advantage of space and made diagonal runs they were effective, but those occasions were rare. Showed flashes of the old grit and determination at times and that was at least enough to give them a chance at the next round. It’s not that they didn’t play badly —
What Went Wrong? — They just didn’t play very well. What can be said that hasn’t been already? This Italian side was just barely mediocre. They played with none of the pizzazz, influence or cohunes of past incarnations of the team. They looked lackadaisical and listless. You could tell that they wanted to do all the things that specifically characterizes their game: Passing, creativity, defend, quick counterattacks, flair, movement, diagonal runs, service, finishing, and even net minding. They just fell short, as if the mind was willing but the body just didn’t want to respond. Everybody they played was faster, stronger, quicker, more athletic, and more skilled. And when it became apparent to everybody they played that this team just didn’t have a fifth or even fourth gear to kick it into, their opponents found weaknesses to exploit – and in the case of Slovakia, went for the jugular. For a world championship side to fall this far this fast and crash and burn as spectacularly as they did was just painful to watch.
Who Stepped Up To The Plate? It was mostly the new players who showed individual initiative that stepped up. Antonio di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella up front saw off some decent chances and scored. Domenico Criscito and Giorgio Chiellini showed some defensive chops. Claudio Marchisio showed an affinity for being an all-rounder in midfield. Federico Marchetti did pretty well in net in Gigi Buffon’s stead. The only players from four years ago that played well were Mauro Camorenesi in the center of midfield, who provided instant energy and attacking organization and creativity, and Daniele de Rossi, coming in to create offense from the right. Basically the young players showed enthusiasm and energy —
Who Didn’t Show Up? — It was the grizzled veterans that looked like they just didn’t have quick-twitch reactions anymore. Buffon fell apart way too easily, and his tournament was over only 45 minutes into the first fixture. Fabio Cannavaro, the player most responsible for Italy’s world championship in 2006, hadn’t even been in form for his club side for over two years. He clearly didn’t even belong on the national side. Gianluca Zambrotta just didn’t have it on the right flank. Ricardo Montilivio had lost his bite in front of the backline, and Alberto Gillardino had lost some of his refined finishing, and Gennaro Gattuso just wasn’t a bull of a presence anymore. Worst of all, because they didn’t have a creator in front of the strikers in the box, Andrea Pirlo played out of position; he is an orchestrator and a linkup player – still one of the best there is – but he isn’t a midfielder who has the inventiveness or vision to be a playmaker up front.
How Was The Coaching? They say you can never go back. Marcello Lippi is proof positive of that. He thought he could come back after a two-year absence, get back some of the old crew, and never miss a beat. He took a team that had long past its prime and, failing to integrate newer players and get rid of older players long since out of form, regain that old magic and defend the cup. He failed miserably. As much credit as Lippi should get for their World Cup title four years ago, he deserves virtually all of the blame for this side’s colossal fall from grace.
Did They Finish Where They Were Expected? Obviously not. This is Italy; they expect to win every World Cup they’re in. If you ask ordinary Italian citizens the only reason the Azzurri hasn’t won every World Cup is because of some grand conspiracy. I’m sure the Italian media is thinking up several of them as we speak.
Now What? Like I said, this is Italy. They’ll figure it out in short order and start beating up the world in no time. They have way too many great players and coaches not to.