Italy played the perfect game from a stylistic standpoint. They attacked regularly while maintaining an excellent shape at the back. The midfield, defense connection was a little dicey in the early going but as the match wore on they became better and better and were a steel trap by the end. Both goals were distinctly Italian, as the first was set up by a brilliant dummy by Andrea Pirlo and the second off the head of Mario Balotelli. They’ll face a much different side, in a much different climate in game two however. Costa Rica stunned Uruguay, but did it in a clinical fashion. The Azzurri defense has to get back to the second half unit otherwise the Ticos will get in behind them often. The key for Italy will be how often they can maintain control in the final third. They have the players to score, but Costa Rica did a superb job of keeping the strong Uruguayan attack out of their area.
The Ticos were the surprise of the first set of matches. Their 3-1 stunner of Uruguay showed that they are not merely a formality in the group of former champions. Joel Campbell was unbelievable in the opener and he’ll be leaned on again if Costa Rica hope to get a point off of Italy. Costa Rica also scored directly off a set piece and could look to do so again. However, their one big mistake was the penalty kick that was also earned off a free kick. Trouble defensively with set pieces is one thing, trouble with set pieces against Pirlo, Balotelli and the rest of the Italian attack is another. The Costa Rican effort was not a fluke. The way they advanced the ball from defense to midfield and then up to the front will work against any team in the tournament. However, the final touches were there against a seemingly out of sorts Uruguayan defense, it’ll be a lot tougher to finish against Italy.
Costa Rica looked every bit the attacking side they claimed they were coming in, and Italy proved their front foot approach was not just noise coming from the handsomely dressed Cesare Prandelli. This being said, both teams proved to be tough to break down as each only allowed a single goal to strong attacking sides. Italy will be the determining factor in how many goals this game sees. They’ll have the ball for most of the match, it’s up to them how often they truly want to get forward understanding that the Ticos are dangerous in the counterattack. As in every match of first game winners, a draw suits both. It’s just hard to see Costa Rica playing so well at the back once again.
We predict a narrow win for the Italians
The Ticos were the surprise of the first set of matches. Their 3-1 stunner of Uruguay showed that they are not merely a formality in the group of former champions. Joel Campbell was unbelievable in the opener and he’ll be leaned on again if Costa Rica hope to get a point off of Italy. Costa Rica also scored directly off a set piece and could look to do so again. However, their one big mistake was the penalty kick that was also earned off a free kick. Trouble defensively with set pieces is one thing, trouble with set pieces against Pirlo, Balotelli and the rest of the Italian attack is another. The Costa Rican effort was not a fluke. The way they advanced the ball from defense to midfield and then up to the front will work against any team in the tournament. However, the final touches were there against a seemingly out of sorts Uruguayan defense, it’ll be a lot tougher to finish against Italy.
Costa Rica looked every bit the attacking side they claimed they were coming in, and Italy proved their front foot approach was not just noise coming from the handsomely dressed Cesare Prandelli. This being said, both teams proved to be tough to break down as each only allowed a single goal to strong attacking sides. Italy will be the determining factor in how many goals this game sees. They’ll have the ball for most of the match, it’s up to them how often they truly want to get forward understanding that the Ticos are dangerous in the counterattack. As in every match of first game winners, a draw suits both. It’s just hard to see Costa Rica playing so well at the back once again.
We predict a narrow win for the Italians
posted from Bloggeroid
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