The forced Italian side had the luck to watch hero/villain Adrian Mutu fail the decisive penalty kick that would have erased them from the European championship. Disgracefully this did not happen, and gave the possibility to the second round to the poor and mediocre 2006 WC finalists. Certainly the Italian side was hurried, while changing their formation and name, facing a contemplative Romanian side. With the inclussion of De Rossi the midfield strength rose but he Italian side was again to prove the contrary.
The first minutes became a passive waiting, the Italian side looked quite calmed with several chances, one hitting the woodwork. Several Toni aerial attempts were made from the crosses, but the Romanian defense did their jobs. Grosso overlaps found a one-way traffic burst on that side. But many of the attempts by the Italians ended in the clearance and controlled back in the "away" boots. The attempts by Italy were enough to lead but the keeper became a hero with at least five saves.
Initiating the second half the Romanian side gained the lead by a Mutu goal. The bad synchro between Buffon an Zambrotta lead Mutu an open space in which he defined superb. Immediately the equalizer came through Panucci, when Chiellini headed a good corner by Del Piero. After both goals both teams attempted to lead but the expectancy reached the turning point at 73'. The penalty kick came at 80'. Adrian Mutu was pulled by Chirstian Panucci. The expectancy for the Romanian win ended when Gianluigi Buffon saved the shot. Mutu, suffering clearly and inconsolable,, was substituted. Mutu had the chance to eliminate the current WC holders but the nervous definition lead him blank, along with the hopes of an entire country.
Holland v. France 4-1
The build-up for this match was; In what way the French side could manage the new Dutch style? I would not say that France could win but it was how many goals can France give away?
The match started, in my case, with the Televisa transmission. Paco Villa narrated the match. He is one of the few Mexican football commentators worth hearing. With a very easy to follow hearing among with cultural dates and European football knowledge, Villa's style is a few inheritants of the tradition of Don Ángel Fernández. Villa mentioned the obliged France crosses. Certainty many of the attitudes in the beginning of the match were forced, due to the urgency of results for the squad of Domenech. The attempting French side could not control the ball, thus leaving it dangerously to the "home side". The lead came at16' by a Kuyt header. The midfield by the Dutch side began to work perfectly, thus leaving the question of the 4-3-3 set up. This has enraged "Joppie" for some time but that will be an issue for another post. The touching quality of the Dutch side resembled the one displayed by the team at The Grove. The only good defender in the entire tournament for France has been the veteran Sagnol. Gallas proved his inability for lead on pitch and also his quality has been compromised due to his lack of talent. Samir Nasri was on the side pitch warming up. The French side remained calmed and for moments trying to regain control. The pace was slowed by the Dutch side at 29'. The fact that a talented midfield can control the pace of a match whenever they want is a matter of pure talent and training. The attempts by the Frech side came through the left band.
The second half saw the introduction of Arjen Robben, which changed the tactical disposition of the team. Before the second goal the French side attempted violently, mostly to Bayern player Frank Ribery. The following goal has been praised throughoutly in several places. Of course with all the reason. A half 'Zizou 360' roulette by Van Nistelrooy opened the space for Robben who after a magnificent run crossed on a free Van Persie who finished more with pull than with talent. Several approaches were made by the Frenchs and the counters were on Robben. The futile approaches by the French side came on with the own goal by Oijer from a Sagnol cross. Immediately a thunderous strike by a lone player by Arjen finished the hopes of the French with more anger and despair than rage for talent. This lead me to the conclusion of Domenech. Raymond Domenech really has no idea of the managing, thus the end of an era is inherent. Certainly leaving him in his current post will do more harm to the French football than good. The final punch to the French squad came with one of the best goals of the tournament by one of the best players in it. At 92' Wesley Sneijder half-turn ended in a thunderous strike that Coupet did not even saw. The crack definition ended all the hopes of the ancient French side.
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