Italy v. Paraguay 1-1 14/Jun/10

First Round, First Game, Group F, Day 4. (12 of 64)



Alcaraz heads in.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]


Aside from the fact that certain opinions of this World Cup had been taken into the usual common places -such as the Jabulani effect, the Vuvuzelas and the mediocre performances- today's first match of Group F had all those elements we could ask for a true exciting match. De Rossi's performance, as well as his decisive equaliser, was one of the main highlights of the evening as well as the strong position Paraguay took for nearly seventy minutes.

The defensive mistake that Villar made - another eclipsing situation of the tournament - paid dividends to the World Champions as they rose from another one of those dreadful performances to give their nation a sacred point in the group stage. The following match will not be decisive if neither of the teams prove to be worth enough the challenge.



De Rossi celebrates his late lead.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


Actions in the first half began in a wet pitch. Just as if we asked for it, the weather decayed and the pouring rain, by the 20th minute, was affecting the game. The neatness and calmness of the South American team shadowed the Italian for almost thirty minutes since many of their approaches were poor and disorganised. Just after the Paraguayan momentum began to slow, the Italians took full advantage of their slip and won nearly all challenges.

Exactly in that tense moment, the "visitors" grabbed the lead just few minutes from the half time whistle. The dangerous freekicks and set pieces finally helped them as Torres set Alcaraz, who head past Buffon. Apparently the Juventus keeper got injured in that moment. The first time ended in the tonic of certain disgrace since the Italian keeper did not return and the panorama was sombre as hell.



The Roman edging three defenders.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]


With the substitution made there was no big change in the way the team played; even after Camoranessi's entrance the Italians barely changed the approach they were making against the American team. Despite the efforts of Simone Pepe, there was little hope for the Italians in the ground; instead they had to take the aerial route and it was Pepe himself who set De Rossi as he pushed the ball to square things.

Villar's rookie mistake was absolutely pivotal for the development of the match. It was not until yet another substitution came from the prowling Italian team could capitalise their full attacking capabilities. As the match
wore, Di Natale managed to weave each and everyone of the plays that were salvaged by De Rossi. In the final minutes the Paraguayan team was devastated physically and the Italians, as they are, were content with the point shared.