World Cup Fever

Will it be a fairytale ending for Zizo? Or will the Italians rise through the corruption they have back home?

Italy:

Italy has started the tournament slowly and hit form during the later stages of the tournament, when it matters. Lippi has put together an nontraditional Italian team, he maintained the defensive style, while the team has flair upfront. Lippi has also maintained a stable squad with few changes, unless there is an injury or a suspension. Today’s team should consist of Buffon in goal, Grosso, Zambrotta, Canavaro, and Materazzi in defense. Perrotta, Gattuso, Camoranesi, and Pirlo in midfeild. Totti playing behind Toni upfront. Nesta is also missing through injury for this match. Consistency works, the best teams in the world field a consistent lineup game to game. Will it work today?

In defense, Italy are the best team in the World Cup, conceding only one goal throughout the 6 matches they have played so far. The goal was an own goal that came in their second match at the group stage, against the USA. Italy also managed to score 11 goals in their run to the final. It has been impressive football from Italy. Everybody is looking good in the squad, Buffon was impressive in all matches, the defense, midfield, and attackers (not Totti though).

France:

Its all about Zizo. His last match is the envy of every footballer in the world, the World Cup Final. What a way to retire, if you win it that is. Zidane, Barthez, Thuram, and Veira have played in the 1998 final against Brazil. They are all here today too. The experience has been crucial in lifting the team’s game. They started the World Cup with two draws against Switzerland and Korea, they beat Togo to qualify to the second round. They hit top form in the final minute of the first half against Spain, when Ribery equalized. Afterwards it was history, beating favorites Brazil in a very impressive performance. They have not lost a single match under the guidance of Domenech (they drew a lot under him). Many ruled out France at the beginning of the tournament, few would have said that we will see France in the final (me :P).
Barthez is the kind of goalkeeper that makes you feel that he will do something stupid, even when he did that a few times this time, no goals went in. Gallas and Thuram have done a very good job in defense. The French also have a defensive record, 2 goals conceded so far, one of them is a penalty against Spain. In midfield they have been sensational. Makalele and Veira have done great in their defensive duties, Veira has also some attacking role in getting the ball forward. Zidane, Malouda, and Ribery have done great attacking forward. Henry is their lone striker. To me Henry and Zidane cant play together, but at least they have been doing well so far. France have been using a formation of 4-5-1 throughout the tournament, it changes once the game goes on.

My View:

I think France’s performance will all come down to Zidane’s performance. The Italians excel in containing their area, not to allow many balls in, and hit you on the run, similar to what happened in the Germany game. Even though I am a French supporter, but that is something cant do, while the Italians are brilliant at. Zidane and Henry can’t play together, Zidane’s style in releasing strikers doesnt fit Henry. It took Henry 54 matches with France to score from a Zidane pass!

Winning finals is all about defense, and as I have said, thats Italy’s game. I usually dont predict who wins in finals, I have two ways of telling you who will win in my view. Sometimes I will say that the teams who scores first wins, and sometimes I say that the team the scores the second goal wins (doesnt matter if its an equalizer or a 2-0 goal). This time I’ll say that the team that scores the second goal will win.

Good Luck to both teams.

(Below is my seat at the final)