World Cup Semifinals Country Profile: Italy
Sixteenth appearance. Best performances: Winner in 1934, 1938, 1982.
First-Round Results: Beat Ghana, drew with the United States 1-1, and finished with a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic.
Second-Round Result: Beat Australia 1-0.
Quarterfinal Result: Beat Ukraine 3-0.
Stars: Luca Toni ended his World Cup drought in a big way,
scoring twice against Ukraine, while defender Gianluca Zambrotta was brilliant with a goal, an assist and a goal-line clearance. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been sensational, allowing only one own-goal, prompting Ukraine star Andriy Shevchenko to call him "the greatest goalkeeper in the world." Francesco Totti scored on a penalty kick on the final play of the win over Australia.
Outlook: Italy's offense finally got on track against Ukraine and its defense has been impressive. It has managed to ignore major distractions, first the massive corruption scandal back home, and now the condition of former teammate Gianluca Pessotto, who is hospitalized in Turin after falling out of a window. But the Azzurri haven't faced an opponent playing as well as Germany, and they will be at a decided disadvantage in front of the passionate home crowd.
First-Round Results: Beat Ghana, drew with the United States 1-1, and finished with a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic.
Second-Round Result: Beat Australia 1-0.
Quarterfinal Result: Beat Ukraine 3-0.
Stars: Luca Toni ended his World Cup drought in a big way,
scoring twice against Ukraine, while defender Gianluca Zambrotta was brilliant with a goal, an assist and a goal-line clearance. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been sensational, allowing only one own-goal, prompting Ukraine star Andriy Shevchenko to call him "the greatest goalkeeper in the world." Francesco Totti scored on a penalty kick on the final play of the win over Australia.Outlook: Italy's offense finally got on track against Ukraine and its defense has been impressive. It has managed to ignore major distractions, first the massive corruption scandal back home, and now the condition of former teammate Gianluca Pessotto, who is hospitalized in Turin after falling out of a window. But the Azzurri haven't faced an opponent playing as well as Germany, and they will be at a decided disadvantage in front of the passionate home crowd.
The only goal Italy has conceded so far was by its own defender, Cristian Zaccardo, in a 1-1 draw with the United States. Although Alessandro Nesta remains very doubtful with a thigh injury, coach Marcello Lippi can recall Marco Materazzi after a one-game suspension to partner the in-form Fabio Cannavaro at the heart of the Italian defense.
With the AC Milan pairing of Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo making a solid midfield, Lippi has the luxury of fielding Francesco Totti behind two strikers, Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino. That trio will try to unsettle Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder at the heart of the German defense.
World Cup Semifinal Prediction: Italy to lose against Germany, 0-2
posted by 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany at 1:44 AM
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