|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Belgium unimpressed Italy looks like a favorite, despite what the Belgians think
Posted: Friday June 16, 2000 09:56 AM
It's feast or famine where the Italian media and their national football team ares concerned. Entering Euro 2000, coach Dino Zoff was being roundly criticized and his team written off as relative no-hopers. Two wins later, most of the Italian press gang are changing their tune. Now, they say, Italy is showing form that could carry them all the way to the final. But the Belgian players are saying: "Hold on -- not so quick." They lost 2-nil to Italy here in Brussels on Wednesday night, even though they controlled large portions of the match. In true Italian fashion, they scored an early goal, defended it superbly and added to their lead on a breakaway. As one Belgian commentator said: "What's happening here tonight is unjust." On Thursday, the vanquished Belgium squad had its own take on Italy's hopes of going all the way to the final in Rotterdam, Holland, on July 2. Joos Valgaeren said the key to the Group B match rested on who was smarter over the 90 minutes. "Everyone says Belgium played the better football, but who's smarter?" he asked. "If they can win like that, then good luck to them. Are they having fun playing like that? I don't think so." Yves Vanderhaege said the Italians didn't make a big impression on him -- although he praised their defense as world class. Eric Deflandre said the French and Dutch are still superior. Belgian captain Lorenzo Staelens questions whether Italy has an extra gear when the going gets tough, saying: "I'd like to see them play against a more difficult team than Belgium, go a goal behind themselves and see if they can change their tactics."
As for my opinion? Well, Paolo Maldini was magnificent in a splendid Italian defense. Stefano Fiore scored an exquisite second goal. Francesco Toldo had a fine game in goal. But we've not seen the best of Italy yet. If Zoff is brave enough to drop Filippo Inzaghi, who looked lightweight and ineffectual in attack, and play Alessandro Del Pierro alongside Francesco Totti, the Italians' invention up front is increased considerably. They are probably the most solid Euro 2000 team at the back and in Toldo have an assured and confident goalkeeper. With each victory, their confidence level will grow. It was pretty threadbare when they arrived in the Low Countries. Italy has an uncanny ability to grow in stature and achievement with each triumphant outing, a steady acceleration that saw the team win the 1982 World Cup after a truly forgettable opening group phase and make it to the 1994 World Cup final after losing to the Republic of Ireland and scraping a win against Norway (with 10 men and a substituted Roberto Baggio no less) in the first round of games. Before the competition began, I felt they would reach the semifinals. I've only seen evidence to encourage that theory, not dismiss it.
Assuming they now win their group, the Italians will face the second-place finisher in Group A. Germany, England or Romania won't exactly intimidate this Italian team. The Italian media don't always get it right. But their reaction to the win over Belgium and prediction of greater things to come might just be more accurate than the Belgian boys want to believe.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
