In their final Group Stage match, tiny Slovakia, competing as an independent nation for the 1st time ever, was pitted against Italy, the current World Cup champions and 2nd most successful nation in World Cup history. While FIFA rankings may not mean much on the day, the 29-country gap between 34th place Slovakia and 5th place Italy could hardly be deemed insignificant. What’s more, though Italy hadn’t exactly shown championship quality in their previous matches, they were comfortably ensconced in 2nd place in their group. Slovakia entered the stadium at the bottom of that table.
The stage was set for high drama, and the fixture didn’t disappoint — though for the first 80 minutes, the bulk of the drama was of the histrionic variety, primarily (though not exclusively) provided by the Italians.
I’m not for a moment suggesting that the Italians have a lock on play-acting. All footballers make the most of any and every bump, thump, trip or tap that could win them a free kick in a dangerous area or a shot on goal from the penalty spot. But not all teams are as committed to that aspect of the game as are the Azzurri. While other teams will turn up the volume on theatricality when they sense the ref is buying it, most don’t make a habit of playing the death-throes card and only occasionally stoop to diving. A few teams — and just about all of my favorite players — show real sportsmanship, making every effort to stay on their feet no matter what comes at them, to get back on their feet quickly, to keep their tackles honest and their cleats down. Check out Dirk Kuyt, if you don’t believe me.
For as long as I’ve been watching footy, the basic Italian game plan has been to stick virtuoso keeper Gianluigi Buffon in goal, erect an 8+ man wall in front of him, and defend-defend-defend, forcing more and more opposing players to press forward in search of the three points. When critical mass is reached and the opposition is over-committed on the Italian side of the pitch, the Azzurri launch the ball down the field to their lone, lonely striker and hope he can score on the break. To optimize their chances, the Italians liberally sprinkle their game with a whole ‘nother set of tactics; theatrics designed to artificially disrupt the flow of the match and manipulate officials into making unwarranted decisions in their favor.
Four years ago, this two-pronged strategy netted Italy the World Cup — and they ceded only 2 goals in the process. Since then, FIFA officials, opposing teams and footy fans have had ample opportunity to view the thespian side of the Italian game in slow motion and from all angles. Such scrutiny has earned the Azurri a reputation for underhanded play intended to win them free kicks and penalties and get their opponents red-carded off the field.
This time, the strategy didn’t work for them. Buffon was injured in practice before the tournament began; they were missing their ace-in-the-hole. Just 25 minutes in, the Italians’ defense was breached and Vittek had his 1st goal of the game. Still Italy didn’t switch gears. They stuck to dogged defending and upped the thespian volume. First official Howard Webb, bless him, wasn’t having any of it, from either team. When anybody tried to play the post-tackle excruciating-agony scene, he was on it in a flash, exhorting the downed player in no uncertain terms to get the hell up.
Italian coach Lippi did make a couple of substitutions at half-time, but it didn’t make the slightest difference in their game. I’d have thought it might’ve startled the Italians out of their stupor when Vittek scored again at 73 minutes, but no. It wasn’t until the 80-minute mark that Italy suddenly seemed to realize they were on the verge of failing to advance. For the last 10 minutes of the match, an entirely different Italian team took to the pitch — an attacking team with a single-pronged strategy: get the ball, get it up the pitch, score.
For ten glorious minutes the Italians played with power, speed, focus and desire. Di Natale got the Azzurri back in it at 81 minutes, but Slovakia wasn’t about to let the game slip away from them. They restored their 2-goal cushion at 89 minutes, when Kopuneck — who had only just come on as a substitute — latched onto a throw and beat the Italian keeper with his very first touch on the ball. Quagliarella’s goal in stoppage time simply wasn’t enough. It ended Slovakia 3 – 2 Italia, a brilliant result and maybe, just maybe, the biggest shock of the tournament.