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1. Italy -1 -110 vs. Australia
2. Italy vs. Australia over 2.5 +107
This game sets up like the game vs. the USA only the difference being that the Aussies like to play with a 4-5-1 formation using the lone striker up front. Italy coach Marcello Lippi has been mum on his formation for this game and on who he will use up front next to Gilardino. As an AC Milan fan, I actually think, watching Gilardino a lot, that he’s a bit too one-dimensional and is not overly creative on attack. He’s easy to defend which is why his opportunities have been kept in check so far this tournament. I am miffed by Lippi’s benching of Luca Toni because I really feel that he gives the Italians many options in the striker role but for whatever reason, he hasn’t had that sparkling performance that we expected. Maybe that game on the bench gave him a chance to think. In any event, I would also be pleased if my man Inzaghi is given another shot up front. I’ve always said that Inzaghi is like a rat who makes his own space and is very explosive and knows how to time, and play against the offside trap to a tee. He gets called a lot for going offside but when he hits the trap correctly it’s almost a sure goal.
The Aussies don’t have that up front. This, unfortunately for them, will be their downfall. Their coach is the same coach by the way who coached the Koreans in the last world cup when they eliminated the Italians at this stage of the tournament. Lippi will not get caught off guard.
The Aussies play a physical game, sometimes forgetting that this is soccer and not Aussie Rules football. The Italians also are masters at the art of over-embellishing, or shall I say, diving, so it will be interesting to see who gets the referees attention in this match. I do think that cards may be plenty in this game.
Italy will be without Nesta on defense due to that injury but Marco Materazzi is a more than capable defender as he showed with Inter this past season. He also silenced his critics with the opening goal vs. the Czechs in the last game.
Australia’s goaltender experiment in inserting Zeljko Kalac in against the Croatians almost cost them. He did not look good at all, having numerous problems keeping a hold on the ball. Mark Schwarzer will be back in net. Also, the man who scored the equalizer for the Aussies Harry Kewell is nursing an injury and is doubtful for the Italy match. If he goes, he will be playing hurt trying to recover from a nagging groin injury. Defensive midfielder Brett Emerton is suspended for this match.
Australia looked good pushing the ball on offense against the Croatians but have the Croatians to thank for that by sitting back and trying to absorb the Aussies attack once they got the lead. However, the Aussies looked confused when the Croatians were going out gunning for that second goal once the Aussies made the score 1-1. I personally did not like the way the Aussies looked trying to defend. Italy presents more offensive options than the Croatians did.
So, you have to give the edge in overall talent to the Italians. The goaltending edge goes to Italy and of course the defensive and offensive edges also go to the Italians. The Aussies get my vote on aggressiveness and tenacity however but Italy has the ability to strike hard and fast if the Aussies press to hard. Like the basis for my pick on Portugal, Italy simply has more offensive options up front. If they struggle, they can always go to the likes of Del Piero, Inzaghi, Iaquinta and Toni. The Aussies lack similar options. Also, the Aussies lack of experience at playing at this level is also a factor taken into consideration. The Aussies have not been to a final since 1974. The Italians, with loads of players with European and International experience have the edge in that department too.
On a personal note, I am getting increasingly frustrated with Totti. Either something isn’t right with his fitness level or he just doesn’t have what it takes to compete on the international stage but, I have almost had enough of him. He’s like a horse with blinders on sometimes and many times during that match against the Czech republic he chose to shoot when he had men open in space. I would like to see Lippi not hesitate to go to Del Piero in his place if he can’t get his game going.
DeRossi has been suspended for 4 games as a result of his viscious elbow vs. the USA. He won’t be missed. Not with the way that Juventus' Cramoranessi played in midfield against the Czechs.
2. Italy vs. Australia over 2.5 +107
This game sets up like the game vs. the USA only the difference being that the Aussies like to play with a 4-5-1 formation using the lone striker up front. Italy coach Marcello Lippi has been mum on his formation for this game and on who he will use up front next to Gilardino. As an AC Milan fan, I actually think, watching Gilardino a lot, that he’s a bit too one-dimensional and is not overly creative on attack. He’s easy to defend which is why his opportunities have been kept in check so far this tournament. I am miffed by Lippi’s benching of Luca Toni because I really feel that he gives the Italians many options in the striker role but for whatever reason, he hasn’t had that sparkling performance that we expected. Maybe that game on the bench gave him a chance to think. In any event, I would also be pleased if my man Inzaghi is given another shot up front. I’ve always said that Inzaghi is like a rat who makes his own space and is very explosive and knows how to time, and play against the offside trap to a tee. He gets called a lot for going offside but when he hits the trap correctly it’s almost a sure goal.
The Aussies don’t have that up front. This, unfortunately for them, will be their downfall. Their coach is the same coach by the way who coached the Koreans in the last world cup when they eliminated the Italians at this stage of the tournament. Lippi will not get caught off guard.
The Aussies play a physical game, sometimes forgetting that this is soccer and not Aussie Rules football. The Italians also are masters at the art of over-embellishing, or shall I say, diving, so it will be interesting to see who gets the referees attention in this match. I do think that cards may be plenty in this game.
Italy will be without Nesta on defense due to that injury but Marco Materazzi is a more than capable defender as he showed with Inter this past season. He also silenced his critics with the opening goal vs. the Czechs in the last game.
Australia’s goaltender experiment in inserting Zeljko Kalac in against the Croatians almost cost them. He did not look good at all, having numerous problems keeping a hold on the ball. Mark Schwarzer will be back in net. Also, the man who scored the equalizer for the Aussies Harry Kewell is nursing an injury and is doubtful for the Italy match. If he goes, he will be playing hurt trying to recover from a nagging groin injury. Defensive midfielder Brett Emerton is suspended for this match.
Australia looked good pushing the ball on offense against the Croatians but have the Croatians to thank for that by sitting back and trying to absorb the Aussies attack once they got the lead. However, the Aussies looked confused when the Croatians were going out gunning for that second goal once the Aussies made the score 1-1. I personally did not like the way the Aussies looked trying to defend. Italy presents more offensive options than the Croatians did.
So, you have to give the edge in overall talent to the Italians. The goaltending edge goes to Italy and of course the defensive and offensive edges also go to the Italians. The Aussies get my vote on aggressiveness and tenacity however but Italy has the ability to strike hard and fast if the Aussies press to hard. Like the basis for my pick on Portugal, Italy simply has more offensive options up front. If they struggle, they can always go to the likes of Del Piero, Inzaghi, Iaquinta and Toni. The Aussies lack similar options. Also, the Aussies lack of experience at playing at this level is also a factor taken into consideration. The Aussies have not been to a final since 1974. The Italians, with loads of players with European and International experience have the edge in that department too.
On a personal note, I am getting increasingly frustrated with Totti. Either something isn’t right with his fitness level or he just doesn’t have what it takes to compete on the international stage but, I have almost had enough of him. He’s like a horse with blinders on sometimes and many times during that match against the Czech republic he chose to shoot when he had men open in space. I would like to see Lippi not hesitate to go to Del Piero in his place if he can’t get his game going.
DeRossi has been suspended for 4 games as a result of his viscious elbow vs. the USA. He won’t be missed. Not with the way that Juventus' Cramoranessi played in midfield against the Czechs.