Germany had already shown they were entering a new era. They were entertaining and played flowing attacking football, the likes that had never been seen from German team. Italy, were doing it old-skool. Winning matches through having a superb defence, and taking their chances when they came. With this knowledge, one would have expected Germany to attack, Italy to defend, and try and hit them when they could.
No sir...
Germany attacked, so did Italy. Germany attacked more, Italy replied. For ninety minutes, we were watching the most entertaining 0-0 match that had ever been played. When extra time came....chances were STILL being created. There was no letting up. It seemed inevitable that this would go to penalties, and with the emotional Italians, they tended to lose their nerve there. (Different story for the Final).
In the waning minutes of second half extra time, the corner had fallen to Pirlo. You know, during a time like this with a World Cup semi-final on a knife edge, you would expect nerves and pressure. Pirlo doesn't even know what those words mean. With Germans all around him, Pirlo would not be rushed and took his damn time. He waited and waited, until he saw the gap. Slipping the ball through, he knew Grosso was there to receive it. When that ball comes to you, all that takes over is instinct. Nothing else matters or should even be used. It was instinct that made Grosso connect with that ball first time and slot it into the corner.
Game over.
Germany were never going to equalise. They came strong and had to push every man, woman and newborn to attack. It was what Italy wanted. Then when the opportunity arose, with Germany thin at the back, Italy countered, and Totti's incredible reverse pass found the Dellage who delivered the final blow with a roofer that confirmed their first class ticket to Berlin.
Germany were in tears and it was a crushing way to go, after all the effort they put in for a hundred and seventeen minutes. That's just football, it brings the very high and the very low. But beyond that, for those of us who tuned in to watch that match live, it was truly an incredible experience. This was the perfect advert for what football meant when played at its highest level. So even though Germany lost and there is NO consolation for losing a World Cup semi-final, it takes two teams to produce a great match. Those Germans that played that night, who finally got a World Cup winner's medal, can look back at that match and be proud of being part of history.
Italy. They were supposed to be the defensive team. I would love to know if Lippi actually set his boys to play that way, or if it just happened naturally with the players just deciding to play with that mindset. Who gives a damn. It made for a superb match and it showed what a great side Italy are. They may have taught the world the art of defending, but they also have a few tricks as well when it comes to creating chances and playing attractive football.
A damn classic and I am thankful to say....I was there.
Sent from the Hut
