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Italy draws with Paraguay to open title defense
Source: Agencies |
June 15, 2010, Tuesday
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ITALY opened the defense of its World Cup title with a laborious 1-1 draw against Paraguay yesterday.
Paraguay took advantage of its first shot on goal to take the lead in the 39th minute. Antolin Alcaraz outjumped 36-year-old Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi for a header following a free kick from Aureliano Torres, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had no chance for a save.
De Rossi made up for the opening goal by equalizing in the 63rd, sliding in to redirect a corner kick from Simone Pepe. It was a solid start for the AS Roma midfielder, who was suspended for four games during Italy's victorious 2006 run after bloodying the face of United States forward Brian McBride with a sharp elbow.
Already without injured midfielder Andrea Pirlo, however, Italy's fortunes took another hit when it lost perhaps its most valuable player - Buffon - after the first half. The 32-year-old goalkeeper was removed in favor of inexperienced backup Federico Marchetti due to an apparent back problem.
After a day of often intense rain, the match kicked off under a drizzle, leaving the field slippery. Temperatures stood at 8 degrees Celsius, but the swirling winds coming off the ocean made it feel colder.
Italy started with six players from its 2006 squad in the lineup and a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Alberto Gilardino spearheading the attack and Riccardo Montolivo replacing Pirlo.
Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino left Roque Santa Cruz of Manchester City on the bench and started with a two-man forward line of Borussia Dortmund teammates Nelson Valdez and Lucas Barrios.
Italy was organized from the start, pushing up the right flank with Gianluca Zambrotta and Pepe, but the Azzurri had trouble getting the ball to Gilardino.
Paraguay was content to sit back and wait for counterattacks and didn't venture into Italy's half until the 20-minute mark, when the South Americans won a couple of corners.
At the other end, Paraguay's Enrique Vera gave away the ball to Montolivo but the Fiorentina captain could only get off a weak shot right at waiting goalkeeper Justo Villar.
Paraguay had its first significant chance in the 22nd when Torres shot wide from beyond the area.
With the rain picking up and fans blowing harder on their vuvuzelas - seemingly demanding more action - both teams stalled in midfield for a while before Paraguay took the lead.
In the second half, Italy appeared rattled at first without Buffon shouting his usual orders, and Vera nearly scored in the 52nd when defender Giorgio Chiellini failed to clear.
After De Rossi's equalizer, Italy's best chance for victory came in the 83rd with a long shot from Montolivo that Villar did well to push wide.
Also showing off swift passing skills, Montolivo proved an able substitute for Pirlo but the Azzurri will be eager to get the AC Milan standout back, perhaps as soon as their next match against New Zealand.
With Pirlo clearly recovering, the bigger worry now for Italy might be Buffon's status.
The other two teams in Group F, Slovakia and New Zealand, play today.
Paraguay took advantage of its first shot on goal to take the lead in the 39th minute. Antolin Alcaraz outjumped 36-year-old Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi for a header following a free kick from Aureliano Torres, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had no chance for a save.
De Rossi made up for the opening goal by equalizing in the 63rd, sliding in to redirect a corner kick from Simone Pepe. It was a solid start for the AS Roma midfielder, who was suspended for four games during Italy's victorious 2006 run after bloodying the face of United States forward Brian McBride with a sharp elbow.
Already without injured midfielder Andrea Pirlo, however, Italy's fortunes took another hit when it lost perhaps its most valuable player - Buffon - after the first half. The 32-year-old goalkeeper was removed in favor of inexperienced backup Federico Marchetti due to an apparent back problem.
After a day of often intense rain, the match kicked off under a drizzle, leaving the field slippery. Temperatures stood at 8 degrees Celsius, but the swirling winds coming off the ocean made it feel colder.
Italy started with six players from its 2006 squad in the lineup and a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Alberto Gilardino spearheading the attack and Riccardo Montolivo replacing Pirlo.
Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino left Roque Santa Cruz of Manchester City on the bench and started with a two-man forward line of Borussia Dortmund teammates Nelson Valdez and Lucas Barrios.
Italy was organized from the start, pushing up the right flank with Gianluca Zambrotta and Pepe, but the Azzurri had trouble getting the ball to Gilardino.
Paraguay was content to sit back and wait for counterattacks and didn't venture into Italy's half until the 20-minute mark, when the South Americans won a couple of corners.
At the other end, Paraguay's Enrique Vera gave away the ball to Montolivo but the Fiorentina captain could only get off a weak shot right at waiting goalkeeper Justo Villar.
Paraguay had its first significant chance in the 22nd when Torres shot wide from beyond the area.
With the rain picking up and fans blowing harder on their vuvuzelas - seemingly demanding more action - both teams stalled in midfield for a while before Paraguay took the lead.
In the second half, Italy appeared rattled at first without Buffon shouting his usual orders, and Vera nearly scored in the 52nd when defender Giorgio Chiellini failed to clear.
After De Rossi's equalizer, Italy's best chance for victory came in the 83rd with a long shot from Montolivo that Villar did well to push wide.
Also showing off swift passing skills, Montolivo proved an able substitute for Pirlo but the Azzurri will be eager to get the AC Milan standout back, perhaps as soon as their next match against New Zealand.
With Pirlo clearly recovering, the bigger worry now for Italy might be Buffon's status.
The other two teams in Group F, Slovakia and New Zealand, play today.
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