Playing for penalties from minute 1? C'mon who wrote that Alan Shearer? Is it only a good game if it's 4 each and neither team can defend? Are 0-0 draws between a bunch of foreigners now dismissed on WSC. Or perhaps it's just been so long since you saw a good defence, or two, that you just don't recognise them anymore. Shame on you!!

I agree with AMMS. The 'Italians were playing for penalties' comment was lazy writing worthy of BBC's Dream Team punditry. They probably lacked an extra man joining in the attacks - but they still got forward and endeavored to create chances. It's just that they struggled to create - movement was poor and midfielders were trying to provide the support when it should've been the fullbacks. Twas a mess - indicative of Donadoni's rein, always teetering on the edge of malaise and mediocrity.

Spain deserved it. But this Italian baiting and all the stereotypes that come along with it must stop.

Oh, and may i just add they had a makeshift central defensive partnership and two of their key mids in Pirlo and Gattuso out. So i don't think a 'blow for blow' approach would've been the philosophy of any team in their position.

That is all.

Not all 0-0 draws involving Italy are sophisticated feats of technical virtuosity. Against Spain Italy - the World Cup holders - played boring, fearful football. If that's not ripe for a slag-off then everyone might as well stop commenting on football.

AMMS, is your point that whatever Alan Shearer says, right thinking people should say the opposite?

(Actually, come to think of it, that is a pretty reasonable worldview for a contented and right life)

Drunk Academic, I think Floating Tramp made my point better than I did regarding Italy. I thought they looked at the Spanish attack and decided they'd be ripped a new one if they allowed them any space and time. Some people might think that is dour and defensive but for me it seemed sensible and a not unfair assertion for the Italian manager to make, he was after all trying to win the match not please the BBC or WSC. If the point is that Italy, as world Champions, should be better than they were well fair enough however qualifying results tend to suggest they aren't the team they were.
I picked on Alan Shearer simply because he had made the very same point during the match and not because he is an arrogant, over-paid, over exposed embodiment of all that is wrong with the modern English footballer. But I could be wrong.

Fair enough AMMS. But I would have thought the Italian coach would have been able to say to his players "For God's sake lads, this is only Spain. They're always rubbish when it comes to the crunch. And their defence is wobbly. Let's score a couple and *then* shut up shop, man to man marking, sweeper, the works."

I think you're being a bit silly if you think that foreign coaches worry about pleasing the BBC. Everyone in football knows the BBC are rubbish. I'm sure, however, that progressives like Donadoni read WSC religiously, although as an intelligent man he would have been aware about the slight difference in tone between the magazine and the message board.

BUFFON: Your tactics might come across as boring to the WSC editorial writers, boss.
DONADONI: True, but there is a cabal of true believers on OTF who will understand.
BUFFON: That's all very well, but their views don't get a nice illustration on the home page.
DONADONI: Sigh. It's so hard being an international coach.

etc etc

I see Donadonis got the sack, well I blame Alan Shearer and WSC, i hope your happy now!