FIFA World Cup 2010: Italy on the Brink of Disaster

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Paraguay in their opening game, Italy were supposed to comfortably win against New Zealand, currently 78th in the FIFA world rankings.

However, as we all know, that didn’t happen.

Instead, the “All Whites” – a side boasting a handful of semi-professionals – earned a shock draw against the defending champions, resulting in both teams having to fight it out against Paraguay and Slovakia respectively in the final round in order to decide which nation will follow likely group winners Paraguay into the knock out stages.

Marcello Lippi fielded the same starting line-up from the opening game with the exception of Federico Marchetti – who replaced the injured Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks. Just like against Paraguay, the Azzurri dominated in ball possession, and just like their latest outing, their lack of flair, genuine creativity, and firepower saw Lippi’s men ultimately fail to capitalize on their advantage.

For the second game running, Italy fell behind on a set piece as Fabio Cannavaro failed to clear Simon Elliot’s free-kick which Shane Smeltz pounced on from close range – albeit from an offside position.

The scales were balanced on the half hour mark as Italy were rewarded a rather soft penalty after Tommy Smith got a handful of Daniele De Rossi’s jersey. Vincenzo Iaquinta converted the penalty – thus becoming the second Italian forward to score in the team’s last seven outings.

Italy has yet to win a game in 2010 and what is even worse is that the national side hasn’t managed to score a goal in open play in eight months.

The Italy boss switched back from his 4-4-2 to his previous 4-2-3-1 at the interval – a decision Claudio Marchisio found disturbing. Although the players are no strangers to Lippi implementing tactical changes in the middle of a game, the midfield maestro admitted to finding the experiments rather confusing as many of the players were playing out of position.

Italy were mounting pressure on New Zealand during the second half, but for some reason insisted on crossing the ball instead of rolling it on the ground in spite of the “All Whites” aerial superiority. The Kiwis held their bay – much thanks their firm defence and excellent goalkeeper Mark Paston.

Currently resting with two points each, both Italy and New Zealand are carrying hopes of advancing from the group ahead of the final matchday. Assuming that the Azzurri should progress to the knockout stages, not finishing as group winners will be rewarded with a nightmare journey en rout to a potential final.

Although Lippi would never admit to it, his decision to leave explosive and unpredictable players such as Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli overseas is coming back to haunt him.

Unlike the World Cup winning side of 2006, the squad – talented as they may be - lack any real “fuoriclasse” who can step up and make the difference.

Beating Slovakia is certainly no impossibility, but seeing as Lippi’s men have failed to notch up victories against oppositions such as Paraguay and New Zealand, what hopes are there that the Azzurri will manage to dispose of nations such as Spain, Brazil, Germany, and Argentina should they progress from the group?