Mario Balotelli can always be counted on to put on a show. The question has always been: Would it help or hurt the team? In Thursday’s Euro 2012 semifinal against Germany, it was definitely the former, as he scored two first-half goals to give the Azzurri a 2-1 victory, and with it a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.
It was a victory that Italy fully deserved, yet one that was also unexpected, even when the quality of the Azzurri’s roster is taken into account. Germany entered the match as a considerable favorite, had two days more rest than the Italians and appeared to be operating at peak form. But along the way, there had been some warning signs, namely a weakness along the back line that was ruthlessly punished by Balotelli. He nodded home Antonio Cassano’s cross in the 20th minute, and then finished off a lightning-quick counterattack with a thunderous finish nine minutes before halftime.
Germany’s Mesut Ozil sent Italian nerves jangling by converting a penalty two minutes into stoppage time, but the Azzurri saw out the rest of the game, setting up a rematch with Spain, which they tied 1-1 in the group stage.
For now, Italy will be left to celebrate a gratifying victory -- and not just because of Balotelli’s heroics. Cassano did plenty to alter the game’s early momentum, as he unsettled the German defense with his movement. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon overcame some early shakiness to deliver several key saves, even as the back line was solid overall. In midfield, Andrea Pirlo was his usual sharp self, while Daniele De Rossi shook off a back ailment to go the full 90 minutes.
And with the win, Italy continued its hoodoo over Germany in major tournaments. The Azzurri now have a record of 4-0-4 against Die Mannschaft in major tournaments, adding on to their semifinal triumph at the 2006 World Cup.
After springing some unexpected lineup changes for the quarterfinal win over Greece, Germany manager Joachim Low restored midfielder Lukas Podolski and forward Mario Gomez to the starting lineup in place of Andre Schurrle and Miroslav Klose. Low did institute one minor tweak, however, giving Toni Kroos an opportunity to play in place of Marco Reus, with the Bayern Munich man moving into the center and pushing Mesut Ozil out wide on the right.
As for Italy, manager Cesare Prandelli made just one change, replacing injured right back Ignazio Abate with Giorgio Chiellini, who took over the left back spot with Federico Balzaretti swapping sides to play on the right.
As has been its habit throughout the tournament, Germany started on the front foot and nearly scored in the fifth minute when Mats Hummels redirected Ozil’s corner through the legs of Buffon, but Pirlo was there to gently clear into the arms of his keeper. Buffon then endured another shaky moment just minutes later, fumbling a low cross from Jerome Boateng, but Andrea Barzagli was on hand to clear.
Germany continued to own most of the ball, with Ozil linking well with Kroos. Kroos then tested Buffon again in the 13th minute, stinging the palms of the Italy keeper.
But after soaking up pressure in the early going, Italy’s attacking trio of Balotelli, Cassano and Riccardo Montolivo began to find each other. Cassano signaled the change in momentum with a curling shot that was saved by Manuel Neuer in the 17th minute, and the Azzurri then broke on top three minutes later. Cassano did well to escape the attentions of Hummels on the left wing, and his cross was nodded home by Balotelli, who soared high above marker Holger Badstuber.
Germany attempted to strike back, continually testing Chiellini on the Italian left side, and while Boateng broke through with a dangerous cross in the 33rd minute, Italy’s defense held firm.
Italy was looking much more confident in attack, however, and Montolivo really should have done better with a glorious chance just a minute later. But after being put clean through by Cassano, he dithered on the ball rather than shoot, and Badstuber recovered to tackle the ball away.
It mattered little, as Italy scored a second goal in the 36th minute on a classic counterattack. A Germany corner was cleared by Buffon to the feet of Montolivo and his defense-splitting pass found Balotelli in acres of space. German defender Philipp Lahm attempted to make up the ground, but Balotelli galloped forward and hit an absolute laser into the upper corner to make the score 2-0.
In a bid to haul his side back into the match, Low brought on Reus and Klose at halftime in place of Podolski and Gomez, respectively. And the switch nearly paid immediate dividends, with Reus breaking free in the 47th minute only to scuff his shot straight into the arms of a grateful Buffon.
Jeff Carlisle
No comments:
Post a Comment