We\’ve seen 12 of the 16 teams now.
If Italy played Germany next week, I think Juventus might beat Bayern Munich, if you know what I mean. And I\’m sure you do.
Sunday\’s 5 o\’clock game was Spain v Italy.
Del Bosque went with six midfielders and no striker. Italy went with 3-5-2 and Balotelli up front with Cassano.
So while Spain were making little passes into little runs, Italy were using fewer passes and looking more like scoring.
It was Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Alonso, Silva and Fabregas trying to interpass between Chiellini, De Rossi and Bonucci ?
I\’m not sure exactly how that rather radical formation came about.
Was it : If you play 3-5-2, I won\’t play a centre forward?
Prandelli gave a senior debut to left-sided midfielder Giaccherini. Iniesta looked bright and sparky, full of scalpel-sharp passes, but Italy had the better chances.
From the kitchen, where Jan was cooking pasta, a shout.
“How\’s Fabregas doing?â€
“He has everything but pace, so they shouldn\’t play him up front.â€
Half-time: 0-0.
Buffon made a save from Fabregas, Iniesta fired across Buffon and past the post.
In 53, Balotelli had a one-on-one with Casillas after a Sergio Ramos mistake.
Everyone was thinking : “Shoot! Or pass!â€
He did neither and Ramos made a good recovery tackle.
Three minutes later Prandelli replaced Balotelli with Di Natale, the stocky No.11 from Udinese.
In 60, Pirlo spurted easily forward, played a sublime ball through for Di Natale, who beat Casillas with an accomplished finish for 1-0.
The World Champions were losing and that made it more interesting.
Then Chiellini charged at David Silva, allowing Fabregas make a run into the space just vacated by the rangy stopper, get Silva\’s tidy pass and convert with his left foot for 1-1 in 64 min.
Torres replaced Fabregas in 73 but lacked confidence.
Fernando Torres is not a sub.
Fernando Torres is not not NOT a substitute!
He\’s an introspective lad who needs to be told, the day before the game, “You\’re playing. I\’m picking you because you\’re a great centre forward. You\’re wearing the No 9 shirt because you were born to wear the No 9 shirt and score goals.â€
Expecting a classy tactical battle with many points of interest, I wasn\’t disappointed.
ITV\’s Gordon Strachan loved the game.
Patrick Vieira said, “Spain are still my favourites.â€
Roberto Martinez said, “Italy will get stronger as the tournament goes on.â€
Also : Milan striker Cassano looked good.
Cassano scored two goals when Nigel and I saw Italy in Pescara last November