Buzzin Football

USA 1-3 Italy (Group B)

In the final game of the first round of the group stages in the Fifa Confederations cup, World champions Italy took on the USA in South Africa last night. Surprisingly, it was USA who had most of the early possession in the game, looking comfortable enough to take the game to Italy, although both teams squandered good chances to take the lead.

Italy found it difficult to live up to their world champions tag, but when Clark was sent of for an over zealous tackle on Gattuso, you felt that the Italian’s would take control of the game. When USA defender Bornstein turned the ball into his own net immediately after the sending off, it appeared that Italy had indeed turned the tide, but the ‘goal’ was ruled out as an Italian player was in an offside position.

With five minutes to half time, USA were awarded a penalty when Chiellini brought down Altidore and Donavon converted to give the US a well deserved lead. The second half continued in the same vein, with USA looking the brighter of the sides and Italy looking rather short of ideas.

The introduction of Rossi for Italy around the hour mark will be seen as  a master stroke from Italian boss Lippi, the former Manchester United striker immediately making an impact with a stonking left foot shot that left Howard no chance. The pace of Rossi gave a new dimension to the Italian game and as the legs of ten  man USA tired, the Italians took the lead through another long range effort, this time from De Rossi.

Even then, as Italy played their boring keep ball to see out time, USA went close to grabbing an equaliser through Davies, before Pirlo found Rossi who sealed the game with another well taken goal on the half volley.

I was impressed with the attitude shown by the US who play to their limited strengths, but Italy, despite a bright final twenty minutes, really did nothing to convince me that they are worthy world champions.  The introduction of Rossi gave Italy some much needed pace in what must be the slowest international team around. I do look forward to seeing more of the young American born striker Giuseppe Rossi, now playing in Spain for Villareal, who reminded me a lot of England’s Joe Cole.