Hungary-Azzurri, Or: PWND.
By: Martha | August 22nd, 2007
So, a 3-1 loss to Hungary a few weeks before a huge qualifier? NOT a good sign. Roberto Donadoni immediately put the blame on fitness but, while it’s true the goals came late, the Azzurri didn’t really inspire confidence before that, either.
The first half was certainly better than the second, though Massimo Ambrosini has never looked so awkward in his life — things got much better when he sort of drifted out of the game. Italy were attacking in crazy numbers, which led to a lot of pressure (though not many actual shots) on the Hungary goal but also left loads of room at the back for them to exploit. Mostly countering early, Hungary had two solid chances, both of which were save by Gigi Buffon, and certainly never looked over-matched, which was a bad sign for the Azzurri.
Though the second half started well — Alberto Aquilani’s hustle created an opportunity for Antonio Di Natale, who stabbed at the ball and redirected it to roll slowly into the back of the net — everything fell apart rather rapidly, most of it down Italy’s right side. Hungary got a fortunate goal (and a great finish) off a corner and Fabio Cannavaro melted down, giving away a penalty and getting used by a kid (the name of whole club team I won’t mention). The next thing you knew, the score was 3-1 and it was all over.
Donadoni probably won’t get fired this close to the France match, but he’s as close to the edge as anyone can be right now — he’s sort of like the coyote, frantically running in the air and thinking it’s working, right before he crashes to the ground at the foot of the cliff.
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Wow easy there Martha… no one’s talking about Donadoni getting fired, I don’t think that’s even an option for the FIGC right now. Don’t forget that (up until today) the Azzurri were coming from a very positive streak of wins in the qualifiers, so I don’t think Donadoni’s job is in jeopardy (I like your Looney Tunes reference though).
But I agree with you on everything else, our performance today was more than worrisome, especially the defense (my God, is this the Cannavaro that won the World Cup just over a year ago???).
In Donadoni’s defence, the fitness & physical preparation factor can’t be dismissed: Serie A hasn’t begun and most of the Azzurri today weren’t match-fit.
Then there’s the “playing against the World Champions” factor, which lead the Hungarians to believe this was the match of their life (just consider all the hard tackles on Pirlo, Aquilani, and Del Piero in the first half… shivering stuff).
At the end of the day, I’m disappointed by the attitude by which certain players approached this particular match today (our defenders in particular), and the fact that we lost 3-1 to the 65th FIFA-ranked team. But let’s not forget this was only a friendly.
So, am I worried? Yes, but I believe the boys will put it together and will “tirare fuori le palle” (show their cojones) in September when the real match arrives.
Posted from
Canada
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Is it true that the wind on Budapest trees sang Zizou Zizou Zizou?
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France -
I feel like Donadoni’s on a pretty short leash, as it were, because despite the wins his teams have rarely dominated like they should against weaker competition — in a country like Italy where the scrutiny is so intense, I just wonder how long he’ll stick around. If things goes well next month, though, he could easily be back on solid ground, building a house and buying pets.
Your relative optimism is reassuring, though, thank you.
(And Thierry, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised.)
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United States -
Don’t get me wrong Martha. Right now, I’m about as worried as you are by the Azzurri’s performance tonight. But what I do believe is that we have to take today’s game for what it was: a bad performance yes, but a friendly nonetheless.
And to go back on your point about “weaker opposition”, we Italians have just got an art of making easy things complicated for us: the weaker teams we always have trouble against, and it takes big matches against Brazil, Germany or France for us to rise and shine. Go figure.
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I don’t think Martha is worried all that much, as her NT of choice is Portugal, if I’m correct? (Feel free to correct me and send me scurrying away with my tail between my legs)
There are so many things wrong with Donadoni’s tenure. I still believe he has Fab Quags to thank for his job. A 2-1 win versus the Faroe Islands goes down as an inexcusable loss in my book (nearly a draw at the end, as well).
I really wonder how much the squad is drinking the Kool-Aid. From his choices and tactics, it doesn’t appear as though TDD knows what he’s doing, which leads you to question how much he is actually respected within the confines of the locker room. He’s improved a little, but he has a penchant for fitting the system to the player, rather than the player to the system, if you get what I mean. And he doesn’t have a long list of coaching accomplishments behind him. In fact, he has none outside of a decent, eventually combustible, tenure with Livorno. Not to mention he doesn’t appear to be the great motivator which, along with the unifying feel of Calciopoli, was a key ingredient in last summer’s great success.
Now, the embarrassing loss to Hungary, which was obviously being carried by the ghost of Ferenz Puskas, and I really think the next two games are critical if TDD wants to keep his job. The FIGC may be strong backers, but if he starts to put Euro qualification in jeopardy, he’ll be brought to the guillotine immediately. The public backlash would be massive and there would be no choice.
Personally, I think they fucked it up from the start. But you know that already.
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United States -
Portugal are my bit on the side, Chris — despite it being the home of Figo, I support them (only) against everyone but the Azzurri.
What about Donadoni made the FIGC pick him the first place?
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United States -
I thought our first half was kinda good, especially Aquilani and Pirlo when they switched positions back and forth. Del Piero and Zambro had some nice combos as well, but Toni needed more service and FabQuag looked like he was fielded out of position.
The second half fall-apart was probably more due to fitness than anything else. I’m sure my boys would have dug deep had this been a real match… but the players and bench did look very angry that they had given up the goals and ultimately they could not come back.
I WAS worried to see Capello doing some commentary. Are we going to have to listen to that bastard all year?
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United States -
Donadoni had a good run with Livorno before he was fired for fighting with the owners, but not THAT good a run to coach the national team. I’m trying to remember which other coaches were available during that period, but I think only Ranieri, Gentile, and one of the Walters were not working.
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United States -
The crazy part is it took them about 24 hours to name him coach once Lippi stepped down. I know he made the decision during the group stages or shortly thereafter, but I don’t know when he told the FIGC of his decision. Still, it was really really quickly. Like he was the tactical chosen one or something.
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United States -
plus he had connections, as after calciopoli when some of the old-timers were replaced, they went young, and i believe albertini (i think it was albertini) was given a rather high position, given he was recently retired, in the new figc. he pushed hard for donadoni, iirc. They are close stemming back to their milan and azzurri playing days
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United States -
It was all a bad dream… We won 5-0.
*denial denial denial*Posted from
United States -
Martha: at the time, Donadoni seemed like the most suitable choice. Gentile had only coached the U21 and had little experience, and Ranieri perhaps not enough international luster. Then there was Vialli, who’d have made a good choice IMHO (despite his only coaching jobs -with moderate success- were with Chelsea & Watford, and the fact he’s bitting sitting on the sidelines ever since he was sacked in 2002). But I guess in the end they went for Donadoni because of his good spell at Livorno, as well as his great playing record with the Azzurri.
Mike: I thought that Capello didn’t do such a bad job commenting. His comments were sound and insightful, he just needs to learn to time them better (to avoid interrupting the flow of the game), but that will come with experience.
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United States -
By the way, shoot me if I’m an idiot, but what the hell does “PWND” mean?
And if it’s internet lingo I don’t want to know. I managed to graduate that stage without actually learning it. That’s how I want to keep it.
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United States -
ÉLJEN A HAZA, HAJRÁ MAGYAROK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Puskás Ferenc, a történelmünk–győzelem, a jövő idűnk!!! ÉLJEN az új Aranycsapat!! :) :P
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United States -
…sorry, that probably wasn’t the most mature possible way to celebrate… ;-)
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United States -
Chris, PWND is indeed internet lingo. So you don’t want to know…
But if you did, it means ‘owned’ or something along those lines.
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Ahhh, Ambro. When he’s working, he’s utterly sublime. When he isn’t, he’s utterly dreadful. He switches from saviour to liability at the drop of a hat.
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United States -
When Donadoni was hired quite simply no one was available except for the names mentioned and Carlo Mazzone (who later complained to the press that he wasn’t even considered). Also it helped him to have ex-teammate Demetrio Albertini working at the FIGC to put in a good word.
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United States -
Then you must’ve had a rough day yesterday, Martha. Azzurri get humiliated by Hungary and Portugal ties against fricken’ Armenia. Horrendous.
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United States -
Yeah, I’ve not yet gathered the strength to watch the Portugal game. At least I can be in denial about that one.
(And thanks to everyone for the answers on Donadoni.)
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United States -
[...] fell to as low as 65th in FIFA’s world ranking under Varhidi’s stewardship, but after a 3-1 thrashing of Italy in an August friendly, things quickly started to improve, and the team are now 50th in the world. That’s a long way [...]
Posted from
United States
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