Azzurrini defeat Sweden 2-1 featuring the best and worst of Mario Balotelli

By: Francesco | June 19th, 2009

After the 0-0 draw with Serbia in the opening match, the game against hosts Sweden was very important, as a loss or a draw would’ve put Italy’s chances of getting out of the group in lots of trouble. Fortunately, the Azzurrini stood up to the task, winning 2-1 and putting them in a strong position to advance to the semi-final. The Italy goals came from Mario Balotelli and Robert Acquafresca.

Italy started slow, and Salvatore Bocchetti almost gifted Sweden a goal in the opening seconds. However as the first half dragged on Italy started to gain more confidence and started to control the game and started to make things happen. The opener came in the 23rd minute. Much of the credit has to go to Sebastian Giovinco, who turned two Swedish players inside out and played a great chip over the defense to Mario Balotelli, who cut to his right and from the edge of the area unleashed a curling effort that sailed past the Swedish keeper. Finally we saw some magic from Balotelli, who we all know is capable of extraordinary things.

However, we all know Balotelli is also capable of being very undisciplined, and he showed this in the 38th minute. A Swedish defender appeared to take down Balotelli, and while on the ground Balotelli attempted to kick the defender. Replays showed that Balotelli didn’t touch the Swedish player and he did a good acting job, but the fact of the matter is Balotelli attempted to do it and the red card was fully deserved. Now Balotelli will miss Italy’s last group game with Belarus. Italy went into the half 1-0 up and down to 10 men.

At the start of the second half Italy’s shape was more of a 4-4-1, with Giovinco dropping back to the right wing and Acquafresca the lone target man. Italy were still playing well, and 9 minutes into the second half Giovinco started another goal. The Atomic Ant dribbled down the right wing and put some sweet moves on two Swedish defenders who took him down. On the ensuing free kick, Giovinco whipped it in to an unmarked Robert Acquafresca who headed it into the lower left corner. Italy were 2-0 up and in the driver’s seat. Giovinco, who had a great game, was understandably substituted for Ignazio Abate to give more defensive cover on the wing.

Sweden started to take advantage of the numerical advantage and started to pile on the pressure. However Italy’s defense held strong, notably Marco Andreolli who took care of anything that came his way. Marco Motta also had a strong game at right back, and Paolo De Ceglie was a workhorse on the left wing, constantly running up and down the flank and beating Swedish players. Sweden were having multiple chances to score, but Andrea Consigli was making some excellent stops in net and the defense held strong.

But of course, there’s always one moment in the game where Casiraghi makes us very confused. In the 75th minute, Casiraghi took off Acquafresca, the lone striker, for Andrea Ranocchia, a central defender. This left the Azzurrini with no striker and no target man to get the ball too. Italy went to a 5 man defense and were basically playing a 5-4-0. Every time the Azzurrini got the ball they had nobody to look for up front and had to pass it around in midfield or try to run down the wing with it. It was a really confusing decision by Gigi Casiraghi. Although Ranocchia is a big presence and did do a good job winning crucial headers at the back.

Sweden got one back in the 88th minute after some nice passing and a finish from Toivonen, but Italy held on for the remaining minutes to grab the important victory. The Azzurrini now have 4 points going into the final group game with Belarus on Tuesday, and a win would probably mean first place in the group. Italy will have to do without SuperMario and will probably go with a 4-4-2, with Giovinco in support of Acquafresca.

SVEZIA (4-4-2): Dahlin; Lustig, Byasmyr, R.Bengtsson, E.Johansson; Elm, G.Svensson (dal 21’st Harbuzi), Wernbloom, Bajrami (dal 21’st Olsson); Toivonen, Berg.
(A disp.: Hansson, Nordfeldt, Karlsson, Landgren, Ekstrad, Soder, Molins, P.Bengtsson, Ozkan, Avdic). All.: Soderberg-Lennartson.

ITALIA (4-3-3): Consigli; Motta, Andreolli, Bocchetti, Criscito; Marchisio (dal 43’st Dessena), Cigarini, De Ceglie; Giovinco (dal 16’st Abate), Balotelli, Acquafresca (dal 30’st Ranocchia). (A disp.: Sirigu, Seculin, Morosini, Marzoratti, Candreva, Poli, Cerci, Paloschi). All.: Casiraghi

HIGHLIGHTS:

First half