Now before I begin, I would like to let everyone know that i am an avid Brazilian football fan, therefor I will try to be as neutral as I possibly can.
This game was touted as a friendly even though country pride was at stake. The Italians revelled by their fans as the champions of the world, came into that game with the confidence of knowing that they were unbeaten in 31 national outings and a win here would set a new record for an unbeaten run by a national team. On the reverse side of this, the Brazilians have been experiencing mixed fortunes under their coach and mentor Dunga. Their last couple of showings have been poor to say the least. The forward line at times seem out of sorts, with Ronaldinho and Kaka never seeming to be on the same page. This day was to be different.
Location: Emerates Stadium London
Date: Tuesday 10 February ,20:45 CET
Starting Line ups:
Brazil (4-2-2-2): Julio Cesar - Maicon, Marcelo, Juan (Thiago Silva 77'), Lucio - Gilberto (Josue 89'), Melo - Elano (Dani Alves 70') , Ronaldinho - Robinho (Julio Baptista 89'), Adriano (Pato 80')
Italy (4-3-3): Buffon - Zambrotta, Grosso, Cannavaro, Legrottaglie - Pirlo (Dossena 75'), Montolivo (Perrotta h/t), De Rossi (Aquilani 58')- Pepe (Camoranesi h/t), Di Natale (Rossi h/t), Gilardino (Toni h/t)
Referee: Howard Webb
Kick off:
This match started as a hotly contested affair, with Italy taking the initiative early on. Fabio Grosso, netted a very well taken goal in the third minute, only for it to be recalled for being offside (a very questionable call). Regardless of the call, first blood was drawn and this sparked Brazil into action. Samba time.
Maicon tested Buffon in the 10th minute with a well taken volley after some great work by Robinho. 3 minutes later though, Brazil took the lead. Some very slick play by Ronaldinho, Elano and Robinho left the Italian defence motionless (Buffon included).
14 minutes later and Brazil were sent further into the lead. After a rather sloppy clearance by Pirlo inside of his box, the ball fell kindly to Robinho on the top left hand side of the box. Robinho's eyes lit up at this point and the ex-Real Madrid man made them pay. After a few cross overs which sent the Italian defenders the wrong way ( I think next time he should sent that change of address card in Italin instead of Portugese) he smashed a left footed shot into the right hand side of the flailing Buffon's net. I think the Italians were happy that the half time whistle came when it did because the Samba boys were definitely in their ascendancy.
In the second half, it can safely be said that the Brazilians took their feet off of the pedal. the introduction of Luca Toni at half time changed the shape and intensity of Italy's attack. He was more of a hNadful than Gilardino was for the Brazilian back two. Having a goal disallowed because of a blatant handball. In this half this spectacle of a football match deteriorated into 45 minutes full of yellow cards and substitutions.
In the end, the Samba boys emerged victorious. Brazil 2- Italy 0. Whether or not the disallowed goal by Fabio Grosso would have changed the complection of the match is anyone's guess. But as the older heads say, goals win mathces, and score goals Brazil did.
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