Ok, another change in the story. Apparently this is what happen:

After the twisted nipple, Materazzi was saying the Italian equivalent of F*** OFF to Zidane, and then added, as Zidane was walking away "I hope you are your family die a terrible death". Or something to that extent.

And Zidane had just received news the day before that his mother was seriously ill.

If that is an insult that Materazzi considers "normal", you have to wonder what he would consider a viscious insult.

Well, the insult was a bit harsh, but if he was unaware of the health of Zidane's mum then it would seem pretty normal to say it. If it was a planned comment, made with the the awareness of Zizou's mum's health and with intent to send him off then I'd chuck a Rooney and stomp his balls. then twist my boots. :knives:

and it won't ever EVER change the fact that Zizou wasn't man enough to walk away and not get himself beckham'd out of the world cup.

Under the conditions, if the insult about his family was true that would've cut deep and reacting to that does not make me think any less of him.

Yes, he probably failed as a professional but as a person defending his family, he gets my respect.

Chelsea plays a boring brand of soccer

Barcelona plays an exciting brand of soccer

but they also have probally the 2 best attacking talents in the world

When Liverpool won the CL and last year's Arsenal that made it to the final, were playing some of the most boring soccer I've ever seen, it was catenaccio to an extreme <_<

I don't know why English teams never get criticized for playing Catenaccio, but when Italy does it (the 2nd half of the final was the only time they played Catenaccio) they get criticized

umm I associate Catenaccio with playing a naturally defensive game and absorbing the attack from an opponent and Italy do that (too well). They showed more attacking play than I expected in the WC but other than counterattacks, their build up was normally slow and controlled which unfortunately doesn't live long in the memory. It can be exciting for some football fans to watch and I appreciate it (as long as I'm not falling asleep ) but it's not exactly going to win over the neutrals. Italy get stick for it probably for those reasons and also your history of employing Catenaccio.

and I must admit Liverpool frustrates me to no end at times and I don't like it when Rafa plays defensively, but we've definitely improved since then and if you've been watching some of our matches from last season, our passing has been fast and fluent through the centre of the park and at times it's been absolutely mouth-watering

As for English teams not getting criticised for catenaccio, it's probably the surprise factor The reason why the EPL is exciting is because of the teams attacking and scoring all the time, which resulted from really crappy defences. Mourinho changed all that <_< So anyway, as you might imagine, the reaction from the continental press would be something along the lines of "These are ENGLISH teams DEFENDING well! :shock: like OMFG!!! the whole world has turned upside down! Seriously, who would have bet on Arsenal to break the defensive record in the Champion's League. If I had the money I would've bet on them conceding the most goals!

Actually, Arsenal played decent football against Juventus and Real Madrid. Against Juventus at Highbury, it was brilliant stuff even. It was only in the final and the semi-final they played ultra-boring defensive football.

Indeed! The Arsenal vs Madrid game was a great 0-0 match or was that the other leg I was thinking of? :morning:

football pip

Chelsea plays a boring brand of soccer

Barcelona plays an exciting brand of soccer

but they also have probally the 2 best attacking talents in the world

When Liverpool won the CL and last year's Arsenal that made it to the final, were playing some of the most boring soccer I've ever seen, it was catenaccio to an extreme <_<

I don't know why English teams never get criticized for playing Catenaccio, but when Italy does it (the 2nd half of the final was the only time they played Catenaccio) they get criticized

umm I associate Catenaccio with playing a naturally defensive game and absorbing the attack from an opponent and Italy do that (too well). They showed more attacking play than I expected in the WC but other than counterattacks, their build up was normally slow and controlled which unfortunately doesn't live long in the memory. It can be exciting for some football fans to watch and I appreciate it (as long as I'm not falling asleep ) but it's not exactly going to win over the neutrals. Italy get stick for it probably for those reasons and also your history of employing Catenaccio.

and I must admit Liverpool frustrates me to no end at times and I don't like it when Rafa plays defensively, but we've definitely improved since then and if you've been watching some of our matches from last season, our passing has been fast and fluent through the centre of the park and at times it's been absolutely mouth-watering

As for English teams not getting criticised for catenaccio, it's probably the surprise factor The reason why the EPL is exciting is because of the teams attacking and scoring all the time, which resulted from really crappy defences. Mourinho changed all that <_< So anyway, as you might imagine, the reaction from the continental press would be something along the lines of "These are ENGLISH teams DEFENDING well! :shock: like OMFG!!! the whole world has turned upside down! Seriously, who would have bet on Arsenal to break the defensive record in the Champion's League. If I had the money I would've bet on them conceding the most goals!

I agree Liverpool games were more exciting last year, but the year they won the CL they were a very boring team to watch well at least in the CL

When I watch the EPL they are very exciting game, fast paced, and not a lot of diving but when they get to the CL, they go into a boring defensive system, much like Juventus, who just plays that all the time

The only team the doesn't change it up that much is Man U. Maybe that's why they finished dead last in there group in CL

I was surprised at Arsenal's defensive record as well :shock: especially since they did the majority of them without Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole

Do you think Italy were deserved winners?

When I watch the EPL they are very exciting game, fast paced, and not a lot of diving but when they get to the CL, they go into a boring defensive system, much like Juventus, who just plays that all the time

The only team the doesn't change it up that much is Man U. Maybe that's why they finished dead last in there group in CL

The English game is different to the European game and the teams have to adopt another system when they play in Europe (although, that's changing as more and more foreign managers take charge). I think its just a lot easier to play defensively in Europe. The English game relies on pace and directness so if English clubs can keep an opposition out, they can hit on the counter.

The gradual shift towards more continental tactics has helped the English game progress and allowed Mourinho and SAF to use more "global" approaches. They play the same formations nearly every match, but their knowledge of the game allows them to change parts of the formation to accomodate for the situation without making a complete overhaul. Rafa also wanted to implement something like that with a 4-5-1 but our squad just can't play it and we've had to use a 4-4-2 most of the time and change to a 4-5-1 in Europe

Do you think Italy were deserved winners?

Italy didn't perform very well in some of their games. Sometimes the team was a bit off and other times it was a few individuals that didn't perform. All in all they could've played better IMO but they still had a solid squad and were strong in all positions.

I liked Lippi's 4-3-2-1 Xmas Tree but I feel that some of his decisions were a bit off and some were made at the wrong time. I was surprised by Italy's approach at times, but I think Italy would've benefitted more if Lippi had allowed the mids more freedom to advance. Clearly the squad has some great attacking potential, but some players can't advance because Lippi wants them to defend.

The defending was marvellous. The midfield were great and the forwards did their job. They had a solid base on which to build their attacks, but the midfield was shackled down which meant they couldn't provide enough support or were not fast enough to do so if the fullbacks didn't make runs. Maybe playing with a higher backline might help

Passing and movement had its highs and lows from game to game. The tempo was slow and constant, which is not a bad thing, but I rarely saw any change in tempo even when approaching the final third. Obviously Pirlo can do that but I suspect you might need someone else to help him if you want to have a greater effect. Pirlo is too clam at times.

The one thing that I didn't like was the constant diving and play acting. It's not good to watch and it annoyed me to no end :anger:

Many teams "deserved" to win it or participate in the finals and Italy's performances were no better than theirs'. They've won it already anyway so who cares? Shouldn't you be happy?

Actually, Arsenal played decent football against Juventus and Real Madrid. Against Juventus at Highbury, it was brilliant stuff even. It was only in the final and the semi-final they played ultra-boring defensive football.

Against Madrid they played some exciting football (Y)

Against Juve, they played extremelly boring football (N) it didn't help that Juve couldn't mount an attack that game either

Actually, their home game against Juve was great. With Cesc totally outplaying Vieira. And a lot of movement around the box.

Do you think Italy were deserved winners?

Italy didn't perform very well in some of their games. Sometimes the team was a bit off and other times it was a few individuals that didn't perform. All in all they could've played better IMO but they still had a solid squad and were strong in all positions.

I liked Lippi's 4-3-2-1 Xmas Tree but I feel that some of his decisions were a bit off and some were made at the wrong time. I was surprised by Italy's approach at times, but I think Italy would've benefitted more if Lippi had allowed the mids more freedom to advance. Clearly the squad has some great attacking potential, but some players can't advance because Lippi wants them to defend.

The defending was marvellous. The midfield were great and the forwards did their job. They had a solid base on which to build their attacks, but the midfield was shackled down which meant they couldn't provide enough support or were not fast enough to do so if the fullbacks didn't make runs. Maybe playing with a higher backline might help

Passing and movement had its highs and lows from game to game. The tempo was slow and constant, which is not a bad thing, but I rarely saw any change in tempo even when approaching the final third. Obviously Pirlo can do that but I suspect you might need someone else to help him if you want to have a greater effect. Pirlo is too clam at times.

The one thing that I didn't like was the constant diving and play acting. It's not good to watch and it annoyed me to no end :anger:

Many teams "deserved" to win it or participate in the finals and Italy's performances were no better than theirs'. They've won it already anyway so who cares? Shouldn't you be happy?

I am very happy

I'm just curious of what other peoples opinions are of Italy's performance in the WC

Lippi has quit

My opinion: they got better as the tournament progressed. They were ok against Ghana, so and so against the US and the Czech republic, not so great against Australia, decently good against Ukraine, great against Germany, very good against France.

Actually, Arsenal played decent football against Juventus and Real Madrid. Against Juventus at Highbury, it was brilliant stuff even. It was only in the final and the semi-final they played ultra-boring defensive football.

Against Madrid they played some exciting football (Y)

Against Juve, they played extremelly boring football (N) it didn't help that Juve couldn't mount an attack that game either

Actually, their home game against Juve was great. With Cesc totally outplaying Vieira. And a lot of movement around the box.

I just remember watching the 2nd game and nearly falling asleep

You mean the one in Italy? Yeah, that one wasn't so great. But the job was done in Highbury.

My opinion: they got better as the tournament progressed. They were ok against Ghana, so and so against the US and the Czech republic, not so great against Australia, decently good against Ukraine, great against Germany, very good against France.

I thought there best game was against Germany

It was probally the most exciting game of the tournament well at least for me anyway

You mean the one in Italy? Yeah, that one wasn't so great. But the job was done in Highbury.

I can't remember that first game at all

Top five games of the tournament for me:

1. Mexico-Argentina

2. Germany-Italy

3. Ghana-Czech Republic

4. Brazil-France

5. Argentina-Serbia

You mean the one in Italy? Yeah, that one wasn't so great. But the job was done in Highbury.

I can't remember that first game at all

Cesc Fabregas and Henry scoring. Fabregas scoring on a Henry pass, and Henry scoring after a great double move between Hleb and Fabregas.

Top five games of the tournament for me:

1. Mexico-Argentina

2. Germany-Italy

3. Ghana-Czech Republic

4. Brazil-France

5. Argentina-Serbia

I'd probally just have the Italy-Germany game infront of Mexico-Argentina

Lippi has quit

Why? Is there any news on where which club he might want to join? Or is he just planning to retire?

I guess its a smart thing to go out on a high...

My opinion: they got better as the tournament progressed. They were ok against Ghana, so and so against the US and the Czech republic, not so great against Australia, decently good against Ukraine, great against Germany, very good against France.

damn I need to learn to write like that instead of sitting down and writing 10-page long essays without even answering the inital question <_<