[Grinch]

Now u see my point, it is quite naive of u to call Trap or Italian football cowardish. It is their style of play. U can't do anything with that. Only u can switch off the TV when they play.

But many of us actually like Italian football. Must be quite a strange remark for u. but thats the fact. :angel: Ciao

Hey, believe it or not I like Italian football. I think it's a whole eduction on how to cover and defend - nobody touches the Italians on the purely tactical aspects of the game. But even within the Italian footballing philosophy, I thought Trappatoni was excessively defensive. I've seen Italian football organized in more balanced ways - that's what I'm saying.

I appreciate Italian football because IMHO they are to defense what Brazilians are to attack: the whole world could learn something about defense from the Azzurri, just as the whole world tries to copy Brazil's attacking patters and moves. Italy, like Brazil, is a standard of excellence regarding an aspect of the game.

Having said that, I admit that the word "coward" is a very strong one, as fangul pointed out. But it just leaps to mind, I tried to find a better one 'conservative', 'withdrawn'... - but when I think of Vieri alone up front without help from Montella, Fiore, or anybody else... it just seems like a waste. Trap seems 'cowardly' because a manager with defenders like Italy's - Nesta, Cannavaro, Maldini etc - really shouldn't bother protecting them so fiercely, because they could do the job without so much coverage. Like they say, 'The best defense is offense'. But I understand that it's a matter of philosophy. I just think Trappatoni overdid it.

Let me underline that I never meant to insult Italians when I use the term 'coward'. I was aimed at a football manager and his game strategies, which I found excessively concerned with defending minimum goal leads. Not to mention those last minutes against Mexico, particularly offensive - because a man who's running la Squadra Azzurra should be ashamed for laying down his arms and forgetting that the Azzurri should always strive to be number one.

Trap was perfectly happy with the second spot in the group stage, and it brought Italy to a decisive playoff against the 1st-placed team from the other group. Trap probably thought it was the best possible choice of opponent - and boy, was he wrong.

 

[milano77]

Garincha, ur point taken. as I see u understand the viewpoint of the Italians.

One thing one has to admit that Trap has been over defensive.
Ciao and best of luck to brazil against England.

 

[MINDSCAPE]

Trap is a coward not to attack
But he is also stupid to defend with a makeshift defence without having any form of offensive pressire.

 

[baresi]

Fangul,

Why don't you try and debate rather than cheap attacks on sentence structure. Seems like every forum has one self-appointed know it all. At least we have you so now we will not need to find another.

Almighty and Garincha are right on the money as most observers can tell. If Italy was dominating international football by playing their brand of defensive football, then I would take the criticism as jealous and misguided. But that is not the case. Italy has not been successful with their defensive tactics. There is no need to be traditional for the sake of tradition. Italy's "defensive" tradition has become an albatross rather than a badge of honor.

No one is saying that Italy has to be as offensive as Brasil, but we are suggesting that they can at least become more balanced. They can try to develop midfields which can possess the ball and advance it systematically downfield. There is no reason that a country like Ireland should show far more command of the ball than Italy.

Calling Trapatoni a coward is over the top, but the point is fair. His teams play as if the "fear of losing" is paramount. That is a losing strategy and will never take us to a chanmpionship.

 

[San Siro]

I agree entirely on what Garrincha, Almighty and Baresi are saying. This article, as difficult it is for the italians to take it, is revealing some blatant truth that one needs to be blind for not seeing them.

However, i don't agree with this "tradition" thing. Tradition is one thing, and the ability to evolve in one's approach to the game is a crucial, if not vital thing for any country. No one can deny that Italy's tradition has been on defence and defensive play; however, lately, Italy has been blessed with a tremendous fire power up front. Now, one can legitimately ask themselves: should Italy sacrifice their incredible offensive power for the sake of "tradition"? I think not and the results are clearly speaking for themselves.

The intelligence of a coach as far as awareness and tactical knowledge is seen when the coach can make the necessary changes before, during and after each match. A coach must be able to adapt his tactics to the players he has and not the other way around. Meaning a good coach will not impose an offensive style of play where it is all based on fast short passes whereby the players are great technicians to a bunch of players limited as far as skills go. So yes, Trap has failed in that regard to evolve and to adapt his tactics to the players available. It is simply a crime to waste and let rot players of the quality of Montella, Inzaghi, or Baggio or Fiore and stick to an old-fashioned style outdated and completely obsolete. Yes in that regard, Trap can be qualified of a coward. Not coward on a personal level as we don't know him, but at least footballistically and tactically.

I just hope that the FIGC will gather all their top coaches and do what a mea culpa to reflect on the events of this World Cup, so they can use these invaluable feedback to improve things for the sake of Italian football.

 

[Giureconsulto]

Fangul,

Why don't you try and debate rather than cheap attacks on sentence structure...

Baresi

Why don't you post some original thought or consideration, including about my purported "personal attacks"...you repeat the same tired old s hite that has appeared in hundreds of posts on the Italian Soccer forum before your little pearl of wisdom

Errare humanum est, sed perseverare diabolicum...

 

[baresi]

LOL, Fangul, you are one funny guy. I mean it. Funny, funny guy. And smart too.

Seems you were the resident know-it-all for a much longer time than I had realized. I did you a disservice. You are actually know-it-all emeritus.

I thought you were a recent phenom, but I just discovered that you have quite the history here old man. Apparently, alot of people think you are a witty intellectual. Great, dude, what an accomplishment. Do you have a plaque that says "Xtratime Resident Intellectual and Grammar policeman".

Still, I must be commended for identifying the poster formerly known as Romulus, as a typical bulletin board provacateur, without even knowing of your illustrious past until just now. You fit the profile so well, you are to be congratulated for your handiwork.

One only needs to read 10 of your posts to see that here is a man in need of an outlet like this. We are here for you buddy. You may slice and dice us peons with your wit. You can dish out the logic and the sarcasm to your hearts content, and your psyche's desparate need. Thank god there are many forums to go around, because every know-it-all needs to be king of his forum.

Welcome back romulus, I only wish I had been here to read all of the wonderful posts you must have blessed this forum with in years past. I hope they are archived somewhere.

 

[Almighty]

LOL !!!!

 

[Giureconsulto]

LOL, Fangul, you are one funny guy. I mean it. Funny, funny guy. And smart too...Still, I must be commended for identifying the poster formerly known as Romulus...

Indeed you are to be commended. You are detective material, how did you find out I am Romulus? Was it perhaps my salutation to Garrincha just a few posts before this one, in this very thread?

And here I was thinking I could get it past you...you win!

Ta ta,

Romulus

 

[baresi]

Fangul,

I'm just doing my part to give you more attention. I must apologize for my poor prose. I did not mean to infer that the name Romulus had significance to me. It did not. Sorry to say, Romulus' reputation has not yet extended beyond the admittedly grand confines of this web site, which I have only been visiting for about a month now.

So your Romulus signature was not the giveaway you would think. I just assumed it was an indication of your kingly self esteem. I'm sure the very word "Romulus" strikes fear into the hearts of the more veteran posters around here. But to newbies like myself, it was no more or less entertaining than your witty "ta ta" and your brilliant latin post scripts.

It was only upon stumbling on an OT thread titled "Bring back the banned Romulus" or something to that effect, that I discovered the delightful confirmation that you were indeed a well established know-it-all, and not a wanna be know-it-all. Congrats and please be gentle with your follow up.

 

[Giureconsulto]

...a well established know-it-all, and not a wanna be know-it-all...

That I am