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The all-time World Cup




June 21st 2005
Montevideo, Estadio Centenario
ITALY - GERMANY
1-0 (0-0)

      GOALS                   64'  1-0  Marco Tardelli

      REFEREE                 Sandor Puhl (Hungary)

      ATTENDANCE              80,000

      YELLOW CARDS            Baresi, Burgnich, Ferri (ITA)
                              Brehme, Beckenbauer, Förster (GER)




      ITALY (Coach: Vittorio Pozzo, system 4-3-3)

       1 Dino Zoff
       4 Tarcisio Burgnich
       5 Riccardo Ferri
       6 Franco Baresi (cap)
      15 Paolo Maldini
      14 Marco Tardelli
       8 Romeo Benetti
      12 Sandro Mazzola             (-81)
       7 Giuseppe Meazza            (-75)
       9 Silvio Piola               (-87)
      11 Luigi Riva
 
      Substitutes:
      20 Fulvio Collovati           (+75)
      16 Valentino Mazzola          (+81)
      21 Christian Vieri            (+87)



      GERMANY (Coach: Helmut Schön, system 4-3-3)
      
       1 Sepp Maier
       2 Berti Vogts                (-79)
       4 Karl-Heinz Förster
       5 Franz Beckenbauer (cap)
       3 Andreas Brehme
       8 Lothar Matthäus
       6 Fritz Walter               (-73)
      12 Wolfgang Overath
      11 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
      13 Gerd Müller
      20 Helmut Rahn                (-76)
 
      Substitutes:
       9 Uwe Seeler                 (+73)
      18 Jürgen Klinsmann           (+76)
      14 Manfred Kaltz              (+79)
 

MATCHREPORT


    The last semi finalist had to come from the clash between Italy and Germany, a game worth a final. Both coaches, to surprise of many, chose to field three strikers. Many had thought they would be a bit more reluctant. Pozzo had to replace right back Bergomi due to suspension but had a good replacement with Tarcisio Burgnich. Despite converting the decisive penalty against England Manfred Kaltz had to take place on the bench again in favour of Berti Vogts who was considered to be a better option for marking Riva. For the rest, well proven line-ups for both the Squadra and the Mannschaft.

    Nobody expected an open match and it wouldn't be that way. Germany carefully tried to build up something like a domination in midfield but Benetti proved himself the better of Walter and Matthäus was kept busy with shadowing Mazzola. Overath and Tardelli were well balanced throughout the match. This way on both end the strikers were hardly reached. There was no prominent role for Gerd Müller, proclamated topscorer of the tournament but at the moment 2 goals short of the leading quartet. Riccardo Ferri wouldn't give him an inch of space. Rummenigge met Maldini, also a very tough opponent just as quick as the German. And Helmut Rahn tried a lot but in the end always ended up on the wrong side against a concentrated Burgnich. But the German defenders also did very well. Förster (against Piola), Brehme (against Meazza) and Vogts (against Riva) mostly won their battles.

    Before the break, more yellow cards than chances to score. Franco Baresi got one because of obstruction against Matthäus. It seemed a bit overdone, Matthäus could never win the ball. Ferri received a deserved yellow card for hammering down Rummenigge who had for once escaped from Maldini. For Germany Brehme and Beckenbauer were cautioned, Brehme for an intentional handball and Beckenbauer for protesting against it. Referee Puhl showed no mercy for the German captain and booked him.

    Chances were a rarity in that first half. Only after half an hour the match came a bit to life when Mazzola shot just wide of Maier's goal. Italy saw that there were possibilities. From a narrow angle Riva tried twice, once over the bar and the other time straight into Maier's hands. Dino Zoff had an even easier task in those first 45 minutes. All he had to master were crosses by Brehme and Matthäus. Zoff had no problems, half time came with 0-0.

    After the break neither of the teams saw a reason to change their matchplan. Germany now tried more than before to reach their strikers with passes from behind, escaping the battle in midfield. Beckenbauer supported his midfield line a few times but Baresi immediately saw the danger and did the same, this way creating a match-up between the two captains. Beckenbauer was limited to pass the ball instead of going past a few opponents and create the man extra. The most dangerous German moment came when Rummenigge ran past Maldini and passed it to Rahn. The outside left got the chance but misskicked it. To his relief Zoff saw the ball go wide.

    A little more than an hour had past when the goal of the match was scored. And it came for Italy. It was, no surprise, a quick counterattack led by for the rest invisible Meazza. The 1938 captain crossed the midfield line at full speed and passed it to Benetti who saw Tardelli running into the box. The cross came, it reached Tardelli and he headed it over Maier in the net: 1-0. A beautiful goal, well played and Tardelli's initiative was rewarded. Germany now really had to come and try to score against the best defence in the All Time World Cup, a defence that had allowed only one field goal. Schön substituted Walter, who had been a drop out and replaced him with Uwe Seeler. Pozzo responded immediately by taking off striker Meazza in favour of manmarker Collovati, who took responsibility over Seeler. Moments later Klinsmann, another goaldirected striker, replaced Rahn and Kaltz came in place of Vogts. The Germans increased the pressure that way. Italy however, as expected, defended with all their might. There was hardly any space to be found for a German strike. Burgnich fouled Matthäus when the German threatened to break through, Puhl might as well have decided for a red card. Seeler got the only real chance. From the turn he shot it against Baresi who had taken an ultimate sliding. Of course Beckenbauer now was more in midfield but Baresi never hesitated stepping in. The Italian captain was the outstanding man on the pitch, always there where it mattered most. Brehme and Matthäus, specialists for shots from distance, tried but Zoff was up to it. The tension remained until the last seconds, the more when Puhl added 6 minutes for stoppages. But the equalizer didn't come.

    Italy survived this European topmatch and qualified for the semi final. Brazil were waiting in London: a rematch of the 1970 final and the famous 1982 match in Barcelona. Germany crashed out, to surprise of many. They had thought, based on their great World Cup history, to be a contender for the title and they had been. But in the end against strong opposition they had not been able to make the difference. Their strong attitude had not been enough to throw out a very focussed Italy.

    Next Friday: the first semifinal in the All Time World Cup. Brazil meet Italy in the Wembley Stadium in London where Gottfried Dienst is back to referee the game, hopefully not with the controversy he caused in 1966. Brazil are weakened defensively because of suspensions from Ricardo Gomes and Dunga. Still their potential is unmatched and despite the two players lost they remain the favourites. Italy have thrown out rivals Germany and have grown into the tournament. They are also without a defender, Riccardo Ferri got his second booking. Fulvio Collovati may come in. Bergomi is back from his suspension. What lies ahead may be another thrilling match between two of the superpowers in World Cup history. At stake: a place in the final!




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