Some Key Individual Battles in France vs. Italy Final

July 9th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

Football is of course a team game, but there are many smaller battles that are played within the larger one. When France and Italy square off today, we will see some of the sport’s top players at positions across the pitch. We will also see some individual contests that could determine who lifts the trophy and who goes home empty handed. Here are a few match ups I will be keeping an eye on tonight.

Thierry Henry vs. Fabio Cannavaro

Henry will once again be featured as the lone striker in the French attack and he will roam sideline to sideline. Italy’s captain and defensive stalwart will be the last line of defense against the top forward in this match.

Thierry Henry/Italy’s forwards vs. the offside flag

Henry has lived offside this tournament, but he is not alone. Luca Toni and his teammates have also been offside so many times that the assistant referees might sue for workers compensation because their arms are now permanently locked in a raised position. One step in either direction could lead to a legitimate goal or to a goal being waived off.

Zinedine Zidane vs. Gennaro Gattuso

The French playmaker has been a force after the first round. His elegant play has been an inspiration. Today he faces a player who is the opposite of elegant. Gattuso is a physical force who spends his 90 minutes breaking up plays. Gattuso will dedicate a large portion of his time today tracking Zidane’s every move.

Francesco Totti vs. Claude Makelele

Totti has not been consistently good this World Cup, but he can make the Azzurri attack flow. Much like Zidane, he has the freedom to roam and to improvise. He will be marked closely by Makelele, who is a bulldog of a player that seemingly also wins loose balls.

Fabien Barthez vs. Himself

The French keeper has played at a high level for many years, but even when he is on his game he is prone to make questionable decisions and sometimes costly mistakes. He could save the game for France or lose it for them with one simple mistake.

Raymond Domenech vs. Marcello Lippi

Both coaches have worked their substitutions well this World Cup. Domenech has come across a lineup that he likes and he has stuck with it for the past three games. Lippi has done a wonderful job inserting attacking players who force the pace and defensive players that seal the game for his team. The right or wrong decision by either coach in the final could make all the difference.

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Dave Hamilton

Barthez is DEFINITELY a liability.
Philippe

After all said and done, the final is here and we are at 50/50.
To my Italian friends, I said Buena Fortuna.
To the French Team, I said Bonne Chance et
Vive Les Bleus…..
http://www.fussballwmblog.de/ Norbert

I hope that France will win.
If not, Italy will become an amnesty of all the criminal clubs in their league :(
Geraldine

lets not confuse the quality of the players and the italian controversy. if we went by that then half these french players who play for italian clubs represent the same italian clan. lets not glorify the french here! The dirty play by henry wch got them THE penalty kick against portugal speaks for itself…..

viva l’italia! forza azzurri !!!
http://joyitalianoaol.com Afshin Degreat

France a nd Italy are both great teams, however France did not play well on the second half against Portugal whereas Italians did very good the later in the game against Germany. Italy also had an extra day of rest. Italy will win and Legendar Zidane should be proud to bring the French team to the final.
milan

its all good in the hoood
Gurudutt

Am surprised as to how Raymond Domenech is supporting Zidane for his head butt and says that the referee who reported was not on the French side.

Was the coach looking for a win under the table?
Gurudutt

How could FIFA award the Golden Ball to Zidane after his atrocious behaviour during the extra time in the final?

What kind of message is the Soccer body trying to send across? The plea that the voting was closed by regular half time doesn’t cut ice.

When billions of people idolise the stars, such behaviour is unpardonable and should not be rewarded; rather a strict punishment should be meted out.
Cookie

Excellent point India! i think it is outrageous. Sends a terrible message not only to players trying to make a name for themselves coming up but also that it’s OK to break any of the rules if you feel like it as long as your a great player.
Sort of like that basketball player, if you know who I mean!
Richard

The French Team desreved to be in the final. They could have been the first in their group if it was not for the referees: A very well deserved penalty kick wasn’t awarded to France when the Swiss player stopped the ball with his hand; The penalty against Korea wasn’t called when Henry was taken down in the 18mrs and the goal wasn’t valided by the referee even though the goal keeper stopped it behind the goal line. Bravo for the French Team they kept it up and gave us a great moment of “Football”! Zizou, even though you could have been right, you shouldn’t have beaten the Italian player. David, even the greatest miss penalty kicks; I don’t understand why you warmed up the French bench for so long during this world cup. To all the French Team Merci!