If France has provided the biggest scandal at the World Cup thus far, Italy and England are on the threshold of either disaster or a new beginning, depending on their performances in the final group match. Italy has a serious task ahead against Marek Hamsik’s Slovakia, a very tricky match for the Azzurri considering the familiarity of the two teams, while England will face an efficient, disciplined Slovenia team that keeps surprising against the odds.
Napoli forward Marek Hamsik will lead Slovakia against Italy.
There is a big difference between Italy and England to this point. While the results have been unacceptable, the pace of Italy’s game has been OK for the most part. A draw was acceptable against a very solid Paraguay team and for a first match of the tournament. Italy created many more chances against New Zealand, failing to convert them on way to a historic embarrassment, but the problem seems to be more tactical. There is confusion in the Italian midfield, with De Rossi, Montolivo and Marchisio roaming around the same space and only Pepe operating optimally. Lippi has to replace either Montolivo or Marchisio from the starting 11. Gilardino has had few chances and has created little or nothing. Di Natale would be a better choice along Iaquinta in Italy’s final match. And with that, que sara, sara. Italy will live on or die in shame with this group of players.
England on the other hand, has shown very little on the field against USA and Algeria. It is the same old story, the one that prompted someone to call England’s coaching position as an impossible one. At issue is the team’s personality, or lack of it in the first two games. Frank Lampard barely featured thus far, Gerrard and Rooney have performed below expectations, speedy wingers Lennon and Wright-Phillips delivered too little, Heskey and Barry have been ineffective. England is not good enough. The emerging protagonist of this situation is … John Terry. Despite being replaced as England captain for off-the-field incidents, Terry remains the dominant figure in the English locker room and he has already grumbled about Capello’s strict regiment as cramping his style. Bring back the girls and the boozy late nights?
Reset: Facing elimination, England's stars must step up their game.
England should narrowly get past Slovenia and probably win the group after all, but this stressful period has been revealing. Capello is not a magician. He is respectable and indeed respected, but failure is failure and if England do not make it out of the group he will be dismissed, despite having signed a contract extension just before the tournament at the English football federation’s request. How ironic would that be?
England held a “clear-the-air” meeting on Sunday to discuss what has gone wrong thus far. Players and coaches analyzed the matches. The problems are transparent. Some of the players need only look in the mirror for their performance. At the same time, Rio Ferdinand’s absence has never weighed heavier on and off the pitch. In all probability, both Italy and England will traverse this difficult moment successfully. Lippi maintains he is calm about the team advancing and even predicts a typically deep Italian tournament run. Perhaps. Italy’s World Cup experience has been humbling so far, while England should pack it in anyway if it can’t beat Algeria, Slovenia and USA.