adminlong stretches Thursday —even without their top player Mario Balotelli — before falling 7-6 in a penalty shootout following a draining 0-0 draw.
“I take pride in what we’ve done,” Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon said. “It’s not a time to celebrate but I think a lot of people have appreciated the way we play.”
The semi-final was nothing like last year’s European Championship final, when Spain routed Italy 4-0.
“We went beyond expectations,” Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini said. “We’ll return to Brazil next year knowing that we can beat even Spain.”
While the 35-year-old Buffon and the 34-year-old Andrea Pirlo still form the backbone of Italy’s squad, coach Cesare Prandelli has rounded the team out with several players virtually unheard of outside Italy.
Players like winger Emanuele Giaccherini, who often doesn’t even start at Juventus but who set up Balotelli’s winner against Mexico and scored himself against Brazil.
Players like Christian Maggio, the only Napoli representative among the Azzurri, whose 80th-minute header and potential equaliser thundered off the crossbar against Brazil and whose first-half shot against Spain was stopped only with an expert reflex save from the Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Players like Alessandro Diamanti, who toils in relative obscurity even inside Italy at Bologna but who shined for Italy at Euro 2012. Prandelli has also asked for more out of Italy veterans like Daniele De Rossi and Chiellini.
Normally a midfielder, De Rossi played at center back from the second half against Spain, while Chiellini is occasionally moved from his usual center back spot to fullback.
“I’m not Roberto Carlos but I give my all,” Chiellini said memorably before Italy’s first match vs. Mexico.
And then of course there’s Balotelli, a player most managers have struggled to keep on course but someone who has always shown his best under Prandelli.
Balotelli was sent home with a strained left thigh after the 4-2 loss to Brazil and Italy could only imagine what the match against Spain would have been like if he had been healthy.
Balotelli’s winner against Mexico displayed his rapidly improving talent and brute strength and his acrobatic volley setup of Giaccherini’s goal vs. Brazil was a thing of beauty.
Balotelli is also Italy’s top penalty taker.
He has scored 18 out of 18 in his career with Italy, Inter Milan, Manchester City and AC Milan.
Italy could have used him in the shootout against Spain, when Leonardo Bonucci fired high to set up Jesus Navas’ winner. — AP.
Online Reporter