Catenaccio - the Italian Way of Football

[Hitro]

Am I the only one who thinks that this tactic, although efficient, is boredom in perfection?
Everybody has to admit that with the defenders they have it's a very successful way of playing, but is it fun to watch?
And it's not the only thing they could possibly do. If a weaker team relies purely on defence to prevent getting trashed (like Saudi Arabia) that is completely ok to me. But a team that has offensive players like Inzaghi, Vieri, del Piero, Delveccio, etc. shouldn't do it.

I at least hope Italy won't win the World Cup because if they do their style will get even more popular which will have a (in my opinion) negative effect on football.

Am I wrong? Too harsh?

 

[Sodak]

It is, indeed, dull. If what they want is only to win, they play it. If they want good football, they don't. I wish it wasn't effective, it really stalls the flow of the game. I much prefer open ball movement, structured attacks, the works. I always cheer against Italy because they play BORING ball.

 

[willemvanoranje]

Oh I agree!!! Have you seen Internazionale play against Feyenoord? Boooooooooring. I think Italy will make it to the finals though, on their way beating Germany in the quarter finals....German football is very boring most of the time too by the way

 

[Baleog]

Well that's just the way that the Italians traditionally play. Ever watched Serie A. All those people who say football is boring were probably watching Serie A at the time.

 

[Hitro]

Originally posted by Baleog
Well that's just the way that the Italians traditionally play. Ever watched Serie A. All those people who say football is boring were probably watching Serie A at the time.

I know, I just say it sucks.
1-0 must be the most common result in Serie A.

German football is very boring most of the time too by the way

It was indeed almost during the whole Vogts era (maybe except Euro 96). That was partly connected to the attempt of copying the Italian style, don't forget that many important German players played in Italy during the early 90s.
You can say the current team is boring. 1-5 , 8-0, 7-1, 4-2, 7-0 all interesting matches within the last year.

 

[Baleog]

Originally posted by Hitro

I know, I just say it sucks.
1-0 must be the most common result in Serie A.

I'd say the average goals per game in Serie A must be about 1.5 or something pathetic like that.

 

[animepornstar]

i thought italy played unusually offensive today. the good thing about their defensive style is that i can point it out everytime the italian guys i´m watching the wc with are bragging.

germany is boring in another way than italy. they are just passing around the ball without attacking.

 

[AVN]

Animepornstar,

Did you watch Germany's game last Saturday ???
I think it wasn't boring at all.

OK, I agree Germany has to repeat this result against a nation which can play football, but I still believe Germany's first game promises something.

And I like the way Germany is finishing it's games. They will play the game till the end. They always believe they can win. They never give up. And I can appreciate these things.

(This is enough for now, I'm afraid Matrix will moderate this post )

 

[Baleog]

Originally posted by AVN


And I like the way Germany is finishing it's games. They will play the game till the end. They always believe they can win. They never give up. And I can appreciate these things.

At what point during the Saudi game did they actually look like they thought they would lose!
Actually same for the Austria and Kuwait game!

 

[AVN]

Baleog.


The last games of Germany were easy games for them.

But in general, I have been following them since 1974 (the year The Netherlands lost of Germany in the WC-final, something I will never forget).
I have seen a lot of matches of their "Manschaft" and also a lot of matches of their leading clubs since 1974.
In general, if you think you have won a game against a German team, don't cheer too early. They can change the result (and they often do) of a match in the last minutes of a game.


That's something I admire of the Germans.

 

[Baleog]

Wow. Your experience is noted and accepted, but they're dead on Wednesday.
I hope .. . . .

 

[Lord_Vetinari]

Am I the only one who thinks that this tactic, although efficient, is boredom in perfection?

I totally agree. I was so pissed when they knocked out the Netherlands in Euro 2000. Holland played on the offence all through the game, and Italy played to get penalties from the start. They almost won the cup that time, but fourtunately France managed to beat them in the last minute, this time I think Italy will actually win the whole damn thing, and that's a shame

 

[Baleog]

Hmmm. Yes. I've nothing too much against the Italian players/fans, but it is disapointing sometimes to see a talented attacking side stop playing after half an hour.

 

[animepornstar]

Originally posted by AVN
And I like the way Germany is finishing it's games. They will play the game till the end. They always believe they can win. They never give up. And I can appreciate these things.

what were you watching during the summer 2000?

 

[willemvanoranje]

yeah! First round? Mwahahaha!

Damn Italians play not to lose, we play to win...