World Cup Diary - Day 4 Father's Day

Pirlo Masterclass Shows Gulf

England fans have a right to be encouraged by the performance, if not the result, of their opening Group D match against Italy, but the undeniable truth is many of the old problems are still apparent. More depressingly though, is the very likelihood that this may never change.

Roy Hodgson’s men had more shots overall, more on target, forced more saves from the Azzurri’s 2^nd choice keeper Salvator Sirigu, forced more corners, conceded fewer fouls and nearly equalled Italy’s possession percentage – always a hard thing to do against a side that retains the ball until they know exactly what they want to do with it – but they still lost mainly due to the greater skill of individual players.

For anyone who loves football, it’s hard not to purr with pleasure when Andrea Pirlo has a ball at his feet. It is astonishing how the 35-year-old playmaker seems to find so much room and is always able to play the most dangerous ball; but what isn’t always clear is just how little energy the Italian expends in creating the most damage. Slow-motion replays of Pirlo at work in TV’s post-match analysis, highlighted how the Juventus midfielder was able to find the maximum space and prompt the next attack. What wasn’t made clear though was how often Pirlo then trotted or slowly drifted into another space created by himself, to be available for the next decisive move. It looked as if he barely broke sweat all night – and considering the sweltering heat of the Amazonian rain forest, that takes some doing. It was great to seem Raheem Sterling running full pelt towards the opposing defence and watch the normally obdurate Italians struggle to deal with the frightening pace, but watch Pirlo and you can see it is not all about speed and agility. Considering all the pre-match talk was about what England were going to do to nullify Pirlo, it is extremely depressing to find that either there was no plan or – more likely – it was decided there was little could be done to stop him dictating play.

Where then is the English equivalent of Andrea Pirlo? A player perhaps not blessed with speed or strength but one just able to find room, create and be virtually unplayable. The truth is there is no-one now, none on the horizon and there hasn’t really been any of note over the last 40 odd years either. English football just doesn’t seem to produce them. Worse, it’s not just a Pirlo equivalent that’s missing. What the Italians had in spades was the ability to get a job done; keep calm and find a way to win. It’s something that builds in successful sides and runs through Italy as a unit – even noticeable when new players are drafted in to replace old. Germany have it too; France and Spain are learning how to do it. England? 1966 was a long time ago now and it shows. The men wearing the Three Lions – young, old, retired or not – simply seem to have a different mental approach.

As a fine example, in Wayne Rooney’s third World Cup, the Manchester United player somehow seems unable to do what he does regularly for his club side. He wasn’t as bad as some are suggesting against Italy – the cross to Daniel Sturridge for England’s goal may have been worth his place -- so this isn’t just another knock for the maligned player who looked uncomfortable in his wide left position against Italy. But for a ‘disappointing’ Rooney consider others. For all his high-profile statesmanship and chequered career, David Beckham came to three World Cups and never contributed as much as Pirlo in a couple of matches. When Beckham pops up in some far-outpost to see an indigenous tribe who have no concept of what a TV is, he is instantly recognised – I doubt Andrea Pirlo would be. But in football terms, who has achieved the most?  There are two differing concepts of football here and England’s sadly isn’t based around winning tournaments.

This isn’t the end of this World Cup for England -- the Costa Rica result may have given them an unexpected lifeline – but for those thinking of further glory, either this year or going forward, another crop of exciting youngsters still may not be enough because the change required is in the head not in the feet.

World Cup Heroes # 4

Pierluigi Collina

Never showed a red card; his eyes just flashed red and the player walked off.

Father's Day all-dayer

The 2 a.m. kick-off for the Japan v. Cote d'Ivoire game meant an interesting late night / early morning for all in the Hardcore Club. I managed it right through to the end of the ITV coverage - by which time if I'd had a gun Glenn Hoddle would have had to take cover - but I'll admit to drifting off during the second half (those reclining sofa chairs have much to commend them).

And that Cote d'Ivoire malarkey. What the feck is that about? I asked on Twitter as I couldn't be bothered to Google it and someone said "It's the French translation, Blagg" Well....derrrr! Thanks for that! It's been a French colony since 1893 or something though - have they only just spotted the men in striped T-shirts smoking Gauloises? (I'm sorry if that is national sterotyping but it's the French so I'm allowed).

Anyway, it's Father's Day and although my kids all live too far away to see me (plus their Father is too zonked out on food and booze to go see them himself) my Daughter-like-thing is taking me round to a local restaurant for an Argentinian Steak.

Today's World Cup Menu 

Japanese Kirin Ichiban beer, Swiss Le Gruyere Cheese, Argentinian Steak with Parra Alta Mendoza Malbec, Honduran Prawns, Pain au Chocolat