World Cup Analysis
Italy v France: The numbers game
Emmett Williams runs the rule over the stats as France and Italy square up once again - and finds two very contrasing teams. Through six matches of the World Cup finals, neither France nor Italy have lost a match, with the Italians drawing once against the US and the French drawing their matches against Switzerland and [...]
Emmett Williams runs the rule over the stats as France and Italy square up once again - and finds two very contrasing teams.
Through six matches of the World Cup finals, neither France nor Italy have lost a match, with the Italians drawing once against the US and the French drawing their matches against Switzerland and South Korea. One could argue that Italy have had the slightly more difficult road to the Finals, but French defeats of Brazil and Spain have certainly impressed.
The Italians have not conceded a goal after the 30th minute - in fact they have conceded just one - a Zaccardo own-goal. The fact that their already stifling defense appears to gets stronger as the match progresses will potentially strike fear in French hearts. But, and just as dauntingly, France have scored seven of their eight goals after the 30th minute mark, which may mean the slow starters have been, and will be, able to adjust to their opponents style.
Italy have scored seven of their eleven goals from outside the penalty area, but France have yet to concede from outside the box. Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira, supporting the French back four, have been outstanding during the finals, and if Vieira remains on-form, they will be a stern test for the Azzuri.
Curiously, Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon is amongst the leaders in saves made during the World Cup. Whether this is up to his skill or a sign of holes in the Italian defense is up for discussion, and notably the nature of the quality of those saves is in questions, considering the opponents so far.
Despite his up and down form, Italy’s Francisco Totti is the leader in assists, and credit must be given to the Azzuri’s attacking nature, the lack of which has been so derided in the past. France’s Thierry Henry has had the most shots on goal during the tournament despite being starved of service early on, and he remains in the hunt for the Golden Shoe. He will be playing in his first ever World Cup final, after being an unused substitute for the heroic 1998 victory.
What do these numbers mean? There are two possibilities: a tight match with few opportunities due to nerves and tight defenses, or a wide-open final with plenty of opportunities, ending with a late winner. We all hope for the latter.
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