it wasn't about total control it was about every Italy cross getting headed away, every shot blocked or attack broken down. this followed by sharp and direct attacks that led to much clearer goal scoring opportunities being created.
the difference was balotellies movement and finishing, which gomez did not offer to Germany. when Italy and pirlo they tended to use it well and pirlo would direct a good pass pushing the play forward that the forwards could capitalism on. Germany were a blunt object and didnt have half as many clear cut chances as the Italians did.
yes and no, the vast majority of Italy's chances came from Germany being pushed VERY high with people trying to support the attack. Terrible, truly terrible defensive display from Germany.
I think the other teams that often do that, push the defence right up to the half way line generally have two fast full backs(who pay more attention to boot) and faster and better centre backs. The pass for Balotelli wasn't difficult for the second goal, anywhere over the top, shockingly poor defence and only one fast defender to try to get back, Lahm even almost made it but it was pure pace making up for shockingly poor positioning.
Two slow CB's have literally no business at all being that far up the pitch, repeatedly, that they didn't learn from the first mistake was poor, that the second mistake didn't get them to change is beyond a joke. Italy had all the best chances even if they had less chances. Most of Germany's chances were, poor basically and they didn't really deserve another goal or look very close while Italy pretty much missed 3-4 absolutely brilliant chances that all should really have been goals.
Germany dominated in possession and territory but they completely ignored their defence and that will cost anyone. The worst culprit for me was Boateng, he was poor when he was back defending, offered absolutely nothing offensively yet was caught up field constantly. If you absolutely suck at crossing, attacking, and working the wing you have no reason to be caught up the field ever, let alone repeatedly all game long. He's also no where near good enough defensively but it helps if you're actually there.
I simply don't rate Gomez, there are players who are great inside the 6 yard box and rubbish at everything else, and players that are great in the 6 yard box AND every other part of their game. Gomez's are great when your other 10 players are doing great, they are useless when the other 10 players are floundering and playing ****. Gomez has little to no chance of scoring those chances Balotelli scored, he's mostly gash. Saying all that he got almost no real chances and no room to play in. Balotelli was gifted 30-40metres to run into multiple times in the game, Gomez was generally given a split second if at all in a tight area with 4-5 defenders very close to him. Balotelli was excellent, and his finishing was superb, but he had a relatively easy night and so much room to play in it was a joke. He's been excellent all tournament though, often heavily isolated against England he held it up and passed well and made room for shots against a few very good defenders.
