Rugby Italy can't hold a candle to Argentina

UDINE - It rained goals and disappointment on the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, the stage for the first match of the Italian November. The prediction is respected, because Argentina is by far stronger than Italy, and they last lost in Italy in 1998. But the Azzurri had never taken 50 points from the Pumas and had never lost to them by 32 points.

The 50-18 final (with seven tries conceded and two scored) bore the brunt of a second half in which Italy progressively lost lucidity, confidence and physical impact. While in the first half Lamaro and Co. had managed to close the scoreline from 0-17 to 10-17, even going 13-17 three minutes after half-time, from 48 minutes to 78 minutes Argentina scored a 33-5 scoreline that speaks for itself.

Italy didn't just concede, they tried to infuse their actions with rhythm and took themselves into the opponents' 22-metre area quite often, but no manoeuvre constructed in this way bore fruit, on the contrary. The goal that effectively cancelled out any hopes of an Azzurri comeback, on 17' of the second half, is the symbol of this match. Long attacking action by our side until Nicotera lost a ball forward, immediate counter-attack by the Pumas who also found some form of opposition but with a series of rocambolic controls sent Albornoz in goal, then voted man of the match. Here, in this sequence there is everything: the good initial defence of the South Americans, their readiness to turn the action around and also that little bit of luck that is always needed, not only in sport.

Speaking of luck, after seven minutes Italy had already lost Capuozzo. However, it was not the will to play that was lacking, but precision. Too many gifts to a team of superior calibre, which absorbed the adversary's thrust without fussing and then took advantage of favourable situations almost every time. Another episode? The first try: here too Italy was in attack, the ball arrived to Ruzza along the out, difficult control, the ball seemed destined to go out, but the fullback Mallia believed in it, grabbed it in time and flew for 65 metres to score.

The two Azzurri goals (in the 33rd minute and 69th minute) came thanks to punishments played in lineouts, with favourable throws and excellent collective thrust. Propellant for the passion of the 22,000 spectators, but it was the few and lively Argentine supporters who rejoiced most. All the more so in a final that was a carousel for the Pumas and a half ordeal for ours. 'The last 20 minutes are the ones that hurt the most,' admitted Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada, 'because in that moment we totally lost control. They are a great team and they have been training together for three months, but there was not that much of a gap, so we have to work hard to avoid match endings like that. More generally, we lost too many balls that 'ended up in points' for them, and they were able to grow in confidence. Now all that remains is to think about next Sunday's game against Georgia'.