Defending Champs held to a draw by brave Paraguayans

Group F, 18:30 GMT, June 14, 2010
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa





Italy
1 - 1
Paraguay

Scoring Summary

Italy	Paraguay
Daniele De Rossi (63')	Antolín Alcaraz (39')

Match Stats

Italy

Paraguay

10(5)	Shots (on Goal)	7(1)
15	Fouls	14
8	Corner Kicks	4
3	Offsides	5
57%	Time of Possession	43%
1	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
0	Saves	4

Match Information

Stadium:	Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa
Attendance:	62,869
Match Time:	18:30 GMT
Official(s):	Benito Archundia Tellez (Referee)

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Gianluca Zambrotta- Ever reliable at the back, Zambrotta most influenced the game going forward with some intelligent runs and consistently good delivery into the box.

Italy verdict: Slow and ponderous in the first half they improved markedly in the second after strong half-time words from Marcello Lippi. Will be concerned at conceding from a set-piece and the lack of attacking thrust but then, they are generally slow starters.

Paraguay verdict: Will be delighted to have claimed a point from the defending champions, yet it could have been more but for goalkeeper Justo Villar's wild flap. Look reasonably compact but will struggle to prosper if they can't find some cutting edge in the final third.

Could do better: Claudio Marchisio - The Juve man's departure sparked Italy's revival in the game as Mauro Camoranesi provided a better balance to midfield. Marchisio struggled to get on the ball and, as a result, failed to influence the game.

Stat attack: Eight of Italy's last 13 World Cup goals have come from set-pieces.