If Italy Were in the World Cup? [FIFA 18 World Cup Edition]
What if Italy had actually made the 2018 World Cup? Gamer no way kno how takes on the tournament’s fiercest contenders with the team that could have been.
All games were played online against live players.
Seeing as neither of my favorite teams - the USA or Italy - are in the World Cup 2018, I thought I run a little counterfactual on FIFA 18 World Cup Edition, where you play online against players controlling other international teams. Below are results of my test, broken into each game, with highlights. Enjoy!
Italy's strategy:
Attack
-My idea for Italy's set up was to play 4-3-3 Attacking, with Insigne, Immobile, and Verdi leading the charge. I like to dribble in the wide position and work my way into the center, taking shots from just inside the penalty area when they become available.
-Break quickly: push hard on the counter-attack and force odd-man rushes. Spam through balls and use the wide areas as spots to pass from
Defense
-Press: play aggressive and don't let them set up plays. Use attackers to disrupt them.
-Clog midfield: Online players tend to be uncomfortable playing on wings and crossing in. Force them to play out there, and use the strong Italian defense especially CBs to keep them out of the middle.
-Show no mercy: Don't be afraid to take fouls.
In a one-sided first half, Gli Azzurri scored early on on a fastbreak from Insigne. The other goal came on a bomb from Parolo shortly after the beginning of the second half.
In the games last 25 minutes, Italy took their foot off the gas - they attempted to do tricks and score goals on rare style tricks. A frustrated Brazil began to play dirty, and by the 70th minute had received two red cards. Playing with 9 men, however, seemed to only empower them. With two quick potshots - one in the 77th and another in the 85th, they had gotten themselves even.
Italy’s response was powerful - they dominated the last 5 minutes of the game and were rewarded with a beautiful game-winning strike by Verratti in the final minutes of the game.
Scorers:
Italy (me): Insigne, 23’ -- Parolo, 54’ -- Verratti, 90’ (Game winner)
Brazil: Renato Augusto, 77’ -- Willian, 85’
Final Score: 3-2
Italy faced a far tougher match in the second round, trailing France twice two different times in the first half. France’s ball movement and domination of possession looked like it would be the end of the run for the Italians.
However, a tricky free kick from Italy put Verdi alone in front of goal with the ball, and the winger took no prisoners. Then, in the 70th, a top-right corner blast from Insigne sealed Italy’s trip to the Semis.
Scorers:
Italy: Verdi, 27’, 64’ -- Insigne, 70’ (Game winner)
France: Pogba, 20’ -- Griezmann, 31’
Final Score: 3-2
Italy went up quickly on the tournaments fellow dark horse, the Korean Republic, dominating possession and creating numerous chances.
Insigne scored the highlight goal of the match - a rocket volley off of a cross from Verdi on the wing. The goal was so devastating to the Koreans that the manager took his team off the pitch, and ended the game in the 32nd minute.
Scorers:
Italy: Verdi, 4’, Parolo, 10’ -- Immobile, 20’ -- Insigne, 31’
Korean Republic: Son Heung-min, 18’
At the tail end of a very quiet, defensive first half, the Italians got their first break of the match. A magnificent save from Buffon led to a fast break from Insigne. Insigne juked multiple defenders on the way off field, then laid out a beautiful through pass for Immobile on his left wing. The striker hit a one-touch rocket into the top right corner.
49’ - A cheap foul by Godin in the box led to a PK, which Immobile converted. On the ensuing pay, stalwart defender Bonucci retaliated with a slide tackle to the ankles of forward Luis Suarez, earning him a red card.
Though dismayed to be playing w/o one of their best defensmen, the Italians handled things very well. They traded goals with Uruguay in the latter stages of the match. Verdi slotted one in the 67’, while Uruguay’s Ramirez scored off of a header in the 84th.
In direct response to the late goal, super sub Gagliardi ran began a play with a cheeky pass and ended it with a moving shot that found the back of the net. With that, the Italians cemented their victory and won their first World Cup since 2006!
Scorers:
Italy: Immobile, 39’, 49’ (P) -- Verdi, 67’ -- Gagliardi, 85'
Uruguay: Ramirez, 84’
Final Score: 4-1
CAMPIONI CAMPIONI!
Safe to say: if I were managing team Italy and controlling all of its players, not only would Italy be in the World Cup, they would have won. :)
BUT if I had to guess right now who would take it this year, I would say Brazil is looking tough. Let me hear your take in the comments below.
Thanks for watching/reading! Feel free to add me on Xbox at no way kno how. Play a game with me sometime!