Italy 4-4-2 (Giuliani – Guagni, Gama, Linari, Bartoli – Galli, Giugliano, Cernoia, Bonansea – Giacinti, Girelli)

Brazil 4-2-3-1 (Barbara – Leticia, Kathellen, Monica, Tamires – Thaisa, Andressinha – Debinha, Marta, Ludmila – Cristiane)

This match was a story of two tactically different teams: a meticulously structured Italy against a more fluid Brazil side. As always, Italy pressed well, giving Brazil short shrift in their build-up. Milena Bertolini lined her players up in their customary 4-4-2, with the strikers taking it in turns to press the ball-playing Brazilian centre-back while the other held a deeper position closer to Thaisa, Brazil’s deepest midfielder.

Marta had a free role within Brazil’s system, and at times she dropped back into central midfield to create an extra passing lane and help her team play out against Italy’s pressing. However, the Italy strikers did a good job of both closing down and blocking, while Cernoia and Giugliano – the central midfielders – took it in turns to step forward and support the press while the other covered the space behind.

Brazil, in contrast to Italy, were worrying easy to play through. This was down to two things: 1) a lack of pressure on the ball in Italy’s build-up, which is perhaps due to the lack of mobility and fitness of an ageing front two of Cristiane and the slightly deeper Marta, and 2) poor compactness, particularly in the midfield line. All of this meant Italy consistently broke Brazilian lines with passes from centre-backs through to inward-moving wingers or a striker dropping to receive more centrally. After that, there was always support around the ball from the forward-facing central midfielders and full-backs to allow for lay-offs and the attack to progress further.

While Italy effectively played out, Brazil became more direct as the match went on. They struggled to get Thaisa and Andressinha on the ball, and ended up playing long from back to front then focusing on securing the second balls. Marta continued to roam and find space within Italy’s defensive block, getting on the ball and looking to create. However, she was alone in this endeavour. Generally, their most threatening attacks once again came from getting their wide players into 1v1s, with Debinha and Ludmila then getting beyond their opponents to whip balls in for Cristiane to head or poach.

What saved Brazil was a lack of Italian urgency. Italy switched to a 4-5-1 shape early in the second half, with right winger Bergamaschi coming on for striker Giacinti. This caution was perhaps the consequence of Italy already having six points in the bag and fairly assured in first place, but, along with some poor final-third decisions, it allowed Brazil to nick all three points. The French, who Brazil meet in the second round, will not be so charitable.