imbarazzare (embarra sing)una baraonda (a shambles)disonorare(disgrace); just some of the words used to describe Italys world cup performance.Aside from thecollapse of 2006 finalists France;the defending champions failure to even get out of their group was undoubtedly the shock of the summer. The pe simistic Azzurri followers claimed that the writing was already on the wall without a ball being kicked and it seems they were right, as their bunch of pretenders crashed out at the first hurdle for the first time since 1974, without a win to their name.The Italians could be forgiven for their sluggish showing in their two friendlys leading up to the tournament;going down 2-1 to in-formMexico, beforegrinding outa 2-2 draw with the Swi s in Geneva, despite having to do without key playersincluding Andrea Pirlo and Mauro Camoranesi. The pre sure was soon heaped on the national team, especially veteranmanager Marcello Lippi, with both the pre s and supporters calling for his resignation.The Lippi master plan seemed to be to stick to with the loyal (but ageing) heroes from 2006 and hopeit wouldfall into place, but with a tournament consisting of largely young squads; it soon became apparent this had backfired. Their opening game on paper looked the most difficultof the three.Theperformance against Paraguay was Adam Wainwright Jersey cagier than the flare playthe Italians are famous for. The driving rain in Cape Town proved an omen for the Azzurri, who fell behind courtesy of an Alcaraz header on the stroke of half time. Arguably the major blowwas struck in the second half; Buffon, struggling with a persistent back injury, couldnt continue and would play no further part in the tournament. Despite the set back, Italy forced a draw, as the ball fellfor De Ro si tofire home from close range as a result of a goalkeeping howler.A draw against the South Americans in their toughest fixture on paper seemed like, and indeed was, adecent start to the tournament, considering their next two so called winnable games. However, their campaign started to unravel in the game against New Zealand when they only managed a draw despite being the better team and enjoying the lions share of the po se sion. Immediately on the back foot, they conceded again from a set piece. Italy quickly began to build up the pre sure and in the 29th minute won a penalty, which Iaquinta converted to equalise. However, the floodgates failed to open and Italys lack of creative players became telling as the game wore on. A second succe sive 1-1 draw meant that their final game against Slovakia would turn out to be make or break.The defensive shackles wereremoved sharpish, as Lippiand his men knew too well only a win would be good enough to reach the next round. But for the third succe sive game, they fell behind.A sloppy pa sfrom De Ro sifell to the feet ofRobertVittek who neatly finished past the advancing goalkeeper. It became clear as the game progre sed that it wasnt to be for Italy; first a Quagliarella shot was blocked on the line by Martin Skrtel, then Vittek converted his second to all but condem Italy to defeat. There was to be a late rally from the champions though, as Di Natale reduced the deficit moments later. However in a bid to find an equaliser, Italy were caught short at the back, allowingKopunek to nip in and lob Marchetti. They did though save the best till last, Quagliarella finding the net with an outrageouschip from the edge of the box.The finger of blame has been pointed in a number of directions in what has become an inquest into a disastrous failure for Italian football.It isplain for all to seethat the main problems lie with their own abysmal defending and lack of creativity. The stats tell all you need to know. Five goals conceded from only six shots on target. This doesnt say much for the standard of their goalkeeping, but carele s defensive lapses were just as much to blame and there was nobody at the other end capable oftroubling defences. This world cup has proved to be the last for a number of Italian players, notably Cannavaro, Gattu so and Zambrotta; meaning that younger and more creative players could be handed a chance in future years, for now, the task of restoring faith and pride back into the once unstoppable footballing nation begins. Victor Scott Ii Jersey