Buffon: 6 – Could do little about Alcaraz’s goal after shambolic defending by his colleagues. That apart he was fairly untroubled before being withdrawn at half-time due to a back injury.
Zambrotta: 6 – After his early mix-up with Cannavaro he whipped in one super cross just over the head of Gilardino. He remained more adept going forward than at the back, delivering balls fairly well with both feets.
Cannavaro: 5.5 – Looked like the Fabio Cannavaro of 2006 early on, but had one mix-up with Zambrotta and then failed to get off the ground as Alcaraz headed home. Thereafter he was unconvincing at best as Barrios caused him problems.
Chiellini: 6 – Very harshly penalised for the free-kick which led to Paraguay’s opener. That apart he enjoyed a decent battle with Valdez, without ever really dominating the lively forward.
Criscito: 5.5 – Lacked the cool and calm of an experienced World Cup player, but showed signs to suggest that he might work his way into form over the tournament.
De Rossi: 6.5 – Tried to head blind as he was beaten in the air by Alcaraz when Paraguay took the lead. His midfield play was tidy, but it took his scuffed equaliser to really re-inject him with confidence and he suddenly began to look like the Daniele De Rossi who plays for Roma.
Montolivo: 5.5 – Did well to fashion a breakaway opportunity when he pressured Vera, but his rushed shot was weak. Gave Villar more to worry about with a stinging drive in the second half and looked competent on the ball, but really seemed set to be the difference-maker and had no presence defensively.
Marchisio: 5 – Looked busy enough on the ball, but his play often bore little fruit and he didn’t have the required bite in the tackle. Replaced by Camoranesi on the hour.
Pepe: 7 – An all-action display on both wings. Caused all sorts of problems for Paraguay early on and then battled superbly when he switched to the left in the second half. His excellent flag-kick coaxed Villar into gifting De Rossi the equaliser.
Gilardino: 5 – Despite the 4-3-3 set-up, he was left to ply a lone role for the most part, often exposed by the lack of support from his team-mates. Saw more of the ball after the switch in formation at the break, but still couldn’t forge a real goalscoring chance and was replaced by Di Natale.
Iaquinta: 5 – Looked lost at times as Italy lacked cohesion. Seemed to have a lack of understanding of his role as he often left Gilardino to fight the cause alone up front. Later moved to the centre but had little more to shout about there.
Subs:
Marchetti: NA – Hardly tested after replacing the injured Buffon.
Camoranesi: 4.5 – A booking for a clumsy challenge and further dangerous tackles were the sum total of his contribution after being introduced.
Di Natale: NA