Klaus wrote:
I don't think they entered the game with an agreement to play a 2-2 match, but they definitely ended up playing the result. The 2-2 goal was obviously Denmark letting us have an equalizer because it eliminated the prospect of facing Italy later on in the tournament. I remember an interview with some Swedish player who said a couple of the Danes were yelling at them towards the end: "C'mon then, attack for fucks sake! Attack!"
I've got no problem with it though. Italy only had themselves to blame for putting in such a weak-ass performance throughout the group stage (And I say that as someone who would have rather seen them advance to the quarter than Sweden).
I think it's a mental thing. Teams who goes into a 2nd leg looking for a draw often find themselves unable to attack if they go behind because they are not conditioned to. Similarly, if both teams can go through with a draw, more often than not they will, especially a dull goaless one. We have seen it on so many occasions but yet it's not rigged.
I think the 2-2 is a special scenario because it's against a close rival. And in that season Sweden and Denmark is in fact better than Italy. Trap was too defensive in his setup and both Sweden and Denmark plays much more attractive football. In particular Sweden should have at least made the Semis, they had a good team and Ibra was on fire.
