TheMS99: 
Justice: That's the plan
Justice: That's the plan
World Cup Final Preview: Italy - Denmark
There is one match in football that truly becomes more than just a match. A single game, just ninety minutes of time, to determine the greatest footballing team in the world, to make true the dreams of eleven champions on the greatest stage that the world has to offer: The World Cup final is almost upon us now, and the globe has come to a standstill in anticipation.
Four years ago, after Holland triumphed in the 2014 final over Senegal, if any football expert had predicted Italy and Denmark to be fighting it out for a chance to lift the trophy tomorrow, they would have been laughed at and ridiculed. Denmark had easily been eliminated in the First Knockout Stage, while Italy had failed to make the World Cup at all after losing their playoff.
Now, however, all of that is aside. Both nations are here, with a chance to make history.
Denmark, ranked 7th in the world, has never before won the World Cup. Though the Scandinavian country stormed to a shock European Championship victory back in 1982, they've never been crowned world champions. Even with players such as Michael Laudrup, Die Rod-Hvide have never come this close to tasting global glory.
However, even with superstars like Laudrup in the past, the Danes have never quite had a side like this. Young talent breaking into the first team fold like Per Kristensen and Ove Kjeldgaard mix in with the old guard; the captain William Kvist, now 33, is still a standout performer in the midfield. The solidity of the team is there, the mix of youth and experience, and, of course, the world class players that are a cut above.
Christian Eriksen is obviously the first name to come to mind. The Real Madrid man has made 98 caps for his country despite only now turning 26 and entering the true prime of his career. Alongside him in the attack is Bayern Munich's winger Viktor Fischer, still only 24 and tearing up the Bundesliga.
Danish superstar Christian Eriksen will be Die Rod-Hvide's danger man in the final; the Galactico has scored 22 goals in 98 caps for his national team and will hope to add to that tally in undoubtedly the biggest match of his career.
It could be injuries to key men that lose the match for Denmark, however. FC Twente's Nicklas Helenius has scored 30 goals in 61 caps for Denmark, including the game winner in the every knockout stage match. He will miss out on the final with strained knee ligaments, as will Inter Milan starlet Lucas Andersen.
Andersen especially, who plays for Italy's manager Giuseppe Bergomi at the club level, will be a key miss for Glen Riddersholm's men. The Denmark manager has lived in his predecessor's shadow since taking the job in 2016, and now he will have a chance to prove all his doubters wrong; his predecessor will be pacing the opposite technical area.
Giuseppe Bergomi worked his way into Danish cult-heroism during his 2 year stint as manager of the northern nation. Using his classic diamond formation, Bergomi took his Danish team to as high as 2nd in the World Rankings before losing in the European Championship semifinals to his new team in penalties, Italy. These recent exchanges between the nations add a competitive spice to an already magnificent match in the making.
The Italians, unlike their opponents, have triumphed in the World Cup before, no less than four times, most recently in 2006. Their manager, Giuseppe Bergomi, won the cup as a player in 1982. The Azzurri know that winning today would take them level with Brazil on five World Cup wins in history, putting their country down as one of the greatest footballing nations the world will ever see.
Throughout history, the Italians have been known for their defensive solidity and their team spirit. Cesare Prandelli tried changing the system during his reign but ultimately failed doing so, his more attacking brand not even getting Italy to the 2014 World Cup at all. Bergomi has returned to his nations roots, however, and while they certainly like to get forward, the Azzurri's defense-first, team-focused philosophy has worked wonders.
Italy manager Giuseppe Bergomi will hope to join the elite Mario Zagallo of Brazil and Franz Beckenbauer of Germany as the only men in history to have won the World Cup as both a player and as a manager, cementing his place among the greatest of all time.
The European nation is not without its stars, however. Andrea Ranocchia, Inter Milan's captain at the club level for Bergomi, is now being considered one of the greatest defenders to don an Italy shirt since Bergomi himself. Sebastian Giovinco as well has proven his worth for his country, equaling the all-time goalscoring record of 27 in the semifinal against Argentina.
Daniele De Rossi deserves a mention all on his own; the 34 year old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has made 143 caps for the national team, a record of his own, and has captained his country since Gianluigi Buffon's retirement a few years ago.
The injury bug was bitten Italy very hard this tournament, however, far harder than Denmark some might argue. Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, whose central defensive pairing with Andrea Ranocchia is often considered the best in international football, will miss out on the final for sure, along with Internazionale striker Lorenzo Insigne, who was in red hot form coming into Russia.
The match will be Bergomi's 401st in management, against his former employers, for the opportunity to lift the most prestigious trophy the world has ever seen. Italy is ready, Denmark is ready, the fans are ready, and the world is ready; the World Cup final is finally upon us.
