The Official Azzurri thread 2

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[Lombardiamia]

[RomaShield27]

Hmm, you know what, I cant find any decent ones either. It obviously cos they lost. Bitter cnuts that they are.

The third video down in this link has a English news report of the match:

http://www.goalsarena.org/video/euro-20 ... al_en.html

[DCGweez]

Lol I watched the highlights on Sportscenter last night. They showed Rooney's missed overhead kick and then mentioned the score. I thought it quite funny.

[Bagg10]

[p_maldini_3]

http://www.football-italia.net/20430/pi ... t-down-peg

awesome interview from pirlo.

[Bagg10]

[Bagg10]

I think Prandelli is going to stick with the 4-3-1-2, but I really think we'd be better off with the 3-5-2. I feel like our fullbacks will be too exposed against Germany's wide formation. But then again Prandelli might be willing to risk that to have the advantage down the middle.

[RomaShield27]

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Italy to make two changes?
/ Wednesday June 27 2012

Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro Diamanti could be thrown into the Italian starting XI for their Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany. The Azzurri will take on the Germans tomorrow evening and boss Cesare Prandelli is pondering two changes to the team which beat England on penalties.

The first switch could come with the inclusion of Diamanti from the start in place of Antonio Cassano. The Bologna man, who came on as a substitute in Kiev on Sunday, would play behind Mario Balotelli. The other change may be in defence given that Giorgio Chiellini has returned to full training after injury.

However, the centre-back could be fielded as a left-back in place of Palermo’s Federico Balzaretti as Prandelli may not want to break up the partnership of Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci in the middle. Milan right-back Ignazio Abate is expected to be fit, while Daniele De Rossi should make it as well even if Antonio Nocerino is on stand-by.

Italy possible: Buffon; Abate, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini; Pirlo; Marchisio, De Rossi (Nocerino), Montolivo; Diamanti; Balotelli

[p_maldini_3]

it will be a bold move on prandelli's part, but one that can would work well i think.

[RomaShield27]

Yeh, maybe, put I'm not sure if it offers enough going forward. Diamanti did well against the engo's when he came on and is a good option for that trequartista role, but leaving Balotelli up top on his own could seriously backfire.

Looks like DDR and Chiellini are in line to start. I won't say they're both fit to start, because they won't be, but a big boost nonetheless.

Match preview here:

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/euro ... ory-052612

[Bagg10]

If your going to do that, you might as well start Giovinco, he offers a lot more speed. But I think I'd rather start Di natale.

[forzaitalia]

I've always been a Diamanti fan, I think one of my first posts on here was saying that I rated him. Technically excellent. Something doesn't seem right about him starting in a Euro semi-final though

Giovinco was magic for Parma towards the end of the season, wouldn't mind him floating in and around Balotelli if Cassano isn't going to start.

[DavidP]

diamanti can fuck off.

[Messinterista]

FORZA ITALIA!!!!!!! We are going to send Germany home and destroy Spain in the final.
Enjoy the match ladies.

[RomaShield27]

Certainly hope so, Messinese Interista! Wont be able to watch the game live myself, have a class on, but am recording it and will watch a few hours later. Its going to be a close game but I think the Azzurri can do it, they have had a great tournament so far and have to belief in them now to go all the way, but its going to a battle.

[RomaShield27]

And as if anyone needs the inspiration, almost 10 minutes of greatness, always great to watch again:

[DCGweez]

Almost unwatchable. Such ugly football played by the Italians....

[Messinterista]