The Official Azzurri thread 2

[juventino_italiano]

Zlatko Zahovic was a choke artist....
He has all this hype surrounding him and it's all bullshit...

He was decent in his club career with Porto and Benfica, but flopped hugely internationally when it counted.

He was even kicked out of his world cup squad in 2002, and slovenia embarassed themselves.

Slovenia isnt a squad to be taken lightly, i'm actually a little worried for this game and hope Prandelli continues his progress, but who the fuck is Zahovic to say this?
Had Ranocchia and Zahovic played in the same time, Ranocchia would have made Zahovic his little bitch.

[p_maldini_3]

as pompous as he sounded, i find it difficult to defend against what he said. i haven't seen much of ranocchia to be fair, but from what i have seen i am not blown away like i was with Maldini, nesta, cannavaro et al.

the state of italian football is very poor, especially in defense.

milan has contributed 1 italian player, inter has 2. and i'm not sure about the other 'top' teams, juve doesn't count, its just the top of the mediocre scale. it's a damn shame.

[juventino_italiano]

[Bagg10]

Peobable line-up

----------------------------Buffon
Maggio----------Bonucci----------Chiellini-----Balzaretti

---------Montolivo-----Thiago Motta----Aquilani

-----------------------------Mauri

-----------------Pazzini---------------Cassano

[Messinterista]

Cassano on target in Italy test

Riccardo Montolivo, Antonio Cassano, Alberto Gilardino and Sebastian Giovinco scored in Italy’s 4-0 test against the Under-18 side.
Cesare Prandelli tested out the line-up he’ll use against Slovenia in Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier.

Christian Maggio, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Federico Balzaretti made up the four-man defence.

There was a diamond midfield with Thiago Motta, Alberto Aquilani, Montolivo and the trequartista role for Stefano Mauri.

Former Sampdoria teammates Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini started together in attack.

It was an hour-long game with two halves lasting 30 minutes each and the Azzurri won 4-0.

Montolivo opened the scoring, followed by Cassano’s penalty earned for him by Pazzini.

After the break Prandelli transformed the side, introducing Emiliano Viviano, Davide Santon, Daniele Gastaldello, Davide Astori, Domenico Criscito, Antonio Nocerino, Giovinco, Claudio Marchisio, Giuseppe Rossi, Alessandro Matri and Alberto Gilardino.

In the final stages, Cesena debutant Marco Parolo was also given a chance.

Gilardino and Giovinco hit the back of the net against Alberigo Evani’s Under-18 Italy squad to complete the 4-0 victory.

Source: http://football-italia.net/mar23o.html

[RomaShield27]

[juventino_italiano]

[p_maldini_3]

bagg, where the hell have you been?

[Bagg10]

[Messinterista]

Prandelli: 'Midfield was key'

Cesare Prandelli said in his post-match Press conference that “dominating the midfield was the key” as Italy gain in confidence.
“I saw a good game between two teams who tried to win it with good football,” he said of the 1-0 victory on Friday night.

“After the result we can say that we were a bit better than Slovenia, but nothing changes in my view of the side.”

The win puts the Azzurri six points clear at the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group C.

“It is certainly not a decisive result, but obviously when you win convincingly then that confidence grows, you feel better about playing in a certain style and that is what we’ve been working on.

“We needed to dominate the midfield and I think that’s the key to this match.”

Straight after the game, Prandelli joked about those who said this Italy was a ‘Serie B side.’

“Scepticism is just as important as optimism. You need to keep a balance, aware you’re facing good teams, and realise at times criticism can stimulate some players.

“Being considered a ‘Serie B side’ probably fired up some figures and got even more out of them.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/mar26e.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Motttttttttttttttttaaaaaaaaaaa!

[juventino_italiano]

It was a decent performance and Italy had many chances. Handanovic was insane for Slovenia...

[RomaShield27]

Yeh it was a good all round performance alright. The midfield trio of Montolivo, Motta and Aquilani done well throughout and played some nice football, its just a pity Mauri in front of them was a complete waste of space. Cassano and Pazzini looked good up top too and I've love to see another attack minded player alongside them like Rossi in place of Mauri. Balzaretti and Maggio were also impressive on the wings, particularly the former.

Some encouraging signs for the Azzurri all round, and you still have De Rossi and Ranocchia to come back in the first 11 and also players who could be useful like Balosmelly and Borriello and Abate, who deserves a shot.

[juventino_italiano]

True Shield....very promising.
I'd rather have Rossi in Mauri's place, and i'd consider giving Di natale a shot because he's just in too good form...

Prandelli has done well so far

[p_maldini_3]

is there a chance that balotelli and de rossi will be called up against ukraine?

[Bagg10]

Saturday 26 March, 2011
No fractures for Pazzini



Tests excluded fractures, so Giampaolo Pazzini stays with the Italy squad, as Cesare Prandelli confirms he won’t call any new players for Ukraine.
Striker Pazzini was taken to hospital for x-rays on his left wrist this afternoon, having picked up a knock during last night’s 1-0 win over Slovenia.

Fractures were excluded and the Inter forward will therefore remain with the squad for Tuesday’s friendly in Kiev.

There were reports that Prandelli would call in Mario Balotelli for this game, as he had been dropped for the Euro 2012 qualifier.

Balotelli and Daniele De Rossi were frozen out after breaking the code of ethics by receiving bans for violent conduct with their clubs.

“The idea is to make many changes so that I can evaluate the whole squad,” said Prandelli, who ruled out bringing in any extra players.

“I’ll tell you the starting XI on Monday. Balotelli is a player of great talent, so when he starts to show that consistently then he'll be taken into consideration.”

http://www.football-italia.net/mar26s.html

[p_maldini_3]

that blows, maybe he can break his hand in the next game.

[Raul Monte]

[Bagg10]

I think Prandelli's ideal Azzurri is

---------------------------------------Buffon

------------Santon-------Rannocchia -----Chiellini------Criscito

-------Aquilani/Montolivo/Mauri----Pirlo---De Rossi

--------Balotelli-------------------------------------------Cassano
-----------------------------------Pazzini

[Messinterista]

Azzurri to be transformed in Kiev

Italy are set to change eight of their starting XI for Tuesday’s friendly against Ukraine, including Alberto Gilardino and Giuseppe Rossi.
Cesare Prandelli said he would rotate the squad after the 1-0 win over Slovenia to test out all his players during this break for international duty.

It is reported he will change eight of the XI who started in Ljubljana on Friday, keeping only Giorgio Chiellini, Riccardo Montolivo and Alberto Aquilani.

The signs from the training sessions on Sunday would suggest the 4-3-1-2 system is confirmed, but with a vast change of personnel.

Bologna’s Emiliano Viviano takes the gloves, while Davide Santon, Daniele Gastaldello and Domenico Criscito complete the defence with Chiellini.

In midfield, Montolivo is joined by Claudio Marchisio, Antonio Nocerino and Aquilani advanced to a trequartista role, which was taken in Slovenia by Stefano Mauri.

The two strikers will be Gilardino and Rossi.

Source: http://football-italia.net/mar27z.html

[Bagg10]