The Official Azzurri thread 2

[red]

Do you think Spain planned to play a faster, less controlled game than normal or did Italy's midfield force them into it?

Either way, Spain played at a far higher tempo than they had through the tournament and that, understandably, rather caught Italy on the hop in the early stages.

Spain also did a very good job of spreading Italy's midfield out so that they could get in about Pirlo and expose his defensive limitations.

[RomaShield27]

[Messinterista]

I expect to see one with him with Hulk hands.

[Bagg10]

[Messinterista]

lol

[RomaShield27]

[forzaitalia]

[RomaShield27]

Done some new wallpapers for Italia at the Euro's, check the .

[p_maldini_3]

[Bagg10]

Happy anniversary, guys!

[Messinterista]

Thanks for the post Bagg10, I still get chills watching that clip.
Oh, and Happy Anniversary all!

[RomaShield27]

30 years ago today, Marco Tardelli:

[Italiamia]

Thirty years is a long time:

http://bocca.blogautore.repubblica.it/

[Bagg10]

[RomaShield27]

Team photos, high-resolution:

1982 World Cup Champions:

http://i010.radikal.ru/1105/a8/bbcc4da8afa5.jpg

2006 World Cup Champions:

http://s45.radikal.ru/i107/1105/70/d0ea84d19afc.jpg

[Italiamia]

[RomaShield27]

UEFA fine Cassano for comments
By Football Italia staff / Friday July 20 2012

Antonio Cassano’s remarks about gay footballers made during the European Championships have earned him a €15,000 fine from UEFA. The Milan forward caused controversy in Italy for his response to being asked during a Press conference at Euro 2012 about the possibility that some of his teammates were gay.

Cassano’s use of an offensive term drew much of the criticism, as he was forced to later publicly apologise. UEFA have investigated the incident as it took place during one of their tournament news conferences and have handed the player a €15,000 penalty.

“Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Italy's Antonio Cassano for a discriminatory press statement (Art. 11bis of the Disciplinary Regulations) during UEFA EURO 2012, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to impose a fine of €15,000 on the player,” read a statement posted on UEFA’s official website.

“An appeal can be lodged against this decision within three days of the dispatch of the full written decision.”

[Bagg10]

Friday August 10 2012

Acerbi, De Sciglio get Azzurri call
By Football Italia staff

Francesco Acerbi, Manolo Gabbiadini and Mattea De Sciglio are the notable inclusions in Cesare Prandelli’s Italy squad to face England.

The Azzurri will meet up and train next Monday ahead of travelling to Bern in Switzerland for a rematch of Euro 2012’s quarter-final with Roy Hodgson’s men. The game is scheduled to be played on the evening of Wednesday August 15.

Milan duo Acerbi and De Sciglio are the surprise inclusions, whilst Atalanta’s young striker Gabbiadini has also been handed a call-up. The Orobici's in-demand full-back Federico Peluso has also been called in.

Due to the Italian Super Cup there are no Juventus or Napoli players named in this selection.

Italy squad to play England

Goalkeepers: Andrea Consigli (Atalanta), Mattia Perin (Pescara), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain)

Defenders: Ignazio Abate (Milan), Francesco Acerbi (Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Federico Balzaretti (Roma), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Daniele Gastaldello (Sampdoria), Angelo Obinze Ogbonna (Torino), Federico Peluso (Atalanta)

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Antonio Nocerino (Milan), Andrea Poli (Sampdoria), Ezequiel Schelotto (Atalanta), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)

Attackers: Mario Barwuha Balotelli (Manchester City), Mattia Destro (Roma), Stephan El Sharawy (Milan), Manolo Gabbiadini (Atalanta).

http://www.football-italia.net/22838/ac ... zurri-call

[Bagg10]

http://www.corrieredellosport.it/foto/c ... nghilterra

[DCGweez]

Tomorrow starting lineup:

Italy line-up against England: Sirigu, Abate, Ogbonna, Astori, Balzaretti, De Rossi, Nocerino, Aquilani, Diamanti, Destro, El Shaarawy