The Official Azzurri thread

[marco]

[vtec]

Domenech relishing chance to back up match-fixing claims

Written by: AFP



France coach Raymond Domenech, seen here in March 2007, has insisted that he was relishing the chance to back up his recent allegations of match-fixing in Italy before European football´s governing body UEFA.

PARIS (AFP) - France coach Raymond Domenech insisted Thursday that he was relishing the chance to back up his recent allegations of match-fixing in Italy before European football's governing body UEFA.

Domenech alluded last week to "a referee being bought" during a tie between France and Italy's under-21 sides in 1999 when he was coach of the French team.

UEFA president Michel Platini has demanded that his countryman provide proof of his allegations or face sanctions.

And Domenech said that he was looking forward to the opportunity.

"UEFA have demanded an investigation and I have to respond, I'm going to write and will go before them with pleasure. I've even bought a tie (for the occasion). I don't have the date yet," Domenech told a press conference.

"Out of respect it's only normal that I reserve what I have to say for those who have to study this dossier. I'm not a UEFA judge, the only thing I'm afraid of is losing a match, nothing else worries me."

In the interview last week Domenech said: "It is not me who invented the refereeing sagas in Italy...There are arrangements made in Italian football."

Platini insisted that 55-year-old Domenech would be charged with unsporting behaviour if he does not back up his allegations.

France will travel to Italy for their second encounter with the 'Azzurri' in the Euro 2008 qualification stage on September 8, having won the first match 3-1 on home soil last year.

France, who lost the World Cup final last year to the Italians, currently lead Group B of European qualifiers, two points ahead of Italy in second place with Scotland a further point adrift in third.

[imperatore]

Azzurrini boss Pierluigi Casiraghi has announced his squad for Italy’s Under-21 friendly against France on August 21.

Casiraghi’s men will use the test at Spezia’s Stadio Alberto Picco to prepare for their September 7 European Championships qualifer against the Faroe Islands.

There are unexpected places for Arezzo defender Andrea Ranocchia and Cremonese goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.

Meanwhile, Villarreal new boy Giuseppe Rossi remains an Azzurrini.

The squad is full:

Goalkeepers: Consigli (Rimini), Sirigu (Cremonese)
Defenders: Andreolli (Roma), Criscito (Juventus), Marzoratti (Empoli), Motta (Udinese), Pisano (Cagliari), Ranocchia (Arezzo), Santacroce (Brescia)
Midfielders: Cigarini (Parma), De Ceglie (Siena), Dessena (Parma), Giovinco (Empoli), Marchisio (Empoli), Morosini (Vicenza), Paonessa (Bologna), Russotto (Treviso)
Strikers: Acquafresca (Cagliari), Lupoli (Fiorentina), Pozzi (Empoli), Rossi (Villarreal)

[marco]

[romawi]

I think that was Aquilani's last tournament for the u21's. Not too sure about the rest.

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

[marco]

"no time for surprises", huh? uhmmmm, where are de rossi and perrotta? is there some kind of imposed quota of roma players that you cant exceed? wtf?

[marco]

[arthurfonzarelli]

[marco]

[vtec]

[marco]

some thoughtful words from donadoni



Donadoni apre le porte a Cassano

18:18 del 20 agosto

Contravvenendo alle abitudini di equidistanza dai calciatori azzurri, il ct Donadoni, dal ritiro di Milano, ha riservato a Cassano, tornato in Italia per vestire la maglia della Samp. parole molto dolci. "Mi ha chiamato prima di arrivare alla Samp - dice il ct - mi ha fatto molto piacere. Ho trovato una persona che ha una buona disposizione, un ragazzo in cerca di un rapporto umano con me. Insomma mi è sembrato uno che abbia trovato con chi confidarsi, con chi parlare non solo di questioni professionali ma anche personali". Il c.t. azzurro ha però voluto lanciargli anche un avvertimento esplicito. "Mi auguro che questa per lui sia la volta della definitiva esplosione: l'ha capito anche lui, il tempo passa per tutti".

[Zoff82]

What's with the title of this thread?? The thread should be " 4 Time World Champions" thread. What a sweet day that was with the Italians parading in a pro-Greek neighborhood. My prediction on July 4,2004 after the Euro debacle when Greece won, I predicted that 2 years from that date Italy will win the WC. I was being laughed at for 2 years after the prediction. Revenge was finally mine after Grosso's PK. After 5 minutes of tears of joy the Italians were out in full force rubbing in every single minute.

Anyways, Italy play Hungary today in a friendly and Donadoni is opting for a Christmas tree formation with Di Natale and Quagliarella in support of Toni. I don't think Camo is playing so I guess Diana is getting the start. I predict a 2-0 win for the champs with Toni and Quagliarella on the score sheet.

[Zoff82]

[stefano]

[maro]

Grasso, is there any particular reason your post is followed by a picture of a cheerful looking Sicilian goat? These spidery things, or whatever they're called, are pretty clever, huh?

[Lombardiamia]

Right what we needed for the upcoming matches.Cannavaro injured too...

Emergenza Italia: si fa male anche Cannavaro

Dopo Materazzi anche Fabio Cannavaro potrebbe saltare il match dell'8 settembre contro la Francia. Il difensore del Real Madrid si è infatti slogato la caviglia nell'ultimo allenamento. Ancora da verificare, tuttavia, l'entità dell'infortunio. In trepidante attesa di notizie il Ct della Nazionale azzurra Donadoni, ma un'altra tegola per il nuovo tecnico delle merengues, Bernd Schuster, la cui squadra non ha certamente brillato durante gli incontri estivi e che domani esordira' nella Liga con l'infuocato derby contro l'Atletico Madrid.

[stefano]

[vtec]