The Official Azzurri thread

[Bagg10]

[juventino_italiano]

[p_maldini_3]

Line-ups: Borriello and Cossu start
Wednesday 3 March, 2010
Marcello Lippi experiments against Cameroon with a new system led by Marco Borriello and Andrea Cossu.

The Coach has called up several new faces for this evening’s international friendly in Monte Carlo, which kicks off at 19.45 GMT.

Milan striker Borriello received his first call since June 2008 after a series of injuries limited his Serie A appearances.

He has scored several stunning goals for the Rossoneri this season and returns to lead the new 3-4-3 system.

He is joined by current Capocannoniere Antonio Di Natale and 29-year-old debutant Cossu of Cagliari.

Bari defender Leonardo Bonucci also makes his debut after promotion from the Under-21 side.

Daniele De Rossi is able to start in midfield despite an ankle problem in training alongside Napoli’s Christian Maggio and Domenico Criscito of Genoa.

Cameroon were quarter-finalists in the recent Africa Cup of Nations and their star striker is Inter’s Samuel Eto’o.

Italy: Marchetti; Bonucci, Cannavaro, Chiellini; Maggio, De Rossi, Pirlo, Criscito; Cossu, Borriello, Di Natale
Cameroon: Kameni; Matip, Nkolou, Bassong, Assou-Ekoto; Mbia, Makoun, A Song; Emana, Eto’o; Idrissou
Ref: Bergonzi

[RomaShield27]

Italy held by Cameroon – World Cup duo draw a blank in Monte Carlo
– Last updated: 3rd March 2010

Italy were held to a frustrating goalless draw by fellow World Cup hopefuls Cameroon in their friendly in Monaco. Azzurri coach Marcello Lippi fielded an experimental line-up, but they failed to make an impression against the African outfit. Lippi, who led Italy to victory in the 2006 World Cup, tested a 3-4-3 formation with AC Milan striker Marco Borriello returning to the squad for the first time in almost two years.

Borriello formed the Azzurri's attacking line alongside debutant Andrea Cossu and Antonio Di Natale as Lippi used the game to evaluate several candidates to complete his World Cup squad. Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti replaced injured Gianluigi Buffon in goal and was never tested by Paul Le Guen's side.

The Italians had the first scoring opportunity early on when Di Natale latched onto Andrea Pirlo's free-kick and his header went over the bar. Italy thought they had taken the lead when Giorgio Chiellini fired past Cameroon goalkeeper Hamidou Souleymanou but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Cameroon had their first chance midway through the first half but Georges Mandjeck struck the ball poorly from a good position. At the other end, debutant Cossu fed Di Natale and his left-footed diagonal strike went wide.

The Azzurri continued to press forward and their efforts were almost rewarded shortly after the half-hour mark. Cossu served Di Natale and the Serie A top scorer's strike from the edge of the area was met by a fine clearance from Hamidou.

Lippi made three substitutions after the restart, including Giampaolo Pazzini replacing Borriello. Pazzini got to work immediately and passed to Di Natale inside the area. His powerful strike was cleared by Hamidou. Shortly before the hour mark, Di Natale wasted a good chance with his effort from substitute Claudio Marchisio's assist going way off target.

At the other end, Mandjeck's dangerous cross proved an easy catch for Marchetti. In the 70th minute, debutant Leonardo Bonucci should have broken the deadlock. Cameroon's defence failed to clear a corner but Bonucci could not tap the ball in.

With 10 minutes remaining, Marchetti came off his line to anticipate Achille Webo as he was ready to score from a fast counter-attack. With seconds remaining, substitute Gennaro Gattuso made a crucial tackle on Samuel Eto'o, with the Inter Milan forward ready to knock in the winner.


Lippi's reaction (from ):

[i]“It was a very useful game, as we saw the lads I had called for the first time and of course Marco Borriello who'd already played for the Nazionale under Roberto Donadoni. Bonucci and Cossu played with character and quality on their debuts. I also tested out some things with the other players. It was a very useful game,. We were missing seven players, so it's natural we wouldn't get many goals.â€

[Bagg10]

[Messinterista]

[RomaShield27]

On the bright side for the Azzurri, everyone expects Lippi to fail with this team largely due to his own stubbornness and reluctance to select the right players, so you never know, he may pull of another miracle and win another WC. Yeah, and Inter will win the CL. Bagg, a lack of creativity is a problem, but not the biggest one in my view. There are enough strikers on good form who can hopefully carry that into the WC. Borreillo, Pazzini, Gilardino, Di Natale etc., so I think that department is fairly decent, but at the back, and in particular with Lippi's insistence on playing Cannavaro, is where the real downfall will be. Lippi hasn't got the balls to drop Cannavaro, which he should, and play Chiellini with Bonucci or Legrottaglie or even Bonera. This latest formation with three at the back is a disaster waiting to happen, too.

[Lombardiamia]

[RomaShield27]

[Lombardiamia]

[juventino_italiano]

[RomaShield27]

[juventino_italiano]

[Lombardiamia]

[p_maldini_3]

[juventino_italiano]

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

[juventino_italiano]

[maro]