forzazzurri
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« on: September 14, 2009, 06:45:38 AM » |
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The Azzurri now travel to Dublin, Ireland with a 4 point lead in the group over their next contenders.
Despite winning their last game against Bulgaria I still don't feel like this team has the same depth and strength it had before entering the 2006 world cup. Italy convincingly won every qualifier with such class. Against Georgia, who we beat Georgia 2-0 thanks to Kaladze we failed to score and actual goal and missing complete sitters.
Under Trappatoni Ireland have done quite well much like England who also adopted an italian as their coach however they'll most likely go into the playoff round since Italy can easily grab the needed point from Cyprus who are at the bottom of the table.
Since I'm a bit of a pessimist with this Italian team I'm not 100% confident in this game since playing Ireland in Ireland will be a little tougher.
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campioni
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« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2009, 07:35:57 AM » |
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I'm not too crazy about Lippis decisions on the players he's chosen. Not sure Pepe and Leggrotaglie get call ups and players I think would make a good impact like cassano and foggia don't. So many other great talents .. i think giovinco will be the future of our midfield as well.
But if we had foggia, cassano, giovinco, rossi on all at once we'd never win headers ..haha!
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campioni
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« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2009, 11:54:47 AM » |
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Azzurri: Lippi takes old guard to Dublin
Sunday 4 October, 2009
Marcello Lippi has named his squad for the final World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Cyprus.
The Azzurri need only one point to be sure of a place in the South African competition next summer.
They travel to Dublin for Saturday evening's crunch match against Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland at Croke Park.
Italy then welcome Cyprus to Parma's Stadio Tardini on the evening of Wednesday October 14.
Fabio Cannavaro is suspended for the Ireland fixture, so he will only join in training from next Sunday at the Coverciano ground.
Gennaro Gattuso returns from an injury lay-off, while Fiorentina's Alessandro Gamberini and Salvatore Bocchetti of Genoa are also present.
Inter full-back Davide Santon keeps his place despite the lack of playing time at San Siro.
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari);
Defenders: Bocchetti (Genoa), Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Juventus), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan);
Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), D'Agostino (Udinese), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan);
Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal).
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Lazio365
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« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2009, 01:49:05 PM » |
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Inclusions of Bocchetti and Marchisio are good signs, for me others should be included. Pazzini, Cassano, Foggia. Quagliarella is out of form for me. Good also to see Palombo and D'Agostino in their and overall there should be enough to get the job done.
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fuorigioco
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« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2009, 03:03:38 PM » |
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I watched the Roma/Napoli game today. I have to agree about Quagliarella, he was pretty dormant in the game. However, I liked Di Natale in the Inter/Udinese game. That was very promising action. I think if he plays like that in W/C we'll see some good football.
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campioni
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« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2009, 08:17:04 PM » |
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I watched the Roma/Napoli game today. I have to agree about Quagliarella, he was pretty dormant in the game. However, I liked Di Natale in the Inter/Udinese game. That was very promising action. I think if he plays like that in W/C we'll see some good football.
Thats funny i was listening to the radio and they were talking about how quagliarella isn't such a great player yet he still gets a call up to the national team. I loved lippis attitude and choices in 2006 but i honestly think the old mans lost his marbles with his current decisions. |
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campioni
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« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2009, 09:37:24 AM » |
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can't wait to watch this match on saturday. This won't be an easy game and i don't have a positive feeling about the match. I think we'll still qualify with the win against the worst team in our group who we play next (San Marino).
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Tardelli: Croke Park will beat Italy
Wednesday 7 October, 2009
Republic of Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli warns Italy that he will be counting on “the passion of the 70,000 at Croke Park.”
The Azzurri travel to Dublin for Saturday’s crunch World Cup qualifier, a game you can watch LIVE on Sky Sports 2 and online (check viewing restrictions).
“For we Italians living abroad, it is a very special event, but we are professionals and hope to face it in the right way,” he told CNR Media.
“I expect the same Italy as always, the team that wants to win and is ready for battle. We will be equally fired up, as we need points.
“We can also count on the passion of the 70,000 at Croke Park to beat the Azzurri.”
The former Inter and Italy Under-21 Coach is enjoying his time in the Emerald Isle.
“I am very happy here. We are doing some good work and I must thank Giovanni Trapattoni. Working with him is fantastic, you can learn so much about football and the media.
“I hope to keep working here for a long time. I’m proud to be leading this squad who, along with some good quality, have above all a great work ethic.”
Italy need only a point in Dublin to be certain of World Cup qualification, so Ireland are the favourites for a play-off place.
However, FIFA President Sepp Blatter prompted fury by suggesting he would use a seeding system in this round.
“It does not seem right to put the stronger teams on one side and the weaker on another. It’d be good to give any outfit the chance to go head-to-head with any other, but football is also made up of things that are not fair.”
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TDotWop
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« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2009, 01:50:48 PM » |
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Lippi tries out new system
Wednesday 7 October, 2009
Marcello Lippi tested a 4-2-3-1 system with Andrea Pirlo in a trequartista role ahead of the trip to Dublin.
He had adopted a diamond midfield for the last international, a 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Bulgaria.
That too had Pirlo in a more advanced position than his usual deep-lying playmaker role at Milan.
This time the veteran is used alongside Mauro Camoranesi and Vincenzo Iaquinta as support for lone striker Alberto Gilardino.
Daniele De Rossi is joined by Sampdoria captain Angelo Palombo to protect the defence, which should consist of Gianluca Zambrotta, Nicola Legrottaglie, Giorgio Chiellini and Fabio Grosso.
Fabio Cannavaro cannot feature against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday night, as he must sit out a ban.
This system aims to take advantage of the tactical versatility of Juventus stars Camoranesi and Iaquinta, meaning this line-up can transform seamlessly into a diamond with Iaquinta partnering Gilardino.
Despite his record-breaking run of nine goals in the opening seven Serie A rounds, Udinese’s Antonio Di Natale does not seem able to break into the starting XI.
Pirlo has been struggling for the last couple of seasons and it is hoped this more advanced position will allow him to spread the play without being under attack from more powerful opposition midfielders. I think pirlo works well as a playmaker for the strikers up front or in this case the lone striker. I think going with a 4-2-3-1 formation means they are going to take a more conservative approach to the match and give ireland a hard time trying to get to the defense. I'm not too fond of camoranesi who's prett inconsistent .. when will lippi learn that foggia is better and more versatile. I was hoping to see DiNatale instead of Gilardino who's been on fire for udinese this season. Ireland know that their qualification depend on this match and with the support of their fans this will be a great match to watch .. italy has been able to beat world cup hosts germany in their own home .. lets try and repeat that. |
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rbaggio
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« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2009, 01:55:46 AM » |
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FROM CHANNEL4.com
Gila on target in Italy test
Thursday 8 October, 2009
Alberto Gilardino was on target in a game between ranks as Italy again tested the 4-2-3-1 system.
Marcello Lippi used that tactic in yesterday’s training session and again this afternoon, as both line-ups in a game between ranks had the same system.
The only goal was scored by Gilardino, who is expected to start against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday night.
Lippi tried to mix up the two teams of 11, giving few clues as to which line-up he would pick in Dublin.
At the end of the session, Andrea Pirlo, Gaetano D’Agostino, Fabio Quagliarella, Daniele De Rossi and Angelo Palombo stayed behind to practice free kicks and long-range efforts.
Claudio Marchisio is definitely out of the World Cup qualifiers, as he will return to Turin tomorrow morning for treatment on a meniscus injury in his left knee.
Italy (probable): Buffon; Zambrotta, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Grosso; De Rossi, Palombo; Camoranesi, Pirlo, Iaquinta; Gilardino
I'm not sure why lippi is playing both gilardino and iaquinta at the same time as I find they have a similar style as just point strikers .. i'd much rather see dinatale and gila .. since dinatale can also act as a playmaker.
I predict a tie and italy get away with the needed point. Ireland will be all out attack for this game and i bet they score the first goal and italy tie it up keeping their fans at the edge of their seats for the whole game.
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61514
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« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2009, 11:47:17 AM » |
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I predict a tie and italy get away with the needed point. Ireland will be all out attack for this game and i bet they score the first goal and italy tie it up keeping their fans at the edge of their seats for the whole game.
Ha. Two minutes to go before the first half ends and your prediction has been spot on... |
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1934 - 1938 - 1982 - 2006 - 2010
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Lazio365
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« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2009, 12:56:06 PM » |
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I predict a tie and italy get away with the needed point. Ireland will be all out attack for this game and i bet they score the first goal and italy tie it up keeping their fans at the edge of their seats for the whole game.
Ha. Two minutes to go before the first half ends and your prediction has been spot on... Ha indeed. Totally right! Though, ending on a knife edge there. 2-1 to Ireland with minutes left and then Gila steps up with a smart finish. Italy are there, South Africa 2010.  |
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61514
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« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2009, 03:36:53 PM » |
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That was a tight match. When Ireland scored 2-1 I started preapring mentally for the looming defeat but what a great run from Iaquinta at the last minute and nice pass to Gilardino in the box. I am happy although with performances like this my signature will never come true. Something has to happen.
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1934 - 1938 - 1982 - 2006 - 2010
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rbaggio
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« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2009, 06:58:33 AM » |
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I guess the luck of the irish has run out. I thought Italy were done for after ireland scored at 85 .. but was never worried because it's not like Italy couldn't beat cyprus for 3 points .. but at least we've qualified and the worrying is over. I still can't believe Gila stole the show with his 89th minute goal. wasn't even a hard shot either .. it just rolled in. |
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« Last Edit: October 13, 2009, 05:44:52 AM by rbaggio »
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rbaggio
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« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2009, 06:59:39 AM » |
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Italy are still hungry, says Gila
Monday 12 October, 2009
Italy striker Alberto Gilardino says the Azzurri are still hungry ahead of Wednesday's game against Cyprus despite already qualifying for the World Cup.
Marcello Lippi's side needed a positive result against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday to book their place in South Africa next summer and they duly obliged, recording a 2-2 draw thanks to an 89th minute equaliser from Gilardino.
“I am proud of what we did in Ireland and I am proud of myself too. That goal had a special taste. Everyone has a go at us because we don't score enough goals, but I don't think that's a problem for us,” Gilardino told Il Corriere dello Sport.
“The striking department is improving. There is a lot of competition, but we are a consolidated group. The old guard is helping the new generation settle in.
“We are not inexperienced. We have plenty of time to correct our mistakes. Everyone will be waiting for us at the World Cup, but we are still hungry,” he concluded.
Gilardino has started the season very well, scoring four goals in 10 appearances for Fiorentina in all competitions.
He has been criticised for his goalscoring record at international level, but broke records with the Under-21s, finding the net 19 times in 30 appearances.
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TDotWop
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« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2009, 05:44:01 AM » |
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Glad that we won. I also couldn't believe the scored right in the 89th minute .. they had me worried that they would have to depend on their last game against Cyprus but I'm sure they would pull off 3 points in that game. We are officially in the WC ... let's see what our boys can do this time. Bring us 5 stars baby!
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