Those who support Azzurris (Vieri, Totti, Del Piero, Baggio, Pippo, Gilardino, Nesta, Cannavaro, Buffon......) please join in the discussion!

Forza Azzurri!!!

This post has been edited by fariz: May 29 2008, 04:19 PM

DEL PIERO BACK FOR AZZURRI

Antonio Cassano has been left out of Wednesday's friendly trip to Ireland, but Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti return to the fold.

The Roma starlet has been under pressure with his recent contract dispute and Coach Marcello Lippi opted not to bring him along in this current climate.

It is an important call for Del Piero, as the Juventus captain had not worn the Azzurri jersey since September 2004, while Totti returns after he was dropped as a disciplinary measure for the World Cup qualifier in Norway.

Fiorentina's new signing Luca Toni and Milan man Christian Vieri are also included in the Italy front line for this test in Dublin.

Lippi has made most of his experiments in midfield with the inclusion of Sampdoria's Aimo Diana, Palermo player Simone Barone and Reggina winger Giandomenico Mesto - a former Under-21 international.

Italy squad:

Gk: Buffon, De Sanctis, Roma;

D: Barzagli, Cannavaro, Grosso, Materazzi, Nesta, Zaccardo, Zambrotta;

M: Barone, Camoranesi, De Rossi, Diana, Gattuso, Mesto, Pirlo;

F: Del Piero, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Toni, Totti, Vieri


Azzurri: Guardalben replaces Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon's shoulder injury has prompted Italy Coach Marcello Lippi to call Matteo Guardalben for the international test at Lansdowne Road.

The Azzurri Number 1 was stretchered off in some discomfort during Juve's 2-1 Trofeo Berlusconi defeat to Milan on Sunday evening and was taken to hospital for tests.

Initial reports suggest it is a lesion to the right shoulder, although there are some suggestions it could even be dislocated.

i am sure there pple out there who support national team too...England..Spain..France..Germany..Brazil..Argentina...etc...no???

true supporters will support them anytime..be it..friendlies..WC qualifiers etc...

International Preview: Republic of Ireland-Italy

Italy travel to the Republic of Ireland for the first time in over twenty years for an international friendly in preparation for some key World Cup qualification matches in September.

BACKGROUND
Ireland currently lead group four by a point from Switzerland, but have played a game more than their nearest rivals and face France at Lansdowne Road in their next fixture. Brian Kerr’s men are still in a good position going in to their final three games, but may live to rue the two draws against Israel earlier in the campaign.

Italy are in firm control on group five with a four point lead over Norway and Slovakia. They travel to Scotland and Belarus at the start of September, before finishing their qualification campaign with home games against Slovakia and Moldova; it would surely take a catastrophic run of results for the Azzurri not to qualify for next summer’s World Cup.

Irish fans have fond memories of their teams last meeting with the Italians – a Ray Houghton goal on a scorching day in the Giants Stadium, New York was enough to earn Jack Charlton’s men a 1-0 victory in the 1994 World Cup. That victory came as a huge surprise, especially bearing in mind Italy had won each of the previous seven meetings between the nations.

TEAM NEWS
Ireland:
Wigan midfielder Graham Kavanagh has been forced to sit out the friendly against the Italians due to foot injury he picked up during pre-season. Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott looks set to partner Birmingham City’s Clinton Morrison up front for the Irish with Robbie Keane nursing an ankle injury. Roy Keane will also sit out the friendly – preferring instead to concentrate on preparation for the key qualification game with France in September.

Italy:
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is missing with a shoulder injury, so Udinese’s Morgan De Sanctis is likely to deputise between the sticks. Buffon’s Juve team-mate Mauro Camoranesi is also missing due to a knee injury. Alessandro Del Piero looks set to start up front for the first time in almost a year in place of the unwell Francesco Totti. Marcello Lippi decided to let Roma striker Antonio Cassano prepare for the start of the Italian season rather than bringing him to Dublin, but confirmed that the temperamental forward is still in his future plans.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ireland:
Tottenham winger Andy Reid has made the step up from the Championship to the Premiership with ease and already looks set to be a big favourite with the Spurs faithful. The former Nottingham Forest man moved to White Hart Lane in January along with England Under-21 Michael Dawson for a combined fee of £8 million and has already shown glimpses of his fantastic ability for the national side. Having just turned 23 time is still very much on Reid’s side and he is certainly one to watch this season.

Italy:
With qualification for the World Cup almost guaranteed Italy can afford to relax a little for this friendly with the Irish. For those watching that will hopefully mean the Italians play with the flare and skill they are capable of and with Alessandro Del Piero and Christian Vieri up front the Irish defence are sure to be in for a tough night.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s
Ireland:
Given, O’Shea, Cunningham, O’Brien, Duff, Kilbane, Holland, Reid, Morrison, Elliott.

Italy:
De Sanctis, Zaccardo, Cannavaro, Nesta, Zambrotta, Gattuso, Pirlo, De Rossi, Del Piero, Vieri, Gilardino.

PREDICTION
This game promises to be a hugely entertaining fixture with both manager’s expected to experiment a little with players and formations. On their day Italy are a match for anyone in the world and I expect the Azzurri to emerge victorious from this encounter.

Prediction: Ireland 1-3 Italy

Lippi: We deserved victory

Marcello Lippi and his players were pleased with tonight’s victory in Dublin and the new trident attack system.


“The Republic of Ireland fought hard and could’ve equalised at the end, but we had six or seven goal scoring opportunities and inevitably fell off the pace after an hour,” noted Coach Lippi of the 2-1 win.


“I am satisfied with the progress of the team and how they are working in precarious fitness conditions. We are on the right track and the first half performance was exceptional.”


Alberto Gilardino scored the second goal after Andrea Pirlo’s opener and partnered his new Milan teammate Christian Vieri upfront.


“There is rivalry with Vieri, but only a healthy one,” said the ex-Parma star. “We tried to combine passes and it’s a shame he didn’t score, as he really deserved it today. I’m getting closer to my form and was lucky to score on the second attempt, as the goalkeeper did well to narrow the angle.”


There is also competition for places at international level, as Francesco Totti, Antonio Cassano, Luca Toni and Filippo Inzaghi will also challenge for space.


“Italy have a huge selection of strikers to pick from and they are all of great quality, so Lippi has a task to choose between them.”


Alessandro Del Piero made his international comeback after almost a year and set up Gilardino for his strike.


“Del Piero was important tonight and gave me a great assist for the goal, often causing Ireland problems in a deeper position. The trident attack requires help from the entire squad, but both Lippi and Carlo Ancelotti have their ideas and don’t need advice from me. There were five Milan players here tonight and it’s definitely a great achievement for the club and pleasing for us,” concluded the summer signing.


Flavio Roma stepped in for Gianluigi Buffon and could be forced to do the same in their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Scotland, as the Juve man is out for three months with a shoulder injury.


“I am relaxed and know my own strengths,” said the Monaco shot-stopper. “If I am here as Buffon’s understudy then there must be a reason. Nonetheless, it was tough, as before this I had only really played one and a half games against less testing opposition, but it went well.”


Roma was unable to keep a clean sheet, but performed some good saves against the Republic of Ireland.


“This is a very solid squad, so it’s easier for me knowing that I have such a strong defence in front of me. I made a mistake on the goal because I was expecting him to hit it low and instead he curled it.”


He was a surprise choice, especially after leaving Serie A in order to find Champions League experience at Monaco.


“It’s certainly satisfying to be the Azzurri goalkeeper and I never expected to come back here and not only be picked, but to play. It’s the dream of every player.”


This time last year, Italy were losing Lippi’s debut match against Iceland, but Alessandro Nesta insists that a lot of water has passed under the bridge.


“Last summer the new Coach had just started and we had a few problems, but now we’ve been working together a long time and are all focused on reaching the World Cup in the best condition. As for using the trident attack, with any tactical system the defenders are not on their own and their movement has to involve the entire squad as well.”

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug17k.html

Ireland - Italy 1:2

'10 [0-1] Pirlo

'31 [0-2] Gilardino

'32 [1-2] Ried

Highlights by Ryan Babel:

http://s5.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=35417RTGYJPSZ3LIZJP498LWJL

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zambrotta for right-back is questionable....would prefer Camo too!

main culprit is Veri who doesn't grabbed his scoring chances!

ADP is injured...sian..

Italy possible: Peruzzi; Zaccardo, Nesta, Cannavaro, Grosso; Camoranesi, Pirlo, Gattuso; Totti; Gilardino, Toni

Belarus vs Italy mach on thursday 1AM!

i am pretty ok with him with his lineup except....Totti and Veri...

gattuso is the bull...he shld be in the squad to tackle and gain possession..

yes i agree....Lippi shld not choose Vieri as starting 11 from now on.

He misses too much!

one thing good abt Lippi is that he dares to try on new players which other past coaches dun do!

and pls...no de rossi and Vieri!!!

for god's sake, give ALex a chance!!!!