Spain - Azzurri: A Friendly Friendly
Spain 1 - Azzurri 0
It wasn’t a good game, it wasn’t a bad game. It was just sort of….eh. A performance befitting a meaningless game. No great revelations either, except that maybe kinda sorta perhaps Marco Materazzi isn’t starting material anymore (he was thisclose to a red in fricken friendly for throwing his hand at a ball in the box); the guy isn’t exactly the king of good decision making. Other than that, no real spectacular performances in either direction. Though a few guys were good (if some of this is off - blame it on the liveblogging, it’s nearly impossible to judge a game accurately while popping back and forth):
Cannavaro: In the first half he was very good, and really held that back line in check throughout a ton of pressure. However, the poor clearance is what led to David Villa’s goal, which isn’t good. Actually (Milan fans should skip the rest of the section), it quite reminds of that poor clearance Paolo Maldini had in the derby which led to Cambiasso’s goal. Old men can’t do headers, I guess.
Grosso: Sergio Ramos had a field day on the left for the first 20 minutes of the game before Fab Gross settled down and really made an impact going in both directions.
De Rossi: Well more evident in the second half when Pirlo was on the pine and he took over as the playmaker sitting back with Ivan. Long range left footer to Di Natale and the one-two with Camo for highlights. Filled that 10 shirt well.
Buffon: Alright, someone did have a spectacular game, but that’s his norm. So, you know. No way at fault for Villa’s goal.
Camoranesi: His engine ran for a full 90 minutes, especially in the last 15, when he won numerous spot kicks seemingly on will alone. Hiwever, he really should’ve scored that point blank chance. In real games, those can be decisive.
Other than that, little to discuss. Luca Toni’s goal was apparently canceled because of a Canna foul, which is quite lame. There were obviously few (or no) tactical subs, and most were basically like for like (with the glaring exception of Pirlo’s yin for Gattuso’s yang). Marco Borriello looked good in stretches and seemed on the verge of being the difference maker a few times, so that should help his case as the vice-Luca when Swissaustria comes rolling around.
Chances are the next friendly will look nothing like this one, so it was a good watch and that’s about that.
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Comments


not a good game for italy
Posted from
Australia




No Delvecchio no win.




DE Rossi sucked…….




alright… Heres what I think.
Do we want to win Euro? or do we want Donadoni gone? If you prefer the latter, keep the formation and players and he will surely lose Euro 08.
Changes NEED to be made on this team ASAP! The team is old, and it desperatly shows.
1) DiNatale: Gives up the ball too much, gives up too much. Has little use and importance on the field. Plays for a team that has little exposure to big tournaments. Is a weak WEAK substitute for Totti, AXE HIM ASAP! PLEASE!
Replacement: Cassano: The best player (italian) in the WORLD. Sure he is a bit of a prima dona, but with him, pirlo, cam, and Toni, this could be one powerhouse, dynamite offense, Dont knock it till you try it. This kid still has the talent to be the best in the world. Give him a chance, he will show his worth.
2) Materazzi: a) his entire career aside from the finals of 2006 wc. b) the entire month of march and feb for him at Inter - he is a disaster, remove him asap. Where Chiellini from Juventus??
3) Panucci: We know why Roma is good, and its not him. Cassetti, Totti or even Aquelani thats it! We don’t need, want or believe any other Roma players are worthy of this team
4) DeRossi, Quaglialara, and Gattuso: Over rated. Gattuso’s better days are behind, he should be on the bench, and only play against highly skilled teams - like SPAIN! DeRossi is wayyyy too over rated and should not be on the national team, Quag, damn, he’s not good enough for this team either, there are better players sitting at home - stop wasting space Donadoni
Here is HOW this national team should look:
Forward: Cassano - Totti - Toni
Midfield: Rosina - Cameronanesi - Pirlo - Aquilani
Defence: Grosso - Cannavaro - Chiellini - Cassetti
Bench: Delpiero, Barzagli, Montolivo, Gilardino, Gattuso, Zambrotta, Rossi, Zaccardo, Panucci, Derossi,
SOme of you say “No way, this will never happen” it can and it will happen, why? Get rid of Donadoni, and players will come back. He is a hideous coach, unable to think outside the box. His formation and tactics and choice in players is the worst in years for the Azzurri. The team under him is old and cant last 50 minutes. We need change badly. Hell, we are world champions and are looking like a second rate team


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