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Azzurrini Almost Through; Senior Squad Just Getting Started

September 5th, 2008 | By: Julian | 106 Comments »

The UEFA 2009 U21 Championship qualifier that took place yesterday ended in a 1-1 draw. For a more in depth look at the game, click here for Francesco’s excellent write up. A couple things which I found to be of note:

Not only did Balotelli start the game (which, at the age of 18 years and 24 days old, makes him the youngest ever player to start for the Azzurrini, beating out Cassano’s record by 11 days), but he also scored. Pretty impressive stuff. The kid can be pretty arrogant (he said before the Supercoppa this year that Roma shouldn’t even show up because Inter had the game in the bag), but he’s got a crapload of potential. He really could have a breakout year this year, which would be great for our national team.
And because the game ended in a tie, qualification is not yet secure. We go to Croatia on Thursday needing at least a point in order to ensure that we finish first. Certainly doable but not the easiest game. I mean, it’s not like the Azzurrini’s playing Andorra or anything.

And as the Azzurrini basically wrap up qualifying for their next tourney, the senior squad begins qualification for South Africa tomorrow. While a draw is an acceptable result for the youngun’s (considering they’re basically top of the group), tomorrow the senior squad has to win. And win resoundingly. Del P is back in the squad, so the list I posted yesterday is accurate in terms of who’s available to play. Crappily enough, ESPN360 isn’t showing the game and it’s not listed on myp2p so I have no idea where I can watch it. Anyone know of a good site?

See? He’s back and he’s happy. Told you.

History might play an interesting bit in tomorrow’s game: last time we played Cyprus (in 1983), it was at home, in a qualifier (albeit the Euro qualifiers) and we were reigning world champs. Unfortunately, we tied 1-1 and that’s only thanks to an own goal from the Cyprians. Lippi has some words of caution:

“I’ve watched many games, especially those from last season in the Euro qualifiers and the recent friendly against Switzerland and I have a good idea of what Cyprus can do,”

“We will play the game according to our capabilities and according to how the game goes.”

Just to reinforce that point–these guys aren’t pushovers. They beat Ireland 5-2 and drew 1-1 with Germany in the qualifiers for the last Euro. They can take points and we can’t assume that we have a divine right to win. We have to go out there and earn the points, and as long as we keep that in mind, I’m fairly confident we can walk away with all 3 of them.

Tags: Azzurrini, Cyprus, Group E, History Fun facts, Italy, mario balotelli, World Cup 2010, World Cup 2010 Qualifying

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 106 comments.

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By Bashar | September 6th, 2008 at 3:35 pm

Poor performance but give Cyprus some credit.. they are no slouches. I think they tied the Czech Republic and Germany in Euro qualifying.

Posted from United States

By tito | September 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm

It’s beginning to look a lot like xmas…

Posted from United States

By Julian | September 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm

…Did we just go ahead?

Posted from United States

By tito | September 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm

Gila set that up beautifully. This guy is far from done.

Posted from United States

By Bashar | September 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm

OOOOOOOOOH!! That was brilliant.. I turned around to do something for a second and they scored..

Posted from United States

By Johonna | September 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm

THAT is how you move a ball down the field!

Posted from United States

By Julian | September 6th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

Tito do i have permission to use that as the subject of my next psot?

Posted from United States

By tito | September 6th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

2-1 Toto scores off a beautiful back heel service from Gila.

Posted from United States

By Bashar | September 6th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

Give Cyprus credit.. They canceled out, if not played better than, Italy for 70-80 minutes..

Posted from United States

By tito | September 6th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

I’d be honored ;^>

Posted from United States

By Bashar | September 6th, 2008 at 3:39 pm

Service was from Camoranesi.. But Gilardino’s backheel was brilliant to get it to Camo.

Posted from United States

By Johonna | September 6th, 2008 at 3:40 pm

Yikes. That was too difficult. They pulled it out in the end with a beautiful piece of action.

Posted from United States

By Bashar | September 6th, 2008 at 3:41 pm

Di Natale.. Maybe he’s not done yet.

Posted from United States

By Bashar | September 6th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

So what happened to Gamberini, Grosso and Toni? All injured?

Posted from United States

By Johonna | September 6th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

Now I really really have to go run those errands! Di Natale is going to be huge this season – I feel it in my bones. Gila will refind the form Milan crushed out of him. I guess I should be more optimistic – I thought we were done for. WC2010 here we come!

Posted from United States

By tito | September 6th, 2008 at 3:45 pm

I don’t think Toni was injured, I hope it was that Lippi got tired of seeing him suck.

Posted from United States

By kat | September 6th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

MotM: Gigi Buffon

Posted from Italy

By Deb | September 6th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

Wow, talk about pulling a horseshoe out of your ass. We’ll take the 3 points and I was glad to see Lippi give Gamberini the start, but this team still desperately needs rebuilding. We didn’t control the match, were outplayed for vast stretches of the game and our cobbled together back line was atrocious…

Posted from Canada

By ricci | September 6th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Buffon – 8
Zambrotta – 5
Grosso – 4
Barzagli – 0
Cannavaro – 3
Cassetti – 1.5
Pirlo – 5
De Rossi – 5
Gattuso – 6.5
Camoranesi – 8
Di Natale – 9
Toni – 4
Gilardino – 6, if not for that backheel he would have had a goose egg

Lippi – 5, his hand was forced in terms of subs but Gilardino – Toni? sorry, 1 flopping, goofy, useless striker is enough.

Posted from United States

By kat | September 6th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Italy is still lacking a finisher. The defense will settle down once Chiellini comes back.

Posted from Italy

By kat | September 6th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

I’d give a solid 1 to De Rossi. Was he even on the pitch today?

Posted from Italy

By ricci | September 6th, 2008 at 4:05 pm

Beppe Rossi is gonna be the man come 2010.

Posted from United States

By ricci | September 6th, 2008 at 4:07 pm

Eh, De Rossi was TERRIBLE in the first half but when Gattuso came on he was a lot better. He had a nice shot in the 2nd half too. It’s pretty hard to play as the sole ball winner in midfield when you have 4 Cypriots coming in studs up two footed every single fucking time. There was 1 tackle in the first half on De Rossi that was just terrible. Leg breaking material.

Posted from United States

By ricci | September 6th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

I’ll be happy with this Lippi era if shit players don’t see the pitch. Gattuso is useful to bring some grinta off the bench, I admit we need him. The entire team was scared today and when he came on he was yelling at every Cyrpus player and making tackles just as dirty as they were, which was great. Perrotta has gotta be taken out back and shot and someone drop Barzagli off into the Bermuda Triangle. He might be the worst player to ever wear the blue.

Posted from United States

By LorenzoRosanero | September 6th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

man…that second goal was just PRETTY!!!!!

here’s the highlight of the second goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDoxmrBu2-c

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