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Cameroon-Italy Preview

August 12th, 2008 | By: Julian | 32 Comments »

This is it. Tomorrow, we play the final match of the group stages. We know what’s at stake here- beat Cameroon, and we avoid Brazil for one more round.

Here’s Cameroon’s squad. No big names, but a couple of big clubs (Arsenal, PSG, Stuttgart). I’m willing to bet that most of these guys are either reserves or bench warmers considering how unknown they are.

Our squad is missing Rocchi and Marchisio, both out through injury. Russotto and Candreva will take their spots (thanks to Francesco for that update).

So like Korea, there’s not too many familiar faces. I would be worried that we won’t take this game seriously since we already qualified, but I’m pretty sure we know what’s at stake here. We need at least a tie to avoid Brazil. Considering how we’ve been playing, though, I wouldn’t be happy with anything less than a commanding win. These guys aren’t just gonna lie down and let us take the 3 points, though- they’re no pushovers. Cameroon haven’t lost a game yet: they tied Korea on a beaut of a free kick and beat Honduras. Needless to say, they’re a pretty tough team on paper.

Then again, they only scored a single goal in either match. And considering that we haven’t conceded a goal yet, I’m pretty confident that we can win.

3 points should be in the bag (as long as we go in wanting to win and knowing what’s at stake). Losing would be disastrous, and playing for the tie is always dangerous. We need to take the lead and stay in control throughout the match.

Preview: 3-0 to the Azzurrini (why not?). Gio and Rossi getting on the scoresheet, with the New Jerseyian scoring a brace.

Tags: Cameroon, Group E, Italy, Olympics

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 32 comments.

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By Bong | August 12th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

You’re simple-minded. Big names or not Cameroon is capable.When they won Brazil in 2000 there were no big names on the pitch. Why be afrad of Brazil?

By Julian | August 12th, 2008 at 7:42 pm

Bong at this stage, everyone is capable. You can go back 8 years and talk about then, but look at the present. Brazil won both of their games, and scored 5 goals in one of them. Cameroon only scored twice in two games and only won once. Which team would you rather face on current form?

By gianfranco | August 12th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Bong, of course he is single minded, we all are, it is an Italy page. We are not going to post our team is going to lose, we are going to be confident. Italy will not take this team for granted, but their run of play has been tops in the tourney, not seeing that can be called single minded…

Posted from United States

By mike de robbio | August 12th, 2008 at 10:48 pm

exciting to hear Russotto may get some game time. Hope he goes nuts and score 9 goals or something and secures the future of our national team for years to come!

Posted from Australia

By Nina | August 13th, 2008 at 4:16 am

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=1147977&channelcode=sportfb
For anyone who haven’t found it yet,that is the link for the game.0-0 so far.

By suiseiseki | August 13th, 2008 at 4:18 am

Cameroon just won a penalty off a pretty bad call, “handball” off bochetti’s chest. superbly saved though

Posted from United States

By LorenzoRosanero | August 13th, 2008 at 4:53 am

interesting red card, btw. i know it was dangerous…but…lol

By Kqql | August 13th, 2008 at 4:56 am

That was a yellow…………………..but Nocerino shouldb’t have been given a yellow .

Not a good first half……….so far Vivano is the hero.

By sam | August 13th, 2008 at 5:14 am

also on tvu via http://myp2p.eu/index.php?part=home

Posted from Switzerland

By Porchetta | August 13th, 2008 at 5:51 am

Hi guys, as iam watching the match in the 89th minute, iam really not impressed b the display from our yong guns today, they were totally offcolour and cant dominae a en man Cameroon and we have to thank Viviano for the 0-0 scoreline.i just hope that this was our off day match and that we will be firing cometh knockou stages

Posted from Spain

By Porchetta | August 13th, 2008 at 5:55 am

0-0 it is at the end!!i have to admit that it was an ordinary display from our young pumas..but the job is done..
come on Belgium!!

Posted from Spain

By mike de robbio | August 13th, 2008 at 6:02 am

fucking embarrassment from our Italian team. We didn’t have to walk the game, we could have been Cameroon no problems.

Posted from Australia

By Nina | August 13th, 2008 at 6:07 am

I think the heat is doing a number on our players and maybe also fatigue is kicking in. It was a dead boring game apart from few plays. I still say we might manage a bronze or sliver but no gold.

By Nina | August 13th, 2008 at 6:13 am

At the end of the day what matters is that we qualified and we avoided Brazil. 3 games in 7 days, that is pretty tough, so let’s not come down too hard on the boys.

By Skeptic | August 13th, 2008 at 6:23 am

Brilliant strategy on Italy’s part. Avoiding injury, cards, fatigue, and Brazil.

By il divin codino | August 13th, 2008 at 8:43 am

Brilliant strategy on Italy’s part. Avoiding injury, cards, fatigue, and Brazil. Perfect comment Skeptic

By mele419 | August 13th, 2008 at 9:33 am

So I’m watching the game slightly delayed.
Incredibly boring. We’re passing the ball around the back. The crowd is booing.
Oh look, a nice shot but..saved.
Bah.

Posted from United States

By sofia | August 13th, 2008 at 9:34 am

i woke up at 5 am to watch the most boring game EVER played in the history of football!! i should have just gone back to bed but i couldnt help but hope mayybe italy would pull a goal out of their asses or something…

Posted from Canada

By mele419 | August 13th, 2008 at 9:36 am

And if we go out to Brazil I’ll kill someone.

Posted from United States

By ItsAllAboutMoreno | August 13th, 2008 at 10:17 am

Nina, once again, it’s all about Moreno.

Posted from United States

By LorenzoRosanero | August 13th, 2008 at 10:26 am

What do you expect? Both teams seemed to be content with a draw. Cameroon obviously would’ve loved a win, but after the red card, that seemed very unlucky.

Mad props to Viviano for the save. Had Cameroon scored, I’m sure we would’ve seen a totally different game out there.

Posted from United States

By Caroe | August 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

The Danish announcers were actually mad at the teams

Posted from Denmark

By Francesco | August 13th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

That was some snoozefest. But at least we got the job done.

By lamagica | August 14th, 2008 at 5:17 am

caroe – as embarrassing as that was (apparent collusion for the draw), the danes would be hypocritical to be mad in light of their own dishonourable conduct with sweden in euro 04.

Posted from Italy