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Me too. I’m tired of the anticipation… and the speculation. I just want to see gli Azzurri step out on to that pitch and play the best game in the world.

It won’t be too much longer now!

FORZA AZZURRI!

Posted from  United States

That is correct. It time stop anticipating things. But again further 3 more days to watch Italy’s match. As a mad Azzuri fan I feel that is a long period. Egarly waiting for June 12 night. I was watching all of guys comments. It is very interesting. However one plz note: dont waste the time for the next three days, pray for Italys success… :).. Cuz, I believe from the past experiences Italy need a bit of Luck also. We all pray for that… Forza Azzurriee !!!!…..

Posted from  United States

Go Ghana! 1-0 to the Africans in the 92nd minute to send the pizza boys packing early - no jalapenos!

Posted from  Australia

Jalapenos?

Posted from  United Kingdom

Not here for any arguments.. Lets watch and see. Good luck to Australia to move forward along with Brazil.

Posted from  United States

I still haven’t the faintest idea what jalapenos have to with the Italy side or Italian culture in general, but I write to pass on that Channel 4 reports that Totti is allegedly going to feature in the game against Ghana as the trequartista in Italy’s 4-3-1-2 lineup. This likely means that Perotta has been pushed out, and that the lineup will be as follows:

Oddo Cannavaro Materazzi (Nesta) Grosso
Camoranesi Pirlo De Rossi
Totti
Toni Gilardino

If we could have Nesta back that would be fabulous, but even if not, it means good things that Totti will be selected (though this is in no way verified). Hopefully his fitness is improving. I get the feeling that when the whistle blows for the WC, we’ll see an entirely different Totti than we saw against Switzerland and Ukraine in the friendlies.

Tonight we should have a pretty certain confirmation of the starting XI for the Ghana match when the azzurri take on a local youth side. The only change would probably be Nesta’s inclusion if a scan tomorrow clears him to play.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Yup, I’ve got the same feeling. Once that kickoff takes place, Totti will be ready to show the world his true talent. I’m kind of glad many are writing Italy off early as I would love to prove everyone wrong. Come on Italia, play to your true potential and we will win it this year!!

Posted from  Canada

We will see.

For now, I’ll be content watching the other teams play.

I was reading an article on BBC about Australia’s preperation for Brazil… and it actually sounds like they have a really well thought-out strategy.

I have also read that Germany has been studying Costa Rican culture. I don’t know how if that was necessary, because that match - and each one of Germany’s matches will see some awesome home-field advantage.

Some of the formations these teams are showing are weird. If you look at the previews on this site, Costa Rica is playing with a 5 man midfield, and so is Poland, I think.

Posted from  United States

There’s been a report from an Italian news agency that Lippi lined up against the U-19 squad in Duisburg as follows:

Buffon
Zaccardo Barzagli Cannavaro Grosso
Camoranesi Pirlo Barone
Del Piero
Gilardino Inzaghi

So, in the final pre-Mondiali friendly, it doesn’t look as though Lippi was revealing how the squad will line up against Ghana on Monday.

Just opinion: I thought the Germany game was terrible - just terrible football except for a few fine individual displays. Unlike just about everyone else in this country, I think that high-scoring games are terrible. The new ball and the total lack of quality defense are ruining the game. I’m with Socrates, bring back the beauty.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Game Report from Duisburg:

Italy 5 - Duisburg(U-19) 1

1st-half:
Buffon
Zaccardo Barzagli Materazzi Grosso
Camoranesi Pirlo Barone
Inzaghi Gilardino Del Piero

2nd-half
Amelia
Oddo Barzagli Cannavaro Bonera
De Rossi Barone Perotta
Totti
Toni Iaquinta

Goals:
Pirlo 5
Zaccardo 15
Gilardino 26
Iaquinta 55, 61
Grund 60

Apparently the youth team’s only goal came on an error by Amelia.

Read more in English on:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun9m.html

Posted from  United Kingdom

I will be in Venice on business and can’t make it to the games…anyone know a good bar/sports bar to watch the games?

Posted from  United States

Now, we have a lots of problems with Moggi etc..so we hope
we’ ll go to win against Ghana..!

Please vote!

http://www.enazalkalmazott.freeblog.hu

Who win the match?
Italy
Ghana
Draw

Who win the match II. ?
USA
Czech Republic
Draw

Who win the match III. ?
Australia
Japan
Draw

Posted from  Hungary