Italy-Austria Liveblog

Fin The game ends 2-2, with us picking up the pace at the end. Lippi’s got a ton of stuff he needs to address though, which I’ll talk about in tomorrow’s blog post.

Austria’s #5 goes down injured. Knock on wood, no one’s been seriously hurt so far in this game. Gattuso went out earlier but it didn’t look like anything too serious.

Minutes left… Dossena is just awesome. He’s really proving that he deserves a spot on the team and is dominating his flank. Props.

Who knew that a backline of Cassetti-Legro-Barzag-Dossena would be so much more effective than Zambro-Bonera-Barzg-Grosso?

90′ Italy with some nice touches works their way to the box but Austria defends. Aqui passes back from deep in the Austria box but it’s too far and no one reaches it. Gila misses another chance.

89′ Austria subs in their number 9 for some guy I don’t know. Cassetti does great to keep a ball that looked lost but loses possession shortly after

88′ Italy finally decide to start playing. DDR sets up Perotta who gets INCHES away from a bicycle kick

86′ On the ensuing GK Barzag misses the ball on a header which about sums up his night. Legro on the other hand is having a great game. Christmas SETS UP GILA BEAUTIFULLY WITH A THROUGH PASS! Gila does nothing with it

85′ Italy win a free kick outside the area after Aqui was taken down (Was that his first touch all game?) DDR steps up to take it… it’s a rocket but Austria’s goalie collects it. It was heading towards the bottom left corner

82′ Austria shoots on goal but it goes over the bar. On the other end, Gila has the ball in the box and loses it. DDR corner… HEADER BY LEGRO ALMOST GOES IN. Austria’s goalie has to stretch to keep it out. Di Natale has a great chance to shoot but the ball ends up at Legro’s feet who shoots wide.

The game just got a lot more exciting

80′ Beautiful chance just wasted by the Azzurri. Perotta shoots on goal on a first touch but it’s right to the Austrian keeper.

Roma fans are not surprised.

78′ DDR takes the corner but it’s too wide. We regain possession and he crosses in but it’s blocked but Austria

76′ Austria counter and cross from the left… Buffon gathers in the air. We start down the other end, trying to pick through Austria’s defense. Corner to the Azzurri

74′ Del P comes off for Palombo

73′ Corner for us. Del P takes it but it’s headed out. Cassetti gathers, but it’s cleared again and Austria counters. Austria shoots on goal but it’s blocked and goes out for a GK

71′ I doubt Lippi is happy with this. Besides a few chances in the beginning there’s been very little in the way of the Italian attack. Austria has scored all 4 goals and this is really starting to sound like Euro all over again- no goals from open play.

On the plus side it is just a friendly but still. We need to get our act together.

Zambro goes off for Cassetti.

69′ Del P shoots with his left and it balloons over the bar

I like that it’s tied but why can’t we score on our own? 2 own goals? We need goals from open play or else this’ll still be viewed as a farce

GOALLLLL ITALIA… horrible mistake by Austria’s goalie (which isn’t Manninger anymore). Cross by DDR was meant to be slapped out but ended up in the back of the net. 2-2

67′ Another shot from really far out… this time by DDR. What’s with all these crappy shots?

65′ Austria take a shot that hits the left side of the moon and make a substitution.

64′ Austria tries a cross in the area but it’s hit too hard. GK Italy, who take it short and slowly move their way up. Christmas and Del p play some nice one touch and lose the ball. Austria counters and both Dossena and DDR have to double back

63′ I’m really impressed by Dossena so far. He’s playing well and looks like he could be a regular.

62′ Del P tries a shot from 30 yards out that only Quags could’ve made. GK Austria

61′ Austria makes a dangerous run but it’s rightfully called off. Italy plays some joga bonita right around the Austria goal but loses the ball. Nice bit of one touch and smooth passing

60′ Italy have the ball right uotside the box. It’s played in by Christmas but Austria defends well. Italy gets the ball back but Christmas fires wide.

strong>59′ Austria with a dangerous cross but cleared by Legro. Italy slowly begin to work thier way back to Austria’s half of the field. Christmas with a nice chip but it’s intercepted by Austria. Austria makes a sub

57′ Dossenna crosses… not bad. He’s fitting in pretty well and doing great for such a young guy. An Italy corner leads to nothing, but we regain possession in midfield. Cross in, and collected by Manninger

56′ Flashes of Germany. Gila passes to Del P who’s all alone and he does his famous little Germany chip… but JUST misses. My God.

54′ Del P twists and turns right outside the box and tries to cross but isn’t successful. Nothing really exciting so far in the second half

52′ It’s just goal kick after GK. Neither side is really threatening. Christmas had a nice chance but Austria blocked it

50′ Christmas takes a corner which Barzag heads over.

48′ Austria free kick from maybe 10 yards outside the box. The ball is headed out and off a goal kick, Austria have the ball again. Legro manages to recover and the danger is cleared

47′ Austria threaten on a cross but it’s right to Buffon. Del P on the counter at the other end but his cross goes right to Manninger.

46′ The game begins again with Italy in possession, and I have a stopwatch running so I should be able to give fairly accurate times for all the plays.

2nd half start- Perrotta and Aqui are on as well as Dossenna. Not sure who’se off but I’m gonna guess Gattusso, Bonera and Pirlo since I just saw DDR on the screen

Halftime Report: My God this is bad. I’m getting visions of Donadoni flashing in my head. Our 2 CBs suck and our entire offense is based on the flanks. Not good

But we got a confidence booster by scoring just before the break. Now, if Lippi makes the right subs (Gattuso and Bar out, Legro and Aqui in) we might be able to salvage something.

The 2 goals conceded? Not forgivable. I know guys are injured but the guys that Lippi called were questionable at best.

GOAL AZZURRRII… it was an own goal but dammit I’ll take it either way. Christmas redeems himself by beating the offside trap and crossing for Gila. The defender covering Gila tried to clear but kicked it into his own net. Why he tried to clear when he’s covering Gila is a mystery to me- I would’ve let it roll by since Gila would’ve missed anyway. But we scored, and it’s 1 Azzurri- 2 Austria

Aqui is warming up, and will hopefully sub in for Gattuso

DDR just saved us from conceding another after the whole back line gets caught out. My God do we need Canna and Chiellini. Hell, I’d settle for Pannuc after watching Bonera and Barzagli

-Shot by Austria, thankfully saved by Buffon. It was low and from the right side of the pitch but Buffon gets down and blocks it

Austria gets cocky and tries an arrogant shot that bounces off some Austrian guy.

Manninger with another great save. Juve fans can look forward to a great season where they have 2 great goalies. And Italy fans can look forward to more insults and saying that Italy lost it after this match

Corner by Italy just wasted entirely. If Lippi doesn’t drop Gattuso, Barzagli, and Christmas after this farce I’ll lose all faith in him

Austria 2- Italy 0

Fuck. Austria scores again and Lippi looks concerned. Piss poor defending off a throw in led to a turn and shoot by Janko, who fires into the top right corner. Buffon looks stunned.

– Austria on a counter that nearly leaves them with a second goal. Both wingers were caught out by Italy

- Ref is talking to Grosso and 15 on Austria after Grosso tries to claw his eyes out.

-Gattuso crosses and it flies from one end of the pitch to the other. Austria gather and clear but Italy regain the ball

- Italy in a breakaway… but cut out by Austria

-Italy in possession.. cross to Zambro. Jesus is he slow. GK to Austria after he tackled the Austrian defender who beat him to the ball.

I’ll use tick marks now instead of minutes, since it turns out that my sense of time sucks. And combined with the fact that there’s no timer on RAI… well i have no idea how far into the match we are. But I can guarantee that it’s before halftime

Also I have no idea how Del P is still standing. Austria are basically trying to leave him without legs

Minute X X because I have no fricking clue what minute it is. We’re being very predictable with our offense- crosses in from the flank and Gila screwing up. I have no idea why we aren’t trying new things but I’m guessing that we’re lacking the creativity of a Totti or Cassano who could mix things up. Pirlo is the most creative guy we’ve got but Austria are doing a good job of keeping him locked down.

Austria has a shot from distance but the only thing it might’ve hit was the moon. GK Buffon

Gatt actually goes off and Italy are temporarily down to 10 men.

44′ Gattuso goes down injured again. No idea why he’s here either but hey, I’m not Lippi. And good thing too, because if the scoreline doesn’t change the Italian press isn’t gonna be happy. Yeah his first game in charge last time sucked too, but more is expected from him now

Another Pirlo pass gets cut out? Holy crap. And now Gattuso goes down after getting hit in the air. Gila gets the ball… and lets it roll to Manninger

42(?)’ Italy are basically living outside Austria’s box but just can’t get in. We take the ball all the way back to the half and work it back up. Cross by Grosso… cleared by Austria

Di Natale crosses and it’s over everyone’s head. Just like Lippi’s decision to include him

40′ Italy have possession right outside the box, but it’s cleared. Austria now on the counter and looking pretty dangerous. Italy manage to slow down play but Austria still have the ball. Italy gain it, now, and work back up the field

38′ I have no idea what minute it is now. By my guess its around mid 30s but it could be mid 20s.

Pass to Gattuso who’s all alone but also offside. Did the spirit of Pippo infect the team today?

35′ Again, Italy in possession in the midfield and trying to find the back of the net. The ball is being worked around, pushed further up…Pirlo passes to Christmas who’s offside by oh 15 feet

32′ Foul by Barzagli and now a free kick right outside the area. Very very dangerous.

Palmed out by Buffon, what a guy. Italy counter, Christmas crosses… right into Manninger. Another guy who shouldn’t be on the Azzurri screws up

30′ Ital are pushing forward now… Austria intervene by trying to cut off Del P’s legs, and the ball is just going everywhere. Free kick to Austria.

Wow. Pirlo just had a pass cut out by Austria. There’s something you don’t see everyday

27′ Italy back at the halfway point trying to play the ball forward, but lose possession

This is why I didn’t want Gila. He can’t hit the side of a barn. He just blew the one clear cut chance of the game, which would’ve tied it up

24′ Gila ONE ON ONE WITH MANNINGER… TRIES TO CHIP AND MANN SAVES

Go to hell. Cassano would’ve bagged that

23′ Azzurri try to get an immediate goal and push forward, but Austria defends well.

Not the start Lippi was hoping for

Goal Austria by some guy I don’t know/care about right now
Austria 1- Italy 0
21′ Corner to Austria. Italy clear but Austria get it back outside the box…

And holy shit. Austria score, with a chip right over Buffon. Nothing he could do about it

19′ Austria have the ball and are pushing forward. They make headway down the left but the cross is cleared by DDR

16′ Italy really dominating possession. Which is nice to see after the Spain game in Euro.

Nice build up play by Christmas looses the ball. Buffon has to race out and clear the ball from outside the box to stop Austria

15′ Italy in possession.. Grosso crosses it, GILA HEADER- too soft and saved by Manninger. Goddamn

12′ Italy in possession and looking hungry for a goal. The ball’s played in the area but headed out. Zambro loses possession, another Austria GK

10′ Correction- that shot was actually by Zambro. Ball being played around but not too many chances as of right now. Goal kick to Austria

7′ Zambro taken down, free kick Italy. Pirlo takes, but cleared out of the area. Someone fires in a rocket (Del P?) but saved by Manninger. Italy working the ball around the box… loses possession. Weak shot by Austria right at Buffon

5′. Offside call for Italy. Autria in possession down the right flank, but then Gattuso gives a mean tackle, free kick to Austria.

2′. Note: these times may be off because they’re just guesses. RAI isn’t showing a timer so… sorry if theyre a bit off.

Christmas gets taken down, free kick. ZAMBRO WITH A GREAT CROSS… Gila misses. It’s a bit too far ahead of him and right across the face of the goal too

0′. Kick off, Austria have possession first. They push up the field through the left flank and cross, but it’s right at Gigi

Now, a moment of silence for Sensi. May he RIP

Del P is the captain.

Gametime. The national anthems are being sung. Italy’s lineup- Buffon, Gattuso, Pirlo, Gila, DDR, Di Natale, Grosso, Barzagli, Bonera, Zambro, Del P

T minus 10 min: Interview with Lippi on RAI

T minus 1 hour: Anyone need a feed to see the game? Check here.

1 hr and 15 min from gametime: News is that Camo had to pull out with a thigh problem.

Here’s a couple pictures of training that the team went through before the game, courtesy of channel4.com

Two absolute legends. At 30, Buffon is still at the height of his goalkeeping career and will be around for years to come. He’s proven time and time again that he’s the best. Lippi has similarly proven himself countless times and will be looking to retain the WC. Two of the best (at least modern) Italian soccer figures possibly in history.

Gila practicing headers. One of the biggest focal points of this friendly is this man himself. Can he prove that he was worthy of being called up again? Can he play with the confidence that’s been so lacking while he was at AC Milan? Or will he just flop?

A bunch of the team and staff doing some running drills. Props if you can name everyone in the photo (It’s like Where’s Waldo with Angelo Peruzzi!).

T minus 1 hour 30 min: Here’s the number each player was given, for those who care about stuff like that:

Goalkeepers; Gigi Buffon 1, Amelia 14;

Forwards: Alessandro Del Piero 7, Alberto Gilardino 9, Antonio Di Natale 11, Vincenzo Iaquinta 15.

Gila was given number 9, and DDR keeps number 10. I’ve never found this to be that big a deal but here it is for those that care.

-2hrs 36 min Probably lineups, thanks to channel4:
Italy (probable): 1 Buffon; 19 Zambrotta, 25 Bonera, 6 Barzagli, 3 Grosso; 8 Gattuso, 21 Pirlo, 10 De Rossi; 15 Iaquinta, 9 Gilardino, 7 Del Piero
Austria (probable): 1 Manninger; 2 Garics, 3 Stranzl, 4 Pogatetz, 5 Ibertsberger; 6 Aufhauser, 7 Ivanschitz, 8 Leitgeb, 9 Fuchs; 10 Harnik; 11 Linz
Ref: Coue` (Fra)

Bonera and Barzagli are our 2 CBs? Good God. Canna and Chiellini, please recover ASAP.

Imagine if we start qualification with that lineup. I’d hunt down Lippi.

And I still don’t agree with Cassano being left out. I hope Gila proves me wrong but I feel like Cassano is about 27 times as talented as Gila.

-2hrs 40 min After promising to liveblog one of the Olympic games and not doing it (Damn 5 AM games), I’ll be liveblogging Lippi’s first game back in charge. The game starts at 2:30 and I’ll be watching it on RAI International. Keep one tab on this page (You are using Firefox right?) and refresh often for updates.