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Looking to Switzerland

May 21st, 2006 | By: Jay | 11 Comments »

So we’ve got a trip to Geneva on May 31st (ok, “we” don’t…but some of you may be going). Will we see a ‘preview’ of the lineup for June? Or will we see some experimentation on the front line, some tinkering in the midfield, perhaps?

The Swiss have a warm-up on the 27th against Ivory Coast, which might impact the line-up they use for the friendly. But I don’t think that will affect what Lippi intends to get out of the match. His tendency so far in friendlies is to leave the back line and keeper positions untouched. So what you see is what you get. But he always pulls a forward, usually a couple mids, maybe even three mids.

Lippi may be looking to field the front line to use against Ghana, or he may just be looking to get players some more time with each other on the pitch so they feel comfortable with each other. who knows. I’m not going to pretend to be a mind-reader on this one.

Tags: Azzurri, Italy, Marcello Lippi

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Comments

By Vin | May 21st, 2006 at 1:51 am

First off, I like the fact that we have matches against teams who have actually qualified (unlike some other teams). *cough*usa*cough*)

I think we will see a bit of Forward switching… at least, I hope we will. There are quite a few options up there, and it would be great to start sorting them out NOW, instead of during the first two real matches (as is Italy’s typical procedure).

Posted from United States

By rinaldo | May 21st, 2006 at 6:44 am

is there a limit of substitutions for friendlies?

Posted from India

By chris | May 21st, 2006 at 8:20 am

Italy is the best team ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are going to kick some butt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tottie and Del Piero are going to step up and win it for them!!!!!!!!!

The reason i like Italy so much is my family is from there!!!!!!!!!

Posted from United States

By sticky | May 21st, 2006 at 10:27 am

Is that friendly going to be on American TV? If so, which station? I have directv. cheers sticky

Posted from United States

By marco DeMichele | May 21st, 2006 at 12:18 pm

nah you can make as many subs as u want

Posted from Australia

By Jay | May 21st, 2006 at 1:01 pm

Sticky– right now, there is is no viewing option for those in the US. Setanta is not carrying it on PPV either. I’d be shocked if RAI didn’t carry it but I haven’t seen their schedule yet and I don’t think you can get RAI through DirecTV anyway.

I have not seen any listings for the final friendly (June 2nd against Ukraine) but I’ll post it as soon as we find anything out.

Posted from United States

By Fabio | May 21st, 2006 at 1:24 pm

its gonna be a good test to the Azzurri early on, even though its the Swiss its gonna be fun to see what Lippi is gonna conjure up
personally im more excited to see them face of against Shevchenko, sry i mean Ukraine, that should be interesting and its really gonna test Italy’s defense against a world class striker

Posted from Canada

By Adi | May 22nd, 2006 at 7:06 pm

Does anyone have any idea what the squad is going to be for the friendly game against Ukraine!!! I am going for the game in Lausanne and it would be great to know if all the key Italian players are gonna be fit and on the field on June 2, 2006!!

Cheers!

Viva Italia!

Posted from Switzerland

By Adi | May 22nd, 2006 at 7:08 pm

Does anyone have any idea what the line up is for the friendly game against Ukraine? I am going to Lausanne and would like to see Italia kick ass!

Viva Italia!

Posted from Switzerland

By sticky | May 22nd, 2006 at 10:22 pm

Jay,
Thanks for the info. I do have Setanta and its a great sports channel but unfortunately from the programming the Italy friendly isnt on but maybe it will be delayed a few days. cheers sticky

Posted from United States

By azzan | June 5th, 2006 at 4:56 am

italy are best!!!!! FORZA ITALIA!!!!!!! THE AZZURRI!!!!!!!!!

Posted from Oman