More line-up tinkering?

I feel strongly Italy will win the world cup. I am so proud to be Italian. Its in our blood to play soccer. My father is an immigrant from Sicily and he played in Sicily on teams and in America on teams, I played, now my daughter plays on teams and she is the best. Genetics. Leave it to the Italians, they just have to focus! Forza Italia! It’s in the bag! Lucia

Posted from  United States

i love this game. At least mafia couldn’t do anything in this game.

Whole bunch of italian dogs bite ….

I almost bomit up my pizza.

Posted from  Taiwan

”Lippi is a more attacking Italian DT (national team coach)but not a revolutionary. He does not want to destroy the opposition in the prelims, he wants to save his players for the big games. Sometimes this results in not getting out of the prelims, but sometimes, as in 82 and 94 it gets you into the final game.

The US played bravely and spent a lot. I doubt they will have much for the Ghanaians (who are a good and running team) but I hope that Italy beats the Czechs to give the US a chance of qualifying. I do think Zaccardo needs to be benched, own goal aside, he does not impress and Grosso is a better player. Of course, now he has something to prove so he may be useful against the Czechs. If the US beats Ghana and Italy beats the Czechs, the US should make Zaccardo an honorary American.”

I quote this, I agree 100%. Specially about Lippi wanting to save energy for the later rounds. The problem is that this is not a group where you can do that. Now they will have to play a do-or-die game against the Czecs, which I am very worried about. They wasted a great chance today, De Rossi defenitely THREW AWAY THE GAME with that stupid foul. He deserved the red card.
Additionally, I saw no courage from Italy. The US were a man down and still went for it, almost scored the 2-1 goal (even one goal was correctly disallowed, but still showed Italy’s non-couragious attitude) Italy was sleeping, they had a man advantage and didnt took advantage of that, which could mean elimination if they dont get a result in the next game.

The referee… well I dont think he favored anyone, but this game was too complicated for him. US fouled a lot in the beginning but he didnt give any yellow cards, but he did give Totti a yellow card (Italy’s first foul). De Rossi deserved red for that foul which was as nasty as stupid, and so did mastroeni (a tackle from behind in a fast-paced play = red card according to FIFA) and pope who fouled too much and got 2 yellows. The goal was correctly disallowed as the US player was evidently in offside, I dont know if he touched the ball, but he did interfere in the play (the ball either touched him or went across him). Italy was cought offside like 10 times, from which at least 2 or 3 were not, but were close fast-paced actions, difficult for the linesman.

Congratulations for the US for playing a great game against a soccer powerhouse, the improvement is evident. I am sad for Italy who couldnt solve a game against a 9-man team, I think this demosntrates the lack of personality and heart this new group of players have, which was also shown in the last 2 competitions, WC02 and Euro04. I was hoping for an improvement, I though they really had something new, that the grouo was now more coallitioned and ”grintoso” thanks to lippi, with a greater will to win, but apparently not.

I hope the match against the Czechs proves me wrong, and that they show the courage and will to win they’ve been lacking in the last 4 years. Else, either we wont advance from the group, or play Brazil for a round of 16 elimination.

Posted from  United States

Italy came to play soccer. The USA played a cross between rugby and NFL Oakland Raider football. I was disappointed and embarrassed by my country’s (USA) play. Regardless, for the 14th World Cup in a row the Italians are the sharpest dressed and best looking team.
Ciao Ciao Bambino

Posted from  United States

by the way…

FORZA ITALIA SEMPRE!

Posted from  United States

by the way…
FORZA ITALIA SEMPRE!

Posted from  United States

the italian psychic connection has failed again italy isnt going to make it out of the group

Posted from  Canada

ITALY FELL SO MANY TIMES and their acting sucked i bet they practice more on faking injuries and trying to get free kicks than football US sucked as well What a waste of time watching this game and i tought Italy were good……

Posted from  United States

Don’t bring politics into this blog but I must comment on the Normany blogs. The Americans were there to help the English and French take back their countries. America was not under direct attack by Germany. There is a difference. Further, the largest ethic group in the American Armed Forces and the most to die during WWII were Italians. Italians have always been proud of America (a nice Italian name) and gave their sons for this effort. Make sure you understand that the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the American Joint Chiefs of Staff(The USA) armed forces are both Italian.
America is very or should be very grateful to the Italians.
So don’t be ignorant about your history.

Posted from  United States

Is any dogtiliano complain referee yet? They always doint that.
NO WONDER MAFIA CAN BUY WINNING GAME IN THIRE LOCAL GAME.

Posted from  Taiwan

not ennouf canadians posting lol

so im doing mine here to prove candains arnt ignorant soccr playas

What a sad wasting of time reading many posts in this blog. It’s just football guys, let out politics and shit like mafia out of this. As an italian (not italian american, i live and always lived in italy) i am really hurt reading same old stuff about mafia and divers i read here and on the live blog.
Anyway this was the worst game Italy played in many years. US played a very good match. I think the referee did his job. De Rossi acted like an idiot. Mastroeni’s red card was well deserved and so was Pope’s second yellow.
Remember: it’s just football. Have a nice day.

Posted from  Italy

football is honest sport that’s why i like it so much. I hate people alway complain refree afther they had bad game. I do know because italia has bad tradition (money can buy game) in their mind.

Referee is not a god. They may can possible to make mistake . we and each individual players just enjoy thire game.

Why italiano always blame refree? Why italiano player do hollywood fake action so much?

I don’t think any italiano will say “refree was ok” if last night 10 VS 11(US). Last night was 10 VS 9. surely ok with italiano.

IT’S SAD.

Posted from  Taiwan

I think Italy and the US were an absolute disgrace today, they have nothing to be proud of. This game was a disaster from start to finish. Shame on both teams.

Watch the other teams playing in this tournament, maybe you’ll learn something.

I would like to commend Coach Lippi’s conduct today. Bruce Arena really needs to tone it down, he was very unprofessional. Good luck against Ghana, you’re going to need it!

Posted from  Canada

italians ratings:
Buffon 7
zagardo 4
Carnavaro 7
Nesta 8
Zambrotta 7
perrotta 6
pirlo 10-what a match his done

totti 5
Toni 6
Gilardino 8
Del piero 9-should start the match,his in real form…….

/10

HEY mike from Taiwan .. you come from a third world country … at least in italy we have money to fix matches .. you talk so badly of the italian nation and footabll team yet as a nation and foot ball team they are regarderd as one of the greatest ever! I dont think any taiwan person ever did anythign good for the history of the world, let alone football .. Also i recon that germaany enlgnad and spain all fix matches any way (in the local leagues) and at world cup .. i mean germany should never have won any of the 3 titles they have to their name .. so mike i recon you need to grow some brains beform you open your mouth

Posted from  Australia

hey marco,
i was mentioned football only. I m not sure why you mentioned Taiwan person brabrabra….

Well, Italiano had great person in word history such as mussolini huh?

I wonder why you are in Australia now?i was herd that many italiano pickpockets went to many diferent countries for business. I hope not in our lend.

The problem is “Yu guys never a shame what you did and always blam others, U pick 10 people in the world randomly and ask Italian and Italiano ,,mostly can say “hot tempered dishonest people”. Last night game was just one of show case .

Posted from  Taiwan

Just as in 2002, the officials cost Italy the game with their erroneous offside calls. A goal and several clear-cut chances by Italy were negated by bad offside calls. Over half of the offisdes called on Italy weren’t offiside. It is like 2002 all over again. If these officials can’t make the right calls, bring in help…instant replays. But I doubt you’ll ever see positive progress from FIFA. FIFA even got rid of the golden goal when it should have been expanded by eliminated penalty kicks in favour of sudden death overtime.

Posted from  Canada

Mike, I am not Italian, but can say without a doubt that your posts fall so far short of the mark as to be unrecognisable as thought, opinion or any decent form of human expression. Italy has a long, proud tradition both in football and in history. When people from other countries, such as the one in which I was born (America) and the one in which I now live (England), think of Italy, they think of beautiful, warm people, excellent food, breathtaking, romantic cities, and that unique and ineffable Italian joy. Nobody thinks of dishonesty or thievery, as you seem to claim – if they did, why would Italy be one of the very few most popular tourist destinations in the world? In some years it is the number one most visited country in Europe.

Your comments are without even the least modicum of dignity, reason or truth and I would urge everyone on this board – and wherever else you may be – to ignore your pathetic appeals for attention and self-importance.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Its time italians have to change their style of play. The defensive type of football is long gone. The name of the game is attack. That style works for inexperienced teams like ghana(which i don’t think will happen again if they shd meet once more). If u ever want to win the worldcup again think about the number of goals u score and not the no. u concede

Posted from  United Kingdom

Since 1994 italian team shows some pshycical weakness. I can’t understand why’s that.US yesterday came on the field and played their best with great intensity and aggressiveness, Italians seemed to be surprised by that which is weird considering it was the last chance for the americans to rimain in the tourney.
I am really disappointed the squad seemed to revert to the 2002. We aren’t going that far playing like this. I just hope it was just an episode. Let’s think about the Czechs now and let’s forget this poor “war” against USA

Posted from  Italy

Two predictions: Italy will come out smoking hot against CR, and the US will win a close game against Ghana. Italy and US go through.

Just to be clear, I am very impressed with Ghana, but their offensive firepower will be sitting the game out, so I see it 1-0 US (maybe 2-0 if they can get a set piece to work, finally). The US defense in midfield will be a major factor as well.

ITALIA WON! WOO!

Posted from  Australia

CAMPIONI DEL MUNDO
FORZA ITALIA
We got what we deserved, we worked hard and were the best team to beat. Everyone who reads this remember my name Matthew Filippi because you will see me playing for Lazio in september.. Forza Italia 4 life

Posted from  Canada

Hi guys!
Nice to meet you all. Just wanted to say hello!

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http://www.bookoutlet.info

Posted from  United States