Who’s Next?

Well yes I predicted the Matrix would come on and do something but now he must not be reloaded.

No more Matrix back to the Nest.

Nesta was taken off due to an injury. He’ll not be field against Australia sadly. Let’s hope Matrix will be reloaded well.

Australia is a tough side who will not give up and shouldn’t really be looked beyond…

That said, after Australia we will face the Koreans.

After the Koreans, we will face the Germans who, with the help of some traditional home-field officiating, will upset Argentina.

The winner of the Germany-Italy match will beat Brazil in the final.

I really hope that we get the opportunity to avenge our loss against those stinking Koreans. Fix was in that game, big time. Four years of pain — that WE’VE had to endure — all because FIFA wanted soccer to catch fever in the far east. If we send Korea home this World Cup, I’d look at the tournament as a positive showing, regardless of our ultimate finish. That’s how bitter I remain about that match. Sadly, however, (on neutral soil) they’re not that good; in fact, they’re ball movement is abysmal– so I doubt we’ll have the chance to skin those bast@ards!!!

Tito and Josh,

Italy – Australia
Italy – Korea
Italy – Argentina
Italy – Brazil

This is how it will go down

Angelo, I pray to Santa Lucia that you are right. Nothing would be sweeter than romping the Koreans on neutral turf. Their victory four years ago was one of the most embarrassing moments in FIFA’s long, embarrassing history. The match was certainly fixed and if anything brought about the cynicism that led to calciopoli, it was that sham of a match.

I think that we are being a bit overzealous by looking past the Australians, let alone whomever it is that we would face in the quarterfinals, but we do have a strong side that hasn’t lost in the World Cup in regulation since 1986, so there is reason to be confident. Lippi is a winner, and I think that Italy are alongside Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Holland as teams with a real chance of bringing the trophy home. Argentina, Holland and Italy have a bit of an advantage as they are the only teams that actually had difficult groups.

pipo has miss two clear chances, he doesnot deserve to start against australia . i knew he was over rated.in attack lippi should play toni-totti/del piero-giladino

1. would not be suprised to find out the korea game was rigged since the italians are now know for being in rigged soccer (prolly threw it on purpose cuz they were gonna get beat so might as well get paid)

2. australia will beat you

3. italy is always overrated so do something then talk.

Del piero is the worst Italian player of our generation. I can’t understand how he keeps making the national team. Every time he steps foot on the soccer field in an italian jersey is a black eye to Italian calcio.

Lippi said, after the match, that he told Toni that they would know be playing with only three days rest and he wanted to save him. I hope he is back in, ultimately that foot will come into play.

Ben, Italy has three world cups. FORZA ITALIA

ben an history lesson for free: Italy won 3 world cups, played 5 finals, and 7 semi finals. Wich means it can’t be overrated.

I don’t think we gain anything by being overconfident. And underestimating Australia to me is overconfidence…

I think we should take this one game at a time, it would be foolish to start sizing up our “would-be” opponents before we’ve even reached that stage.

If history has taught us anything, overconfidence is always bad in football.

Lang,

I am going out on a limb and prediciting an Italian win by Penalty Kicks after playing to 0-0 draw.

I will pray not only to Santa Lucia but will use an expression my dad use to use back in the day.

(”X?!!@!@X##@! Santo Antiono, Santo Lazzaro, Santo Giuseppe, Jesu Cristo a La Croica, che te possano fa buttare il sangue, te mette sotte e piede come na serpa).

LOL

Now keep in mind I totally dont have the dialect spelling or proper italian spelling anymore but I certain you get the picture.

im not talkin bout the 70s and 80s. im talkin bout now. Italy is always suppose to go to the finals every year and that just isnt realistic making them overrated. this yrs team isnt that good. brazil has the same problem but theyre team at least is better than italy but they are also overrated and wont win.

didnt see anyone say anything about the disgraceful italian league scandal.

It’s not so much overconfidence as it is wishfull thinking, I never parade around the streets unless it is like the Semi finals or something.

I am most certain that nobody in the Italian team is going on the pitch with a defeatest attitude but a strong resolve and a bit of optimism can go a long way.

looks like ben needs some tissues ragazzi…. lick your wounds, son, & maybe your team will be a world power like the azzurri some day.

nothing wrong with a little confidence & thinking your team will win. as long as we take the aussies seriously, we’ll beat them, plain and simple.

again, if pippo starts, he’ll grab two goals, maybe more. he’s hungry and in form.

last night underscored the problem with our service and the importance of pippo. totti played up top, and was a bit selfish (as a forward should be at times) but a little too selfish (shooting time and time again with men open). we’re lacking the distribution up top, which means that players like toni and gilardino are basically useless. either our offensive distributors (totti, perrotta, etc) do what they’re meant to or we’ll continue to see a lack of goal contribution from toni and gilardino.

look at argentina and brasil– their main objectives are to pass the ball in and around the area because they know that a goal will come naturally with a good pass.

contrast that with our play as of late: just get to the top of the area for a shot or a chip…. not good, which is why a player like pippo is PERFECT for this game. he’ll score out of nothing at all, and right now our forwards are receiving nothing and providing nothing for each other….

Josh, nothing is certain in life except death so Italy may win, and also may lose. I am old enough to remember 1966, and is was a dark day when Italy were bundled out of the first round by a team similar to the reputation that Australia has at the moment. This is the second round so have a little more respect for Italy’s opponent.

Well that settles it. Ukraine or Switzerland in the quarters, both of whom we’ve already played. I was really hoping for South Korea so we could avenge 2002, but oh well. Switzerland is a physical side. Hopefully they’ll make a mistake in the box against us, but otherwise we’ll need to capitalize on set pieces around the goal. I’d really like Toni to be in for his height on those corners and set pieces.

What a draw! You guys are to the semis no problem. Did you ever think that you would only have to beat Australia and then Ukraine and you would be to the Semis. Good Luck!

I predicted before the Cup that we (Australia) wouldn’t make the 2nd round.

We’re through and I’m happy, now, either way. The best thing that’s come out of it so far is the US coach listing Australia as one of the 2 weakest teams in the finals. ummm….where are the US now?

When asked if Australia could beat Italy, after the Croatia game, the response from Ned Zelich, former Socceroo midfielder: “why not?”.

And I agree…why not? Italy has shown nothing so far. Croatia were better competition But seriously… I’m just happy to be in the 2nd round, and Italy have history in their favour. But don’t underestimate the Socceroos.

Who is this handjob Ben and is he really a huge USA Soccer fan? They blow.

I was not a fan at all of the sport 4 years ago but remeber reading about the Korea bit. What exactly happened in that game?

I hate the fact that in the back of my mind I under estimate the Ausies. I just hope that our players dont do the same thing and come out and play as if they placed second in their group. I think Ben is just a frustrated US fan who does not like to admit the truth…of course italy is expected to make it to the final evey worldcup…think about this, Serie A is the best league (aside from the scandel) and Italy is the ONLY team in the WC whose players all play in their country’s league…so basically, we have the best of the best and that automatically turns into high expectations…and other than last WC, I think Italy has done well but were a bit unlucky, with a little luck, 90, 94, and even 98 cup could’ve been ours…did you knwo that FIFA claimed that both France and Italy were the only 2 teams undefeated in 98? So for all of those ppl who think Italy is overrated, take a history soccer leason!
FORZA ITALIA

P.S. in 2002 we were cheated out of the WC.

This has nothing to do with this topic, but I want to know something. Everytime Italy has a game, I start getting really nervous the day before as if I am taking the big test of my life the next day…then the game starts, and I am biting my nails as if they had done something to me!!! Italy scores, the next block neighbour will know, the other team scores, i am almost in tears…Italy wins, I am the king of the world, anything else I am depressed for days!!! Am I crazy or are you guys on the same page as me?

Nah i think lippi made some real bad errors .. i mean totti and gila played terrable .. and so he should have taken them both off at half time n put pippo on (which he did) and toni … any way i recon that toni needs to play with pippo up front coz he creates so much and is so unlucky so many times and pippo would pick up all the deflections .. that being said .. italy should kill australia, but you never know .. they cant go into this match with that mentality or they might go out .. any way the only was i see italy going out is by drawing 0-0 and losing on penalties (coz i cant see australia scoring)

oh by the way the koreans are out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahaha and the second goal the swiss scored was clearly off side!!!! SUKED IN KOREA — THEY GOT WHAT WAS COMING TO THEM — THATS WAHT YOU GET FOR FIXIMG THE GAMES IN THE 2002 WORLD CUP!!!!!

I dont like this ‘positivism’. The team(and the fans!) should not think further, we first need to beat australia, lets not make the same mistake we made in korea. One game at a time, remember a goal wrongly disallowed,a defensive mistake, a missed penalty, a penalty wrongly called against us, etc, are all factors that can end our run.
So lets beat australia first, the azzurri will have to give their all…

Vogliamo undici leoni!

It is hard not to look ahead, especially with Ukraine/Switzerland as the next opponent. We should be through to the semis if we play up to par, with little difficulty.

the problem with Josh’s pediction about australa’s defence is that Italia will not get the opportunity to test it because they will be too busy defending their own goal mouth; crotia made the same mistake. “security is mortals chiefiest weakness”

Right on Stevo. Forza Italia.

Abe, you’re reading my mind. When Italy wins, I get the highest of highs and when they lose, I am in the dumps. We’re Italian, we’re supposed to be emotional. I am still licking my wounds from the 2000 Euro cup.

AUSTRALIA HAS NO SHOT. THEY WILL BE BACK HUNTING CROCS. BY TUESDAY. ITALY WILL NOT BE DENIED. MARK MY WORDS ON THE DATY OF JULY 9, WE WILL WIN THE CUP AND DA BRONX WILL BE GOING CRAZY. FORZA AZZURRI!!!!!!!!!

Josh – the thing about Australia is we WANT it more – Italy from what I have seen are very lazy and are more worried about how they look!

Croatia are a better side than Italy and we sent them home (by the way Croatia has 3 players who are Australian born), next we will send Italy back to their hair stylists!

I would never take seriously the opinion of one who uses the pseudonym of a bootlegging gangster such as “Lucky Luciano”. The Azzurri may win, they may lose, but Australia has gone better than expected and surpassed the USA and its arrogant coach.

Bonereros – You are right… Italy can be lazy, but let me ask you this: What if you catch us on a day when we’re not lazy? Whatcha gonna do, Soceroo?

I agree regarding the US’s coach, Enzo. Arena is terrible for US soccer.

italy will win 2 -0

defence will win the match
& what of nesta?? Hands in head when he went off, disaster

You can defend all you want Australia will never give up it will be attack after attack after attack plus we have the MASTER GUS as our manager. I wish Italy all the best but i believe Aus will win on penalty!!!

Gee, so many are so sure that Italy is going to win. I better email the Australian squad and tell them not to play, just pack their bags and come home. What’s that saying? Oh, yes, it isn’t over until the fat lady sings?

Is anyone else floored by the sublime idiocy of the comment by Boneros, “Croatia are better than Italy”? Do you watch your own matches, Boneros? Croatia were wretched. In case you didn’t notice, they drew against a very mediocre Japan, a monstrously out-of-form Brazil, and admittedly a plucky and creative Australia. Their best result was against you guys. Otherwise, they were one of the outright worst teams of the tournament. They wouldn’t have even scored a single goal against you if it weren’t for that crazy ‘dracula’ of a keeper that Hiddink decided to put in for whatever reason. The free kick was too close to the centre of the goal, and the other shot that went in was just shocking – worst goal of the tournament.

I do hope that the general consensus in Australia is that Croatia are a stronger side than Italy. The shell-shock would be fun to watch. Frankly, I had hoped Croatia would win because even though they have historically given Italy some slight problems, they looked completely misguided throughout what was for them a miserable campaign.

hey Lang – Italy couldnt beat the US – even after send-offs! haha

BTW – I’m half Croatian and half Italian, but 100% Aussie! There’s been a few phone calls back to Pula in Croatia already and Tuesday I expect to be calling Italy also, with victory in my voice!!

I was just checking out the Australia team blog, I could not find one posting by an Italian, while all I can see here is Ausies trying to bum us down…Come on now, no matter what happens on Monday, Italy will always be better than Australia…so why dont you go back to your blog and argue on how you can beat the Italians…

Abe, so you checked the Austrlian blog site and “could not find one posting by an Italian” and want us to go back to our blog. Weird logic from you. You are on the Italian Blog site and your message is from the United States. I do not think you speak for the majority of Americans, but your type is one carries on in life with the following weird quirk: do what I say, don’t do what I do. Blog sites are for all, not just selfish people like you.

If Italy plays the way he can play there’s no chance for Australia. Guys you are newbies you should show a bit of respect. You are probably coming back home, nonetheless you tourney was great so far but…it’s time to go back down under. see you soon you have all my sympathy

he can play? i meant they can play

enzo- siete un blog nazista. perchè non vaffunculo questo bordo

svegli la gente, ottengali ad una certa riservatezza circa voi pacchetto di whinging la volontà di bastards.italy/dovrebbe vincere svegliano a voi.

I hope Italy plays an attacking game against the Australians, because they are weak in the back. The Italian defenders are so masterful they can afford to open the game up- this is why our defensive posture always troubles me, it operates as though Cannavaro and company aren’t world class. Two strikers, with Pirlo and Totti as forward support, while Gattuso roams the back and Zambrotta makes sojourns up the wing. We are deadly in this formation, the US game was an apparition.

Nesta Forever, I understand Italian and your filthy statement is a disgrace to this blog site or any other blog site. Your profane words only underline your puerile intellect. Your type should be banned from this site.

You gotta remember this is Hiddink against the Italians once more. You think he’ll pay the referees more this time around? ‘Cause I hear the officials who were in charge of the Italy-South Korea match 4 yrs ago each got themselves a nice brand new BMW courtesy of Guus himself.

Kelvin, where did you hear that from? Any evidence? Any chance you just made that up?

There is no way Guus is dodgy.

Anyway, I hope the Italian team are as unconcerned about the Socceroos as the writer of this article. However, I think Australia will struggle against Italian defens. We tend to set up a great deal of shots on goal and miss almost all of them but against Italy there won’t be nearly as many opportunities. You never know with soccer though. Good luck to both teams.

first please make sure all your players don’t end up in bars, caught up in the match fixing scandal…Make sure you have enough left to make up 11 players…. … HOW can you call the aussies push – overs…? looking beyond them huh…? i did see you doing well looking smug against the koreans…!! just make sure that doesn’t happen this time…!!

Abe, are u italian? Cause i’m not, and i still feel the same way u do. I just don’t understand it! Why do i love the azzurri so much?!

Btw, Nesta’s out and Matrix will probably start for the rest of the WC. I, for one, am shitting bricks at this prospect. He had one good game, he WILL have one bad game. i bet he’ll concede a penalty…

It is so disrespectful to Australia to think that this is somehow a guarantee win for Italy. Even today on a sportscast the anchor suggested that Italy has the easist draw in the Round of 16. Firstly, there are no easy draws at this stage. Secondly, Australia is an underrated team due to the weak zone in which they have played. Australia is a tough opponent not to be taken lightly on its own, and with the poor refereeing at this world cup a few bad calls in their favour could win them the game. It won South Korea their game last time. Italy needs to play the Aussies as tough as they would play any team and not go in thinking this is a given win.

you guys have an easy road to the semi finals

but when you get there you will have to face argentina or germany

dont get over confident at this stage

as argentina has been plying better than italy so far

and germany is in home soil

regardless the semi finals should be nice to see

possibly brazil and spain in the other half of it

marco,

No man. That goal was overruled as being offside because the last pass was given by a korean defender. Frei was in an offside position, true, but since the last touch was from the opposite player’s team, it wasn’t given as offside (otherwise all defenders would pass the ball to the opposition’s forward in an offside position…and that would slow down the game).

man do you guys realise that frop australia to keep on attacking australia actully needs to have the ball … italy can play with the ball for minutes on end and have 70% of the possetion .. how will australia be able to attack when they wont have the ball??

rinaldo .. .yea i dont care i just want the dumjb koreans to suffer because they fixed the 2002 world cup …. ohh and to Observer and Shevchenko .. the italv V korea game was fixed through its teth .. i remember we got a goal disalowed 3 or 4 offsides given which on re played showed they were not .. i think a penalty against italy and then totti got 2 yellows and was sent off .. and after the game the ref said he forgot he already gave totti a first yellow and was sorry … wat a wanker .. and to think italy had the world trembaling at its knees wid the maffia and couldnt send sume one to fix him up ….

yeah true..i just couldn’t feel sorry for those crying koreans {evil grin}

actaully the swiss guy wasnt off side. the ball came off a defender, it was proved on the news tonight. besides it was stupid of korea to assume there would be an offside. never assume anything. australia are fit and will put pressure on the ball holder. so dont think australia will sit back and allow italy to control the ball. australia can do it all day so you cant out run us. but i can admit australias defense has holes in it and italy has the quality to find them. but australia is very quick on any counter and kewell, brecia and cahill can run all day, and australia will find any holes in the italian defence. should be a good game. if italy wins it wont be easy and italy will come away knowing they played a game against a quality opponant. tough game to predict this one. decided on penalties i think with a 2-2 scoreline at the end of extra time.

man are you kiding me troy … i dont care how fit or fast australia is … watch the ghana V italy game again and then tell me what you just said again .. if pirlo plays at his best he will be untouchable … the italian defence dole leave hole open .. so there will be no holes tro exploit .. that being said italy 1ill win 5-0

*dole .. i mean dont sorry

well marco lets let the players play this one then. if italy wins then easily it will be well deserved. perhaps your right though. italy is a technically sound team. but a little positive on a 5-0 result. be realistic, if anything maybe a 2-0 at most. the socceroos will cut out alot of italies time, i bet also australia is a better side then ghana. a little respect please. if you show australia some respect at least it will not make you look like a fool if the impossible happens and australia get up.

Troy this is a supporters chat, be sure Italians will show Australia a lot of respect. Teasing each other is part of the whole World Cup thing and it’s fun. Nonetheless will rip you Aussies apart! Kidding, of course.
Is mr Hiddink going to coach Russia? If he changes his mind maybe we have room for him here in Italy.

I personally respect Australia but do not think that they are a better side than Ghana. It’s unfortunate that Michael Essien (one of the best holding midfielders in the tournament) will miss the Brazil clash. Part of the reason that many of Ghana’s players are as yet unknown is that they are the youngest team in the tournament.

The lack of respect that the Australians on this board are showing Italian football is simply absurd, but likewise, we began with an equally absurd lack of respect. Australia are a good side with a great coach. Their starting XI is not without some formidable names, such as Kewell, Bresciano, Cahill, Viduka. There are probably few Australians out there who would claim that if both teams are on their best form, Australia would win outright, but Italy are without Nesta and without a fully-fit Totti. Do I think that the Azzurri will prevail? Of course. But it will be a difficult game, and as some have pointed out, a bit of bad luck, or a bit of great skill on the other side, and we could find ourselves back in our club colours on Tuesday.

so true Lang.

First up, I hope that Monday’s game turns out to be a pearler, and that the same entertaining football that Australia has provided for the duration of the World Cup will be on offer. I’m an Aussie fan, and have fully enjoyed Australia’s time on the world stage. We’ll have to wait until Monday to find out how long that will be – and Marco, we’ll all check back with you on both the Italy, and Australian, World Cup Blogs to talk about that prediction of 5-0! I think that we’ve shown a lot, and that our results, and our attitude, have spoken for themselves. To me, that’s a positive. If anyone out there wants to believe that somehow FIFA, the referees, or Alf from Home and Away had a hand in Australia getting through the group stage, hey, go for it. I doubt that there’s any way in the world we could convince you otherwise. Fact is, we’re here, the rest of the world knows it, we’ve earnt the respect of ‘neutral’ fans out there, and we’re going to make the most of being here. Having said all that, I have the utmost respect for the achievements, the history, and the love of football in Italy. It’s going to be an interesting night in both Norton St, Sydney and Lygon St over there in Melbourne, huh? I know that all the Italians will be behind their team 100%, and so you should, because it’s history in the making. Should be a great atmosphere, and with the Aussie’s promising to continue on their charge in the same spirit, then it promises to be a ripper. Wish I could be there to soak it up, I’ll just have to make up with yelling at the TV in a bar in Spain…looking forward to it already.

“Italy are without Nesta and without a fully-fit Totti”

…and without De Rossi.

AND how would you like your kangaroo cooked, sir?

–>Medium, I suppose. I’ve never had cooked Kangaroo before, but boy am I ready for it now!!!

Since there are so many goddang Aussies on our site, maybe they could provide some insight? Medium or medium well?

KOREAN GOAL = was offside because it was played by a Swiss player when the receiving player was in an offside position. Mere deflection doesn’t matter.

LANG: great post on croatia’s playing; you could tell that you are a student of the game.

Socceroos: don’t forget Kewell was OFFSIDE when he scored the last gasp goal. With competent linesmen, that goal wouldn’t have counted and you know what that means. We azzurri certainly do…. Gus Hiddink= public enemy number one.

Lang

“The lack of respect that the Australians on this board are showing Italian football is simply absurd,”

Huh? Where? I’ve read every comment looking for this, and have found no Australians predicting an outright win for Australia – only one person from America. One or two are critical of some aspect of Italy’s game. Mostly there are just pleas not to write us off before you’ve even played us.
Starting this entry – saying Australia is already beaten … now THAT is disrespectful, even if it is true.

Oh, and as for the early comment that there weren’t any Italian posters heckling on the Australian blogs, not to worry, they’re there now. Here is one choice example:

“Most of us italians could not be happier! Australia and Poll stole that game from Croatia…….shame for Croatia but great for us, we have never beaten them!!!

But we are certainly going to beat Australia.

Unless of course there is another ref on the panel that likes you as much as Poll, and his linesman did.”

from la dolce vita. Hmm … Ouch. Harsher than anything Australians have said here.

And marco, who is on this thread, is also a star poster on the Australian blogs, though I think his attacks would be more effective if he took the time to make them comprehensible first.

That said, I predict Italy to win 2-0 or 2-1 next Monday. However, I still think it is in bad taste to count your chickens before their hatched. The smugness detracts a little from the glory of your eventual win.

Oops, sorry for the spelling error. “their” should be “they’re”, obviously.

Im italian and I think on monday it will be a though match. Hiddink is a very good trainer and knows how to “read” a match, before and during the 90 minutes. Surely, he will try to keep ball possession, creating a web around the italian players. The same tactic he used with Corea or with PSV against Milan.

However, I think Italian players have much more experience and technical skills for these kind of competitions. We are not Croatia and have shown a very solid defence and a compact group. We are still lacking a bit on the attack, but we are growing in form. We used 19 out of 23 players and I guess that a Toni could start in the first eleven this time. Turnover of the players in a tournament like this is essential, and Lippi has shown to be able to keep all the players “high”, with the possibility to play.

An important advantage that Italy has gained so far is that the team is already in a World Cup “mood”. We played with three though opponents, with different way school of footballing. We won two and tied one. We made mistakes from the match with US and this is a lesson for the future, especially against Australia. We wont make the same errors again.

The bigger drawback of Italy in this moment is still the condition, but Im sure the players are topping the form. Totti, apart from the wrong touches and stupid spoon shots, is more inside the game. I prefer to swear at him, than not see him at all. Toni rested a match and can replace Gilardino, who looks tired and run a lot. Gattuso and Zambrotta have put the pre-tournament injuries at their back and are running more. My ideal team against Australia would be the following:

Buffon, Zambrotta, Materazzi, Cannavaro, Grosso, Perrotta, Pirlo, Gattuso, Totti, Inzaghi, Toni. (in a 4-3-1-2 or more likely a “christmas tree” 4-3-2-1, with Toni forward and Totti-Inzaghi(Gilardino) on the same line).

Inzaghi could replace Gilardino to start. Camoranesi is a bit out of shape and didnt like him and with Perrotta we would be more covered. However, the Aussies (that I respect a lot) will probably play with Viduka in front and a “crowd” midfield, thus I think that Lippi will propose a more covered midfield, like against the Czechs. I wont expect big changes.

Final remark: Italy has shown a great ball possession. It was from Sacchi years that this didnt happen. Against the Czechs (even in the first half), we kept the ball a lot and this is not common for our national team. We probably played too much horizontal, but we can improve when the forward players make more movement.

hey guys,

just thought this was intereseting. I found this article from the 2002 WC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/features/newsid_2060000/2060702.stm

m — Thanks for reminding us what a bunch of garbage Italy’s elimination from WC 2002 was.

Ivan — I also prefer to swear at Totti rather than go without him… because just when you rule a guy like that out, he’ll put one in the back of the net.

As for Australia, I watched two of their matches, and I was very impressed. Viduka and Bresciano are no joke, and that team will pressure for the full 90 minutes.
Just as Hiddink had observers at Italy’s matches, I believe Lippi observed Australia (surprise surprise), which shows that he’s not taking them lightly. Hiddink himself conceded that he doesn’t think his lick will hold out against the Azzurri THIS time. A lot of our players remember that disgraceful match vs. Korea with Hiddink at the helm, and don’t think that they won’t want revenge.

*I mean LUCK, not lick. lol

Could our greatest asset in the Azzurri Team (Totti) also be our greatest liability in the upcoming stages if he doesn’t start improving?

What do you guys think? I mean I love Totti, but it hurts me to see him play like that.

Do you think his poor performance and media fall-out parallels that of Rossi in 1982?

Can he do what Rossi did?

I hope so.

Thanks Josh! And thank you, m, for bringing back into focus the full mediocrity of Sepp Blatter and FIFA. Graham Poll was just atrocious in the Italy-Croatia game in 2002 and yet he is allowed to referee in Germany 2006? Just outrageous. Look at the result: in addition to missing a bevy of offsides calls and clear penalties, he issued a single player 3 yellow cards in a match! He’s a disgrace, and it is all FIFA’s fault. He and so many others should be banned from international competitions, and yet they keep resurfacing. Nobody should have to be cheated out of something that means so much to them and comes up only once every four years, but I will be beside myself if Italy is cheated again.

I’ll be beside myself too, Lang.

If they get beat fair and square, it’s one thing, but if they’re cheated, I’ll be bitter (again) for years.

Hey Enzo, I am obviously Italian you Moron!

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun24n.html

Toni back in! Looks like we return to our offensive posture, which is excellent news. I just hope Pirlo plays forward, Camo is a disaster in the hole.

Oh ya, Lippi also had the following players practicising penalty kicks:

Marco Materazzi, Massimo Oddo, Andrea Pirlo, Totti, Gilardino, Toni and Alessandro Del Piero.

This tells us that Lippi plans to bring Del Piero in as a sub, before Inzaghi(or as I refer to him after his goal Bighogie )

“I luoghi di Blog sono per tutti, gente egoista non giusta come voi.„ una citazione dal enzo-padrone grande dei luoghi del blog dappertutto. Prendagli a bordo il enzo.

ha

You are a cretin, nesta forever, I studied Italian and for you to hide behind the language when everyone else writes it English is proof of your puerile mind. Why don’t you repeat your silliness in English, you goon?

Hey, patrick, leave nesta alone, he’s entitled to be stupid, he has a license to act that way.

patrick being italian i can tell you the language posted by nesta forever is not italian, well he puts in italian words but randomly, without making any sense. So don’t worry he’s not insulting or something like that he’s just saying nothing

Thank you, pao, sei molto gentile

I am a socceroo fan. Proud of the guys, so proud !

I love reading all the arrogant hairy chest beating of the Italians … cockiness is such a laugh but unfortunately a sign of genuine lack of respect.

That is why the demise of ‘Team USA’ (are they a footbal team or part of the Thunderbirds) is such a joy for Aussies. Man, let’s line a game up with these pretenders and smash them.

In the words of Paul Wade (former Aussie Captain). “If Australia play Italy in a 5 match series, Italy would win 4 of them … in a one-off ’smash and grab’, I’ll back the Aussies every time”.

Beautiful stuff!

I believe Italy will win, but they will go through knowing they have played a game … they will have some yellow cards on their back and they will be very, very sore.

Also BTW you won’t see no Aussies going down like ‘nancy boys’ all over the ground like the theatrical Italian actors.

“Oh my leg, oh my leg”. It’s OK get the magic sponge and water out (give it a little splash) and oh look, even though you came off the ground on a stretcher your now bouncing around like a 2 year old.

Give me a break !! I’m so glad Aussies aren’t brought up with such garbage. Play the game and be a man !!!!

Is this a forum to talk about soccer, or a re-creation of kindergarten?

y does italy wear blue shorts with their blue jerseys? they should have white shorts. And what about their away uniform? they’ve been wearing all blue for all three games now. wats goin on?

I love how the general consensus in Italy is that if a ref gets a call wrong it must automatically be bribery…. all part of the culture I guess>

The Korea match was just terrible refereeing….not match fixing.

So… for all of the Aussie supporters who are coming in here accusing Italy and Italy supporters of being overconfident, HAVE YOU EVEN READ THE OTHER HALF OF THE POSTS that give the Socceroos their due credit?

…Or is it that you WANT to believe that we’re overconfident?

Playmaker Totti has disappointed so far at the World Cup as he has struggled to find full fitness and form after his three month absence due to a broken ankle.for me del piero should replace him

Hiddink is a very experienced Coach who knows Italian football well, but italians are convinced of their abilities and face Australia with great faith in their chances

Nicolas .. why dont u get your facts right .. the koran presedents son went to jail for bribery chreges and i think match fixing charges .. well i think it was the presedents son any way

The Australia-Italy match is one I hoped would not occur. Having Italian blood and raised in Australia puts me in a difficult position. I would love for both to win, but that’s impossible. I would love Australia to win because it would be great for the game Down Under. I would love Italia to win because I have always followed Italian football and the Azzurri. So, maybe, I am a winner no matter what. If Australia win that would be a fantastic achievement. If Italy win I hope it gets to the final, maybe meet Brasil and for the 3rd time ,with a bit of luck, win. So, go Aussies, go Azzurri, I’ll be happy no matter who wins.

italy is not have the team it used to be. move over and let the new breed from australia show you that they are taking the game to the next level, italy are“history“ …SBS…

World cup *SPOILER* socceroos are going to take they Itailian grease balls to the cleaners.2-0 for the socceroos.
FORZA AUSTRALIA

I hope socceroos get smashed I can’t handle all the bullshit media around here.On paper Italy is much better soccer club at least 4x better than the socceroos.

Socceroos=Media hyped overated cricket loving douche bags.

Do you have to go into the sewer for words so you can make a silly comment, Frank?

Oh well,

So it seems that the Australian soccer fans can scoop down as low as any other in thier commentary.

Just for that I predict Italy 3-0 over Asutralia.

don’t generalise, Angelo, it’s not fair on the many of us, from many nations, who don’t “scoop down as low as any other”.

the italians are showing plenty of respect to australia. i was impressed. its just a select few thats all that have said silly comments. but beleive me australians on our own blog are copping an onslaught of crap from around the world. so perhaps we are on the attack a little. all i say to people who want to abuse us. thats fine your entitled to your opinion. as long as its informed and un generalised. lets just watch the game and see what happens.

Josh, you either have not seen many Serie A matches these past few years, or are an Inter Milan hater.

Materazzi holds the record for the highest number of goals scored in a Serie A year by a defender (when he played for Perugia), and has always played very well for Inter. And he has played two seasons with Cannavaro, so they are used to play together.

What’s up with some of you Aussies? I haven’t seen all that aggressiveness in this blog when we played ghane, USA, or the Czechs. Maybe the entry was a bit provocative? Showing a bit of overconfidence? Maybe the fact you are far from Europe and America pushes on some of you some will to fight to feel part of the rest of the world? Come on guys you don’t need that. Everyone respects Australia, the huge spaces, wonderful landscapes your pleasant way of life. Everyone knows how great Aussies are in sports. Your tourney was great so far, but as newbies you should know you’ll find some overconfidence from the traditional powerhouses. If we were in a swimming championship blog it would be the opposite, Australians saying how could an Italian beat an Aussie? Nontheless it happens sometimes, but i won’t get mad at your overconfidence.
Going back to football, how come Guus didn’t started with Bresciano on the field against Brazil and Croatia? He’s very talented I’d never let him out.

i really think you all underestimate the socceroos
they did make it this far and saying that it would be a easy win for the italians would be just stupid. prepare for a fight and the toughest one youve had yet.
azza05(australia)

THE FIGHT FOR SUPREMACY IS ON MY ITALIAN FRIENDS!!!!!!!

Yes Pao…. a good intelligent post.

Believe me, Australians are not overconfident! We definitely respect the Italians and we realise they are clear favourites to win the game. On paper, Australia should’ve have lost every game in their group….so why are they still alive? All I can say its going to be one hell of a game….May the best team win!

@Pao, Bresciano is without a doubt one of our biggest stars. That guy is awsome (and is our most expensive player). Before the WC he had an ear infection (or similar) and he was having balance issues (or similar). I guess he maybe not match fit and Guus is keeping either him or Kewell on the bench to bring on second half to add an extra dimension. I think he should start and should always start.

@Massimo. You are definately in a win-win situation. Why can’t people support two nations (their heritage and the place they live in)? Good on ya mate.

Yeah Mark one hell of a game, that’s why we all love this sport. Feeling adrenaline flowing yet.

I have to say that the Australian- Italian fans at least in Sydney and hopefully the rest of Aus have been fantastic. Waltzing Matilda in Italian i love it!

I look forward to a great game.
Go Socceroos!

Pao, is there a better sport in the world than football/soccer (whatever people want to call it same sport innit). Without a doubt truly the only World Game.

The feelings you are experiencing we have not been fortunate to have the opportunity to experience for 32 years. Imagine you not supporting Italy for 32 years at the WC and not having the buzz etc. So I guess excuse some of the Aussie posts you might feel over the top etc just people are now finally able to support the Socceroos. It’s just incredible and we don’t want to go home yet but Italy might well be our goodbye to Germany.

If it is we can hold our heads up high and look forward to Asian cup and next WC and wish Italy all the best for the rest of the WC. If we do win, then our dream continues.

In any event, it will be a cracker!

See Julia, that’s what it should all be about. You can support two different teams but get along and have a good time and drink. This is the WC, the world sport – it should be uniting the world not creating more anamosity (That’s my World Peace quote – and my last one so don’t worry people).

italy will thrash australia

Well we are 24 hrs away, and the pressure is building up…I cant think of the Aussies any less that their group winners. This is football and we all know that one pass can change the whole game…and the Australians have shown that they got the required skills to win…Good luck for the Azzurri and forza Italia.

….finally the Socceroos are not “Soccerwho’s?” anymore ..tomorrow i will be a bit thorned ..i already feel very happy because in times quite far from now i’ve bet that Australia would pass to 2nd round winning 3000 US $!!..in times when even the players did not believe it ..it was based on the informations watching a dozen players playing for years around Europe..there was talent ..only organization was missing and Super Gus brought it ..is that enough to beat our Azzurri??? ..NOT THIS YEAR!! NOT NOW!!..Lippi said that we would see the real italy from now on ..too bad that we are losing pieces..but this year luck is on our side!! subs are better starters!!i truly believe that the Semifinal is within our reach and we all know every 12 years we reach the final..so…AVANTI AZZURRI…

ahahah Martin good world peace quote! Anyway football (sorry i can’t call it soccer, it’s like swearing to me ) and mostly the WC is a way to take our nationalism to a safer place ( well sometimes it doesn’t happen and I am talking about hooligans, and i don’t mean english i mean from all over the world). And the clash of nations is part of the WC with all the provocative stuff, arrogance and so on. It’s funny and i’ll never get offended by that since I could probably post something like: you are out of the cup, you have no chance, that’s not a swimming pool and so on….and believe me it could be worse if we had to play France, Brazil or Germany our traditional rivals. So let’s go on teasing each other is part of the business, a spicy part of it.
May the best team win ( I hope it will be Italy)

I am out to watch England-Ecuador. Don’t know actually who to support. Part of me seems to follow the human nature and supports the underdogs (they played a great football against Poland), the other part of me wants the tradional order to be preserved and England go through which would give me more confidence on the traditioal order being respected tomorrow when we’ll face Australia.
Ok go underdogs, just for today.

When I think of England, I think of that soccer riot in 1985 that killed 40 people, mostly Italian.

y does italy wear blue shorts with their blue jerseys? they should have white shorts. And what about their away uniform? they’ve been wearing all blue for all three games now. wats goin on?

500€ on Italy tomorrow, forza ragazzi! I’m a Inter fan from Croatia. Make my day!

god danm it … i am starting to get nervous haha .. italy better not disapoint and the ref better be fair

I am watching Portugal vs. Neth. right now and wondering, is it 3 red cards before a team is considered a loser by 2-0? or am I just making this up? WHAT DA HELL IS WRONG WITH THE REFS!!! what a shame!

After seeing Portugal-Holland I have to say us italians have something to learn. We’ve got to refine the noble art of diving cause both teams are way better than us.

Abe–there is nothing wrong with the refs. It is the commentators who don’t know anything. All the cards were warranted, did you watch the game or did you listen to the stupid commentators?

Except Christiano Ronaldo, who got nailed. He is a bit of a cry baby though. Did you guys see him on the bench crying?

In the U.S., we kinda grow up thinking soccer is kind of a chick sport but I have to say, having finally watched a few full games, it is a rough sport. Forza Azzurri!

I tell you what, we should create an World Cup of Calcio Customo.

Now that would be tremendous wouldn’t it.

Froza Italia, but it will be one heck of a match if the other games are anything to go by.

Australians are the gutsiest sportsman on the planet, they are passionate, they will go into this game against Italy like a pack of hungry dogs frothing at the mouth, they will be all over the Italians like hell hath no fury. C’mon Aussie lets show em what we’re made of… love ya’s

After watching the Argentina – Mexico game, a game in which I almost had a stroke, I just have to say DON’T UNDERSTIMATE YOUR OPPONENT.
Argentina was very confident that they were going to win, they really thought that were going to cruise into the quaterfinals. Until Mexico took over right after the whistle blew. Mexico played an outstanding and had Argentina praying to the football Gods. (See Maradona in the stands) If it weren’t for the individual talents from each of their player and Maxi Rodriguez. Argentina would have lost.
I also think Italy will win tommorrow, they have every advantage in every position. But Australia have proven to be a worthy opponent that can overcome obstacle (AUS 3- Japan 1)
Mexico was overmatch by Argentina, but they played with hearts and almost won. Maybe they should have won, who knows, They actually believed in their hearts that could win after that first goal. But it wasn’t enough.
If Australia believes they could win tomorrow against an overconfident Italian teams, Watch out! Italy could be in for a long night. Who knows, maybe it will go into overtime and the Italians will need a miracle goal by Gilardino.

Play the beautiful game. Let’s not play Auzzie rules football. mate!

You saying Aussie Rules Football ain’t a beautiful game.

Is Italy better than Australia? No, I don’t think so, it is simply a myth.
Croatia has never lost to Italy. Australia outplayed Croatia, so the Aussies should hold no fear from the Italians. There you go, simple logic, MYTH BUSTED!

Italian over-confidence will be their own undoing. Their players have over-inflated ego’s and will spend the entire pre-match warm-up in front of their personal mirrors, making sure that not one hair is out of place.

Italy, underestimate the Aussies at your own peril, because come tommorrow the Italiani will be heading home, mark my words!

Nik, I actually was following it on the internet!

While it may be said that the Italian squad is sometimes overconfident, gosh if you judge the Aussie teams’ confidence level based on thier fans there is a serious potential for mass suicides down under if the Socceroos don’t win.

It is a game but what a beautyfull game it is.

Forza Azzuri
Ulula cum lupis, cum quibus esse cupis. — “Who keeps company with wolves, will learn to howl.”

vaffanculo all’italia
e’ una squadra dei frocci.
totti non vale un cazzo ma se vedete la media italiana lo presenta come il giocatore piu forte di tutti i tempi.
poi ogni volta prima della loro partita cominciano a raccontarti dell’altra squadra quanto e’ forte e potente, scaramanzia per loro e’ tutto!!!

azzurri del cazzo, un sacco di cazzoni senza testa

Whats everyone doing after Australia dominates Italy, just like they did to Croatia,Japan and even Brazil.
1-0 for the socceroos

JoetheGreek — where is greece this year .. oh thats right there at home

dave — australia did not dominate croatia .. and they certinaly did not dominate brazil haha

hey, why exaclty does italy wear blue uniforms?

and what’s the name of the song they play at the end of all the games?

Go you Aussie’s, beat those spagetti heads!YEH, YEH!

Marco,
I am disgusted with your apparent lack of respect for the Italian people with your remark above. Racist terms are unacceptable.
Kindly leave this forum.

As a matter of interest will Nesta be available for the QF v Ukraine ?

Let the party begin, good luck to both sides. I will be cheering with a VB in one hand and a slice of pizza in the other.

Forza Italia ! I’m sure Italy will win this game and I hope that Lippi is clever enough to put Del Piero in the starting eleven for this game

Ale Go Go !!!!!! Love ya hun hehe

alaa, – you obviously have a massive chip on your shoulder and as you have absolutely nothing intelligent to say should never darken this blog again. As for everyone else harping moronic national rhetoric- leave it to your own blogs where you can backslap each other. Australia are a very compact, physical side who should not be underestimated, hopefully though as an italian i hope we come out fighting fairly and leave the pitch progressing to the quarter finals. The Italian midfield needs to start firing if we are to keep the aussies at bay .Forzza Italia

Looking at this blog, it seems that it’s the Aussies to be overconfident and the italians to go at low profile.

The starting 11 of Italy will probably be (rumors) : Buffon, Zambrotta, Materazzi, Cannavaro, Grosso,Perrotta, Pirlo, Gattuso,Totti,Toni, Iaquinta.

I like the starting 11. It seems that Lippi (not underastimating the opponent) want to give muscles up on the front, proposing the “christmas tree” module (4-3-2-1). Toni and Iaquinta should drive crazy the Australian defense since the two fellas run like hell and give no reference points. Iaquinta should come back more often than Toni, but he is fit and in optimal shape. Toni rested for a match and has probably a strong will to show how good he is.

I am a bit worried for the opening 20 minutes. If we dont underestimate the Australians (I guess this time wont happen), we can also put it on the physical strength. I’d like to remind that Italian players are on average the tallest in the world cup, and that are both technical and tactical. If we are able to use all our skills, there is no doubt we can make it.

wow i come to this blog after 2 days and there are 150 freakin comments to this post!!

Anyway, what’s with them playing that “Go West”-like song after every game?

And forza Azzurri.

nesta can’t play for itlay & i afraid.
http://fifawc6002.blogspot.com

whatever, italy is the winner !

going to brunswick (melbourne) with a six pack of “VB” and a few “Peroni Gran Riserva” (keep all the gods happy) to watch the game on my siclian mates crystal bucket (he came to the Australia v Italy rugby test match in 005); which ever way the cards fall its going to be great; heart australia, head italy. nevertheless forza australia

Lets hope todays games don’t get out of control…

the only way italy can win this game is by paying off the ref and his linesmen.

The portugese are watered down spanish. Let us go to little italy in toronto after the game to celebrate.

andate a fan culo americani di merda, tornate nella vostra nazione piena d’obesita e di prozac.

Forza Iraq

The australians are a bunch of clowns. Your nations was initially a prison for british convicts. Contrast that with the rich history of the Roman empire, which conquered the entire mediteranean. Frankly it is an insult to be mentioned in the same sentance as the australians.

This is a Game, good grief what is up with some people.

If you need to vent go outside on the top of the roof and yell.

Keep the ignorant comments off the blog and let us see how the match goes. Australia is a great country and have contributed to the Freedom of the Humanity, they made some sacrifices just like so many other countries.

Let us keep this blog for soccer and not for foolish displays by Chest Beating Neanderthals.

That being said, Italy will win by PK’s after a 0-0 draw.

Now how would that be for intensity.

explain how they have contributed to the freedom of humanity?

It’s football people. Too many bullshits being posted on this board. I agree on what Angelo posted, I thought Neanderthals extinguished many thousands years ago, maybe I was wrong.

Joe you must be one of the W.O.P.s (with out passport) in the woodbridge area in Toronto.. If you wanna throw barbs around bring it on … otherwise just enjoy the game today.. hopefully it will be a good display of football….

extinguished? maybe disappeared? Whatever.

MAN, we’re talking about f*&king AUSTRALIA!

This ain’t swimming or rugby mates!

Go throw some shrimp on the barby, drink some fosters, go wrestle some crocs or have sex with your sister or aunt or whatever it is you do down there.

Italia through to the quarters!!!

Come on Aussies… we can do it. Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

LATEST NEWS !!!
Italy will play with Del Piero, Toni, Gilardino !

You guys are out of control. Thanks to the few cooler heads who have tried to ground this group with some perspective.

That said, we’re going to pound the crap out of Australia in about 60 minutes! LOL!!

FORZA ITALIA!!

On a more serious note:

ludo: I am a Roma supporter and will be the first to admit when one of our players acts like an imbecile (De Rossi). If you’d like to restore your credibility, I’d suggest you immeditately back off the “Materazzi is a football genius” line of rhetoric. He gives the vast majority of us “agita” each time he plays. If he scores against the Aussies, however, we will canonize him and give him his own little spot on the rosary….

Massimo: I found myself in a very similar position, with Italian blood living in America, and playing the U.S. I went with the Azzurri river that flows through my veins, as I always do. It’s an unfortunate position to play against your domestic national team, but it should be a no-brainer as blood is thicker than water.
FORZA ITALIA!!!

Joe,

Australia sent many thousands of troops to fight for Britain in the war, and 60,000 lost their lives on the Turkish coast and in France.

And in WWII the Australian victory in the Battle of Milne Bay was the first Allied defeat of Japanese land forces.

Australia provided bases and much assistance to the Allied Cause in the Pacific.

So basically I would say they made a significant contribution.

But I still believe Italy will win today.

“pound the crap out of Australia in about 60 minutes! LOL!!”. I suppose on your end they are words of great sportsmanship, Josh. It’s a game of football, not World War III.

What a shameful win.

The ref wins another one!!!

Shame on you , i can`t believe what the referee just did …..

I wish Cannavaro was an Argentine.Centre back of the tournament again.

Well done Italia.Ignore the slurs & insults .Materazzis red card was a joke.

See you in the semis.

(Hopefully)

Angelo,
As compelling and inspiring as you response was, you still failed to comment on some of the darker aspects of australian history. Upon settlement of Australia, between 1788-1900, the australians exterminated approximately 90% of the Aboriginals. The indigenous Tasmanians were completely wiped out, every man, woman and child. The Australians Justified such ruthless treatment claiming racial inferiority of the aboriginals. Hows that for a contribution to the freedom of humanity?

It was the worst gift by the referee I have seen in 35 years. It looks like the match fixing scandals in Italy and Germany is just the tip of an iceberg.

All Italy and Australian goal replays http://worldcup.weebl.nl

a stupid chinaman named greg italy olayed a great game with only 10 men…. go eat some noodles bud

Joe

Please remember that the same people who settled Australia also settled Canada and chances are you are related to one…

I say again…until your country has played a game in the World Cup, please refrain from commenting…your opinions and historical anecdotes are worthless drivel.

Lang, You are a moron, Croatia worst team in the world cup??…Wow are you Serbian because that is completely absurd. I am Swedish, and have many respect for Croatia and Australia, considering Croatia beat us both games in qualifying. Open your eyes.

you’re ment to run after the ball….not the defender lying on the ground
http://www.thestar.com/images/thestar/img/060626_cup_penalty_300.jpg

a nice photo:
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/808/soccer2rj.jpg

todays paper:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~banwait/smh.jpg

Its clear now that the Socceroos were just lucky. Big boys rule and little kiddies suck thumb (as Totti so eloquently demonstrated). This game is meant to be played by Italy and Brazil, the beautiful people playing the beautiful game. Sorry roos, just the facts.

Italy struggled to win and didnt deserve it, Australia were robbed again. Lucky the refs are on the big teams sides. Australia would of went so far had we had decent refs that weren’t biased.

tom,

The people who settled australia were the BRITISH. They set up PENAL COLONYs in australia. Of course the british killed off the natives in australia, just as they settled america and killed the natives there. I may live in Canada, but i was born in Italy and both my parents are 100% Italian. The Italians were not responsible for any exterminations like you British were. So before you accuse me of anything, learn your own history.

Second off, Canada was not founded as a penal colony, and its initial colonizers were the FRENCH. You should really study some Canadian history.

Why is the Azzurri so damn good without even trying? I dunno. Its just that we are naturally like this. Football history have made us immortals….

You lot know deep in you how you wish you were born Italian. Too bad.

Forzza la azzuri grande partita , i love italia since 1978, please i want lyrics of {la chanta mi cantare }to sing it God willing when italia beat Francia in the final next sunday .
Thank you all

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