Italy: Marchionni comeback



Marcello Lippi has surprisingly called Marco Marchionni for the Georgia and Bulgaria qualifiers, leaving out Riccardo Montolivo.

The Coach was expected to bring in Fiorentina midfielder Montolivo after Gennaro Gattuso was ruled out for two weeks with a sprained ankle.

However, the former Under-21 international does not feature in the Italy squad for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Instead his Viola teammate Marchionni is included along with Claudio Marchisio and Domenico Criscito, who made their senior debuts earlier this month against Switzerland.

Juventus veteran Nicola Legrottaglie also returns to the fold, as Genoa’s Salvatore Bocchetti is injured.

Italy will travel to Tbilisi to face Georgia on September 5 and then welcome Bulgaria to the Stadio Olimpico in Turin on September 9.

Goalkeepers: Buffon, De Sanctis, Marchetti.

Defenders: Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito, Grosso, Legrottaglie, Santon, Zambrotta.

Midfielders: Camoranesi, D'Agostino, De Rossi, Marchionni, Marchisio, Palombo, Pepe, Pirlo.

Forwards: Di Natale, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Quagliarella, Rossi.

http://www.football-italia.net/aug30k.html

Surprised he called Marchionni back, I guess he has seen him do well in the 4-3-3 that Fiorentina often play and he did play there for Parma, so he isn't limited to being a winger.

This just keeps getting worse and worse. Marchionni over Cassano. I dont understand what Lippi sees in the 4-3-3 formation.

Personally I dont think Pepe, Marchionni, Palombo, Legrottaglie, Di Natale and Gilardino are NT status. They are not good enough.

However I excepted the fact that no matter how good he does Lippi will not include Cassano in any qualifying match. If he is to be called up it will be for the World Cup. If Cassano keeps playing the way he is and the Italian NT keep playing the way they are I think Lippi will have no choice but to call him up and change the formation.

None of those will start, fortunately. Gilardino possibly, but another brilliant year for Cassano and Lippi has no choice but to call him. I think the others are ok for the squad, good workers. I actually like Palombo, I don't think there is much between him and Gattuso these days.

Lippi: 'Nobody gives a damn!'



Marcello Lippi was furious at the media for taking the focus off the World Cup qualifiers with Georgia and Bulgaria. “Nobody gives a damn about these games.”

Tomorrow night Italy play Georgia in Tbilisi in a crucial stepping stone towards South Africa 2010, a game you can watch LIVE.

But the newspaper headlines have been full of the spat between Fabio Cannavaro and Jose Mourinho.

“Nobody gives a damn about these games,” snapped the Coach in his Press conference this afternoon.

“There has been talk about everything except Georgia-Italy. I don’t like this attitude. There isn’t even discussion about how we’ll play in the week leading up to it, nobody cares.

“Georgia may not be Brazil, but winning here is very important for 2010 and we can make a big step towards our objective. Instead in Italy we only ever talk about the big show-stopping appointments.”

The Azzurri are in the Georgian capital now and look set to field a 4-4-2 system with Mauro Camoranesi switched to the left in order to accommodate new arrival Marco Marchionni.

Davide Santon is an option in defence despite not playing a minute of football for Inter yet this season, something that prompted Cannavaro to say he should go elsewhere.

“Those who do not play are right to leave, but youngsters who play one game and spend two on the bench can still make their mark. It’s still worth it to work like that,” insisted Lippi.

One young Italian who walked away to find playing time is Giuseppe Rossi, who will lead the line tomorrow, most likely alongside Vincenzo Iaquinta.

“He has great quality and in some games he already made that step up the ladder with a fine performance.”

The Azzurri have been leaky at the back, but above all the goals have dried up with a three-match negative streak.

“What do I want from this game? For the ball to go into the net,” smiled the Italy boss.

http://www.football-italia.net/sep4n.html

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People will only care if Italy don't win both of them.

Camoranesi on the left and Marchionni on the right? Oh dear, might be a long game.

“Nobody gives a damn about these games.”

Is qualification boring to italians as it is seen as guaranteed?

Berbatov's going to mess you up

In the last match he was scared to mess his hair up, he was abysmal.


Yes, but the bigger problem is that it follows through to the actual players, Italy always plays at a lower level against opponents who are seen as significantly inferior and it has caused some poor results in the past. Bulgaria are a decent team so they shouldn't judge them too lowly, but away to Georgia is tricky if you underestimate them. These players have had several reminders that everyone wants to beat the world champions, it is a bog scalp and for a fairly new team that is a problem. Friendlies are even worse, several important players just don't bother.

The big game for Italy in this group is away to Ireland, just like it was away to Scotland in the past groups. Italy stepped up for those games as they were crucial, but I would rather they got qualification of of the way early and Lippi could try a couple of things. This is only a moderate group really. 4-2-0 is not bad though.

1st Half Highlights
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0-1 Kaladze (O.G) Min.56
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0-2 Kaladze (O.G) Min.67
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Kaladze LOL

LMAO thanks Remad

Thanks Kakha, the cheque is in the post

Italy really need to score a fucking goal, although they had chances to and should have done in this game. Another game going in second gear, it's barely worth watching what Italy can do in qualifying matches and friendlies..

Poor Kaladze, such a nice guy and his first game for 6 months.

Kaladze = dead man

Two awesome finishes too!

Perhaps you could put him up front instead of Borriello next game?

He should certainly go above Borriello in the pecking order, but Huntelaar also scored this weekend, in the correct goal, so he's top at the moment.

So who will score for Italy now ?

Looks like Gilardino will play with Iaquinta, Marchisio in midfield.

Marchisio's Azzurri homecoming



Claudio Marchisio could start against Bulgaria, an extra special game as it is played in his hometown of Turin.

The Juventus midfielder had been in doubt for international duty after an injury, but is considered for a key role in this World Cup qualifier.

“The staff of the Nazionale had faith in me by taking me to Georgia despite the fact I was undergoing treatment. That was a very important show of their confidence,” said Marchisio. “I hope to repay everyone for that kindness.”

It has certainly been a chaotic few weeks for the 23-year-old, who became a father to Davide on August 31.

“Becoming a father and playing a crucial game for Italy in my hometown of Turin is a remarkable moment for me, but I assure I will be as calm as always.

“I saw my son again and he has grown so much in just a week! When he will grow up I hope he forgives me for not being with him in these first few days of life.”

http://www.football-italia.net/sep8q.html

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It would be a great achievement for Marchisio to start in Turin, I hope he does. To think that Claudio was once a ball boy at the Delle Alpi it would be special for him, but most important is that Italy win as it puts the team in a very strong position.

Buffon talks up the Vinovo facilities: http://www.football-italia.net/sep8p.html

Italy well on course in this game, currently leading 2-0 in Turin with both goals from Juve players on their home turf. Grosso got the first one and Iaquinta scored just before half time but I haven't seen much of the match so far as I am watching afterwards on recording.

Finished 2-0, Italy seemed to play very well and the diamond midfield worked well, just couldn't get any more goals in the end. Getting two was an improvement on recent games, an early goal makes a difference. As for Bulgaria, they have some quality players but are a very ordinary team.

Cannavaro will miss the trip to Ireland through suspension, but that game is not vital anymore, Italy still have a little bit to do though.

Yeah Italy look odds on to claim top spot now, even if they lose in Dublin, they have Cyprus last game, job as good as done.

I'd rather they didn't lose of course, as it would knock confidence gained in this game, but Italy sometimes struggle against 'British' style sides and are made to sweat, although I don't remember losing many games to Scotland or Wales, Wales away once I think in recnt years. IMO Ireland are better than those two teams and Trap knows what he is doing. It's a shame because otherwise I would support Ireland and also Cyprus, but Italy comes first.

2010 World Cup qualifier - 9/9/09 (19.50 UK)

Italy 2 - 0 Bulgaria

Grosso 12 (I), Iaquinta 39 (I)

Stadio Olimpico, Turin

Italy's new diamond midfield did the trick, as Fabio Grosso and Vincenzo Iaquinta sealed an impressive 2-0 win over Bulgaria. However, Fabio Cannavaro will be suspended for the trip to Ireland.

Fittingly for a game played in Turin, there were seven Juventus players in the starting XI with numerous changes from the side that beat Georgia 2-0 in Tbilisi last week thanks to two Kakha Kaladze own goals. Andrea Pirlo was moved to a more advanced role in the diamond midfield, changing tactics too, while Daniele De Rossi returned from a ban. Newcomers were Fabio Grosso, Claudio Marchisio and Alberto Gilardino.

Bulgaria were still in the running for both the leadership of Group 8 and the second place valid for a play-off, as they were unbeaten with two wins and five draws. By winning this game, Italy would be in a very strong position to qualify regardless of the trip to Ireland. Giovanni Trapattoni and assistant Marco Tardelli were in the stands.

Seven minutes in Pirlo spread the play for Grosso down the left and his cross flashed across the face of goal with Gila at full stretch missing it by inches. Dimitar Ivankov timed his run off the line perfectly to pluck a dangerous ball off the head of Iaquinta.

It was Grosso who broke the deadlock with a wonderfully well-worked goal in his new stadium. The full-back combined with Pirlo, just as they had in the World Cup 2006. Pirlo chipped the ball over the defence with a first-touch to find Grosso's left-foot volley in off the underside of the bar.

This was the first goal Italian players had scored since the Confederations Cup, having gone four games without hitting the back of the net other than through own goals.

It was so nearly 2-0 moments later, as down the right flank Gianluca Zambrotta pulled back a perfect pass for Iaquinta, but the Juventus striker scuffed his angled drive and allowed Stanislav Manolev to perform a goalline clearance.

Dimitar Rangelov wasted two chances with a weak header and a pass straight to Buffon from the counter, while Zambrotta and Iaquinta blasted hopeful efforts over.

However, on 25 minutes Buffon required an incredible save! A corner found Stilian Petrov's volley at the near post from six yards, but the goalkeeper flew to the very top corner to punch it out, perhaps withat least some of the ball crossing the line.

De Rossi turned wide from a free kick and Iaquinta nodded a Pirlo set play over the bar, but Petrov again drilled inches wide from the edge of the box. De Rossi's snapshot took a deflection to loop over and from the corner Iaquinta's header whistled past the far post.

Italy doubled their advantage on 39 minutes with another well-worked team goal. Iaquinta's dummy allowed the Grosso pass through for Gilardino, who exchanged double passes to carve the Bulgarian defence apart and the Juve star placed an angled drive into the far corner with the inside of his foot. It was his fifth goal for the Azzurri.

Mauro Camoranesi cheekily flicked up the ball off his heel to commit a defender, but the shot was too close to the goalkeeper.

After the break the Bulgarian goalkeeper dealt with a backpass poorly and Camoranesi's follow-up was charged down. Giuseppe Rossi replaced Gilardino and immediately tested Ivankov from distance. Bulgaria made a double substitution with Blagoy Georgiev and Parma striker Valeri Bojinov replacing Rangelov and Martin Petrov.

Georgiev had a great chance with practically his first touch, a free kick squirming through everyone to find Buffon's forearm before it could curl in at the far post.

Marchisio almost scored in his hometown game, running into space on to a marvellous Camoranesi pass over the top, but the finish was neither a cross nor a shot and whistled wide.

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov was overall very quiet, but fired one effort over from outside the box. Berbatov also tried to score with a backheel, but he was in an offside position and Buffon blocked it anyway.

Simone Pepe of Udinese came on for Marchisio, while Valeri Domovchiyski replaced Yankov.

There was bad news when Fabio Cannavaro was booked for a crucial foul to stop Bojinov's counter and the captain will be suspended for the trip to Ireland. Georgiev curled the free kick wide of the near post and aimed another long-range snapshot over the bar.

A triple defensive error from De Rossi, Camoranesi and Chiellini gave Bojinov free reign, but the former Manchester City striker only clipped the outside of the upright.

Rossi went close on 81 minutes when his angled drive forced Ivankov to turn it out for a corner at the near post. Gaetano D'Agostino replaced Iaquinta late on.

Camoranesi set up a great counter in stoppages for Pirlo, but the Milan man was visibly tired and stumbled on top of the ball in the D.

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, De Rossi, Marchisio (Pepe 72); Pirlo; Gilardino (Rossi 58), Iaquinta (D'Agostino 83)

Bulgaria: Ivankov; Manolev, I Stoyanov, Angelov, Kishishev; Georgiev, Yankov (Domovchiyski 73), S Petrov, M Petrov (Bojinov 63); Berbatov, Rangelov (Georgiev 63)

Ref: Meyer (Ger)

Two nice goals, I think you'll agree: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg9krYidkyg

Grosso, just like Molinaro eh?

Cracking goals, 2nd one especially.

Man of the match: Claudio Marchisio, superb performance on his home pitch.

What were your thoughts on Pirlo as trequartista Jay? Lovely assist for Grosso.

can i just say fabian grosso is a legend? thanks, that is all

Yes he played very well. When I saw the lineup I thought Lippi was going to push De Rossi forward or even Camoranesi but then they said it was Pirlo and I thought it could work, it was strange to see him there again as he was always there for Italy U21 but never since. Italy certainly needed to try something a bit different. On that form it is going to take something to dislodge that four of De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio and Camoranesi, they played some great stuff between them and it helps with having a striker like Iaquinta who peels off. I'm still not sure about Gilardino with him but there is still plenty of time to try things.

More highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj3_NevXRc4

Look at Buffon's save at 3:05, that is three wonder saves three games running.

Just wanted to say what a fucking nice goal it was, the one-two between those 2 ugly ass strikers. Great goal.