Italy: Candreva and Biondini debut

Antonio Candreva and Davide Biondini get debut calls, while Giampaolo Pazzini and more are in the Italy squad to face Holland and Sweden.

Marcello Lippi announced the list of 25 players for the upcoming friendly tests ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

They welcome Holland to the Stadio Adriatico in Pescara on Saturday November 14, then Sweden come to Cesena on Wednesday November 18.

There are two debutants in the squad, as Livorno midfielder Candreva and Cagliari man Biondini receive their first international calls.

Others return to the Azzurri fold, such as Sampdoria hitman Pazzini, but there is again no room for his teammate Antonio Cassano.

Palermo's Mattia Cassani, Genoa defender Domenico Criscito, Parma's Daniele Galloppa, Christian Maggio of Napoli and Fiorentina winger Marco Marchionni earn recalls.

Italy squad

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari)
Defenders: Bocchetti (Genoa), Cannavaro (Juventus), Cassani (Palermo), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Genoa), Grosso (Juventus), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Maggio (Napoli), Zambrotta (Milan)
Midfielders: Biondini (Cagliari), Camoranesi (Juventus), Candreva (Livorno), De Rossi (Roma), Galloppa (Parma), Marchionni (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pirlo (Milan)
Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Palladino (Genoa), Pazzini (Sampdoria), Rossi (Villarreal)

http://www.football-italia.net/nov8l.html

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Loads of changes and a few surprises here, but it's worth it for friendlies. I look forward to seeing some of these and hopefully they are good games, nice to see Palladino in and Pazzini who deserves it. Still no Cassano as expected.

Biondini: 'My Italy dream come true'



Davide Biondini calls his first Italy experience “a dream come true” after the Cagliari man was named in Marcello Lippi's squad.

The midfielder is one of two brand new faces in the side for friendlies against Holland and Sweden, joining Livorno's Antonio Candreva.

“As soon as [Coach Massimiliano] Allegri gave me the news, I was so moved and honestly did not expect this,” grinned the 26-year-old.

“Of course if one gives his best on the field every week then the thought does come, but there are so many strong players who can target the Nazionale.

“This is absolutely a dream come true.”

President Massimo Cellino revealed the news to the media in the Press conference after today's 2-0 victory over Sampdoria.

“I found out on Friday, but I couldn't say anything,” said the patron. “I am happy for Biondini, as he is playing so well this season.

“It is very satisfying for my Cagliari side to have two players in the Italy squad.”

The other is goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

http://www.football-italia.net/nov8o.html

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Been a while since we had a ginger Italian in there

Must say that I'm disappointed that Pirlo got called up. He hasn't got a lot of rest so far this season. I hope he gets used as little as possible.

He'll probably get 45-65 minutes against Holland, I would have thought Lippi would start with the stronger players in that game and switch them round later on.

De Rossi misses out, and his replacement Montolivo also looks like he isn't going to be fit.

Lippi names team for Holland match

Italy boss Marcello Lippi has named his starting XI for tomorrow’s friendly against Holland in Pescara.

The World Cup winner has pulled two big surprises, handing a full international debut to Livorno playmaker Antonio Candreva and a rare start to Genoa’s Raffaele Palladino.

Candreva has spoken of the shock he felt on being told by Livorno’s staff that he had in fact been called up for the first time in his career.

The 22-year-old has been outstanding for Livorno over the last two seasons where he is on loan from Udinese.

Meanwhile Palladino has already got two caps for La Nazionale, although both came under Lippi’s predecessor, Roberto Donadoni.

He appeared in Italy’s final two qualifiers for Euro 2008 against the Faroe Islands and Portugal while playing for Juventus at the time.

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, Pirlo, Palombo; Candreva, Gilardino, Palladino

So he has gone with a steady base and then something a bit different up front. Pleased for Palladino especially, as well as Candreva.

Should be:




In some variation of that formation, the two wide attackers may switch sides.

Buffon is 'sick' apparently and won't play.

Italy: De Sanctis, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso, Camoranesi, Pirlo, Palombo, Candreva, Palladino, Gilardino

Holland: Stekelenburg, Heitinga, Boulahrouz, de Jong, van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, Van der Vaart, Kuyt, Snejider, Robben, Van Persie

Very strong team for the Dutch! Should be a good test, hopefully they hold their own.

Sneijder and Robben will not be playing as they're injured, our expected line up:

Stekelenburg, Van Bronckhorst, Mathijsen, Heitinga, Van der Wiel, De Jong, Van Bommel, Van der Vaart, Kuijt, Van Persie, Elia.

Will be interesting to see what Van Persie does as a CF, I'm also looking forward to seeing what Elia does, should be a decent friendly

Mourinho said to Sneijder to watch out for Juve players fouling him hard lol, the guy is a joke. I expect Italy and Holland will be going pretty easy in this one.

Mourinho sees enemies behind every tree, don't think it will be a rough game, but I do think Italy are looking for some type of revenge

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, Pirlo, Palombo; Candreva, Gilardino, Palladino

Subs: Marchetti, Criscito, Bocchetti, Cassani, Montolivo, Biondini, Di Natale, Rossi, Pazzini



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Holland: Stekelenberg; Van der Wiel, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst, Heitinga, De Jong, van Bommel, van der Vaart, Elia, Kuyt, van Persie

Subs: Vorm, Braafheid, Boulahrouz, Engelaar, Schaars, Afellay, Babel, Huntelaar, Velthuizen

Chiellini just injured Van Persie with a hard but good tackle in the area, I think he is ok though. Holland started well, Candreva has just wasted a good chance on a counter though.

No, Van Persie has had to go off, Arsenal fans will be worried I guess. Huntelaar on for him.

Italy seem to be having most joy down the Holland right side, but no massive chances yet, 0-0 after 23'.

Some more nice linkup play with Candreva, Palladino on the left flank, decent tempo but no really tough tackles aside from Chiellini's last ditch one on Van Persie. He seemed to fall awkwardly on his wrong side.

I just say that and De Jong puts in a horrible two footed stamp in on Palombo, looks like there is going to be some needle in this now. Palombo was furious. De Jong would certainly have been sent off in a competitive match.

De Jong finally gets booked for tripping Pirlo, he even has the audacity to contest it lol.

Decent stream with English commentary: http://www.atdhe.net/10467/watch-italy-vs-netherlands

Much higher tempo now, getting a bit niggly now and both teams playing games. Italy had started to get on top but Holland pass it around well, Van der Wiel is good going forward on the right.

Nearly an OG from Italy from the Van der Vaart freekick but the flicked header went straight into Buffon's hands.

Van der Vaart catches Chiellini plum in the face with an elbow, and then the Dutch make out as if Chiellini is playing for it lol.

HT: 0-0. Decent half really.

Italy 0 - 0 Holland Half-Time

Stadio Adriatico, Pescara


Raffaele Palladino and Dirk Kuyt have had the best chances as it's 0-0 between Italy and Holland at half-time. There was also bad news for the Dutch side, as Robin van Persie was stretchered off.

The Azzurri began their approach to the 2010 World Cup by welcoming the Oranje to Pescara in a match organised to raise funds for the area's earthquake victims. Marcello Lippi made changes with Livorno's Antonio Candreva on his debut and Raffaele Palladino's first appearance in two years. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon celebrated his 100th cap. Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben were out for Holland.

Debutant Candreva had a chance in the opening minute, running on to a quickly taken free kick before he was crowded out in the box.

There was a pitch invasion a few minutes into the match, who was wearing a shirt that read 'Cassano in the Nazionale' - a message that Marcello Lippi certainly won't have enjoyed.

Bad news for Holland - and Arsenal - when Robin van Persie fell awkwardly in a collision with Giorgio Chiellini and was stretchered, off, prompting the introduction of Milan flop Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Holland went close when Elia combined passes with Dirk Kuyt and a deflection allowed the Liverpool man to flash a shot across the face of goal from nine yards.

Candreva's sudden snapshot from 20 metres was deflected wide off a defender's back and Alberto Gilardino nodded the corner off target. Palladino tested the goalkeeper with a powerful shot from distance that was plucked out of the air.

Angelo Palombo was furious with Nigel De Jong for a two-footed tackle that could've been very dangerous, slicing a hole through his sock, but the shinpad fortunately did its job. He wasn't booked, but De Jong did get a yellow card soon after for a different late challenge.

A Rafael van der Vaart free kick took a touch off Palladino's head, allowing Buffon to capture it mid-air. The goalkeeper also comfortably dealt with a scuffed Elia volley.

On 40 minutes a corner was whipped in for Palladino to balloon over with the outside of his right foot, but he was unmarked from six yards.

Pirlo flashed a free kick wide of the far post, while the Milan midfielder then turned a stunned Mark van Bommel in midfield and immediately passed long for Palladino, forcing Stekelenberg to rush out of the box to clear.

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Pirlo, Palombo, Candreva; Camoranesi, Gilardino, Palladino

Holland: Stekelenberg; Van der Wiel, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst, Heitinga, De Jong, van Bommel, van der Vaart, Elia, Kuyt, van Persie (Huntelaar 15)

Ref: Circhetta (Swi)

International friendly - 14/11/09 (19.50 UK)

Italy 0-0 Holland

Stadio Adriatico, Pescara


Debutants Antonio Candreva and Davide Biondini impressed, while Giuseppe Rossi had the best chances in a 0-0 with Holland. There was bad news for the Dutch side, as Robin van Persie was stretchered off.

The Azzurri began their approach to the 2010 World Cup by welcoming the Oranje to Pescara in a match organised to raise funds for the area's earthquake victims. Marcello Lippi made changes with Livorno's Antonio Candreva on his debut and Raffaele Palladino's first appearance in two years. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon celebrated his 100th cap. Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben were out for Holland.

Debutant Candreva had a chance in the opening minute, running on to a quickly taken free kick before he was crowded out in the box.

There was a pitch invasion a few minutes into the match, who was wearing a shirt that read 'Cassano in the Nazionale' - a message that Marcello Lippi certainly won't have enjoyed.

Bad news for Holland - and Arsenal - when Robin van Persie fell awkwardly in a collision with Giorgio Chiellini and was stretchered, off, prompting the introduction of Milan flop Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Holland went close when Elia combined passes with Dirk Kuyt and a deflection allowed the Liverpool man to flash a shot across the face of goal from nine yards.

Candreva's sudden snapshot from 20 metres was deflected wide off a defender's back and Alberto Gilardino nodded the corner off target. Palladino tested the goalkeeper with a powerful shot from distance that was plucked out of the air.

Angelo Palombo was furious with Nigel De Jong for a two-footed tackle that could've been very dangerous, slicing a hole through his sock, but the shinpad fortunately did its job. He wasn't booked, but De Jong did get a yellow card soon after for a different late challenge.

A Rafael van der Vaart free kick took a touch off Palladino's head, allowing Buffon to capture it mid-air. The goalkeeper also comfortably dealt with a scuffed Elia volley.

On 40 minutes a corner was whipped in for Palladino to balloon over with the outside of his right foot, but he was unmarked from six yards.

Pirlo flashed a free kick wide of the far post, while the Milan midfielder then turned a stunned Mark van Bommel in midfield and immediately passed long for Palladino, forcing Martin Stekelenberg to rush out of the box to clear.

There were no substitutions at half-time, but it was a friendly only to a degree, as Lippi had words with van Bommel when the Dutchman was booked for a late foul on Fabio Grosso.

Giuseppe Rossi replaced Palladino and within two minutes his pull-back from the left flank for Gilardino was intercepted by a crucial defensive lunge.

Candreva's dummy let a Camoranesi cross through for Gilardino, who was unable to turn the marker.

Grosso had plenty of space down the left and his cross found Camoranesi, but the shot struck an Orange jersey inside the penalty area.

Davide Biondini of Cagliari also received his Italy debut for the final 20 minutes, coming on for Palombo. Giampaolo Pazzini and Riccardo Montolivo replaced Gilardino and Candreva.

Pazzini was stopped clear on goal by a very tight offside decision. Domenico Criscito took over from 'local lad' Grosso.

A free kick was taken quickly by Biondini to send Rossi into the box, but he hesitated when confronted by two defenders and then slipped as he pulled the trigger. Moments later Rossi had another great chance, as he burst forward on the counter and his shot was deflected wide.

Italy thought they had taken the lead from the corner kick. Fabio Cannavaro nodded it back across the face of goal and Pazzini cale sliding in, bundling the ball over the line. However, Holland were furious and replays showed it clearly struck his arm, so the goal was disallowed.

Villarreal starlet Rossi was by far the most lively and ran on to a smart Criscito pass down the left channel, anticipating the defender and forcing Stekelenberg into a tricky save at the near post.

Fiorentina's Marco Marchionni replaced Camoranesi for the closing stages. A rare Cannavaro error in stoppages gave Holland their best opportunity, but Gianluca Zambrotta's sliding challenge closed down van Bommel for a corner.


Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso (Criscito 80); Pirlo, Palombo (Biondini 70), Candreva (Montolivo 76); Camoranesi (Marchionni 86), Gilardino (Pazzini 76), Palladino (Rossi 56)

Holland: Stekelenberg; Van der Wiel, Mathijsen, Heitinga, van Bronckhorst; van Bommel, De Jong; Elia (Babel 71), van der Vaart (Afellay 76), Kuyt; van Persie (Huntelaar 15)

Ref: Circhetta (Swi)

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Decent game that should have brought some goals, but wasn't to be.

RVP stretchered off, sounds bad..........

If Van Persie didn't go off I think we would've won it, Huntelaar is just not good enough. Italy never looked like scoring imo, apart from that ridiculous hand ball

Who cares, nothing friendly.

italy really are struggling lol

Fucking Chiellini.

He fell awkardly, but that's the danger of friendlies.

Candreva in new Swedish test

Marcello Lippi tested out a 4-2-3-1 system for the friendly with Sweden, as Antonio Candreva is again set to start.

The Livorno midfielder made his debut in the 0-0 with Holland and seems certain to line up against the Scandinavians on Wednesday night.

Lippi fielded a new squad for today’s test match, as Marco Marchionni, Candreva and Antonio Di Natale fanned out behind lone centre-forward Giampaolo Pazzini.

It is an adjustment to the 4-3-3 that took on Holland, although that mutated into a 4-4-2 with second half substitutions.

Davide Biondini also made his debut at the weekend and is set for his first start, completing the midfield with Riccardo Montolivo.

Yesterday Napoli’s Morgan De Sanctis played in goal, but today Lippi gave the gloves to Cagliari ‘keeper Federico Marchetti.

Cristian Maggio and Domenico Criscito are versatile figures who can play as wing-backs, but in this case took full-back positions around Nicola Legrottaglie and Giorgio Chiellini.

There was a curious incident during this test match, as the opposition – also using the 4-2-3-1 system – was a man short, so Lippi called 17-year-old Forli youth team defender Emanuele Fonte.

Fonte turned up late to the kick-off, as he needed to finish an exam before he would be let out of school to play with the World Cup winners.

The reserves lined up with De Sanctis, Mattia Cassani, Fonte, Salvatore Bocchetti, Fabio Grosso, Angelo Palombo, Daniele Galloppa, Mauro Camoranesi, Giuseppe Rossi, Raffaele Palladino and Alberto Gilardino.

The game ended 1-0 for the likely starters against Sweden thanks to a goal from Marchionni.

Italy (probable): Marchetti; Maggio, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Criscito; Biondini, Montolivo; Marchionni, Candreva, Di Natale; Pazzini

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You should win, shouldn't you?

Against Sweden? Who knows, it will be a largely second string team.

Well I put you in my accumulator, so I hope this Livorno dude rips it up

Well Pazzini, Candreva and Di Natale are shit hot right now so I'd be surprised if Italy can't score, but Sweden are a tough team to break down at times.

PROBABILI FORMAZIONI

Italia-Svezia (inizio ore 20.50)

ITALIA (4-3-3): Marchetti; Maggio, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Criscito; Biondini, Montolivo, Candreva; Marchionni, Pazzini, Di Natale.
Ct Lippi.

SVEZIA (4-4-2): Isaksson; Lustig, Mellberg, Majstorovic, Dorsin; Larsson, Elm, Svensson, Safari; Hysen, Elmander.
Ct Hamren.

Arbitro: Skomina (Slovacchia).

1-0 to Italy

Chiellini as well, pretty ironic.

Sweden had a a couple of very good chances but overall Italy were the better side and the fringe guys did well, just a few wrong decisions in the final third. Marchetti was excellent in goal, and Chiellini in defence - he was a beast at both ends.