Italy V England

Usually I would write these things straight after the match, yet the game was so tense I needed the rest of the evening to unwind a catch my breath and gather my thoughts. England were always planning for penalties, giving their history this was a surprise, yet even the interviews before the game were a huge indication of their intent, they intended to hold out for 120 minute or " nick" a winner. For me, this is the equivalent of anti- football and if the Italians did this they would have been "slaughtered" by the media and there would have been groans about how the Azzurri is a boring team to watch, yet when England do it they are portrayed as " heroic", the hypocrisy makes me sick.


Prior to this encounter England had been hugely disrespectful to their opposition and in my opinion this is an indictment of the people. They were speaking about the semi- final against Germany as if it was a foregone conclusion that they would beat Italy with ease!! And least we forget the most popular criticism that the media just loves to make.... They're too old, for God's sake Andrea Pirlo is just 33, when was that considered to be old?? And all through the game you kept hearing how he's going just collapse and how his knees are going. This is only the tip of the iceberg, the commentators would continually throw abuse at the Italians for either getting a decision their way or going down injured. The most obvious was when Scott Parker caught Balzaretti's face with his boots and the commentators would insist it was " play acting" when the replays showed his boot hit him in the face!!

The funniest thing in the game was when there was an obvious foul on the boys in blue yet no mention of it from the commentating team. Late on in the second half when they brought in the £35m player ( yeah right) Andy Carroll on and he was clearly locking arms with Pirlo, because that is the only way to stop him, yet not even a peep from anyone. And Terry would barge his way to try and stop play, and what I found hilarious was the “ lovefeast” the commentating team had with him! He gets away with being a bully because people just excuse him and say he’s just using his physicality, well I have an answer for that…. He’s an un evolved oaf and the game has gone beyond theses schoolyard tactics! And the blatant barge on Maggio by Ashley Young just showed how ignorant the media were, because if any of them had seen him play for Napoli would know how quick he was, and he would have been able to get the ball had Young not stuck his bum out! It was a huge injustice that he got a 2nd yellow card which rules him out for the semis against Germany. I could go on forever about how biased the commentating team were and how sadistic they were at times when they were hoping Abate had an injury, yet I’ll let your minds wonder and discover on your own just how unprofessional they were.

There is no doubt in my mind that the better team went through. Italy had over 60% possession with 35 shots with 20 on goal, and Mario Balotelli had 11 of them. I am slightly worried with their finishing, even though they tested Joe Hart 8 times, 8 out of 35… ummm some work is still needed. Antonio Nocherino did have a chance to win it late on into extra time yet it was deemed to be off side…and it was, by a whisker! If Balotelli can get his shooting boots on then we may be able to cause the Germans some trouble, but with injury problem to Chiellini, Marchsio, De Rossi and Abate and Maggio ruled out though suspension, it will be far from easy!

FORZA AZZURRI!!

Juventus Campione d'Italia 2011- 2012

The dredded draw against England.

The quarter final of any major tournament is always going to be tense, but I think against the likes of England it will become more irritating. The media hysteria, the lazy commentating, it's all going to get too much. The old cliches about Italian football be very defensively and boring..it's all just getting very old and not too mention it hasn't been the case for a long time. I could maybe understand normal English supporters talking up their team, they're fans of that team, so of course they'll do this, but when you get professionals talking like a fan, all you get is biased and negative commentary, which I am dredding the most!

This Italian team has worked hard to eradicate these myths from our mind, they are attacking, more creative and above all they are young. Gianluigi Buffon is the most senior player on the pitch at 34 and don't forget he's a goalkeeper. But having older player in the team is not a negative, they bring experience and have good football intelligence, because less face it sooner or later Wellbeck and Walcott are going to start to slow down.. and have they got a plan B?
One expects a certain standard from the media, I have be brought up in this arrogant, overly hysterical and with people who lack any kind of humility or common decency, it's become ridiculous, and as soon as their " beloved" team starts to make errors, they will be just as quick to turn against them. The media and the public love to build up people just so they can tear them down. Personally, I didn't care that much about the England squad, but is the constant arrogance shown by the English media and clear racism that I have began to hate the England squad. I mean for God's sake, anytime they play Germany they have to mention the wars, what's up with that? And you get people trying to defend it by saying it's all in fun and is just apart of the game- so what..in football you're allowed to be racist??? I thought Uefa were fighting against racism??

I have absolutely no idea where this superiority complex comes from... when did England last with a major competition??? 1966, and they cling to this fact. A lot has changed in the world of football since than, but not their football!! Italy won the World Cup in 2006 and they didn't rely on 1 player to get them there ( Rooney) they had 20 different goalscorers and numerous other who did their bit to help the team get there.

Italy V Ireland

A  heart stopping match for fans of both side- more for the Azzurri though, before a kick was even taken, I couldn't help thinking about Euro 2004 where they got knocked out in the last match because off the same scenario, all I have to say for sure is that Italians do have a flair for the dramatic! Yet it would've gone all wrong very early as the ball was taken off Andrea Pirlo and the Irish were almost up within the opening 9 seconds!!!
Pirlo had a rather nervy start, and maybe this should be a warning to Juventus- he can't be asked to play twice a week, Italy were lucky this time but it just give you something to think about. It was a tense game, Ireland were playing their best game since that thumping by the Spaniards and Italy were having difficulties penetrating the Irish, and when they did get shots on goal, it was either straight at Shay Given or off target. There was more pressure on the boys in blue because they HAD to score in order to qualify for the next round, and as we know from past games, goals are far a few between for the Azzurri.

Italy had over 60% possession but that meant little at this stage, the thing that did come as a real surprise is that Italy had to wait until the 35th minute to get a goal and it was from a free kick and Antonio Cassano got the vital touch. Cassano worked his socks of, popping up everywhere and chasing down every ball- the Milan man was in the form of his life!
In the 75th minute Mario Balotelli came on for a slightly disappointing Antonio Di Natale, he had some half chances and some really good chances but just didn't have the edge to make them count. Throughout the entire game, Italy had 26 shots with 7 on goal and 5 were good enough to force some goods saves. Yet it was the goal by Balotelli in the 90th minute that allowed me to relax! And even though "SuperMario" scored we were all made to wait until Spain finished their game a couple minutes later.... and it seemed an eternity before everyone was allowed to celebrate.
Italy go through as runners up in group C, but they do still have a bit to work on if they want to go further in this tournament.

FORZA AZZURRI!!!

Italy V Croatia

Is it just me or does it feel like deja vu', Italy may have become too Juve like, and have become the draw specialist. There is a danger that they won't make it out of their group thanks to Spain pulverising The Irish by four goals. This game was always going to be tricky, Croatia are by no means a walk in the park, yet I did hope that once they had got the lead, they would have made it as hard as possible for Croatia to get back into the game.
The game started very open and free flowing, yet there was always something missing, the firepower was just on idle and not firing on all cylinders, and there lyed their downfall. The Azzurri had 15 shot with 7 on target but only 4 were accurate enough to trouble the keeper, which proved that Gigi Buffon is right in saying they are not clinical enough. With players like Antonio Cassano, Antonio Di Natale and Mario Balotelli in your ranks this should not be the case, least we forget they also have Giovinco, Marchisio etc on their side, so creating the chances are not a problem.
Mario Balotelli is playing as though he doesn't want to take ultimate responsibility, time and time again he would try a lay it off to Cassano, Balotelli seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder, all the talk of him being a " nut job" at his Club has started to seep into the National side, having said that, early on he did have some wonderful shots on goal but again they were not clinical enough.He is still very young and I believe that when he does work hard and create chances like he did this evening, someone should give him a hug!! He clearly needs someone to mentor him!!
Marchisio also had a good game with 4 shoots in total with 3 on goal, normally you wouldn't rely on your midfield for goals, but after his wonderful season with Juve where he scored 9 spectacular goals...one was hoping he would do the same for the National team. The goal eventually came on 39 minutes from a wonderful free kick by Andrea Pirlo, amazing as it was, it came from a set piece.
In the second half Croatia were attacking more and the boys in blue did dill dally on the ball a bit. The equaliser came in the 72nd minute and was aided a bit by an error made by Giorgio Chiellini!!
Prandelli has decided to go for 3 a the back, hoping it will lead him to the same victories as Juve, but he must understand, Juve were under Antonio Conte and maybe that system only worked in the league.. remember how may draws they got?
Cesare Prandelli is a smart man and this Azzurri side are younger a hungrier for success and I believe they have what it takes to make it.

FORZA AZZURRI!!