Finally Italy has clicked. While the comeback win against Estonia was a good result, this 5-0
win shows that Prandelli has found harmony within the team. Prandelli's home debut as the coach of
the Italian National team is certainly positive, Cassano inspired the team, and he looks ready to
face any opposition.
Antonio Cassano's biggest and most elusive fan, Mario Ferri, apparently survived the punishments of
FIFA and the South African police for invading the Spain-Germany World Cup semifinal to celebrate
the success of his crusade with Cassanno himself. Just after the opening kickoff of Italy's 5-0 win
over the Faroe Islands in Florence on Tuesday, Ferri made his fourth Cassano-related pitch
invasion.
Image: AF NIKOLAJ VRAA / STARLOUNGE.
It may only be mid-September, Kickettes, but footballers are falling into the baby-making
festivities quite early this sporting season. Let's review, shall we?
After spending a weekend in their native Denmark, on-the-move man of the moment, Nicklas
Bendtner and his fiancee, Caroline Fleming, were spotted out and about in London.
England are yet to have their post World Cup watershed moment France have installed a
new coach (albeit an appointment that was arranged during the tournament) and held crisis talks,
Brazil too have a new manager, Italy have done the same and even brought back Antonio Cassano.
England have changed little.
By Matthew Barker
Young, dumb and full of it: Antonio Cassano back in his Roma days, in 2002
It's some turnaround. A year ago Antonio Cassano was looking like the classic
wasted footballing talent; enjoying life as a big fish in a relatively small pond at Sampdoria, but
a waste nevertheless.
You may remember Mario Ferri from the World Cup, back when he was giving Marcello Lippi the old
"I told you so" over his refusal to call up Antonio Cassano. Well, new coach Cesare Prandelli has
called up the mad genius and with predictable results he's quite good at football, you know.
So Mario, ultimately very pleased with these new developments, streaked onto the Franchi pitch
last night, having hid in a bathroom since he's banned in Italian stadia, during Italy-Faroe
Islands to show his appreciation with a kiss for Antonio and a thumbs up for an amused
Prandelli.
Remember Mario Ferri, the Italian pitch-invading legend that wouldn't let
Marcello Lippi forget how foolish it was to leave Antonio Cassano in Italy for the World Cup? Well,
he's back, and this time he gave Cassano un bacio. [World Cup Blog]
VdV thinks he's too good for Holland's bench [Who Ate All The Pies]
Kevin Doyle: better than Robbie Keane and cheaper (for you Fantasy Team) [NCNB]
Spain's youngsters have mastered some fancy free kicks [The Original Winger]
FIFA's 289-page Technical Report on the 2010 World Cup – in 15 points [Zonal Marking]
Aston Villa are trying to keep things positive.
If you loved checking out the Italy Offside every Tuesday last season just to see the Serie A
Goals of the Week post and it's cool logo, fear not, because it's back! There were 38 goals scored
this weekend in Serie A (which is pretty high for Serie A standards) and only 2 teams went
scoreless: Milan and Fiorentina.
If you loved checking out the Italy Offside every Tuesday last season just to see the Serie A
Goals of the Week post and it's cool logo, fear not, because it's back! There were 38 goals scored
this weekend in Serie A (which is pretty high for Serie A standards) and only 2 teams went
scoreless: Milan and Fiorentina.
Roma defender throws massive tantrum Well, you don't train alongside Antonio Cassano for any length
of time without learning a thing or two. And Philippe Mexes clearly picked up some tantrum tips
from the master when they were together at Roma. The French defender was understandably
disappointed after being sent-off for what looked like an [.
Roma defender throws massive tantrum Well, you don't train alongside Antonio Cassano for any length
of time without learning a thing or two. And Philippe Mexes clearly picked up some tantrum tips
from the master when they were together at Roma. The French defender was understandably
disappointed after being sent-off for what looked like an [.
Cesare Prandelli has revitalized the Azzurri. He won the first two qualifiers of the European
Championships of 2012, and he looks ready to win even more. While Italy only faced Estonia and the
Faroe Islands, the two wins were important nonetheless. And now, as Prandelli looks to call up
another set of Italians to face Northern Ireland and Serbia in the next two qualifiers, he's thrown
in some new names.
