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The footballing world was rocked as 25-year-old Piermario Morosini collapsed on the field and was
confirmed dead upon arrival to the hospital. Just weeks after Fabrice Muamba of Bolton suffered a
similar situation, fans are once again reminded that football is just a game and there are more
important things at play than just who puts the ball in the back of the net.
As Juventus helped secure a piece of their long-term future during the week by extending the
contracts of Leonardo Bonucci and Alessandro Matri until 2017, the immediate future of another
player has once again been called into focus after yet another less than impressive display on the
weekend. Marco Borriello led the two man attack alongside Mirko Vucinic in Antonio Conte's 3-5-2
system against.
If one were to view the rosters for each of Italy's four World Cup triumphs, one would notice a
pattern; the core of the team was comprised of Juventus players. Not only that, but Juventus
players made key contributions in each of these championship winning sides, names such as Orsi,
Monti, Rossi, Gentile, Buffon, and Del Piero spring to mind.
If one were to view the rosters for each of Italy's four World Cup triumphs, one would notice a
pattern; the core of the team was comprised of Juventus players. Not only that, but Juventus
players made key contributions in each of these championship winning sides, names such as Orsi,
Monti, Rossi, Gentile, Buffon, and Del Piero spring to mind.
A young star who had the world at his feet; Alberto Aquilani was viewed as one of the best players
to come through the AS Roma academy. He went on to feature for the Giallorossi before injuries
curtailed his involvement. English side, Liverpool FC, gambled upon Aquilani's fitness when they
signed him in August 2009.
A young star who had the world at his feet; Alberto Aquilani was viewed as one of the best players
to come through the AS Roma academy. He went on to feature for the Giallorossi before injuries
curtailed his involvement. English side, Liverpool FC, gambled upon Aquilani's fitness when they
signed him in August 2009.
One of Europe's most promising defenders doesn't play for a powerhouse like Manchester United or
Milan or Real Madrid, nor does he play for a club more known for unearthing (or producing) gems
like Porto or Udinese; rather, he plays in Serie B for a team who hasn't won a major trophy in
nearly twenty years.
It all began with Inter against Birmingham City in 1955 and ended, for the time being at least, in
a battle at Stamford Bridge last week. In between, there have been more than 200 clashes which have
formed one of the major storylines of European football. When Italian and English clubs go head to
head, you can usually turn the controversy meter up full blast.
Following Italy's shock 1-0 loss in Genoa to the USA on Wednesday night, Gigi Buffon told
reporters, "there's no need to get worried" and that "we absolutely did not deserve defeat
tonight". The Juventus ‘keeper was absolutely correct. The Azzurri dominated proceedings at the
Stadio Luigi Ferraris from start to finish and as Giorgio Chiellini opined, "we deserved at least a
draw from this.
Wednesday's friendly between the United States and Italy sees Parma's pint-sized playmaker
Sebastian Giovinco partner up with Juventus striker Alessandro Matri in what could be a preview of
great things to come. Giovinco, who is currently co-owned by Juve and Parma, is always a focus of
transfer speculation and his return to Juventus continues to be talked about.
In the modern game of football, 600,000 Euros is an extremely insignificant price to pay for a
player. It is a low risk, high reward situation for the club. If the player ends up as a failure
then the loss was very minimal. However if the player goes on to be a success, than it looks like a
genius move.
Diego Milito's quadruple known as a 'poker' against Palermo was a rare moment, in fact it was only
the sixth time it's happened in ten years, but with Italy's final friendly before Euro 2012 looming
it focused the eyes on the Azzurri's frontline. The Argentinian's four-step sent him into a comic
book group that features ‘the little plane', Vincenzo Montella, twinkle-toes Christian.
On October 11 last year in the provincial city of Pescara, Italy ended their qualifying campaign
with a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland. It was the perfect ending as Italy finished top of their
group. It was also just reward for coach Cesare Prandelli who managed to rebuild a strong Azzurri
from the wreckage of the 2010 World Cup disaster.
Recently we discussed the importance of deceleration in relation to high performance training and
injury prevention. We learned about eccentric strength and the role it plays in reducing momentum.
We also made reference to dynamic balance and the importance it plays in maintaining control while
performing skillful athletic movements.
Many in Italy consider former Azzurri international Roberto as the greatest Italian player of all
time. He may have never won the world cup though he did come very close to doing so, nor did he
ever win the Champions League or the European Cup as it was called during his time. However, a few
days ago the former Inter, AC Milan and Juventus striker, who is now attaining his coaching
credentials.
The number if Italians plying their trade abroad is steadily increasing. Yet despite this, there
wasn't a single Italian named on the Balon ‘dor short list last week. In one way this isn't
entirely surprising given the common disregard Serie A is held in nowadays. Since the hey-day of
the last 80′s early 90's, financial resources of Italian Serie A clubs have decreased
significantly.
If you are ever planning a party, don't invite Uruguay. They famously scuppered Brazil's World Cup
festivities back in 1950. And, on a much more minor scale, they burst the balloons blown up for the
match to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification in Rome. It brought the Azzurri
back down to earth after a victory over one of the hosts of next year's European Nations a few
days.
If you are ever planning a party, don't invite Uruguay. They famously scuppered Brazil's World Cup
festivities back in 1950. And, on a much more minor scale, they burst the balloons blown up for the
match to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification in Rome. It brought the Azzurri
back down to earth after a victory over one of the hosts of next year's European Nations a few
days.
Italy and Uruguay face off in just a few hours, and, providing the two sides don't resort to the
type of defense necessary in a match termed a "friendly", this one promises a bit of excitement.
Think about it: Mario Balotelli and Luis Suarez on the same pitch, facing off against each other.
The possibilities for an epic showdown involving biting, kicking, tantrums and possibly a.
Guest writer/Matthew Coccoluto With international break again upon us, a few European countries
will be squaring off in the Euro 2012 playoff rounds. The rest will be using these upcoming
friendlies to further prepare for the tournament in June. Cesar Prandelli will be without some key
players as they face Poland on Friday and host Uruguay on Tuesday.
Inspired performances by Andrea Pirlo and Antonio Cassano lead Italy to a memorable 3-0 victory
over an ordinary Northern Ireland side in Pescara. Qasa Alom reports AC Milan's Antonio Cassano was
warned prior to the match that this would be his last chance in the national set-up after offensive
comments to a journalist last week – and FantAntonio really didn't disappoint with a brilliant
brace.
Gazzetta dello Sport Ranieri in Gazzetta
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On Friday, Italy will travel to Belgrade to play Serbia in their penultimate Euro 2012
qualification match. The game comes just under a year since the events in Genoa on 12 October 2010
which saw Serbian hooligans forcing the game to be called off, and leading to harsh punishments
being meted out against the Serbian National team.
The good news is that Italy, with a 1-0 victory, have secured qualification to the European
Championships in Poland and Ukraine next summer. The bad news it's not that bad is that the they
haven't been living up to the hype recently. Italy have been compared with Barcelona an awful lot
during Cesare Prandelli's tenure in charge of the Azzurri, but any viewers.
A early Antonio Cassano goal gave Italy a 1-0 away victory and with this victory it almost seals
their passage to Euro 2012 next summer. With a the player strike on in Serie A last week, most of
the Italy starting XI hasn't played a competitive match this season and it started to show on later
on in the game.
guest writer/Frank Tigani This week the Azzurri recorded a highly impressive victory over reigning
World and European Champions Spain. Sure, it may have just been a friendly, however, considering
the strength of the two line ups it was clear that neither Cesare Prandelli nor Vicente del Bosque
took to the contest lightly.
In a matter of hours the reigning World and European champions, Spain, will take on four time World
Cup winners Italy in Bari's San Nicola stadium. For a match that pits the two latest winners of the
world cup, the difference between them could not be greater. After years of underachievement the
Spanish national team have been exhibiting a brand of football that is game changing.
the question(s) is, will Guiseppe Rossi show up in Italy at a club side this summer or are those
feet firmly planted in Spain? will Antonio Cassano find his scoring partner at Milan and in doing
so transfer that partnership to the national squad, if yes who will Mister X be? and will Andrea
Pirlo find rejuvenation at mighty Juventus during the 2011-2012 season as both club and player
look for a.
On October 24, 2010, Antonio Cassano took to the field with Sampdoria in a crucial match against a
then-second place Inter side. At the Giuseppe Meazza, the Bari-born fantasista was instrumental
once again, delivering a pinpoint perfect cross to Stefano Guberti which temporarily gave Sampdoria
a 1-0 lead.
The Serie A Weekly crew are very happy to welcome Football-Italia.net writer Susy Campanale to the
show. Susy graciously made herself available for this recording while under the weather so big
applauds for our guest as she enlightens on the progress of the Italian National football squad
under manager Cesare Prandelli.
Young Torino defender Angelo Ogbonna has been called up by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli for the
friendly match against the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, so we invited Rob Gillman (the excellent
Torino Blogger) to tell us more. Whilst the match against Giovanni Trappatoni's Irish side is only
a friendly, and Ogbonna is by no means guaranteed to gain his first cap in the match, it certainly.
Samdporia travelled to leaders AC Milan on Saturday night and were completely swept away losing 3-0
thanks to goals from Clarence Seedorf, Robinho and ex Samp man Antonio Cassano. 'Doria went into
the game in a massive slump and after last week defeat to Lecce, Serie B football was looming. They
had to do without Daniele Mannini due to suspension, plus without Stefano Lucchini and Franco.
It is incredible to think that Italy, World Champions five years ago, were ever ranked outside of
the top ten in the FIFA rankings. But, such had been their fall from the summit of world football
that started after their horrid display in South Africa, that the Italian National team found
themselves in sixteenth position last November behind the likes of Slovenia, Norway, Egypt and
Greece.
Saturday's match between Udinese and Roma pitted two kindred spirits against each other. Both
Librans; the attributes of Francesco Totti and Antonio Di Natale strike a synergistic balance
which, amongst the second-half mayhem, was undoubtedly lost upon the Friuli onlookers –
therefore, Serie A Weekly reflects gazes upon these stars, most definitely aligned.
The Action in Serie A returned this weekend and both Genoa clubs, it was mixed fortunes as
Sampdoria drew away 0-0 at Chievo and Genoa lost 1-0 at home to Cagliari. Before there relegation
game away at Chievo, Bookmakers suspended betting on the game. Reports showed that suspicions were
raised after large amounts of bets were placed on the draw.
Back to join us during this international week of Euro 2012 qualifers is Giancarlo Rinaldi. The
panel discuss the Prandelli revolution or evolution, depending how you see things. Topics include,
Born in Brazil but with roots in Rovigo What are Oriundi, Giancarlo? Midfield footing Age of the
‘destroyer' is over New partnerships Players of interest include, Stefano Mauri, Giampaolo
Pazzini,.
With most of the peninsula focused on the Milan derby this weekend with the frontrunners taking on
their second place rivals for the Scudetto, it would be easy to forget about another derby taking
place that is just as important for the parties involved. The Derby della Sicilia between Palermo
and Catania is second to none in terms of rivalry and passion.
With the new found optimism for Italy's goalkeeping future beyond Gigi Buffon being highlighted
yesterday, Qasa Alom takes a moment to reflect on the strange and sad tale of Federico Marchetti.
As another International break draws to an end, it seems that Cesare Prandelli's new look youthful
Italian national team have answered many questions and passed scrutiny with aplomb.
Much changed and much accomplished. Cesare Prandelli continues his brilliant run with the Italian
National Team with a two-nil victory over Ukraine. What exactly can Italy fans take away from this?
Here are six points worth noting. Cesare Prandelli is the new Tinkerman. A better one. Claudio
Ranieri, the old "Tinkerman", has become somewhat infamous for tinkering in all the wrong.
Juventus striker Alessandro Matri scores on his debut v Ukraine March 29 2011
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