Euro 2008 Qualifications: Italia vs Lithuania [09-02-2006] (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter ramzax
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Roberto Donadoni's Italy career continues to stutter as Pippo Inzaghi fought back to earn a point against Lithuania despite an inspirational Antonio Cassano.
Donadoni made his official debut on the Italy bench and opted for a 4-3-3 system with the returning Antonio Cassano, back after a year outside the international scene, Filippo Inzaghi and surprise addition Simone Perrotta. The Roma man often pulled back, so it was effectively a 4-4-2 when not in possession. They were without the injured Massimo Ambrosini, suspended Marco Materazzi and the not 100 per cent fit Francesco Totti, Luca Toni, Mauro Camoranesi, Alessandro Nesta and Alessandro Del Piero, but 10 of the World Cup winners made their first appearance since that Berlin Final.
The trophy was paraded around the Stadio San Paolo's 50,000 fans on top of a blue car and this match saw the debut of the new jersey with four stars representing their World Cup victories in 1934, '38, '82 and 2006. The entire Curva was also covered in a giant banner representing local boy Fabio Cannavaro holding the Cup aloft. The captain was visibly moved and went to salute the fans before kick-off.
Lithuania had the first chance after two minutes when Cesnauskis slashed wide from a promising position, then Cassano's mazy run was blocked as he lined up a shot. Once again, the visitors took advantage of a defensive error and Livorno forward Tomas Danilevicius was allowed a free header that he turned over the bar.
Andrea Pirlo inspired a fine team move, a chipped pass volleyed back in by Gennaro Gattuso for their Milan teammate Inzaghi, but the goalkeeper did well to intercept. Dziaukstas was booked for going through the back of Perrotta, from the resulting free kick Pirlo found Grosso and his scuffed assist was almost deflected for an own goal.
Gianluigi Buffon was made to work on 18 minutes to palm away a looping Savenas header, but the Italian defence didn't take heed of the warnings. They were very static when Cesnauskis rolled the ball across for Danilevicius was left unmarked to sweep into the bottom far corner. It was the first goal Lithuania had ever scored against Italy.
Cassano nearly snatched an equaliser moments later, chesting down and smashing his low shot inches wide of the far post. Inzaghi was shrugged off the ball inside the area and Gattuso's follow-up was charged down, but Perrotta went into the book for a foul from behind.
Italy finally managed to equalise nine minutes afterwards with the on-form Inzaghi, but most of the credit goes to Cassano. He exchanged passes with Perrotta, chested down the ball and rolled across for Inzaghi to tap in from four yards.
Cassano is getting back to his old self and almost scored a spectacular goal before the break. The Real Madrid talent skipped past three players and the shot with the inside of his right foot was fingertipped round the upright.
Another splendid solo run from the ex-Roma man drove the Lithuanian defenders crazy, although perhaps he should've passed to the unmarked Inzaghi.
After the break Gattuso failed to capitalise on a promising counter-attack and Inzaghi's glancing header from a Massimo Oddo cross went wide. Lithuania sat back more, but when they went forward they were certainly dangerous, as Buffon flew to palm away a fierce Savenas snapshot.
Preiksaitis took the ball off Perrotta's head as he prepared a free header from eight yards, then another Oddo cross from the right was plucked off Perrotta's foot.
Cassano set up Inzaghi and the Milan striker went for goal with an angled drive, but goalkeeper Karcemarskas got a toe to turn it inches past the far post. Cassano was unmarked and would've preferred a pass than this shot. It was turning into a siege and a lucky ricochet fell to Cassano, only for his effort to be charged down by defenders.
The first substitution was a tactical one, as Marco Marchionni replaced Daniele De Rossi, so Perrotta moved back into midfield for a more pure and attacking 4-3-3. Buffon was fortunate that Poskus' first touch let him down and his attempt was scuffed when clear on goal.
With the trip to France on Wednesday, Donadoni knew they had to win this game and threw on Alberto Gilardino for Perrotta. Grosso knocked a Pirlo corner kick past the near post, but they really should've taken the lead on 75 minutes. Cassano cut back past a defender and rolled in, but Gilardino slid across to take the ball off Inzaghi's foot and they got in each other's way six yards in front of an open goal.
The final substitution was David Di Michele for Inzaghi in a desperate late bid to nick a goal. It very nearly worked, as a Pirlo corner kick reached Gilardino's header and substitute Tamosauskas performed an incredible goalline clearance.
In stoppages Marchionni went to head Grosso's centre, but instead clattered into the back of a defender. Gattuso was booked for protesting that the defensive wall wasn't at the regulation distance when Pirlo's free kick was deflected out off Di Michele. With this result, the Azzurri trail two points behind Scotland, France and Georgia in their Euro 2008 qualifying group after just one game.
Donadoni made his official debut on the Italy bench and opted for a 4-3-3 system with the returning Antonio Cassano, back after a year outside the international scene, Filippo Inzaghi and surprise addition Simone Perrotta. The Roma man often pulled back, so it was effectively a 4-4-2 when not in possession. They were without the injured Massimo Ambrosini, suspended Marco Materazzi and the not 100 per cent fit Francesco Totti, Luca Toni, Mauro Camoranesi, Alessandro Nesta and Alessandro Del Piero, but 10 of the World Cup winners made their first appearance since that Berlin Final.
The trophy was paraded around the Stadio San Paolo's 50,000 fans on top of a blue car and this match saw the debut of the new jersey with four stars representing their World Cup victories in 1934, '38, '82 and 2006. The entire Curva was also covered in a giant banner representing local boy Fabio Cannavaro holding the Cup aloft. The captain was visibly moved and went to salute the fans before kick-off.
Lithuania had the first chance after two minutes when Cesnauskis slashed wide from a promising position, then Cassano's mazy run was blocked as he lined up a shot. Once again, the visitors took advantage of a defensive error and Livorno forward Tomas Danilevicius was allowed a free header that he turned over the bar.
Andrea Pirlo inspired a fine team move, a chipped pass volleyed back in by Gennaro Gattuso for their Milan teammate Inzaghi, but the goalkeeper did well to intercept. Dziaukstas was booked for going through the back of Perrotta, from the resulting free kick Pirlo found Grosso and his scuffed assist was almost deflected for an own goal.
Gianluigi Buffon was made to work on 18 minutes to palm away a looping Savenas header, but the Italian defence didn't take heed of the warnings. They were very static when Cesnauskis rolled the ball across for Danilevicius was left unmarked to sweep into the bottom far corner. It was the first goal Lithuania had ever scored against Italy.
Cassano nearly snatched an equaliser moments later, chesting down and smashing his low shot inches wide of the far post. Inzaghi was shrugged off the ball inside the area and Gattuso's follow-up was charged down, but Perrotta went into the book for a foul from behind.
Italy finally managed to equalise nine minutes afterwards with the on-form Inzaghi, but most of the credit goes to Cassano. He exchanged passes with Perrotta, chested down the ball and rolled across for Inzaghi to tap in from four yards.
Cassano is getting back to his old self and almost scored a spectacular goal before the break. The Real Madrid talent skipped past three players and the shot with the inside of his right foot was fingertipped round the upright.
Another splendid solo run from the ex-Roma man drove the Lithuanian defenders crazy, although perhaps he should've passed to the unmarked Inzaghi.
After the break Gattuso failed to capitalise on a promising counter-attack and Inzaghi's glancing header from a Massimo Oddo cross went wide. Lithuania sat back more, but when they went forward they were certainly dangerous, as Buffon flew to palm away a fierce Savenas snapshot.
Preiksaitis took the ball off Perrotta's head as he prepared a free header from eight yards, then another Oddo cross from the right was plucked off Perrotta's foot.
Cassano set up Inzaghi and the Milan striker went for goal with an angled drive, but goalkeeper Karcemarskas got a toe to turn it inches past the far post. Cassano was unmarked and would've preferred a pass than this shot. It was turning into a siege and a lucky ricochet fell to Cassano, only for his effort to be charged down by defenders.
The first substitution was a tactical one, as Marco Marchionni replaced Daniele De Rossi, so Perrotta moved back into midfield for a more pure and attacking 4-3-3. Buffon was fortunate that Poskus' first touch let him down and his attempt was scuffed when clear on goal.
With the trip to France on Wednesday, Donadoni knew they had to win this game and threw on Alberto Gilardino for Perrotta. Grosso knocked a Pirlo corner kick past the near post, but they really should've taken the lead on 75 minutes. Cassano cut back past a defender and rolled in, but Gilardino slid across to take the ball off Inzaghi's foot and they got in each other's way six yards in front of an open goal.
The final substitution was David Di Michele for Inzaghi in a desperate late bid to nick a goal. It very nearly worked, as a Pirlo corner kick reached Gilardino's header and substitute Tamosauskas performed an incredible goalline clearance.
In stoppages Marchionni went to head Grosso's centre, but instead clattered into the back of a defender. Gattuso was booked for protesting that the defensive wall wasn't at the regulation distance when Pirlo's free kick was deflected out off Di Michele. With this result, the Azzurri trail two points behind Scotland, France and Georgia in their Euro 2008 qualifying group after just one game.
