Friendlies: Azzurri - Holland / Ivory Coast (14 Viewers)
- Thread starter Tifoso_old
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Holland 1 - 2 Italy
Babel 38 (H), Gilardino 41 (I), Vlaar og 45 (I)
The Azzurri are leading Holland 2-1 at half-time in the Amsterdam Arena following Alberto Gilardino's header and a Dutch own goal.
These two teams began their warm-up for the 2006 World Cup in Amsterdam, where the Azzurri took on Marco Van Basten's Holland. Marcello Lippi was forced to do without the injured Gianluigi Buffon, Angelo Peruzzi, Morgan De Sanctis, Francesco Totti and Christian Vieri, so Alberto Gilardino partnered Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero in an ambitious trident attack.
There were concerns during the warm-up, as Del Piero suffered an ankle problem, but he was able to start the game. Juventus goalkeeper Christian Abbiati took his place between the posts on his international recall and the Azzurri debuted their new jersey.
The home side was also missing Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie, but this was Italy's first trip to this stadium since winning the Euro 2000 semi-final on penalties.
Luca Toni had the first attempt after 90 seconds, his angled drive whistling well wide of the target, then at the other end Kuyt's powerful effort was comfortably smothered by Abbiati.
Holland hit the back of the net after 10 minutes with Babel, but play had already been halted for an offside decision.
Gilardino almost scored a spectacular goal, flicking Fabio Grosso's centre with his heel at the near post, but Edwin van der Sar got down well to block.
Del Piero was furious with Rafael van der Vaart for a late challenge and Abbiati again controlled a long-range Philip Cocu attempt. Mauro Camoranesi became the first player to be booked for snapping at van der Vaart's heels.
Perhaps the first real scoring opportunity came on 25 minutes, when Luca Toni rose for a looping header on Gennaro Gattuso's cross that skimmed the woodwork. Gattuso's right-foot strike from the edge of the box was charged down by defenders.
Italy also hit the net on the half-hour mark when Gianluca Zambrotta pulled back for Gilardino to tap in from close range, but the goal was ruled out as the ball was judged to have already gone over the byline.
Moments later, Abbiati did very well to backtrack and fingertip an intelligent Kuyt chip over the bar.
Del Piero found himself one-on-one with a Dutch defender, but Kromkamp's challenge was considered to be fair. Camoranesi was fortunate to avoid a second booking after shoulder-charging Castelen.
Kuyt's header was well held by the Juventus goalkeeper, but Holland eventually broke the deadlock just before half-time. Castelen's cross from the right found Kuyt, his shot was charged down as far as Babel for a finish at the back post.
The lead didn't last long, as three minutes later Del Piero whipped in a cross from the left, where Gilardino nodded in a precise header from six yards. It is the Milan man's fourth goal for the senior Azzurri side.
Abbiati punched away a powerful van der Vaart strike from 25 metres, but there was to be another sting in the tale before the referee whistled for the break.
Camoranesi's header on a Del Piero corner kick took another touch off Vlaar, who accidentally sent the ball looping into the far top corner of the net. This own goal on the stroke of half-time allowed Italy to go into the break leading 2-1 after scoring two goals in six minutes.
Football Italia
So DP had a hand in both goals and Camo contributed heavily to the second. Is anyone here watching the match? If so a half-time report would be appreciated.
Babel 38 (H), Gilardino 41 (I), Vlaar og 45 (I)
The Azzurri are leading Holland 2-1 at half-time in the Amsterdam Arena following Alberto Gilardino's header and a Dutch own goal.
These two teams began their warm-up for the 2006 World Cup in Amsterdam, where the Azzurri took on Marco Van Basten's Holland. Marcello Lippi was forced to do without the injured Gianluigi Buffon, Angelo Peruzzi, Morgan De Sanctis, Francesco Totti and Christian Vieri, so Alberto Gilardino partnered Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero in an ambitious trident attack.
There were concerns during the warm-up, as Del Piero suffered an ankle problem, but he was able to start the game. Juventus goalkeeper Christian Abbiati took his place between the posts on his international recall and the Azzurri debuted their new jersey.
The home side was also missing Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie, but this was Italy's first trip to this stadium since winning the Euro 2000 semi-final on penalties.
Luca Toni had the first attempt after 90 seconds, his angled drive whistling well wide of the target, then at the other end Kuyt's powerful effort was comfortably smothered by Abbiati.
Holland hit the back of the net after 10 minutes with Babel, but play had already been halted for an offside decision.
Gilardino almost scored a spectacular goal, flicking Fabio Grosso's centre with his heel at the near post, but Edwin van der Sar got down well to block.
Del Piero was furious with Rafael van der Vaart for a late challenge and Abbiati again controlled a long-range Philip Cocu attempt. Mauro Camoranesi became the first player to be booked for snapping at van der Vaart's heels.
Perhaps the first real scoring opportunity came on 25 minutes, when Luca Toni rose for a looping header on Gennaro Gattuso's cross that skimmed the woodwork. Gattuso's right-foot strike from the edge of the box was charged down by defenders.
Italy also hit the net on the half-hour mark when Gianluca Zambrotta pulled back for Gilardino to tap in from close range, but the goal was ruled out as the ball was judged to have already gone over the byline.
Moments later, Abbiati did very well to backtrack and fingertip an intelligent Kuyt chip over the bar.
Del Piero found himself one-on-one with a Dutch defender, but Kromkamp's challenge was considered to be fair. Camoranesi was fortunate to avoid a second booking after shoulder-charging Castelen.
Kuyt's header was well held by the Juventus goalkeeper, but Holland eventually broke the deadlock just before half-time. Castelen's cross from the right found Kuyt, his shot was charged down as far as Babel for a finish at the back post.
The lead didn't last long, as three minutes later Del Piero whipped in a cross from the left, where Gilardino nodded in a precise header from six yards. It is the Milan man's fourth goal for the senior Azzurri side.
Abbiati punched away a powerful van der Vaart strike from 25 metres, but there was to be another sting in the tale before the referee whistled for the break.
Camoranesi's header on a Del Piero corner kick took another touch off Vlaar, who accidentally sent the ball looping into the far top corner of the net. This own goal on the stroke of half-time allowed Italy to go into the break leading 2-1 after scoring two goals in six minutes.
Football Italia
So DP had a hand in both goals and Camo contributed heavily to the second. Is anyone here watching the match? If so a half-time report would be appreciated.
I've watched the first half. Don't think will watch the second (have some work).
Nice game from both sides. The game is very tachtical and the speed is nice.
Juve players are playing quite well.
Abbiati: Good performance for his standards.
Cannavaro: Solid
Zambrotta: Assisted Gilardino in a 100% legal goal that was disallowed saying that Zambrotta crossed the ball after in went out of the line which the reply showed it didn't. Good game.
Camoranesi: Still nervous, hoping the the second goal would calm him down a bit.. Nevertheless, looks better than the matched he played with us lately.
Del Piero: Very good. Strong on the midfield and the offence. Assisted both goals by nice crosses. Moved well up and down. Had some deffesive roles which he fullfilled. Jeeks suggested that Del Piero might take Totti's role in the upcoming world cup, well with this performance I say Totti's starting 11 place is doubtful. I like it when our capitano looks sharp.
He is playing behind the strikers.
Nice game from both sides. The game is very tachtical and the speed is nice.
Juve players are playing quite well.
Abbiati: Good performance for his standards.
Cannavaro: Solid
Zambrotta: Assisted Gilardino in a 100% legal goal that was disallowed saying that Zambrotta crossed the ball after in went out of the line which the reply showed it didn't. Good game.
Camoranesi: Still nervous, hoping the the second goal would calm him down a bit.. Nevertheless, looks better than the matched he played with us lately.
Del Piero: Very good. Strong on the midfield and the offence. Assisted both goals by nice crosses. Moved well up and down. Had some deffesive roles which he fullfilled. Jeeks suggested that Del Piero might take Totti's role in the upcoming world cup, well with this performance I say Totti's starting 11 place is doubtful. I like it when our capitano looks sharp.
He is playing behind the strikers.
