Italy VS Slovenia (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter delpi25
- Start date
Italy look a beaten side and with this i will say i didnt watch too much of 2nd half due to lack of interest with all those subs but from what i saw Divaio and Marazzina did not do much, Iullano and Materazzi with Gatusso should be discarded fron the Nt and get alternatives.
Dp needs to step up or he will be dropped, like him or hate him Totti is the most needed player in the Nt while the likes of Zauli, oddo, Brighi, Ambrossini should be given an extended run in the side
Game over
Dp needs to step up or he will be dropped, like him or hate him Totti is the most needed player in the Nt while the likes of Zauli, oddo, Brighi, Ambrossini should be given an extended run in the side
Game over
International friendly, 21/8/2002
Italy 0 - 1 Slovenia
Cimirotic 32
Stadio Nereo Rocco, Trieste (11,080)
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Matteo Brighi and Massimo Oddo made their debuts in Italy’s far from friendly match against Slovenia as play was stopped repeatedly.
Overall a draw would have been the correct result as Slovenia had the better of the opening period while the Azzurri grew after the break, but off the field tension petered down to the match itself.
Juventus starlet Brighi started the game on the right side of midfield following his promotion from the Under-21 squad.
Cristiano Doni filled in for the injured Francesco Totti behind reunited front two Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi.
This was also the first game without Paolo Maldini as the captain’s armband is handed to Fabio Cannavaro.
This was a friendly match in name alone as Slovenia borders with the city of Trieste and there was a distinct animosity from the starting whistle.
So much so that play had to be suspended on eight minutes when fireworks were thrown at Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Four minutes later the play was again stopped as Slovenia’s players were forced to appeal to their fans as the situation deteriorated further with objects thrown at other supporters.
Lecce striker Sebastjan Cimirotic had the first opportunity, but he sliced his shot wide.
There were further problems when Inzaghi suffered a gaping head wound following an accidental clash, but the Milan man opted to continue despite having four stitches put in.
The atmosphere got to the players and there were some shocking challenges, particularly on Gigi Di Biagio and Damiano Tommasi.
Italy started to push forward and a fine Doni backheel set up Inzaghi, but the Slovenian defence scrambled it away.
There was further controversy moments later when Inzaghi’s shirt was visibly pulled back as he stretched to reach a cross on the edge of the six-yard box, but the referee waved play on.
However, on 25 minutes Buffon was forced into a desperate reaction save on a Vugdalic free header.
The deadlock was eventually broken when Lecce hitman Cimirotic’s delightful dummy saw him get past Christian Panucci and slide an accurate drive into the far corner.
Yet more fireworks rained down on Buffon’s goal and the Austrian referee gave two further warnings to the visiting fans.
Riot police were called in and when another firework went off a scuffle broke out behind Buffon’s goal.
Back on the field, just before the break a powerful Del Piero free kick glanced just wide of the upright, but play was predictable and again slow on the flanks.
Tottenham player Acimovic stepped onto the field just before the break and was promptly booked for diving in the penalty area.
In that same incident – in which the referee had mistakenly sent the substitute off before realising his error – Di Biagio suffered an injury.
The second half kicked off with six substitutions, including the debut of Lazio defender Massimo Oddo, plus Chievo striker Massimo Marazzina and the return of Marco Di Vaio.
Matters improved considerably for the Azzurri with greater play on the wings and a more aggressive attitude. Doni also began to settle into his playmaker role.
Marazzina held up the ball well for Doni and the Atalanta midfielder was unlucky to see his volley rattle the crossbar.
The off-field situation deteriorated further when a Slovenian fan ran across the pitch and was brought down by police.
The Slovenian tifosi began spitting at officials and kicking the gate open, halting play once more.
Doni once again made an impact with a stunning scissor-kick that was palmed out by the goalkeeper.
There were several more goalscoring opportunities but Marazzina, Di Vaio and Ambrosini were unable to get their shot in, though substitute Luciano Zauri certainly impressed on the left.
Post-Match Comments
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Italy: Buffon; Cannavaro (Iuliano 46), Nesta, Panucci (Materazzi 46); Brighi (Oddo 46), Tommasi (Ambrosini 46), Di Biagio (Gattuso 46), Coco (Zauri 76); Doni; Inzaghi (Di Vaio 46), Del Piero (Marazzina 46)
Slovenia: Dabanovic; Gajser (Mauric 89), Vugdalic, Karic (N Ceh 76), Cipot; Pavlin, Bujic, Sukalo (Kokot 67); Zahovic; Cimirotic (Asimovic 45), Siljak (Filekovic 82)
Ref: Brugger (Aus)
Italy 0 - 1 Slovenia
Cimirotic 32
Stadio Nereo Rocco, Trieste (11,080)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matteo Brighi and Massimo Oddo made their debuts in Italy’s far from friendly match against Slovenia as play was stopped repeatedly.
Overall a draw would have been the correct result as Slovenia had the better of the opening period while the Azzurri grew after the break, but off the field tension petered down to the match itself.
Juventus starlet Brighi started the game on the right side of midfield following his promotion from the Under-21 squad.
Cristiano Doni filled in for the injured Francesco Totti behind reunited front two Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi.
This was also the first game without Paolo Maldini as the captain’s armband is handed to Fabio Cannavaro.
This was a friendly match in name alone as Slovenia borders with the city of Trieste and there was a distinct animosity from the starting whistle.
So much so that play had to be suspended on eight minutes when fireworks were thrown at Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Four minutes later the play was again stopped as Slovenia’s players were forced to appeal to their fans as the situation deteriorated further with objects thrown at other supporters.
Lecce striker Sebastjan Cimirotic had the first opportunity, but he sliced his shot wide.
There were further problems when Inzaghi suffered a gaping head wound following an accidental clash, but the Milan man opted to continue despite having four stitches put in.
The atmosphere got to the players and there were some shocking challenges, particularly on Gigi Di Biagio and Damiano Tommasi.
Italy started to push forward and a fine Doni backheel set up Inzaghi, but the Slovenian defence scrambled it away.
There was further controversy moments later when Inzaghi’s shirt was visibly pulled back as he stretched to reach a cross on the edge of the six-yard box, but the referee waved play on.
However, on 25 minutes Buffon was forced into a desperate reaction save on a Vugdalic free header.
The deadlock was eventually broken when Lecce hitman Cimirotic’s delightful dummy saw him get past Christian Panucci and slide an accurate drive into the far corner.
Yet more fireworks rained down on Buffon’s goal and the Austrian referee gave two further warnings to the visiting fans.
Riot police were called in and when another firework went off a scuffle broke out behind Buffon’s goal.
Back on the field, just before the break a powerful Del Piero free kick glanced just wide of the upright, but play was predictable and again slow on the flanks.
Tottenham player Acimovic stepped onto the field just before the break and was promptly booked for diving in the penalty area.
In that same incident – in which the referee had mistakenly sent the substitute off before realising his error – Di Biagio suffered an injury.
The second half kicked off with six substitutions, including the debut of Lazio defender Massimo Oddo, plus Chievo striker Massimo Marazzina and the return of Marco Di Vaio.
Matters improved considerably for the Azzurri with greater play on the wings and a more aggressive attitude. Doni also began to settle into his playmaker role.
Marazzina held up the ball well for Doni and the Atalanta midfielder was unlucky to see his volley rattle the crossbar.
The off-field situation deteriorated further when a Slovenian fan ran across the pitch and was brought down by police.
The Slovenian tifosi began spitting at officials and kicking the gate open, halting play once more.
Doni once again made an impact with a stunning scissor-kick that was palmed out by the goalkeeper.
There were several more goalscoring opportunities but Marazzina, Di Vaio and Ambrosini were unable to get their shot in, though substitute Luciano Zauri certainly impressed on the left.
Post-Match Comments
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Italy: Buffon; Cannavaro (Iuliano 46), Nesta, Panucci (Materazzi 46); Brighi (Oddo 46), Tommasi (Ambrosini 46), Di Biagio (Gattuso 46), Coco (Zauri 76); Doni; Inzaghi (Di Vaio 46), Del Piero (Marazzina 46)
Slovenia: Dabanovic; Gajser (Mauric 89), Vugdalic, Karic (N Ceh 76), Cipot; Pavlin, Bujic, Sukalo (Kokot 67); Zahovic; Cimirotic (Asimovic 45), Siljak (Filekovic 82)
Ref: Brugger (Aus)
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Trap "not worried" by slip-up Wednesday 21 August, 2002
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Giovanni Trapattoni claimed he was not worried after the 1-0 friendly defeat to Slovenia.
“It’s still pre-season for our players and we are still experimenting with the new line-up,” said the Coach from the sidelines.
“The first half was too tense, but after the break we set up a different form of midfield tactic and things improved considerably.”
“We perhaps deserved a draw,” added the Azzurri boss, “as we created several really good chances in the second half and were clearly more incisive upfront.”
Italy pick up where they left off in the 2002 World Cup, with a defeat before the opening Euro 2004 qualifier against Azerbaijan.
“I am not worried by this performance,” assured Trap. “We had to test out a few new things and I am pleased with what I saw in some areas.”
The match saw the debut of new faces Matteo Brighi and Massimo Oddo. “They are excellent players and brought new vitality to the squad. We'll definitely keep an eye on their progress.”
Fabio Cannavaro was named the new captain after Paolo Maldini’s retirement from international football.
“We were surprised by Slovenia’s aggression from the outset,” confessed the Inter man. “We were too soft and left ourselves open to the counter-attack. It was a horrible first half.”
“After the break it all improved as we put more pace in there and were therefore able to turn the ball around with greater ease.”
The tension inside the stadium also affected their performance. “There was the same atmosphere on the field too, as the Slovenians would cut the game up with fouls. We were just unable to get a rhythm going.”
Juventus midfielder Brighi was also downbeat after the final whistle.
“It’s a shame to have my first cap marred by a defeat,” said the 21-year-old, “but Slovenia put more effort in and reaped the rewards.”
The youngster was fielded in an unusual position wide on the right.
“I played there a couple of times for Bologna last year,” he noted, “but it really isn’t my favourite role.”
Courtesy of football Italia
Trap "not worried" by slip-up Wednesday 21 August, 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giovanni Trapattoni claimed he was not worried after the 1-0 friendly defeat to Slovenia.
“It’s still pre-season for our players and we are still experimenting with the new line-up,” said the Coach from the sidelines.
“The first half was too tense, but after the break we set up a different form of midfield tactic and things improved considerably.”
“We perhaps deserved a draw,” added the Azzurri boss, “as we created several really good chances in the second half and were clearly more incisive upfront.”
Italy pick up where they left off in the 2002 World Cup, with a defeat before the opening Euro 2004 qualifier against Azerbaijan.
“I am not worried by this performance,” assured Trap. “We had to test out a few new things and I am pleased with what I saw in some areas.”
The match saw the debut of new faces Matteo Brighi and Massimo Oddo. “They are excellent players and brought new vitality to the squad. We'll definitely keep an eye on their progress.”
Fabio Cannavaro was named the new captain after Paolo Maldini’s retirement from international football.
“We were surprised by Slovenia’s aggression from the outset,” confessed the Inter man. “We were too soft and left ourselves open to the counter-attack. It was a horrible first half.”
“After the break it all improved as we put more pace in there and were therefore able to turn the ball around with greater ease.”
The tension inside the stadium also affected their performance. “There was the same atmosphere on the field too, as the Slovenians would cut the game up with fouls. We were just unable to get a rhythm going.”
Juventus midfielder Brighi was also downbeat after the final whistle.
“It’s a shame to have my first cap marred by a defeat,” said the 21-year-old, “but Slovenia put more effort in and reaped the rewards.”
The youngster was fielded in an unusual position wide on the right.
“I played there a couple of times for Bologna last year,” he noted, “but it really isn’t my favourite role.”
Courtesy of football Italia
What a disgrace! I'm ashamed that I come from the same country as those idiots do! :down: Such a behaviour off the pitch, although not quite in that extant, was expected and has nothing to do with football actually; there are some unsolved political and historical issueses between Slovenia and Italy, something that definitely doesn't belong to a friendly match!!! Or anywhere else in that way!
On pitch behaviour ... what the hell where they thinking! :fero: We are not a dirty team, this is not our style of playing. I guess that there's nothing more destructful that an EGO on the roll. You guys really showed them how tough you are, brilliant!
I can only hope that noone got seriuosly injured.
About the game. I think it's time for me to join to a Trap Crap club now! Italy looked pretty pathetic in the first half. The second one seemed a bit better or was it just because there was a new, fresh pack of Azzurri legs running on the pitch, while the opponent's line-up stayed unchanged?!? Trap and his "lets send the guys out and see how they'll manage on their own + throw in only the good, old lads" plan is all set for retirement.
Didn't Panucci mess up enough in the WC? And why is Brighi played out of his position? It's obvious that the youngster goes on well with the ball and could do much better if he was played in the centre where he could supply balls to a starved-firts-half Doni, not like Tommasi, Di Biagio or Gattuso. Ambrosini had a good game as well, fighting for the ball and moving around a lot. Doni had a chance to shine in the absence of Totti, but we can't really blame him that he didn't. His performance in the 2nd half was better, thanks to Zauri's and Oddo's passes. This two really pepped up Azzurri's game! A shame and a huge waste of talent that they'll never get soo much playing time in one game if we stick to the Danone guy.
Buffon didn't have much work, but the defence had. Did OK I guess, except Panucci of course. He gets soo easily fooled this days. One thinks he learned something from last time
DP's free kick was great, missed only by an inch or two. Did OK once he got the ball, which was not a lot of times. Pippo tried, ended up with stiches on his forhead. There was a foul on him in the P box, someone pulled on his shirt and it should be a P kick, based on this year's WC ruling.
Di Vaio didn't do good yeah, but Marazzina did show something. Was far more active than the rest of the forwards we saw and there was this fine pass to Doni, was quite a goalscoring opportunity.
On pitch behaviour ... what the hell where they thinking! :fero: We are not a dirty team, this is not our style of playing. I guess that there's nothing more destructful that an EGO on the roll. You guys really showed them how tough you are, brilliant!
I can only hope that noone got seriuosly injured. About the game. I think it's time for me to join to a Trap Crap club now! Italy looked pretty pathetic in the first half. The second one seemed a bit better or was it just because there was a new, fresh pack of Azzurri legs running on the pitch, while the opponent's line-up stayed unchanged?!? Trap and his "lets send the guys out and see how they'll manage on their own + throw in only the good, old lads" plan is all set for retirement.
Didn't Panucci mess up enough in the WC? And why is Brighi played out of his position? It's obvious that the youngster goes on well with the ball and could do much better if he was played in the centre where he could supply balls to a starved-firts-half Doni, not like Tommasi, Di Biagio or Gattuso. Ambrosini had a good game as well, fighting for the ball and moving around a lot. Doni had a chance to shine in the absence of Totti, but we can't really blame him that he didn't. His performance in the 2nd half was better, thanks to Zauri's and Oddo's passes. This two really pepped up Azzurri's game! A shame and a huge waste of talent that they'll never get soo much playing time in one game if we stick to the Danone guy.
Buffon didn't have much work, but the defence had. Did OK I guess, except Panucci of course. He gets soo easily fooled this days. One thinks he learned something from last time
DP's free kick was great, missed only by an inch or two. Did OK once he got the ball, which was not a lot of times. Pippo tried, ended up with stiches on his forhead. There was a foul on him in the P box, someone pulled on his shirt and it should be a P kick, based on this year's WC ruling.
Di Vaio didn't do good yeah, but Marazzina did show something. Was far more active than the rest of the forwards we saw and there was this fine pass to Doni, was quite a goalscoring opportunity.
as much as i HATE trap for not bringing Baggio... why are u blaming him fro everything!!! i agree he should have gone before the world cup, but the players are the ones that play the game.. i think they get payed enough to do the job propaly but they suck.. just face it, we need a whole new team or something. Lets start with the Coach, the mids, and then the forwards....
On another note, I cant beleive that Trap hasnt seen that we have no creativity wat so ever! we have players like Del piero, pirlo, doni, cassano and lets not forget Baggio or Signori. They are players who have a gift at holding up the ball and looking at the game. All of them have great passing ability and some of them can Shoot from any angle.
You seriously think those players are incapable of doing better? After all most of them are world class performers for their clubs, why should it be impossible to mirror that to the national team? Yes some players always do better for their club and some always better for the NT but on the whole the players are more than good enough. What they do need is a proper coach to handle business and not send them home from Japan/Korea in the 2nd round.