The Azzurrini (U21-20-19...) Thread (8 Viewers)

Marceℓℓo

Senior Member
Mar 16, 2007
7,242
U-21: France served Italian lesson Tuesday 21 August, 2007

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The Italian Under-21 side kicked off the 2007-08 season in the best possible manner with a 2-1 victory over France.

A lively first half performance won it for the Azzurrini in a game that underlined that they will again be a force to be reckoned with on this stage for the immediate future.

Coach Gigi Casiraghi opted to use the Spezia test to try out a new formation.

Having mainly used a 4-1-4-1 with the last Under-21 generation, the former striker fielded a potentially more exciting 4-3-2-1 shape against a French outfit that included Milan’s Yoann Gourcuff and impressive Monaco forward Jeremy Menez.

However, it was the Azzurrini who ended the first half in front after a scintillating spell of football from Sebastian Giovinco and Giuseppe Rossi.
The two gems were used as No 10s behind Nicola Pozzi and it proved to be effective against a Les Bleus side which was clearly weak on the right flank.

In a game which included some tasty challenges, which led to the showing of numerous yellow cards, Italy took their time to really threaten French ‘keeper Hugo Lloris even if Giovinco and Rossi were looking dangerous.

French attacks were rather thin and were mainly limited to long-range efforts that were comfortably dealt with by Andrea Consigli in between the Italian sticks.

By the half hour stage Italy had settled and took the lead through Daniele Dessena. He may have been the kid who got his name on the score-sheet but it was all down to Giovinco really.

The pint-sized attacking midfielder, on loan at Empoli from Juventus, skipped past three players on the left and his low cross was diverted into the empty net by Dessena. It was the youngster’s second international goal in just four games.

That strike saw the limited crowd at the Alberto Picco rise to their feet and they did the same just three minutes later when Rossi made it 2-0. A corner from the left found Rossi near the penalty spot and the new Villarreal signing stylishly smashed it in with his left foot.

Half-time brought with it the inevitable mass changes which we are accustomed to in friendlies and robbed us of more from Rossi and Giovinco who were replaced by Arturo Lupoli and Robert Acquafresca.

The changes had a negative effect on the Azzurrini who gifted France a goal back. A misunderstanding at the back between Marco Motta and Lino Marzoratti allowed the ball to find Julien Quercia who slotted home.

The Italian defence was looking rather nervy having lost Domenico Criscito in training this morning, before Marco Andreolli and Fabiano Santacroce were forced off during the game because of injury.

And it wasn’t long before France almost equalised as sub ‘keeper Salvatore Sirigu was forced into a cracking save from Yoan Gouffran.

The second period was no advertisement for entertainment as the sides struggled to build attacks with the final ball letting down both sets of players. Marchisio and Lupoli did have efforts on goal, but neither looked like rippling the net.

It wasn’t until injury time that the scoreline almost changed again. Gabriele Paonessa cut in from the left and his right-footed shot slammed into the post. It mattered not though as Italy held on for a win they deserved and clearly wanted.

Italy 2-1 France
Goals: Dessena 37 (I), G Rossi 40 (I), Quercia 55 (F)

Italy: Consigli (Sirigu 46); Motta, Andreolli (Santacroce 22, Ranocchia 57), Marzoratti, Pisano (Paonessa 66); Cigarini (Morosini 60), Dessena (De Ceglie 46), Marchisio; Giovinco (Lupoli 46), Rossi (Acquafresca 46); Pozzi (Russotto 46)

France: Lloris; Bellaid, Josse (Louvion 71), Marange (Moutaouakil 46), Dabo (Marveaux 46); Chantome (Gouffran 46), Gourcuff (Mulumbu 86), Matuidi, Payet (Ben Arfa 46); Menez (Quercia 46), Samassa (Bonnet 46)

Ref: Clattenburg (Eng)

Source:Channel 4

:weee:It's always a pleasure to beat france!Giovinco is the real deal:eyebrows:
 

Cuti

The Real MC
Jul 30, 2006
13,517
first half: best players: Marchisio, Rossi and Giovinco
second half: no-one played very well but the best player was probably De Ceglie.

We should have got Rossi instead of Iaquinta, Marchisio and Giovinco where linking perfectly with him. It was cintilating
 

AngelaL

Jinx Minx
Aug 25, 2006
10,215
U-21: France served Italian lesson Tuesday 21 August, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Italian Under-21 side kicked off the 2007-08 season in the best possible manner with a 2-1 victory over France.

A lively first half performance won it for the Azzurrini in a game that underlined that they will again be a force to be reckoned with on this stage for the immediate future.

Coach Gigi Casiraghi opted to use the Spezia test to try out a new formation.

Having mainly used a 4-1-4-1 with the last Under-21 generation, the former striker fielded a potentially more exciting 4-3-2-1 shape against a French outfit that included Milan’s Yoann Gourcuff and impressive Monaco forward Jeremy Menez.

However, it was the Azzurrini who ended the first half in front after a scintillating spell of football from Sebastian Giovinco and Giuseppe Rossi.
The two gems were used as No 10s behind Nicola Pozzi and it proved to be effective against a Les Bleus side which was clearly weak on the right flank.

In a game which included some tasty challenges, which led to the showing of numerous yellow cards, Italy took their time to really threaten French ‘keeper Hugo Lloris even if Giovinco and Rossi were looking dangerous.

French attacks were rather thin and were mainly limited to long-range efforts that were comfortably dealt with by Andrea Consigli in between the Italian sticks.

By the half hour stage Italy had settled and took the lead through Daniele Dessena. He may have been the kid who got his name on the score-sheet but it was all down to Giovinco really.

The pint-sized attacking midfielder, on loan at Empoli from Juventus, skipped past three players on the left and his low cross was diverted into the empty net by Dessena. It was the youngster’s second international goal in just four games.

That strike saw the limited crowd at the Alberto Picco rise to their feet and they did the same just three minutes later when Rossi made it 2-0. A corner from the left found Rossi near the penalty spot and the new Villarreal signing stylishly smashed it in with his left foot.

Half-time brought with it the inevitable mass changes which we are accustomed to in friendlies and robbed us of more from Rossi and Giovinco who were replaced by Arturo Lupoli and Robert Acquafresca.

The changes had a negative effect on the Azzurrini who gifted France a goal back. A misunderstanding at the back between Marco Motta and Lino Marzoratti allowed the ball to find Julien Quercia who slotted home.

The Italian defence was looking rather nervy having lost Domenico Criscito in training this morning, before Marco Andreolli and Fabiano Santacroce were forced off during the game because of injury.

And it wasn’t long before France almost equalised as sub ‘keeper Salvatore Sirigu was forced into a cracking save from Yoan Gouffran.

The second period was no advertisement for entertainment as the sides struggled to build attacks with the final ball letting down both sets of players. Marchisio and Lupoli did have efforts on goal, but neither looked like rippling the net.

It wasn’t until injury time that the scoreline almost changed again. Gabriele Paonessa cut in from the left and his right-footed shot slammed into the post. It mattered not though as Italy held on for a win they deserved and clearly wanted.

Italy 2-1 France
Goals: Dessena 37 (I), G Rossi 40 (I), Quercia 55 (F)

Italy: Consigli (Sirigu 46); Motta, Andreolli (Santacroce 22, Ranocchia 57), Marzoratti, Pisano (Paonessa 66); Cigarini (Morosini 60), Dessena (De Ceglie 46), Marchisio; Giovinco (Lupoli 46), Rossi (Acquafresca 46); Pozzi (Russotto 46)

France: Lloris; Bellaid, Josse (Louvion 71), Marange (Moutaouakil 46), Dabo (Marveaux 46); Chantome (Gouffran 46), Gourcuff (Mulumbu 86), Matuidi, Payet (Ben Arfa 46); Menez (Quercia 46), Samassa (Bonnet 46)

Ref: Clattenburg (Eng)

Source:Channel 4

:weee:It's always a pleasure to beat france!Giovinco is the real deal:eyebrows:
:agree: Good to see the "on loan" Juventini do well. Forza Azzurini! That's right! Show the Azzurri what to do when they meet France later on this year.
 

Christina

vanilla pudding
Aug 21, 2006
19,775
first half: best players: Marchisio, Rossi and Giovinco
second half: no-one played very well but the best player was probably De Ceglie.

We should have got Rossi instead of Iaquinta, Marchisio and Giovinco where linking perfectly with him. It was cintilating
:agree: Giovinco and Rossi were amazing and I'd say Consigli was really good too.

Casiraghi hails 'unstoppable' duo
Wednesday 22 August 2007
by Paolo Menicucci


Italy Under-21 coach Pierluigi Casiraghi has described his side's attacking stars, Giuseppe Rossi and Sebastian Giovinco as "unstoppable" following the 2-1 victory against France on Tuesday night.

Impressive performances
Rossi and Giovinco were both in sparkling form during the match in La Spezia, Giovinco setting up Italy's opening goal with a fine solo run and pass to allow Daniele Dessena to score on 37 minutes before Rossi scored the second with a precise left-foot volley three minutes later. France managed to pull a goal back in the second half through Julien Quercia but Italy held on for an impressive victory.

'Unstoppable'
"When they are in possession, they are unstoppable," said Casiraghi of the two starlets who both made club switches over the summer. The 21-year-old Giovinco, now on loan from Juventus at Empoli FC, was pleased with the way the evening went: "The season has not yet started in Italy so we were not at our very best, but still we managed to play very well, especially in the first 45 minutes when we created several chances."

'Great potential'
American born 20-year-old Rossi, meanwhile, secured a move to Spanish UEFA Cup hopefuls Villarreal CF in July and was delighted with his efforts against the French. "I was pleased with my goal because the ball was high but I managed to get a good contact anyway and keep the shot low," he said. A member of the Azzurrini squad which failed to progress from the group stage in the UEFA European Under-21 Championships in the Netherlands last summer, Rossi sees a bright future for the Italy. "I think this U21 side have great potential, there are plenty of players with great talent," he added. Italy began their qualifying campaign for the 2009 finals with a 4-0 win against Albania in June and next face the Faroe Islands and Albania again in September.

uefa.com
 
OP

ReBeL

The Jackal
Jan 14, 2005
22,871
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread Starter #176
    De Silvestri joins Italy selection


    S.S. Lazio full-back Lorenzo De Silvestri has been included in Pierluigi Casiraghi's Italy squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Albania.

    The 19-year-old caught the eye in Lazio's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round win at FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti and could now play in the Group 1 games on 7 and 11 September. De Silvestri previously captained Italy at U17 and U19 levels. AS Roma defender Marco Andreolli returns to the squad after missing the 2-1 friendly victory against France through injury. Five-time European champions Italy are second in their group behind Croatia but have a match in hand after defeating Albania 4-0 in their opener in June.

    Italy squad
    Goalkeepers: Andrea Consigli (Rimini Calcio), Salvatore Sirigu (US Cremonese).

    Defenders: Marco Andreolli (AS Roma), Domenico Criscito (Juventus), Lorenzo De Silvestri (S.S. Lazio), Lino Marzoratti (Empoli FC), Marco Motta (Torino FC), Francesco Pisano (Cagliari Calcio), Andrea Ranocchia (AC Arezzo), Marco Rossi (Parma FC), Fabiano Santacroce (Brescia Calcio).

    Midfielders: Luca Cigarini (Parma FC), Paolo De Ceglie (AC Siena), Daniele Dessena (Parma FC), Sebastian Giovinco (Empoli FC), Claudio Marchisio (Empoli FC), Piermario Morosini (Vicenza Calcio), Gabriele Paonessa (US Avellino), Andrea Russotto (Treviso FC).

    Forwards: Robert Acquafresca (Cagliari Calcio), Arturo Lupoli (ACF Fiorentina), Nicola Pozzi (Empoli FC), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal CF).

    uefa.com
     

    Dostoevsky

    Tzu
    Administrator
    May 27, 2007
    88,980
    Toni gets recovery boost

    Azzurri marksman Luca Toni’s chances of playing in Saturday’s Euro 2008 qualifier with France have increased, according to the national side’s doctor.

    The Bayern Munich striker has enjoyed a fast start to the season with three goals in his first three Bundesliga outings, but suffered a thigh injury against Hannover last weekend.

    Initial reports suggested that the ex-Fiorentina hero would miss Saturday’s San Siro encounter, but the news is much more promising today.

    “His condition has improved,” Ferretti explained. “On Friday we will decide, but I am optimistic. We will speak to the Coach and the staff and see what is the best move.

    “We did a scan on the upper quadricep on his right leg and we hope that he will be available to start against France and Ukraine.”

    This may prove disappointing news for Milan hitman Pippo Inzaghi, who was set to replace Toni in the front line.

    “It’s a fascinating challenge that anyone would want to be part of, but it doesn’t come down to a head-to-head between me and Luca,” Inzaghi insisted.

    “The real battle is with France as they have spoken so much and we haven’t replied as we are waiting to do so on the pitch.”

    channel 4
     

    Tobias

    Guerriero
    Sep 20, 2006
    3,777
    Toni gets recovery boost

    Azzurri marksman Luca Toni’s chances of playing in Saturday’s Euro 2008 qualifier with France have increased, according to the national side’s doctor.

    The Bayern Munich striker has enjoyed a fast start to the season with three goals in his first three Bundesliga outings, but suffered a thigh injury against Hannover last weekend.

    Initial reports suggested that the ex-Fiorentina hero would miss Saturday’s San Siro encounter, but the news is much more promising today.

    “His condition has improved,” Ferretti explained. “On Friday we will decide, but I am optimistic. We will speak to the Coach and the staff and see what is the best move.

    “We did a scan on the upper quadricep on his right leg and we hope that he will be available to start against France and Ukraine.”

    This may prove disappointing news for Milan hitman Pippo Inzaghi, who was set to replace Toni in the front line.

    “It’s a fascinating challenge that anyone would want to be part of, but it doesn’t come down to a head-to-head between me and Luca,” Inzaghi insisted.

    “The real battle is with France as they have spoken so much and we haven’t replied as we are waiting to do so on the pitch.”

    channel 4
    :shifty:
     

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