The Official Italy WC Thread (30 Viewers)

[sateeh]

i think Lippi is pondering starting both alex and totti together and leaving Gila or Toni out, or mybe he just wants to test the system out with both alex and totti there. I guess we will see tomorrow if its a success or not

 

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[Eddy]

cant wait !

 

[Bjerknes]

Zambrotta out of opener
Tuesday 30 May, 2006

Gianluca Zambrotta will travel to the World Cup Finals after his injury scare, but he may miss Italy’s first two group games.

Zambrotta picked up a thigh muscle problem on Sunday and although he’s been cleared to travel to Germany, the Juventus stopper is a doubt for the matches against Ghana and USA.

“It’s only a small tear which is comforting,” said Azzurri team doctor Enrico Castellacci. “If everything goes well then he should be fit again within 15 or 20 days.

“But we are not taking anything for granted. We have to make sure that he doesn’t suffer a recurrence of the problem even if we are calm and optimistic.”

The left-back underwent a number of tests on Monday night which ruled out the possibility of the star being withdrawn from the squad, but it looks like Marcello Lippi will have to make other plans for the big kick-off.

The tactician is now likely to field Palermo’s Fabio Grosso on the left, with his club teammate Cristian Zaccardo being placed on the right side of defence.

Zambrotta, if everything goes according to plan, should feature in the last game of the group against the Czech Republic.

The former Bari player will now spend seven days receiving physiotherapy and resting, before undergoing another scan next week.

www.channel4.com

 

[sateeh]

its a shame, poor zambro... hope he is fit for the last game against czech

 

[Seven]

In all fairness it shouldn't be a problem. With all respect, but Ghana and the United States shouldn't pose a real threat.

 

[Stephan]

oh god injury problems

remember last world cup, nesta was injured also and canna was suspended for one game.

why this happens now, how unlucky. i know we could think that ghana and usa wont be that hard games, but loosing one of the starting players, one of the moust solid defenders around is defenetly bad. grosso is good but his no zambro, he leaves sometimes too much space for opponent when he goes forward. he doesnt watch his back so well.

 

[Snoop]

In all fairness it shouldn't be a problem. With all respect, but Ghana and the United States shouldn't pose a real threat.

I hope Lippi and the players don't think like you

 

[Seven]

I hope Lippi and the players don't think like you

You're right, they shouldn't, but let's not kid ourselves. Ghana and the US shouldn't pose a threat. Lippi and the players have to think they do in order to keep sharp, but as a fan you can tell it like it is.

 

[Stephan]

oh god seven, usadefenetly can pose a threat. usa players play in europe. their strikers(psv has one or two) have played against ac milan two season in a row. so they know nesta.

i understand usa is not popular with football, they have other sports, but thats the thing, we actually dont know how well or badly they can do. italy has had 2 bad tournaments (2002 world cup and euro2004), italy defenetly cant go with this kind of attitude to world cup 2006 or we will finish 3th with goaldifference.

for example

--with Chechs 0-0 draw
--with usa 1-1 draw
--with ghana 2-1 win

that means 2 draws and one win, so 5 points

lets say usa-CR 1-3
usa-ghana 1-0

that means usa has 5 points and a better goal difference might give them that 2 position in groupstage.

ofcourse i am pretty confident about italy progress, but anything can happen.

 

[Stephan]

btw i was wondering, if 3 teams have same amount of points and goals who will progress.

like forexample lets say usa, italy, chechs beat ghana 2:0 and all 3 play 1:1 draw. who will progress then. ofcourse i understand its very unlikely this happens but if it does, how will they decide who will go. will they have another game?

 

[Morra10]

does anybody know what channel will be playing the Italy vs ukraine match?

 

[Snoop]

You're right, they shouldn't, but let's not kid ourselves. Ghana and the US shouldn't pose a threat. Lippi and the players have to think they do in order to keep sharp, but as a fan you can tell it like it is.

USA is not a super power maybe, but definitly not a team to underrate. I am worried actually if "we" will beat them, a draw is possiblr IMO.

and Ghana isn't that bad, but yeah Italy should beat them.

 

[Bjerknes]

In all fairness it shouldn't be a problem. With all respect, but Ghana and the United States shouldn't pose a real threat.

Ahh, I love those words.

 

[Bjerknes]

oh god seven, usadefenetly can pose a threat. usa players play in europe. their strikers(psv has one or two) have played against ac milan two season in a row. so they know nesta.

i understand usa is not popular with football, they have other sports, but thats the thing, we actually dont know how well or badly they can do. italy has had 2 bad tournaments (2002 world cup and euro2004), italy defenetly cant go with this kind of attitude to world cup 2006 or we will finish 3th with goaldifference.

for example

--with Chechs 0-0 draw
--with usa 1-1 draw
--with ghana 2-1 win

that means 2 draws and one win, so 5 points

lets say usa-CR 1-3
usa-ghana 1-0

that means usa has 5 points and a better goal difference might give them that 2 position in groupstage.

ofcourse i am pretty confident about italy progress, but anything can happen.

Group of deaths are virtually never passed by the two favorite sides who have the most expectations. While the pressure is on Argentina and Holland in Group C, I highly doubt both of those countries will progress, especially now seeing what Pekerman has done with his ridiculous omissions. Looking at our respective group, every single person who is paying attention to this tournament expects Italy to pass through this group, and many also have their sights set on the Czechs. The pressure is growing hotter by the day prior to this World Cup, and that could be the stumbling block for these two sides. Either Italy or the Czechs will crash out of this group...I don't have a doubt in my mind. It's just a matter of who doesn't choke.

 

[Bjerknes]

Italy has injuries and a scandal taking headlines about two weeks before the opening game, the Czechs have injury concerns regarding Galasek, Smicer, and perhaps Rosicky. The elements are present for there to be huge upsets within this group, and I am sure either the US or Ghana could be finding themselves in the next round.

 

[Stephan]

Group of deaths are virtually never passed by the two favorite sides who have the most expectations. While the pressure is on Argentina and Holland in Group C, I highly doubt both of those countries will progress, especially now seeing what Pekerman has done with his ridiculous omissions. Looking at our respective group, every single person who is paying attention to this tournament expects Italy to pass through this group, and many also have their sights set on the Czechs. The pressure is growing hotter by the day prior to this World Cup, and that could be the stumbling block for these two sides. Either Italy or the Czechs will crash out of this group...I don't have a doubt in my mind. It's just a matter of who doesn't choke.

what about brazil group (brazil, croatia, japan, australia)? there was a poll in eurosport about who will be the surprising first-round exit team and over 20000 votes, guess what, brazil was voted the moust. the differences where not very big but still, you can check yourself in eurosport.com first page when you add your vote.

about italy. i am not so sure every person thinks about italy pass through especially now when the scandal is up. as it seems to me, many actually think italy aint gona make it because of this scandal. ofcourse differant people differant opinions, but because of this scandal, people really are not so sure anymore about italy going through.

 

[Hydde]

guys i need to know the time for tomorrows ital game against swiss please

 

[Vinman]

In all fairness it shouldn't be a problem. With all respect, but Ghana and the United States shouldn't pose a real threat.

neither should have South Korea in WC 2002

 

[sateeh]

if the Italian team plays without complacency then it shouldnt be a hard task ahead of them.
Czech is not the toughest team at the moment so the the US or Ghana have a big chance of getting into the 2nd round

 

[Seven]

Ahh, I love those words.

Look, Andy, it's fair and simple: in terms of quality Italy are miles ahead of the USA. I would agree that the players should not underestimate the USA, but as fan I can't do anything but say Italy simply have to win this game.