[WC] Italy vs France [09.07.2006] (9 Viewers)

giovanotti

ONE MAN ARMY
Aug 13, 2004
13,725
Badass Devil said:
This is our time! The GOD of football wanted this to happen, it was in our destiny!

This is our time, we sing together the anthem with pride, and play with honour, a nation in turmoil expects...

This is our time,we have been led to the promised land, for the passion and glory, forever and ever FORZA ITALIA!!
Forza Azzurri!!!!!

Avanti!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

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Vinman

2013 Prediction Cup Champ
Jul 16, 2002
11,482
As much as I would like to see the more attacking trio of Toni, Totti, and DP start, I think DP is a better bet off the bench, early in the second half
 

ZAF3000

Senior Member
Feb 14, 2005
5,348
Lippi...... He will do it inshalah :) ...

My only worries is that the players will be more tired than the french due to the extra time and the high-tempo gain against Germany..

Forza Italia.. Forza Italia... Forza Italia..
 

Juve_25

Senior Member
Jan 3, 2006
1,316
ZAF3000 said:
Lippi...... He will do it inshalah :) ...

My only worries is that the players will be more tired than the french due to the extra time and the high-tempo gain against Germany..

Forza Italia.. Forza Italia... Forza Italia..
Yes, actually they are mines too. But, Frenchs played a day after us, so they have less time to rest.
 

Stephan

Senior Member
Nov 9, 2005
16,642
Lippi: This is Italy's moment Saturday 8 July, 2006

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Marcello Lippi realises this is Italy’s best chance in years to become World champions again and insists hunger for victory will be the deciding factor against France.

“Tomorrow we’ll go to Berlin and sit at the table laid out with delicious morsels. As the two teams are equal in terms of quality, it’ll be decided by who has the most hunger,” noted the Coach ahead of Sunday’s decider.


Italy have reached the Final every 12 years since 1970, but haven’t won since 1982 in Spain. France have only lifted this trophy once, when they were the hosts in 1998, having eliminated Italy in the quarter-finals on penalties.


“Of course, we’re facing opponents who have already won, whereas this generation of Azzurri have only gone close. I don’t want to hear statements like ‘We’re happy just to have reached the Final.’ That would really irritate me. We need to realise that a chance like this could not come round again for a while and to be here and lose would make me extremely angry.”


Defence has been the key to both sides in this tournament, as Italy have conceded just once – from a Cristian Zaccardo own goal against the USA – and France let in two goals.


However, the difference lies in the attacking options. The Azzurri’s 11 goals were scored by 10 different players, with only Luca Toni bagging a brace, while four Frenchmen have contributed to their eight strikes.


While much of the pre-match talk has revolved around how to stop Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini suggested Italy are Andrea Pirlo-dependent. “If he thinks so,” smiled Lippi. “France are stronger than Germany, but only because of their experience. The German side is still young and can become great.”


There has also been plenty of speculation on the Coach’s future, as he has refused to confirm whether he’ll remain on the Nazionale bench after the World Cup and there have been reports of a move to Manchester United.


“How can you work in a place where you don’t even know the language? There is absolutely no truth in it. I am interested only in winning the World Cup right now. We’ll see in a month where I am, but it certainly won’t be in Manchester.”
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Stephan

Senior Member
Nov 9, 2005
16,642
Big trouble in little Berlin
After inspiring France to the Final, Zinedine Zidane aims for an ending worthy of a kung fu film by beating master Marcello Lippi. James Sugrue prepares for battle.

Every tale deserves an ending as epic as the one that Zinedine Zidane’s career is about to entertain. Just like the best kung fu movies, Zizou fights one last battle, but this time he must face his former sensei – cue dramatic music.

Just like any good martial arts star, the Frenchman had humble beginnings. Born in the Marseille suburbs by Algerian parents, he started his footballing legacy in 1988 when he appeared for AS Cannes and was promptly moved up the Ligue 1 food chain when he joined Bordeaux. This is where he was soon spotted by the cigar smoking Marcello Lippi, who was still in the early days of his own legacy.


The two were to become one in Turin as Zidane became the symbol of Lippi’s all-conquering Juventus side. During his time at La Vecchia Signora the modern icon – instantly recognisable due to his unique triangular receding hairline – he won two Scudetti, the Italian Super Cup, the European Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. He also reached the peak of his performance, winning both the World Cup and European Championship with France and was awarded the Ballon D’Or as well as two FIFA World Player of the Year titles.


It was during his time under Lippi that he blossomed into the player who will now be remembered as one of the game’s all-time greats. Few players in the history of football have possessed both the immense physique and pace of Zidane as well as his almost unrivalled passing and technical abilities. This is reflected by his transfer market value’s leap in Turin. Juve signed the midfielder for just £3m at the age of 24. However in 2001 – with Zizou now rapidly approaching 30 years of age – they received a whopping £48m for his services from the 'Galactico’ happy Spaniards, Real Madrid.


With his time in La Liga also now at an end, there remains only one final match for him to play and he could hardly have chosen a bigger stage to bow out of his career. Having announced his retirement from football as of the end of the World Cup, he has inspired France all the way to the Final. It would be hard to think of a more fitting opponent than the mentor who helped to make the bald one the truly global entity that is Zinedine Zidane, and Lippi stuck to his role as B Movie sensei as he gave a bizarrely philosophical press conference on the upcoming showdown.


“It will be a difficult game, yet certainly a balanced one seeing as both sides equal each other on the pitch,” said the silver-haired tactician. “As they have gone on, France have found their condition and have rediscovered their best Zidane.” As if describing the yin and yang, Lippi seems to revel in his role as past master set to show his former pupil that he is still the older and wiser of the two.


In the films with which this saga has so much in common it is invariably the sensei that wins the first face-off with his pupil before a more humble youngster returns later to triumph. With this likely to be the last chance for the two to cross swords – despite calls for Zizou to delay his retirement – the clichés would seem to lean towards a Zidane-inspired French victory.


But this is not a kung fu film and hopefully the only thing that will be on the end of a flying kick is the football – although anything is still possible with Marco Materazzi on the pitch.:lol: Lippi will not cave in to sentiment for his old friend with a World Cup trophy and the expectations of a nation on his shoulders. And in Gennaro Gattuso he has probably the tournament’s best holding midfielder at his disposal to help deal with his former protégée.


One thing is for certain though, whoever emerges as the World Champion in Berlin will receive heartfelt respect and congratulations from their defeated foe and it is sure to be one hell of a battle in the process.
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Juve_25

Senior Member
Jan 3, 2006
1,316
Stephan said:
But this is not a kung fu film and hopefully the only thing that will be on the end of a flying kick is the football – although anything is still possible with Marco Materazzi on the pitch.
:lol: The wiser words I've ever heard in my life! :D
 

cyril

Let's roll
Jul 6, 2006
2,689
Guys im so scared :S....i was just watching summaries of world cup 1994 1998 euro 200 world cup 2002 were just unlucky IN THESE TOURNAMENTS :(..shit

I don't want to lose this one ill die ill die really

Everyone is hyping france becasue ts zizous last game...

FORZA ITALIA....FORZA ITALIA
 

mnementh

Senior Member
Jun 5, 2005
2,122
actually, if you watch that moment, it is evident that obi wan did this in purpose for Luke to see it. Obi wan lost in purpose :D I hope Italy doesn't.
 

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