Italy were held to a 1-1 draw by Serbia on Friday. Cesare Prandelli’s side took a first-minute lead through midfielder Claudio Marchisio before Branislav Ivanovic levelled midway through the first half.

Serbia left back Aleksandar Kolarov tested Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon with a long range effort almost straight after the kick off, before Marchisio scored at the other end after he was put through by Giuseppe De Rossi.

The midfielder took De Rossi’s pass in his stride and easily rounded Serbia centre back Slobodan Rajkovic before he steered the ball past keeper Bojan Jorgacevic.
The Italians nearly doubled their lead but Jorgacevic denied Giuseppe Rossi with an excellent save, before the home side regained their composure and started to pile on the pressure.

Having made several marauding runs on either flank, Serbia came close when winger Milos Krasic volleyed wide of the far post before they levelled in the 26th minute.

The Italians failed to clear a corner and the rebound fell kindly for Zoran Tosic, whose fierce volley from the edge of the penalty box was steered in from close range by defender Ivanovic.

Kolarov twice had Buffon at full stretch in the second half and striker Marko Pantelic headed Ivanovic’s cross inches over the crossbar as Serbia dominated proceedings after the interval, although Italy enjoyed more possession in the closing stages.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli was happy with his team’s performance.

“The players showed a lot of character and we played well on a very difficult pitch, but we know that we have to improve in many departments if we are to be one of the title contenders in next year’s finals. We are not the best team in the world but we will keep working hard to get better and we have the will-power to achieve these objectives.”

 photo credit: mao_lini

While Italy remain unbeaten in Group C, there were far from impressive as they beat the lowly Faroe Islands 1-0 behind an 11th minute goal from Antonio Cassano. The result has placed Cesare Prandelli’s side eight points clear of nearest rivals Slovenia in the pool with three games remaining. Slovenia lost 2-1 at home to Estonia and will travel to Florence on Tuesday to take on Italy.

With the first week of Serie A action postponed due to a player strike, it was not surprising that Italy were unimpressive. The lack of competitive match fitness apparent.

Prandelli started with Giuseppe Rossi and Cassano in attack and his selection paid dividends. Italy were first to threaten in the sixth minute, when Riccardo Montolivo set up Cassano inside the area and the AC Milan striker’s right-footed shot went wide.

Italy continued to press forward and went in front soon afterwards. Andrea Pirlo found Cassano inside the six-yard box and he fired past Faroe Islands goalkeeper Rene Torgard.

The hosts’ first attempt saw Joan Edmundsson’s right-footed strike deflected away by a defender, but they almost pulled level in the 24th minute with Suni Olsen’s 30-yard effort hitting the post.

In the 34th minute, Daniele De Rossi’s powerful strike from 30 yards was punched away by Torgard. Shortly after, Rossi wasted a good chance with his effort going wide. Italy almost doubled their lead before the break, though, but Domenico Criscito’s left-footed strike from the edge of the area was saved by Torgard.

Prandelli made his first substitution on the hour mark, with Pazzini replacing Rossi. The Inter Milan forward almost made an immediate impact, but his header from Christian Maggio’s cross was easy for Edmundsson to gather.

Italy were a little lucky to gain all three points as the Faroe Islands hit the crossbar in the 71st minute when Christian Holst’s effort rebounded off the bar with Buffon beaten.

Italy have been drawn against Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia and Malta in their 2014 World Cup Qualifying draw. While it is not the easiest of draws it could have been a lot worse as Italy avoided both France and Russia. Regardless, it will be a major shock if Italy does not head to Brazil as group winners.

Cesare Prandelli Reaction:

“We are Italy and our aim in qualifying must be to win the group.” Cesare Prandelli was remaining cautious but he couldn’t hide his satisfaction at having avoided France and several other dangerous teams in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. After being informed by his collaborators in Rio of the draw that put Italy in Group B with Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia and Malta, the Italy manager was asked which team he feared most: “If you name one, then you risk getting a nasty surprise. At the moment I’m concentrating on our qualifying group for Euro 2012, and our task as a team is to keep improving so that we’re ready for that tournament. We have plenty of time between now and when World Cup qualifying starts, but of course being who we are our aim must be to win that group.” FIGC (Italian F.A.) president Giancarlo Abete: “I think it’s a good draw – though we must be careful – considering that we didn’t get either of the teams thought to be the toughest opponents in Pot Two, Russia and France.”

Italy’s Group Opponents
On paper, Denmark is probably Italy’t most difficult opponent. The Danes are led by Ajax’s attacking midfielder Eriksen and Arsenal striker Bendtner. They also have two players amongst their ranks who used to ply their trade in Serie A: former Juventus defensive midfielder Poulsen, now at Liverpool, and ex-Palermo centre-back Kjaer, now at Wolfsburg.

The Czech Republic’s star player is Chelsea keeper Cech. Bulgaria, a team that Italy faced in qualifying for South Africa 2010, should be without Manchester United forward Berbatov, but can still count on the two Petrovs in midfield and Bojinov, who has just left Parma, up front.

Armenia and Malta are theoretically the whipping boys making up the numbers at the tail end of the group. The only player of note in the Malta team is Michael Mifsud, the “Messi of Malta”, who used to star for Coventry. Armenia’s best player is Marcos Pizzelli, who plays for Metarlug Donetsk.

 photo credit: warrenski

Italy strengthened their grip on UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group C after an impressive victory against Estonia in Modena.

Goals by Giuseppe Rossi, Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini earned the Azzurri their fifth win of the campaign, which has all but secured their place in Poland and Ukraine nest summer. They have the chance to move closer to next year’s finals in their next fixture, on 2 September against the Faroe Islands, who are Estonia’s opponents on Tuesday.

Italy dominated this match, as its midfield of Andrea Pirlo, Alberto Aquilani and Riccardo Montolivo completely dominated the game. Up front the partnership of Cassano and Rossi looked dangerous all game.

It was the two strikers who combined beautifully after 13 minutes when Cassano was put clean through by his fellow forward only to be denied by the legs of Sergei Pereiko, who then had to repel Rossi’s goalbound header from a Pirlo corner.

The Estonia goalkeeper saved again from the Villarreal striker after Rossi had raced on to Montolivo’s threaded pass but he was beaten by the same player on 21 minutes, Rossi controlling Cassano’s ball, advancing into the area and finishing adroitly. Estonia, swamped by the tide of blue shirts, threatened rarely, an ambitious Tarmo Kink shot leaving Gianluigi Buffon untroubled. Pereiko, while relieved to see a Rossi thunderbolt come back off the post, was then powerless to prevent Cassano’s shot on the turn going in off the same upright to double Italy’s lead.

The second half continued in the same vein with Cesare Prandelli’s side painting pretty passing patterns around a tiring Estonian side. Pirlo struck the foot of the post with a free-kick on 66 minutes, but it was Pazzini who extended the Azzurri lead three minutes after replacing Cassano. The Inter Milan striker running on to Montolivo’s long ball before rifling his second international goal past Pereiko.

Buffon with rarely troubled in the Italian goal and his clean sheet was Italy’s fifth in six qualifying matches.

photo credit: Abdullah AL-Naser

This was definitely not the picture Ranieri had envisioned when the season got underway a little over a month ago. With 4 games played Ranieri had hoped that his side would continue with their impressive run that saw them miss out on last season’s scudetto by only 2 points.

The Giallorosso are now in 17th place with 2 points from 4 games and Ranieri’s future hangs in the balance. Foermer Milan coach and player Leonardo has been linked as one of the potential replacements for Ranieri. The other is Former Italy coach Marcelo Lippi.

Speaking to Gazetto Dello Sport, Lippi clearly stated that he was ready for any coaching role.

“I was just taking a break after the World Cup,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “If I were to receive a proposal I like, I would be ready.”

Leonardo on the other hand has not expressed any desire to coach Roma however, the media have continually linked him with Ranieri’s job. According to them Leonardo’s appeal and intelligence could attract investrs and sponsorship to the club-something Ranieri has failed to do.

Of course controversy still surrounds the referee’s decision to award Brescia the penalty with many claiming that it was the wrong move. Not wanting to be left behind, Lippi gave his own 2 cents worth on the referee’s call.

“We all saw the handling offense from the touchline and the officials didn’t? It is clear, so visible.

“I am curious to know if the linesman gave the penalty. The referee was blocked off from seeing it clearly, but if the linesman gave it then he ought to be hospitalised for tests on his eyesight. He can’t see anything!”

Photo credit: from Calcio Better

Italy‘s most famous goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will not return to action this year. The Juventus custodian suffered a serious injury while on international duty with the Azzurri in the World Cup and is in a race against time to be fit for Juve’s match against his former club Parma after the winter break.

Gigi as he is commonly referred to, had a herniated disc operation to try and rectify the problem that could have otherwise ended his career in late June and doctors want to make sure he does not suffer a relapse of his injury should he return to the pitch any time before hai fully recovers.

With the signings the Bianconeri made this summer, the addition of Buffon could just tip the tide of the scudetto in their favour. I have always maintained that Juventus will be the shock of the season and i still stand by those sentiments.

As the last line of defense for the Juventus, Buffon has time and time again proved that getting past him is no easy feat. Should Buffon be fit for the second half of the season, then Del Neri can be sure that his side can go all the way in pursuit of their 29 scudetto title.

However, this all depends on how they perform this first half. The Turin outfit lost by a sinlge goal to Bari on the opening day of the Serie A season and the pressure is on Del Neri and his new acquisitions to restore to the club and its fans the pride it rightfully deserves.

Photo credit: from galeria_futbolera

Fielding equally strong sides for yesterday’s international friendly against the Elephants of Ivory Coast, Cesare prandelli tasted defeat in his first match as Azzurri boss.

Italy lost by a single Kolo Toure goal in the 55th minute as the the Manchester City defender rose above everyone to connect with Guy Demel’s perfect cross from the right to head the ball past Italy’s goalie Salvatore Sirigu.

This result will of course be the main talking point for this football mad nation that is still coming to terms with its humiliating exist at the group stages of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Inter’s bad boy Mario Balotelli earned his first cap for the senior side with Antonio Cassano also returning to the team. The only notable absentee was AC Milan’s Andrea Pirlo.

Yesterday’s loss increases Italy’s August friendly losses to five in the last nine years. With Euro 2012 qualifiers set to begin in the coming weeks, Italy needed a positive result to increase their morale ahead of tough fixtures against Estonia and the Faroe Islands.

Cesare Prandelli has however brushed off the loss saying that he was not to worried about the result.

“If memory serves me, even [former Italy coach Marcello] Lippi had a loss during his debut match,” the former Fiorentina tactician told Rai after the game. “I hope that it brings us good luck.

“The players gave it everything they had with only two days in training.

He was however quick to praise both Balotelli and Cassano.

“[Antonio] Cassano did well, [Mario] Balotelli was making his debut, but I saw him do some good things.

On the future of the national team, Prandelli had this to say.

“But one thing we must do is improve our quality of play, but we have lots of time to improve on this. We must also provide better support for the three players up front in attack.”

Photo credit: from Nove foto da Firenze

New Italian national team coach, Cesare Prandelli, prove his words to give a fresher look to the Azzuri team as he called up some interesting new players and also those who were left out by Marcello Lippi.

Among some of the names being summoned for the upcoming friendly against Ivory Coast, the likes of Antonio Cassano and Mario Ballotelli are the ones that surely catch many attention.

The two “bad boys” were being considered the creative talents that the Azzurri really missed in the last world cup and surely after Prandelli calls them up, everyone would expect to see what kind of spark that Lippi have been leaving out in South Africa. The two talents, especially Cassano will surely be the player that Italy will be counting on a lot for the upcoming Euro qualification round as he is currently being considered as the next talisman.

Prandelli himself has already had high hopes on the Sampdoria’s trequartista as he believes that Cassano is much more mature this days and ready to lead the Azzurri’s attack in the “new” Italian national team.

The former As Roma man is undoubtedly talented but his attitude in the past has been the main issues that puts him in and out of the national team, surely looking at his recent run in Sampdoria, people can finally hope to see a much more consistent and influential Cassano.

“Cassano has reached maturity now. It is an extraordinary opportunity for him. His Azzurri adventure can be very consistent if he feels himself to be a protagonist and a focal point for his teammates. Prandelli stated.

As for Balotelli, despite all of his antiques, the former Fiorentina coach is willing to consider his enormous potential and talent rather than the controversy that the Inter Milan striker’s caused. Prandelli believes that with the right approach Balo can finally put his footballing talent in the field and leave out all of the nonsense behind him.

“As for Balotelli, all these lads here have great talent, but they must also prove they are grown-ups. Too often we treat them like spoilt children,” Prandelli said. “I want to create a feeling of empathy with players like him, to let him know I am here, I am listening and what can I do to help you?

Now since the stage is set, there will surely be a pressure for both Cassano and Balotelli to prove their worth in front of many football fans that Italy still have what it takes. Everything will also depends on how can Prandelli maximize all of the potential that those two players have so they can bring a positive impact for the team.

Beside from Cassano and Balotelli, some other interesting “new” players that were called up by Pradelli are the likes of Luca Antonini, Sirigu, Viviano, Davide Astori, Andrea Lazzarri, Lucchini and Carvalho Amauri.
Here is the complete list of Italian players being called up for Tuesday’s friendly game against Ivory Coast:

Goalkeepers: Sirigu (Palermo), Viviano (Bologna), Mirante (Parma)

Defenders: Antonini (Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Bonucci (Juventus), Cassani (Palermo), Chiellini (Juventus), Lucchini (Sampdoria), Molinaro (Stuttgart), Motta (Juventus)

Midfielders: De Rossi (Roma), Lazzari (Cagliari), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Juventus)

Attackers: Amauri (Juventus), Balotelli (Inter), Borriello (Milan), Cassano (Sampdoria), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal)

photo credit: LaertesCTB

Italy‘s World Cup Villain turned hero Roberto Baggio is back in business after 6 years out in the sidelines. The 43 year old former Italy international famed for his trademark ponytail is now the president for the technical committee of the FIGC (Italian FA).

For a player of such immense talent, it is a shame that Baggio is remembered more for his penalty miss in their 1994 World Cup final loss to Brazil rather than for his exceptional skill that made him one of the country’s legends and endeared him in the hearts of many fans worldwide.

The former Fiorentina, Juventus, Milan and Inter forward now has a heavy task ahead of him as he seeks to restore some pride in the national side. Baggio will work hand in hand with former Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli as they prepare the Azzurri for their next major tournament-Euro 2012.

The 2006 world champions suffered a humiliating 2010 campaign in which they failed to make it past the group stages of the tournament. Baggio’s appointment signals the dawn of a new era.

Baggio holds the record of being the only Italian player to have scored in three world cups and is hoping that some of that good fortune can rub off into his new job. Scoring an impressive 218 goals in 488 club appearances, Baggio is one of Italy’s record goal scorers.

Speaking to the press, Baggio expressed his delight at the job.

“I have given my assent, on my part there’s the maximum willingness to hold the role of president of the technical sector at Coverciano. Now, however I have to wait the Federal Board on Wednesday.”

Prandelli has already made major changes to the national team to include former out of favour players Balotelli and Cassano. Only time will tell how successful this combination will be however, if their past successes are anything to go by, then i believe this is the beginning of great things for Italy.

Photo credit: from futboltrivias

AC Milan’s versatile defender Gianluca Zambrotta has extended his contract with the Rossoneri until June 2012. Despite his age, this is one deal that i am very pleased with. Zambrotta is still a very good player and i believe, the next two years will produce the best in him.

Gifted with a natural attacking ability,  Zambrotta was one of the few Azzurri players who stood out in the World Cup. The former Barcelona and Juventus player joined Milan in May 2008 signing a 3 year contract earning him annual wages of 4 million Euros.

It is not known whether his contract extension has been improved however, i bet it is rather obvious that Milan are not ready to spend anything more than 4 million Euros on any player including their stars like Ronaldinho and Seerdorf.

A statement on the club’s official website confirmed this:

“A.C Milan communicates to have extended the contract of Gianluca Zambrotta until June 30, 2012.”

With right back Massimo Oddo also renewing his contract and the signing of Sokratis Papapthastopoulos, Milan’s defense should be water tight next season. A key worry however for many of its fans is whether the club will sign an additional attacker who can partner well with Pato and Ronaldinho upfront.

Sevilla’s Fabiano and Wolfsburg’s Dzeko have been consistently linked with a move to the San Siro but Milan has backed out of any negotiations due to the hefty buy-out prices that these clubs are asking for.

Moreover, the club needs a young player who has a lengthy career ahead of him. Milan problems can be closely compared with those that Arsenal are experiencing. Arsene Wenger believes that the future of Arsenal lies with the youth and he has gone onto to buy many young players who were largely unheard of and nurtured them into world class players.

Wenger also has a strict policy where the club does not offer more than a one year contract extension to players who are over the age of 30. Now, this policy is very good if you are running a youth team however, if you are competing in major competitions against very strong teams and expect a youthfully side to carry the day at the expense of experience, you must be dreaming.

Similarly, if  a team majorly consists of  old players and is regularly competing against young and agile opponents, there is no way they can be successful. A perfect solution would be to blend both the young and old to produce a killer winning combination.

If both Milan and Arsenal can do this, i do not see any reason why they cannot dominate their respective leagues. Ironically, both these teams meet in a pre-season friendly on July 31st in Arsenal’s Emirates stadium for the Emirates Cup.

Photo credit: from milan-fans.tk