Italy: Balotelli’s Italy shines in friendlies

After clinching the qualifications to the final stage of the Euro cup competition to be plated in 2012, Italy played 2 friendlies to sharpen its gameplay. In the first match played on Nov. 11th in Poland, Italy performed well winning (0-2) with goals scored by an inspiring Balotelli (photo) and Pazzini with Buffon even saving a penalty. In the 2nd match played on Nov 15th in Roma, Italy struggled to put into practice its offensive gameplay and lost (0-1_ against Uruguay America’s current champions. The guest clinched an early lead and played a smart counter-attack closing spaces but Italy created several chances on goal with Balotellli, Balazaretti and Pepe among others. Coach Prandelli was satisfied of both performances but its new Italy will need to continue to build its character if it wants to succeed against more experienced and solid teams.

Euro 2012: Cassano’s Italy qualifies to Euro finals

In the group stage of the Euro 2012 competition, Italy completed the round finishing the group in first place after playing the 2 final matches. Playing in Serbia, Italy settled for a tie (1-1) with Marchisio scoring the initial goal of the match. In its final group match, Italy defeated Northern Ireland (3-0) led by Cassano (photo), its key player, who scored 2 of the 3 winning goals. Prandelli’s team has shown improvements but will have to keep growing to battle the stronger teams that it will face in the final stage of the continental tournament.

Euro 2012: Pazzini’s goal qualifies Italy

In the group stage of the Euro 2012 competition, Italy defeated Slovenia (1-0) clinching, with 2 games still to play, the qualification to the final stage of the Euro Cup competition in 2012. The match was mostly evenly played and, although Italy did not shine, it created most chances. When match seemed destined for a tie, Pazzini (photo) found the net with an impressive shot. The win and early qualification seals the work done by coach Prandelli to revive Italy’s fortune after a disastrous world cup performance last year. There is still a lot of work to do to compete with other major teams but major improvements have been achieved from last year.

 

Euro 2012: Cassano gives Italy lucky win

In the group stage of the Euro 2012 competition, Italy continued to build a commanding lead in its group by narrowly defeating Faroe Islands (0-1) away from home with an early goal scored by Cassano (photo). Prandelli’s team created lots of chances but failed to convert them risking even a loss when the home team luckily hit the post twice on counter attacks. Despite the poor performance, Italy is very close to sealing the qualification to the final stage of  the competition but gameplay will have to improve and become much more consistent if it wishes to do well beyond this initial group stage.

Italy: Montolivo leads team to key friendly win

In a friendly match played in Bari, Italy defeated Spain (2-1) in an entertaining match. Prandelli’s team appeared inspired taking the lead early on with a beautiful shot by Montolivo (photo). The guests equalized on penalty but were often in difficulty against the Italian offensive line driven by Cassano. The deciding goal was scored by Aquilani on a deflected shot late in the game sealing a win that seems to highlight the work performed by Prandelli to rejuvenate the Italian national team.

Italy: Disappointing friendly loss is a setback

In a friendly match played in Belgium, Italy lost to Ireland (0-2) after a disappointing match. Prandelli’s team fresh off a convincing victory over Estonia for the Euro 2012 qualifications, offered a poor showing, completely opposite to the spirit and skill displayed in the earlier match. Ireland coached by Trapattoni was well prepared and focused while the Azzurri as so often in these late season friendly matches appeared more to be focused on vacation conceding one goal in each half and never really creating any chances to score. A year on after it arrived on the national bench, Prandelli’s work, it seems, has still a long way to go

Euro 2012: Rossi’s Italy grows up and wins

In the group stage of the Euro 2012 competition, Italy gains a commanding lead in its group by easily defeating Estonia (3-0). The Azzurri coached by Prandelli dominated the match, playing good football, showing progress and taking advantage of an opponent that almost never came close to Buffon’s goal. As a result, the Italian team created chances scoring in the first half with Rossi (photo) and Cassano who both shined against a weak opposing defense. In the second half Pazzini close the match scoring the third goal putting Italy close to sealing its qualification to next year’s final round.

Italy: Rossi leads to friendly win in Ukraine

In a friendly match, setup to fine tune Italy’s growth, Italy won in Ukraine (0-2). The match was not spectacular nor intensive so the Italian squad managed gameplay to their advantage leveraging a counter offensive strategy that paid off well in the end. It was Rossi that scored the initial key goal in the first half while Matri doubled the lead just before the end of the match sealing a win that continues to reflect the progress being made by Prandelli’ squad.

Euro 2012: Motta’s Italy wins in Slovenia

In the group stage of the Euro 2012 competition, Italy solidified the lead in its group by winning against Slovenia (0-1) away from home. The match was not spectacular and Italy controlled gameplay without suffering too much against a modest opponent. Actually Buffon had to make a couple of key saves but the defense held on and the offensive line pressed for a goal. Pazzini came close to scoring hitting the post in the first half but it was Motta (photo) that scored the winning the goal in the second half with a powerful shot. The win shows the progress that has been made by the Italian squad renewed by Prandelli but much remains to be done to succeed on a larger stage.

Italy: Rossi’s goal gets friendly tie with Germany

In another friendly match, coach Prandelli continued to experiment with the make up of  the new national team. Despite the changes, Italy managed to tie (1-1) in Germany against the home team after trailing from almost the start of the match. The Italian defense however held up well in the second half and the team managed to scrape a deserved tie late in the second half with a goal scored by Rossi.  Prandelli was satisfied with the performance of young newly added players such as Ranocchia in defense, Giovinco and Thiago Motta in midfield. The team however still lacks cohesiveness and stuggles to finalize on goal leaving a lot of work to be done.