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Showing posts with label exhibition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exhibition. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

MatchDay (Cancelled): Italy v Luxembourg: Road to Euro 2012 and the Final 23!

**UPDATE** Due to an Earthquake in the Region of Emilia Romagna Italy v Luxembourg has been Cancelled. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones lost in this tragedy.  

Amidst a new wave of controversy sweeping Italian Football, the Azzurri commence their trek to Ukraine-Poland today at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma. Fate would have it that minnows Luxembourg will be our first test in what promises to be a month of facing progressively stronger adversaries.

More on the game in just a moment; but first - let's touch on the ugly side of Football - a New Match fixing scandal. 

Calciopoli pt. II or III or IV Depending how you look at it. 

There is no surprise here. The events of yesterday; with the detaining of Mauri and Criscito were always in front of us. I didn't fully expect anyone to be detained; however, we did expect another match fixing scandal to be in the works, especially with the announcements of various investigations (mostly centred around Siena) taking place. The timing could not be more practical. A day before Prandelli is due to report his final 23-man preferetti to UEFA two police vehicles show up to the Italian training camp and pay a three hour visit. 

Likely such a situation could throw any team into a little crisis mode. It isn't always the best of situations when you hear of the authorities raiding homes of various players and coaches. Yet, I somehow have come to appreciate the understanding that in Italy, we seem to thrive in situations of controversy. Look at past experiences; 1982 betting scandal - we pull off a World Cup Triumph; 2006 Calciopoli - player's squads are relegated to Serie B, coaches quitting, people detained, Pessotto attempts suicide - we win a World Cup. The best part of 2006's World Cup though was all or most of these events took place during the tournament; an achievement to this magnitude is simply unheard of and quite frankly isn't heralded enough. 

This time around; we do have a little cloud that is hanging over us. L. Bonucci, has been subjected to allegations of match fixing for several months; yet he still remains with the squad. Prandelli pointed to Criscito's dismissal yesterday as a necessity, as the allegations alone would have proven too stressful to the player throughout a major tournament like Euro 2012; thus impeding his performances. I completely agree. But what of Bonucci. Surely, he too is aware of the guillotine hovering over him. Could it only be a matter of time? Should Prandelli be so bold in dismissing the Juventus centre back today? (Please note that Bonucci is not under a formal investigation at this time)

The subject of match fixing is something that I reckon needs to be delved into more on a continental level. I don't think this is something native to only Italy and I'm sure it takes place in leagues around Europe (I'm talking the big leagues); I do believe though that after the events of 2006, Italy is taking it a little more serious then a few of the other leagues. Hopefully these proceedings don't have any further direct effect on the Azzurri camp. 

The Final 23. 

In addition to some legal wranglings yesterday, Prandelli also managed to alleviate a few people of their duties in the Italian camp.  Here are the final 23 for Euro 2012:


PORTIERI: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St. Germain)
DIFENSORI: Ignazio Abate (Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Obinze Ogbonna (Torino)
CENTROCAMPISTI: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris St. Germain), Antonio Nocerino (Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)
ATTACCANTI: Mario Barwuah Balotelli (Manchester City), Fabio Borini (Roma), Antonio Cassano (Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma),


That means, Marco Verratti, Davide Astori, Savlatore Bocchetti, Luca Cigarini, Ezequiel Schelotto, Domenico Criscito; will not be getting an all expenses paid trip to Euro 2012. 

We will annex Luxembourg as we descend on Poland-Ukraine

Even with the events above taking place, we are now set to take part in our first official exhibition match this evening against Luxembourg. Our starting 11 is expected to be a little uncharacteristic as Prandelli tinkers with his Azzurri machine to see what cogs best fit in into our overall scheme. One thing apparent so far is that this Azzurri squad will be unlike the one that lined up for the 2012 FIFA WORLD CUP. Attack will be our focus and if the exhibition matches and qualification matches should be of any sign, this Azzurri team will be unafraid to control the play and dictate the outcome.

Luxembourg to their credit are one of the minnows of Europe. They have faced the Azzurri a total of 8 times in their history and have succumbed to defeat 8 times - having never scored a goal against the Italians. History should not be under threat today. It's expected the line-ups 

Today's should feature an indication to how the Azzurri are copping with the stresses of this new betting scandal. I fully expect the pressure of the off field scandal to melt off of them seconds into the match as the stresses of their long trek to the summit in Kyiv on July 1st 2012. The road begins today, regardless of any off field distractions. 

Despite DeRossi's talk about this being the "Worst Scandal" - I firmly believe that if something like this had to happen to any national team on earth; I'm happy to have it happen to us. It'll make us better and it'll make us play with more passion and determination. While other national teams would cripple under the pressure, we naturally thrive under the controversy. Scandal is in our blood and I'm excited for this tournament to begin in just over a weeks time. Forza Azzurri. 



On a side note, I will be missing today's match. If anyone would like to write up a quick synopsis email me at marcowcb@gmail.com