Pre-match: Friendly: Italy - Uruguay (Tuesday November 15) [R]

I hate to look for excuses, but I really think that we would've walked away with this one had either one of Rossi or Cassano played today...

The stats don't always necessarily reflect the reality of the situation. Do not be deceived by numbers. Our defense is nowhere near being "world class" at the moment. In fact, I'd even rank our Euro 08 defense to be stronger than the one we presently have.

I have to agree that, if one thing, this match showed we need to improve our defence. The attack also is not all that inspiring. We have plenty of options from strikers, but can't seem to find and focus on a definite, realible duo.

Ronacchia is definitely a talent, Chiellini is ok. I don't remember who the assistant coaches are but they need to keep it simple because these guys simply don't have the experience.

I really like our midfield which is way better then the crap we put on the field in Africa.

that pretty much sums up the game. no creativity in attack whatsoever.

The defense made one mistake, early in the match. The much heralded Cavani was not a factor. Uruguay played a very conservative and physical match, which is a shame considering it was a friendly. On attack, Osvaldo made little movement to create chances. Maybe it would have been different with Cassano or Rossi in his place. But there was a spell early in the second half where we poured it on. We just did not capitalize. And Muessler had a heck of a match. That is the game. No need to get worked up over a meaningless friendly in November.

Terrible mistakes on defense! Balotelli should keep his mouth shut about Serie A and work on his heading which is absolute crap! Fun game to watch, but Italy was horrible!

Oddly enough I'm more happy with our wingbacks than our central defenders. Maggio and Balzaretti are really stepping up their game.

No need to get worked up?

Maybe it's just me but losing Cassano and Rossi is a HUGE loss.

Horrible? It's was all Italy, Uruguay defended for 85min.

I would've liked to see this game with everyone having their starters and I hate when Uruguay plays with only 2 up front .. but I was loving the way Italy was touching the ball there was literally times they would get up to 10 touches with no uruguayans touching the ball lol

fun to watch, but possession doesn't translate to who's the better team.

but yea, i do kind of wish suarez played, just to see how our defense would hold up.

it's a friendly...it means ABSOLUTELY nothing...whether you want to spin it positively or negatively...

in many cases these games are still very much experimental...

Wow Uruguay. Play ugly and win. like they've truly recovered the spirit of their glory days Amazing such a tiny nation can do these things.

BTW, Italy played incredibly well. Props to them. Very fun match to watch from a neutral perspective even.

Italy was horrible? Did you watch the game? Italy dominated the game and with a bit of luck should have actually won. Horrible?? cmon!

Uruguay played great defense, especially in the middle, we had very little room in th middle to create attacks thats why the crosses started raining in. At that point he should have put Pazzini in whos good in the air but I think he put him in too late. To attack on the ground and in the middle we need Cassano and Rossi up there along with Balotelli. Under the circumstances we played great, dominated possession, we brought the game to Uruguay who simply defended and waited for counters. I'm pleased with our progress and look forward to having a great Euro next summer.

No one should be disappointed with our performance, we dominated them, and they are arguably the most on-form national squad in the world right now.

disagree. uruguay are a good team but definitely not in the top 5. they were missing their most potent attacking threat in suarez. sure we dominated possession, but forcing crosses into the box all game long shows the lack of creativity/ attacking threat with cassano and rossi out.

sorry for being a drama queen, but having those two out and not knowing if they will return (in good form) for the euro's is great cause for concern.

Uruguay is top 5 right now without a doubt. Their defense is #1 hands down, Paraguay comes close but more of a team effort. Uruguay's back 4 and bench is ridiculously strong and organized.

we were doing some great passing in the middle and there were at least 5-6 good chances that should've been goals...if only 2 were scored u would not say this. Sure rossi and cassano are a huge blow but its not as bad as u make it sound.

Uruguay is one of the best national teams now, only teams i'd rate higher would be germany, holland, spain (who has actually been poor since WC), brazil and argentina who actually didnt win copa america so technically they are below uruguay.......even without suarez, they hardly had anything in attack, i dont think suarez would've changed much.

Cavani has been o.k with Uruguay (He does better for Naploli),
but it's Forlan and now Suarez that make Uruguay potent up front...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8YA1oGxA-A"]Italia 0 Uruguay 1 Amistoso Internacional 2011 - YouTube[/ame]

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It's interesting how nationalism always clouds judgment and mutual respect for others. It's hard to admit the "other" played well, but it usually takes 1-2 weeks before people calm down and say: "Hey, you guys played great. Well done". Think it'll happen here soon.

Uruguay and Italy are cultural football giants throughout the ages. Historically have formed one of the strongest friendships between any football culture, very similar style of play and "win at all cost" attitude. I think Uruguay's the only other nation famous (like Italy) for winning ugly too.

Today's game was a treat. A clash of 2 classic teams.

ps
I don't think Uruguay won ugly today. Their defense was extraordinary, and they practically played without an attack.

Uruguay are strong they're composed and know how to press in the middle of the park and they're missing Suarez and Forlan who have great chemistry together, Suarez was coming off a 4 goal performance vs Chile. Their defense is strong and their a cohesive team. I think they will lack some creativity once Forlan retires he's the link from midfield to the forwards and most of their mids are DMs, some of which are of a thug variety. But they're enjoying their best spell since 1950 most likely, they took down Argentina in Argentina being man down for about 80 mins in the Copa America.

The team played decent today the passing was sharp but there wasn't much room and Muslera was solid in goal, it might be his last game at the Olimpico so he was definitely motivated.

We we're composed in midfield and used our width, the Uruguayans gave us the flanks but we couldn't capitalize on any crosses.

They might just be # 1 based on form and in my opinion the World Cup favorites. They also have the best international player of today in Luis Suarez.

Ranocchia should immediately be dropped in favor of Barzagli or even Bonucci, without question! I understand that he's still young and has a lot of potential, but needless to say his potential alone really isn't good enough to make him NT material just yet. Our wingbacks have looked quite solid thus far, as I'm very comfortable with both Maggio and Balzaretti. We definitely have a lot of work to do at CB though, without question. We dominated ball posession and look pretty good on attack (although our finishing needs work), but Uruguay really gave us fits whenever they got the ball anywhere within or near our penalty area.