I think some of you people are missing the point. This isnt the same team that qualified because of Cassano. In three games since Italy have been utter crap. Not much time to fix it either.
I thought Ogbonna looked good in the first half to be honest, he really controlled Altidore. And we should have a tune-up match before the Euro's.
USA has never beaten Italy ever! In 10 games they've been outscored 4-33. Aside from Italy's troubles and excuses, this is a great historic win for the USA. It wasn't too long agao that American soccer was as good as dead and just 17 years they were without a professional league and were starting college/amateur players on their national team. Italy might have had an off day missing players etc etc but the USA were also just assembled within days and all of their players were coming from different clubs and leagues. Winning on the road as well as missing some of their key starters, is incredible for them! I think they deserve a lot of credit.
I'm not "ignoring" them. I'm just not ready to jump of the proverbial bridge like some of you here are. It's laughable.
Giovinco looked really good, Matri was sub-par and Pirlo looked dead accurate as always. I think Pazzini should of started instead of Matri.
My only issue with this performance, aside from the general sense of complacency, was our shot selection. Some of our guys held onto the ball WAY too long inside the penalty area before taking an actual shot, which would usually end up being blocked. The shots we did connect with were usually of poor quality and ended up right at the US keeper. Aside from that though I saw some solid ball movement and posession, especially near the end where we finally saw SOME urgency from this squad. I'm fully confident in Prandelli's project and the direction he's taking this squad in. The improvement over the course of the past 2 years has been noticeable. If some of you opt to focus on the negative as opposed to the positives then so be it.
Once again, everyone here has a really short term memory. Because of one performance Pazzini automatically merits a starting spot in spite of the fact that he's been complete rubbish all season long.
Guy get serious, we lose to US, albeit an inferior team and at home..and now were a team of the past comparable to Hungary lol. and we should SCRAP this WHOLE team because we lost in a friendly Generally speaking not a good game, yes correct to say this but lets relax. We tried a couple different things 4-4-2 with diamond form. mid, and a 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 in the 2nd half....and its not uncommon to experiment in a FRIENDLY There were at least some positive things from this game. Namely insertion of Borini and Ogbonna, both having a good game. Giovinco individually making things happen for himself, however no real connection with Matri first half. Both strickers too often finding themselves in offside positions. Always speaking on a creative front, with exception of Pirlo, I did not see the penetrating runs and passes from the mids: Marchisio, Nocerino, T.Motta (first half). More possibilities in the second half with Giovinco and Borini left and right up front. Borini looked inspired with a lot of Grinta. We were poor on the flanks both 1st and 2nd half. Initally looking dangerous with Maggio on on the right, strong runs from him first couple minutes...but seldom went forward after that and he conceded freekick off his foul from which USA got there ONLY other scoring opportunity besides the goal. (Also I think GG could have save depseys goal, wasnt the most dangerous shot.) Criscito completely absent on the left. The Maggio – Abate and Criscito – Chiellini subs were justified (although Prandelli was probably going to give everyone a chance anyway). A little surprised to not see Chiellini take LB, insteaded we opted for him central and Ogbonna LB. Ogb. with a good game confident to even shoot on goal, but never going completely forward looking for a cross. Would have liked to see a Criscito – Balzaretti sub instead.
No doubt that the USA has grown, but I believe the determining factor here is Italy's rapid decline since 2006. As hopeful as we are, these kids are not even close to the level of Baggio, Totti or Del Piero were. Prandelli might have fooled us into believing differently after beating up on the Faeroe Islands, but his tactics, or lack of were totally exposed when two players got injured and Italy actually had to play a team with an idea.
I remember seeing the USA lose 1-4 to the USSR in San Francisco in fron of only 3000 fans in 1980 and no one would have ever believed back then they could ever beat Italy. Italy could very win the Euros and maybe tomorrow they could beat the USA easily but this win shows just how many strides the USA has made in the sport. As an Italian-American , I am dissappointed with the way Italy played but I am very proud of the Americans. I've never seen this play like this on the road against a European team. aybe once in 1998 vs Austria but other than that, aside from beating England at the 1950 WC and Brazil in the Gold Cup in 1998, this is their greatest day ever. Since when doesn't Italy do this? All they did was take a page out of Italy's book as they historically always do this to their opponents.
YES! This loss was historic! This is the lowest the national team has ever sunk and it is a disgrace! The genius of Prandelli is that he has fooled so many people into thinking this team of mediocre players can actually do something this summer. Even Lippi's mummies could beat the US.
I see....and you say this because Totti and/or Del Piero are able to what exactly that this generation cant.
Question would it have made any difference if we had already lost to USA??keep in mind USA is a nation that continues to make it to the WC albeit has an easier road towards making it there but they manage to continually play knock-out in WC.
Totti and Del Piero are champions. The players I saw playing for Italy today should not even be mentioned in the same sentence without, 'not even close' being a mandatory adjective included. So did they. In that case I guess Spain and Germany will destroy us in real games when it is not a meaningless friendly.
For starters it the law of numbers. You play enough games and sooner or later they will win one. That's just probability. Secondly the USA is growing, it's not the team they were 10 or 20 years ago. Most of their team are starters on European teams. I really don't see this big tragedy, it's not like they dominated us or anything. They say back and won one nill.
yes, yes, yes Prandelli beating up on Faeroe Island....I dont know if you do or dont follow league calcio or the azzurri......However do you remeber this game: http://giancarlorinaldi.tumblr.com/...lands-v-italy-when-a-carpenter-almost-chopped Under Donadoni...guess who was there....and guess who we had up front legendary Del Piero
Yes. I guess I would feel differently. The fact remains however, that the only time that we lost to the USA is under Prandelli. This is such a humiliation that even if he wins the Euro, unless the scoreline is a dominating 4-0 (not PKs, not a lucky goal, not anything controversial) in the final, he will still be a loser to me.
Am I reading this incorrectly? You would still be critical of Prandelli if he won the EUROs because he lost this friendly to the US? *rubs eyes repeatedly in disbelief* I would gladly let f**kin Turks and Caicos Islands beat us in a friendly in exchange for bringing home the EURO 2012. These forums are getting out of hand...
Mmmm.. that was post 2006, when these losers were already supposed to take over the reigns. Face it, this generation of Italians is crap when compared to the ones of the past, demonstrated by the fact that we have so many foreign born players.
