View Full Version : Wales vs Italy - 10/16/02 [R]
SueB
14 Oct 2002, 10:38 AM
The Italy squad leaves for Cardiff without Pippo Inzaghi, but with Massimo Maccarone. Who will start in this critical game against Mark Hughes' fresh and optimistic Wales team?
I don't expect the defense to change. Will it be Del Piero and Montella up front? And the midfield? Will Pirlo advance to take Doni's attacking midfield role? Has anybody heard of Di Biagio's condition? He was sick but hadn't been ruled out of joining the squad for the Wales game.
Guess we will see if the Italians can come together under adversity or if they'll just shrink from it.
denalimn
14 Oct 2002, 11:04 AM
This will be an interesting game. Italy had problems with energetic teams that, on the whole, didn't have the person-to-person talent that the Italians did. I think it will be a well deserved draw for the Welsh. 1-1.
borsato
15 Oct 2002, 09:23 AM
what time is this game on,
and is it being shown on TLN in canada?
phillips10
15 Oct 2002, 11:42 AM
If soccerage has it right, we'll see Del Piero up front with Montella with Di Biagio returning in midfield....should allow Pirlo to play the more advanced role that Doni played vs. Yugo.
Ambrosini in starting lineup for Gattuso, it would give a little more two-way ability in midfield with he, Di Biagio and Pirlo.
Also, maybe we'll see Maccarone off the bench...
http://www.SoccerAge.com/en/13/h9964.html
SueB
15 Oct 2002, 11:48 AM
Originally posted by borsato
what time is this game on,
and is it being shown on TLN in canada?
Apparently, there is no telecast of this game in North America.
bestianera
15 Oct 2002, 03:36 PM
Del Piero will possibly play only the first half,Trapattoni is undecided (or simply secretive) about who will play as left back: Zauri or Adani
the Azzurri are pushing to play indoor,the Welsh want to take advantage of a soaked pitch,but if it keeps raining like it has thus far the playing field might not be in conditions to permit an international football match
fischetts
15 Oct 2002, 08:52 PM
Is anyone else fearing this? This Wales side has had good results in the past year (though most were friendlies) and the Italians are in a slump right now. We couldn't even beat minnows like the Faroes. Hopefully, embarassment is spared ofr the Italians this week, though injury isn't helping.
SueB
16 Oct 2002, 08:54 AM
I wouldn't go as far as to say Italy couldn't beat the Faroes right now, but today's contest is definitely a challenge. Wales is fresh (no game over the weekend), optimistic (first quallie was a road win over Finland) and has everything to play for. Italy has not had a good showing since the first match of the WC, and has been bitten by the injury bug to boot. An Italy win would kind of surprise me, but a draw is not a good result either because it would keep Wales (and Finland) in the thick of things at this point.
What a quandary for Trap. Everybody is clamoring for a win to solidify his position as manager, but his whole being is probably saying - "play for the point".
fischetts
16 Oct 2002, 01:22 PM
I think anyone would be playing for the point right now. The injuries to some of our better attackers and the way the midfield has shown no creativity in about 8 games or so, you must have to think a decent result for the Italians is a draw.
Only a few hours till we know.
SueB
16 Oct 2002, 01:27 PM
There will be minute-by-minute text commentary (in English) on the game at www.uefa.com . If anybody knows of any other commentaries - audio, or Italian, or whatever, please post them here.
BuffloSoldier
16 Oct 2002, 01:35 PM
BBC has a webcast.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/default.stm (on right, live link at gametime)
SueB
16 Oct 2002, 01:38 PM
This is an audio cast, huh? Cool, thanks.
SueB
16 Oct 2002, 01:39 PM
... or is it an audiocast. Sort of hard to tell .... guess I'll find out.
BuffloSoldier
16 Oct 2002, 01:40 PM
It'll be audio PbP.
SueB
16 Oct 2002, 01:40 PM
Great. Gotta find those headphones....
SueB
16 Oct 2002, 01:53 PM
Projected starting lineup from RAI teletext, still uncertain whether it will be Zauri or Adani at left back:
Buffon
Nesta
Cannavaro
Panucci
Zauri or Adani
Ambrosini
Tommasi
Di Biagio
Pirlo
Del Piero
Montella
SueB
16 Oct 2002, 02:53 PM
Zauri is the starter.
Listening on the above link. Wales has made a spirited start, by the sounds of it.
SueB
16 Oct 2002, 02:57 PM
Di Biagio booked for intentional handball inside the center circle. Immediate chance for Wales off the restart came to Gabbidon, who missed.
SueB
16 Oct 2002, 03:01 PM
Wales has gone up on a goal by Simon Davies in the 12'.
SueB
16 Oct 2002, 03:02 PM
Will Italy come out of its defensive posture.