Italy friendlies

[thespinydogfish]

I've been out of touch - have there been any lately? Are any scheduled between now and the September match/Euro qualifier?

[SueB]

no and no. Last friendly was vs Northern Ireland a few days ahead of the Finland qualifier in early June. Italians take their summer breaks seriously ;)

Actually, with the clubs currently in heavy-duty training for the season, it doesn't make sense to have a friendly now. After the first weekend of the Serie A season, there will be one full week before the Wales game on Sept 6. That week of training will be "it" for preparing for this critical match, but at least it's in Milan so no travel to worrry about. It's still a potential drawback though, considering Wales has an important match already on Aug 20, and most of the players will have been in their club seasons for several weeks.

[thespinydogfish]

Thanks Sue, I knew I could count on you. What's your prediction re: the Wales match? They didn't look too overpowering against the US earlier on. I suspect Italy implodes when they play a side like Wales.

Also, any idea as to whether or not Serie A games will be carried by Fox Sportsworld this year?

[SueB]

Doesn't seem likely for FSW, according to resident BigSoccer expert da_cfo. But games will be shown on GolTV which has been added to Dish since last season, so between that and RAI International, I'll be quite happy ...

I think Italy will win vs Wales. They haven't lost or even tied a game all year long and are healthy, full of confidence and out for revenge in front of a packed San Siro. It won't be easy, of course. I predict 2-0 with the second only coming late as Wales pushes to tie it. Then again, I'm awful at predictions ....

BTW, that god-awful Welsh team that played the US was hardly representative of their first team.

[thespinydogfish]

Originally posted by SueB

BTW, that god-awful Welsh team that played the US was hardly representative of their first team.

You're right of course. That was the B-team, but then again that highlights Wales' lack of depth. Perhaps if Italy can score first, and then (here's the key) keep the pressure up and not fall back on catenaccio, they can wear down the first team and force Wales to make substitutions. If Italy can keep enough pressure on Wales' starting eleven, they'll have to go to the bench in the second half and that's where Italy can clinch the deal.

[KarlMai]

Originally posted by SueB
no and no. Last friendly was vs Northern Ireland a few days ahead of the Finland qualifier in early June. Italians take their summer breaks seriously ;)

Actually, with the clubs currently in heavy-duty training for the season, it doesn't make sense to have a friendly now.


No and Yes. Italy plays a friendly against Germany on Aug 20 (an away game in Stuttgart). ^^

Whether that makes sense, is a totally different question...

http://www.dfb.de/news/display.php?id=1505&lang=E

[SueB]

Thanks for the correction! I hadn't heard a single thing about it. I wonder if Trap will call the big guns for this one, to get some real preparation for the Wales game. Only Lazio will be in the midst of real competition at that point, with their CL qualifiers, so all the big players from Juve, Milan, Inter and Roma should (theoretically) be available.