Italia

[VCFan]

The Olympics better than the EURO??? :confused: No way dude. The Olympics isn't even close, look at the teams competing for one. Argentina is most likely going to win it, I think we can make at least 3rd place.

I know, I know. It sounds crazy, but as of right now I need some assurance that the younger players are on their way to becoming at least international caliber. Perhaps instead of doing a comparison between the respective importances of the Euro and the Olympics (which you noted is not even a contest, and I agree conditionally), I'll just say that this Olympics IMO could be very important in determining the future of the Azzurri when one considers the age and form of the current senior side.

[FNU]

I know, I know. It sounds crazy, but as of right now I need some assurance that the younger players are on their way to becoming at least international caliber. Perhaps instead of doing a comparison between the respective importances of the Euro and the Olympics (which you noted is not even a contest, and I agree conditionally), I'll just say that this Olympics IMO could be very important in determining the future of the Azzurri when one considers the age and form of the current senior side.
The Olympics are a political farce, especially being in Red China. Expect us to "lose" to China. lol

If we use the Olympics as a gauge for the future, shouldn't Argentina be winning every WC? The bottom line is, although this group is pretty strong and Casiraghi is all right, sometimes we don't take it as seriously. We SUCKED in the Euro U21, and barely qualified for this. I'm not expecting much.

Then again, a gold medal would be nice and maybe be some sort of confidence booster for the players in their respective clubs. But come 2009, they'll already forget about it.

The assurance you'll get won't really matter, 1/3 if any of these kids will be at the 2010 WC. I rather look to the 2009 Confed Cup for some assurance.

[VCFan]

The Olympics are a political farce, especially being in Red China. Expect us to "lose" to China. lol

If we use the Olympics as a gauge for the future, shouldn't Argentina be winning every WC? The bottom line is, although this group is pretty strong and Casiraghi is all right, sometimes we don't take it as seriously. We SUCKED in the Euro U21, and barely qualified for this. I'm not expecting much.

Then again, a gold medal would be nice and maybe be some sort of confidence booster for the players in their respective clubs. But come 2009, they'll already forget about it.

The assurance you'll get won't really matter, 1/3 if any of these kids will be at the 2010 WC. I rather look to the 2009 Confed Cup for some assurance.

Who said that doing well at the Olympics assures success on the senior side? I don't think you can deny, though, that the Olympics could potentially be a very valuable tool for gauging the relative quality of players that we don't get to see play together very often. Of course, the Confederations Cup and the 2009 U21 championship can serve the same purpose, but the Olympic games will take place this August, so I can't help but feel more pumped up about them. :D

[FNU]

Bringing Rocchi is a joke, so I'm really looking forward to watching him suck and making us look shit.

[VCFan]

Bringing Rocchi is a joke, so I'm really looking forward to watching him suck and making us look shit.

Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine?

If we're lucky, he'll get injured in training and make way for Osvaldo. Where's Chiellini when you need him? :p

[FNU]

Lazio should recall him, they're looking to head into Serie B if they don't. What a waste, there's so many youths that are better. Osvaldo as you mentioned being one. Of all the senior players, Inzaghi should have been called because he wanted it.

[Chuchi]

There wasn't in Italy any player with more than 23 (or with less than 23 years) years better than Rocchi? :rolleyes: Seriously, I don't think that it's good to bring a player like Rocchi...

[VCFan]

There wasn't in Italy any player with more than 23 (or with less than 23 years) years better than Rocchi? :rolleyes: Seriously, I don't think that it's good to bring a player like Rocchi...

Nope. Rocchi is seriously the best we've got. :p

Jokes aside, clubs were unlikely to release the bigger names for the Olympics and there probably was a lack of desire on the players' part to go anyways (with Euro 2008 having taken place already). So Casiraghi basically went with whatever was available, which is strange in that the underage attacking players we have are good enough on their own.

[Chuchi]

:) I understand. But he will have to coexist with players that have 10 years less than him...

[VCFan]

:) I understand. But he will have to coexist with players that have 10 years less than him...

... and are more famous as well. I'd imagine that a trip to the Olympics would do nothing for Rocchi's self esteem :D

[VCFan]

So, good game by Italy. 3 - 0 against Honduras, this will go a long way towards securing an exit from the group.

[jcvf90]

yeah great game, u guys destroyed us, but u must admit that first penalty was a freebie. We were to scared and way out hustled. Good game. From a big italy fan, but a honduras lover.

[VCFan]

yeah great game, u guys destroyed us, but u must admit that first penalty was a freebie. We were to scared and way out hustled. Good game. From a big italy fan, but a honduras lover.

I think it was a freebie in the sense that most referees wouldn't have been in a position to see the infraction. Right call, but one that wouldn't have been made often.

[jcvf90]

if u say so.

[TechFootball85]

Congrats to Azzuri. Very impressive win.

Hope you guys don't spank us like that lol.

[ChicagoAzzuri]

if u say so.

I didn't see any Honduras players really argue, they never showed a good replay either

[Leopejo]

For me both penalties were dubious. Did the GK really touch Acquafresca in the second one? But I didn't watch so many replays.

Rocchi was out injured.

As I just finished reading this thread,

Osvaldo did not fall to pressure by Fiorentina. Fiorentina pressured for Montolivo only, as they felt they are more than covered in the attack department, while Montolivo is perhaps going to be the captain next year and it would have been fundamental to have him in the preseason, not only for the Champions League preliminary round, but to learn coach Prandelli's new tactical figures.
In an interview today Casiraghi said that leaving Osvaldo out was his hardest decision.

Casiraghi himself didn't want to take overage players on board, as he felt it unfair for his U-21 team which gained the Olympic place in first instance. Besides, he probably feared that it would compromise the team spirit in the locker room. Only after pressure by the national football federation and the Italian olympic committee he agreed to bring some overage players. He chose them more for their human qualities than playing skill (read: Rocchi). He had to rule out both the EC players and Juventus, Fiorentina (CL preliminaries). The roster being limited to 18, he needed a versatile defender able to play both central defense and RB. Bonera (Milan) was the choice, but Milan "couldn't" let him go, as they had already said no for Kakà to Brazil. There was talk of an overage goalkeeper too (Toldo?).

[Pateau]

The GK slid into Acquafresca's right leg for the 2nd penalty. There was certainly contact.

[VCFan]

The GK slid into Acquafresca's right leg for the 2nd penalty. There was certainly contact.

Yes, the second was a no-brainer, although it seems Acquafresca made a meal out of it. To be honest, I only saw one replay of the first penalty and it wasn't from a great angle, so I can't really say for sure about that one.

[VCFan]

Congrats to Azzuri. Very impressive win.

Hope you guys don't spank us like that lol.

No worries there mate. Despite the scoreline, this was no spanking.