Friendly: Italy - Ivory Coast (August 10th, 2010) [R]

I only saw one clear chance that Cassano created and a few flashes of flair away from the area. He hasn't made the difference that we would have liked in this game.

And typical Juve Amauri. He runs around, but is always a step too late and doesn;t produce goals.

 

Finally Motta is subbed, Rossi on for Cassano.

 

Rossi is the natrual sub for Cassano, but i really want to see them play together. The idea of Rossi, Cassano and Balotelli is exciting. Glad Cassani is on!

 

De Rossi imbarazzante...hopefully the armband to him is just a one-off...

 

Disagree, he's laid the final ball off a lot tonight. Gave that header to Bor for Quags to blow it.

Sirigu looks more imposing than Marchetti

 

It's based (entirely, I'm pretty sure) on number of caps.

 

Let's not be so harsh on Motta. He wasn't at fault for the goal and he did manage to create our best scoring chance.

 

I see Pepe has returned to his normal self.

 

I hope so... but I've read that he's vice-captain even if Pirlo is available

 

Quagliarella again

 

Can one of our attackers just put the damn ball on goal...please!

 

He was made to look like a fool on a number of occasions at the back and gave away possession easy.

 

absolutely no build up play at all. i'll assume that will come with time.

marchisio in for pepe. ive been pleased enough with pepe. ever since the world cup he's been good.

 

nice play by cassani, should of been a goal

 

Calm down. He is clearly nowhere near match fitness. Up until now he has played one 45 minute half of a game for Roma.

 

We've never had any build-up play at Fiorentina either.

 

rossi almost just singe handedly scored, he burned through two guys but lost his balance on the third

 

Yeah...when Pirlo is available...

 

No coach in his right mind would push his players too hard right after a 2 month Summer vacation. The purpose of these early season friendlies isn't to absolutely destroy the opposition (and your own players in the process), but to expirement and gradually build chemistry. It's a chance for Prandelli to take notes on the strengths and weaknesses of certain guys, and see how well they can work together.

Also, I think it's only fair that the sub players get a chance to show their stuff as well. Otherwise they were basically called up for nothing...

 

Well, Balotelli wouldn't have been the first guy I would sub off when we were losing. It may be a friendly but you never want to lose.

Changing topics, Cassani has looked good since he has come on.

 

ivory coast is pretty much bossing the match now. bonucci with yellow card.

 

This is more or less the kind of result I was expecting coming into this match. The Azzurri traditionally look very flat in these pre-season friendly matches, mainly because so many of these guys either a) are still lacking match fitness, or b) still have ways to go in terms of building chemistry. It will definitely get better as time goes on though.

 

There are 5 players in this team that simply aren't of international level (Motta, Bonucci, Pepe, Amauri, Molinaro...find the common link)...and another 2/3 that need to wake the ******** up (the 'captain' in primis).

With this level of quality we will never qualify for 2012/2014....even if Prandelli suddenly becomes the next Arrigo Sacchi.

 

I'm not watching the game but just reading your guys' comments and a gamecast. I must say, finishing has got to be a big problem with this squad. I've read that Balotelli, Amauri, Motta, Cassani and now Rossi almost all scored. 5-6 golden chances (or so, they seem) is too many not to have at least one goal. This is definitely something Prandelli needs to work on.