I think the pressure was probably good for them, and would help them develop further as players. It was really close, and they responded very well to the pressure, winning 1-0 away to Bosnia and 1-0 at home to Wales... Again, Kudos to our youngsters, may they show more in the next World Cup. I do feel a bit sad for Wales as they were really close and could not even get a 2nd place spot (ten teams, only 4 awarded). They missed out on a 2nd place spot by just goal differential.
This was a nice win for the Azzurrini, and it came on the same day the senior had their goleada with Faroe Islands. They are a good group and have several exciting talents who will no doubt make a mark over the next years. But we should be cautious about this team's chances for a trophy, since Ranocchia and Balotelli--the two really dominant players in this bunch--are both going to be plucked by Prandelli.
Balotelli looks to be out for 6 weeks, so he'll miss the next qualification games. Prandelli mentioned Ranocchia specifically as someone he's looking at, so it'll be interesting to see if he leaves him with the Azzurrini for the two playoff games in October. I'm assuming De Silvestri will also go back to the U-21s for the two legged playoff. The senior squad has a home qualifying match the 3rd of June against Estonia, while the U-21 finals begin the 12th of June. If the Azzurrini make it to the finals, I think we'll see both Ranocchia and Balotelli take part regardless. I'm more interested to see what happens in a month or so when both teams have crucial games to play.
Tomorrow is the draw.. We are in Pot A.. Pot A teams Holland Italy Czech Republic Romania Sweden Croatia Scotland Pot B teams Spain England Greece Ukraine Switzerland Belarus Iceland At this youth level, its tough to know whose good and whose not.But its easy to predict England and Spain are the teams to avoid from pot B. I hope we get one of the other 5.
I must be behind in my news... was it that injury he picked up when stretchered off the field during the Europa match? When did that happen? 6 weeks? I think City is just bad luck.
Sounds easy draw, altho we dont know on this level well. But belarus qualified from easy group which had albania, azerbaijan, austria and scotland.
Questo l’elenco dei convocati di Casiraghi: Portieri: Mannone (Arsenal), Perin (Genoa), Frison (Vicenza); Difensori: Angella (Udinese), Ariaudo (Cagliari), Biraghi (Inter), De Silvestri (Fiorentina), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Genoa), Rispoli (Lecce), Santon (Inter); Centrocampisti: Bolzoni (Siena), D’Alessandro (Bari), Fabbrini (Empoli), Marrone (Siena), Mustacchio (Varese), Poli (Sampdoria), Schelotto (Cesena), Soriano (Empoli); Attaccanti: Borini (Chelsea), Destro (Genoa), Macheda (Manchester United), Marilungo (Sampdoria), Okaka (Roma). http://www.figc.it/it/204/26012/2010/10/News.shtml Strong team. With Santon back, Ariaudo probably doesn't start. Don't know how fit Poli is, but he should start in the midfield. Bolzoni will probably partner him, though I prefer Marrone or Soriano. Schelotto will probably play on the right and hopefully Fabbrini keeps his place on the left. Lots of options up front. Looking forward to both games.
What's the deal with Santon at Inter? Is he getting any playing time? I would've thought by this time he would be battling with Criscito for the LB spot.
Benitez is bringing him back from injury very slowly. He played at RM against Palermo for about 20 minutes and about 30 at LB against Werder Bremen on Wednesday. He seems to be behind both Chivu and Zanetti at the moment. There's an outside chance he starts the Derby d'Italia. Regardless, fitness permitting, he should play both games against Belarus.
Injuries really seem to be hurting his chances over the past year or so. Luckily the kid has age on his side, and still has time to establish himself.
De Silvestri just limped off for Fiorentina with what looked like a muscle pull. Didn't look too bad, but still seems likely he'll have to pull out of the squad ...
LDS ended up staying in the squad and is expected to start today. Gazzetta's projected lineup for today:
Same lineup as sakana posted, except Bolzoni in for Marrone. Bright start for Italy. Santon looking good.
So he scores... Since this is two legs we need to get another goal to be safe... and concede nothing.