Use this thread for any discussion of today's game. Predicted line up for Italy (4-2-3-1): Buffon Bonera, Cannavaro, Nesta, Zambrotta Gattuso, De Rossi Camoranesi, Totti, Esposito Gilardino
Reminder of the group standings coming into today: Italy 6 pts (2 games played) Slovenia 4 pts (2) Belarus 1 pt (1) Scotland 1 pt (1) Norway 1 pt (2) Moldova 0 pts (2) These standings have changed as a result of the Scotland-Norway and Belarus-Moldova games already played earlier today. I've tagged these in case somebody will be watching the Scotland-Norway game on tape delay later on: [result]Scotland 0 Norway 1; Belarus 4 Moldova 0[/result]
The game is underway. The last time these two teams met was in a friendly just after the last World Cup. It was Paolo Maldini's final game, and Italy lost 2-0.
It's cold and rainy in Celje. Gilardino had a good chance in the 3rd minute but shot wide. Bonera has already gotten a yellow card for a rough tackle.
I'm not. I 'm listening on the radio and following two webcasts. See the links in this thread: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142564 Camoranesi seems to be having a good game early on (!). Meanwhile, Nesta has also received a booking.
I commend you for being able to stay awake during this match. Will our offense ever show what they are capable of?
I'd settle for a tie in this game and move on. Italy has already taken 3 on the road at Norway. The other two threats are Scotland, who have already drawn and lost at home, and this Slovenian team. Belarus, an outside threat, but if Italy takes 1 today and 3 on Wednesday it should be a cakewalk to Germany.
The best thing about listening on the radio is I can do other stuff while listening. Anyway, Italy seems to be dominating but just not scoring.
Too Late...Lippi made the wrong Attacking Three...It should of been Totti, Toni, and Di Vaio, who are in form...Not Totti, Gilardino, and Esposito. I starting the IHML club...(I hate Marcello Lippi Club)...anybody want to join? PS...I know it might be to early to start to hate him, but he made bad decisions today.
<4 minutes left. Leave it to Italy to allow things to be so much harder than they have to be. In what looks to be a very balanced group overall, you don't want to be battling for 2nd place.