I've been so preoccupied with work lately that I didn't even realize this friendly was occurring today. I'm sure it's overshadowed in Italy by the news of the deaths of at least 17 Italians in Iraq earlier today. Italy's Lineup - Toldo Pancaro Cannavaro Nesta Oddo Zanetti Perrotta Marchionni Cassano Di Vaio Vieri
2-0 now after 18 minutes. Two headed goals. Looks like Italy's unbeaten record in 2004 is about to go out the window. Thank goodness this isn't a playoff. Actually, while I was typing, it's now 2-1 as Cassano has replied for the Azzurri.
I'm listening to the Italian radio broadcast from http://www.radio.rai.it/ (click on the Radio 1 link on the right underneath where it says "Ascolta Radio"). It's halftime at the moment.
BTW, the above starting lineup must've been tentative because Panucci started and not Oddo. But there are several subs at halftime - Oddo in for Pancaro. I think Nesta and Cannavaro are also out.
As usual, I'm struggling to understand completely because Nesta is now down injured after a foul (not seriously) so obviously was not subbed. They must've been discussing players who are warming up to come in (Materazzi, Ferrari, Legrottaglie)
Ah, Materazzi was in for Cannavaro at the start of the second half. Now, Panucci has been replaced by Grosso. Marchionni replaced by Gattuso.
The starting LineUP: Italia (4-2-3-1): Toldo, Panucci, Cannavaro, Nesta, Pancaro; Zanetti, Perrotta; Marchionni, Cassano, Di Vaio; Vieri. Subs so far:2nd half 1' - Materazzi in for Cannavoro 1" - Oddo In for the Pancaro 10' - Gattuso in for Marchionni 10' - Grosso in for the USELESS Panucci 17' - Miccoli in for Di Vaio
Also Grosso for Marchionni, right? No ... confusion reigns. This is what is on the RAI teletext: * 46' Materazzi (for Cannavaro) ** 46' Oddo (for Pancaro) *** 55' Grosso (for useless Panucci) **** 55' Gattuso (for Marchionni) ***** 62' Miccoli (for Di Vaio)
Looks like the 2nd goal was Trap hero Panucci's fault. Team sure is missing the skills of Super Pippo , Zambrotta, Buffon and Mauro C
Guessing the Italian press will put this down as an "experimental" lineup. Which it was, sort of, although the key players up the middle were regulars (Nesta, Canna, Zanetti, Perrotta, Vieri). I guess he was seeing how some new faces might integrate - sounds like only Cassano really made a positive mark although I'll have to read the game reports. I really hope it's the last we've seen of Panucci as a starter. And I never liked Pancaro much either. Also, I used to think of Buffon and Toldo as 1a and 1b, but now Toldo is definitely a notch below. Not sure if he was to blame on any of the goals, but given that two of them were headed, you'd think he might share some of the blame. Last one was a rebound off the bar.
Toldo didn't have a good day (nor he's having a great season) so it's time for the Trap to give Roma's Pelizzoli or AC Milans's Abbatti a chance for the 2nd friendl. Here's Gazzetta Dello Sport headlines.
So, in order: Good (6.5) - Cassano, Zanetti Just OK (6) - Toldo, Panucci, Cannavaro, Nesta, Marchionni, Perrotta, SUBS: Materazzi, Oddo Bleh (5.5) - Pancaro, Vieri, Di Vaio I can see why they didn't rate Bazzani who only got around 8 minutes, but I wonder why no rating for Grosso , Gattuso (both 35 minutes) or Miccoli (28 minutes). IMO, if you can't get involved in the game in that length of time, you must not have made much of an impression.
BTW, the Italian press seems not to care too much about this result, focusing mainly on the difficult circumstances of having to play on the same day a serious tragedy has shaken the country. There is apparently even some consideration of cancelling Sunday's friendly against Romania, which is scheduled to be played in Ancona. I expect it will be played, but it will certainly be laden with sadness. Here is a photo which shows the mood of the players ahead of yesterday's game: