Cool. I guess Lippi is feeling pretty confident that Italy won't drop to second in their qualifying group because the playoffs would fill those November dates if that disaster occurred.
This is fantastic news! (If it happens.) We were just saying in the thread "The Agony of the Feet" that Italy needs some serious friendlies where they use their best players and play to win. This is it. Here are some implications/ consequences: 1) if we win the friendly, we become the only nation to have a winning record over Brazil (currently each team has 5 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws). Argentina's loss at the Confed. Cup means they have an even record with Brazil; 2) we can take a lot of confidence from the game if we out-play or at least match Brazil, regardless of a win, loss, or draw; 3) since the last time we played Brazil was '97, this will be a first for some of our players. I'm particularly interested to see how Totti takes to a match like this. We can definitely use the experience it will give us; 4) this will be a great test of our defense. Bonera will be in for a torrid night if Ronaldhino & Adriano play, & I'd like to see how Canna and Nesta mark their men. Zambrotta vs. Cafu would be an interesting battle, as well (or Zam vs. Cicinho); 5) Italy-Brazil has always, except for 94, produced lots of goals. I hope it will be an entertaining match!
the article says the game is in the peninsula does anybody know where that is because its pretty vague???
"In the peninsula" is just a way of saying "somewhere in Italy". The precise location has not been determined yet.
Has Del Piero ever played Brazil and if so how did he do when he played them, and i wonder if hell be there for the Friendly
I might be forgetting something, but the last Italy-Brazil game I can remember was in the 1997 Tournoi de France. It finished in a 3-3 tie. Del Piero had two goals in the game (one a penalty). That was a great tournament, with France and England also participating. Italy lost to England 2-0 and drew 2-2 with France. Casiraghi and Del Piero had the two goals vs France. But that was a loong time ago.
i dont know about that i mean with the offensive talent that the brazilians have, when italy wins it will be more like 4-3 or 5-4
is anyone reluctant to think we are going to take this match....i would love to see a game where we finally step up against a soccer giant..however, Brazil seems to tough for Gli Azzurri at this point.
NOBODY is to tough!!!!!!! gli azzurri are the best team in the world and its only a matter of time until we win the 2006 world cup and prove it to everybody
Those sorts of nerves are felt more by the onlookers than the players IMO. You have to figure that all the players on the pitch will be more or less familiar from Serie A and the Champions League, and that even our youngest players are extremely professional/ match-prepared. Besides, this team has been playing well below its potential; give it some real matches and I think you'll be surprised by its quality. Not that we're sure to beat Brazil, just that we're unlikely to be overwhelmed . . . In any case, I think the best attitude is 'Italy against all comers'--in other words, let's have some spirit.
Who would you guys bring to this game if i had to line it up i would do a 4-3-2-1 heres the players i would call to this game GK: Buffon Toldo Perruzzi D: Canna Nesta Zaccardo Zmbrotta Chiellini Oddo M: Camoranesi Pirlo Gattuso Totti Esposito Maresca A: Toni Gila Del Piero Cassano
Is everyone aware that this game isn't even official yet and that it takes place in November? Plus, how can you be making line-ups if you don't even know which players are playing good or bad or injured and such?
whats wrong with you look at del pieros stats he scored 14 goals (more than vieri, cassano or totti) and he had less playing time than most players that were ahead of him and when he was on capello kept taking him off before the end of the game (probably since him and capello dont get along) and if you dont bring del piero who would you bring
That's much more appropriate. Honestly, Del Piero is finished with the Azzurri. Lippi hasn't put him on the team and he has done nothing for the Azzurri. Maybe Lippi should also drop Totti because he has lost the plot. If Totti was a level-headed person, that's a different story but like Del Piero, he hasn't done much for the Squadra Azzurra.