The Italy squad leaves for Cardiff without Pippo Inzaghi, but with Massimo Maccarone. Who will start in this critical game against Mark Hughes' fresh and optimistic Wales team? I don't expect the defense to change. Will it be Del Piero and Montella up front? And the midfield? Will Pirlo advance to take Doni's attacking midfield role? Has anybody heard of Di Biagio's condition? He was sick but hadn't been ruled out of joining the squad for the Wales game. Guess we will see if the Italians can come together under adversity or if they'll just shrink from it.
This will be an interesting game. Italy had problems with energetic teams that, on the whole, didn't have the person-to-person talent that the Italians did. I think it will be a well deserved draw for the Welsh. 1-1.
If soccerage has it right, we'll see Del Piero up front with Montella with Di Biagio returning in midfield....should allow Pirlo to play the more advanced role that Doni played vs. Yugo. Ambrosini in starting lineup for Gattuso, it would give a little more two-way ability in midfield with he, Di Biagio and Pirlo. Also, maybe we'll see Maccarone off the bench... http://www.SoccerAge.com/en/13/h9964.html
Del Piero will possibly play only the first half,Trapattoni is undecided (or simply secretive) about who will play as left back: Zauri or Adani the Azzurri are pushing to play indoor,the Welsh want to take advantage of a soaked pitch,but if it keeps raining like it has thus far the playing field might not be in conditions to permit an international football match
Azzurri defeat? Is anyone else fearing this? This Wales side has had good results in the past year (though most were friendlies) and the Italians are in a slump right now. We couldn't even beat minnows like the Faroes. Hopefully, embarassment is spared ofr the Italians this week, though injury isn't helping.
I wouldn't go as far as to say Italy couldn't beat the Faroes right now, but today's contest is definitely a challenge. Wales is fresh (no game over the weekend), optimistic (first quallie was a road win over Finland) and has everything to play for. Italy has not had a good showing since the first match of the WC, and has been bitten by the injury bug to boot. An Italy win would kind of surprise me, but a draw is not a good result either because it would keep Wales (and Finland) in the thick of things at this point. What a quandary for Trap. Everybody is clamoring for a win to solidify his position as manager, but his whole being is probably saying - "play for the point".
Much truth I think anyone would be playing for the point right now. The injuries to some of our better attackers and the way the midfield has shown no creativity in about 8 games or so, you must have to think a decent result for the Italians is a draw. Only a few hours till we know.
There will be minute-by-minute text commentary (in English) on the game at www.uefa.com . If anybody knows of any other commentaries - audio, or Italian, or whatever, please post them here.
BBC has a webcast. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/default.stm (on right, live link at gametime)
Projected starting lineup from RAI teletext, still uncertain whether it will be Zauri or Adani at left back: Buffon Nesta Cannavaro Panucci Zauri or Adani Ambrosini Tommasi Di Biagio Pirlo Del Piero Montella
Zauri is the starter. Listening on the above link. Wales has made a spirited start, by the sounds of it.
Di Biagio booked for intentional handball inside the center circle. Immediate chance for Wales off the restart came to Gabbidon, who missed.
here is another audio link. Not sure if it is the same as the first as I had to do some serious looking around to find it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/shows/sportstime.shtml click on "listen live" along the right hand side
Listening to this game while watching England-Macedonia, trying to do articles on both at the same time. Crowd is spectatular. One of those games you'd like to be at for the atmosphere alone.
Del Piero has tied it for Italy. Of course, I'm on the phone and was not able to hear it on the audiocast.