2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

[D-Kin]

Pierluigi Casiraghi is convinced that his Under-21 side will silence the critics when they take on Croatia and Greece in their Euro 2009 qualifiers.

The Azzurrini were heavily criticised for just squeezing past the Faroe Islands and Albania last month, but the Coach is expecting things to be a little easier over the next 180 minutes of football.

“My players have more games in their legs this time around and we are close to reaching our optimum physical condition,” noted the former Lazio and Juventus striker.

“We are up against two very technically gifted and interesting sides,” he added.

“Croatia are our historical rivals, but I’m sure that we will have more space to play against them – and Greece – than we did in our last two matches.”

Greece, Croatia and Italy all currently lead Group 1 on nine points, but the Azzurrini do have a 100 per cent record and a game in hand.

However, Casiraghi has insisted that nothing will be decided in terms of qualification over the next seven days.

“They are important matches for us and for the League table, but they are not decisive at this stage,” he claimed.

All eyes are set to be on Empoli youngster Sebastian Giovinco given his fine form for the side since the start of the season.

Italy play Croatia at home on Friday night before travelling to Greece to take on the hosts on Tuesday evening.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

The Azzurrini face Croatia in the first of their two vital Euro 2009 qualifiers this evening and Coach Pierluigi Casiraghi calls for a mature performance.

Italy’s youngsters have won three out of three so far, but they have done so with two wins over Albania and a hard-fought victory over the Faroe Islands.

The true test will be how Casiraghi’s men deal with Group 1 leaders Greece next Tuesday and a dangerous Croatia side in Chieti tonight.

“These two games will help us to see how much we have grown,” the ex-Chelsea man explained.

“They are important in terms of the table and although they are not decisive two good results would help us a lot from a psychological point of view.

“My squad is technically very strong, but we need to improve on the performances we have turned in so far. I’m curious to know where our limits are.”

Tonight’s clash kicks off at 8pm at the Stadio Guido Angelini.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/oct12c.html

[D-Kin]

Under-21: Italy 2-0 Croatia Friday 12 October, 2007
Scorer: Acquafresca 40, 57

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Robert Acquafresca netted twice as Italy’s Under-21s gained a comfortable victory over qualification rivals Croatia in a tense but entertaining encounter.

The Azzurrini are now leading the table with 12 points having played all four games, while Croatia are second with nine.

Italy needed a win and Coach Pierluigi Casiraghi [pictured] lined up with a 4-3-3 formation. The Azzurrini trident was formed by Sebastian Giovinco, Giuseppe Rossi and Acquafresca.

After a slow start, Croatia could have taken the lead when Busic’s scissor-kick was disallowed by the referee after two fantastic saves from Andrea Consigli.

The home team had an excellent opportunity on 34 minutes, but Giuseppe Rossi’s first-time shot was deflected wide.

Italy took the lead soon after thanks to Acquafresca. A Rossi cross was guided home off the outside of his right foot and past the outstretched Vargic.

Croatia’s reaction was poor, but both Rossi and Luca Cigarini saw yellow before half-time.

Italy doubled their lead on 57 minutes. Marco Motta crossed from the right and Acquafresca was again on hand to turn in his second goal of the evening, this time with his head.

Two minutes later Giovinco could have made it 3-0, but his lobbed shot went inches wide.

Rossi had two attempts on goal with his left and then his right foot, but both were tipped away by Vargic.

The undoubted star of the match, Acquafresca, was replaced by Andrea Russotto on 68 minutes with Rossi taking the role of the central striker.

The Azzurrini tried to increase their advantage a few minutes before the final whistle, but Giovinco and Rossi’s efforts were again denied by Vargic.

Italy: Consigli; Motta, Marzoratti (Santacroce 71), Criscito, Rubin; Dessena, Cigarini, Marchisio; Rossi, Acquafresca (Russotto 68), Giovinco (Morosini 87)

Croatia: Vargic; Dzigic (Kukec 75), Lovren, Ipsa; Bakovic, Ilicevic, Jajalo, Tomasov (Rukavina 62), Pamic; Tasic, Busic

Ref: M. Gonzalez

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[D-Kin]

Gigi Casiraghi has thanked his youngsters for their efforts in the 2-0 victory over Croatia in last night’s Euro 2009 qualifiers.

The Azzurrini went into the tie level on points with their opponents and Greece, but maintained their 100 per cent record with a vital and comfortable victory in Chieti.

“They all played really well, my youngsters had a great game this evening,” said a clearly satisfied Casiraghi after the 90 minutes.

“Croatia are a very good side, but sometimes you just need to face these types of games with a little bit of character.”

Hero of the evening was Robert Acquafresca whose brace ensured that the Italians collected their fourth win out of four in Group 1.

“I’m really happy for him,” continued the former Lazio and Juventus striker. “He’s played well in the past and did so again here.”

However, Casiraghi was also keen to praise the displays of Sebastian Giovinco and Giuseppe Rossi who continue to thrill with their fancy footwork.

“It is clear to everyone that their contribution is important to this team,” added the man who replaced Claudio Gentile in the summer of 2006. “Acquafresca can clearly take advantage of that.”

Italy are now three points clear in Group 1 and will face Greece away from home on Tuesday evening. A win there would undoubtedly put them in pole position for qualification.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Azzurrini Coach Pierluigi Casiraghi has called upon his side to follow up their win over Croatia with a crucial three points against Greece tonight.

Italy’s Under-21 side are in control in Group 1 after four wins from four and know that a win would take them six points clear at the top in their bid to qualify for Euro 2009.

“We’re looking to move further ahead and closer to the European Championships,” Casiraghi stressed.

“It will be a tough game against Greece and surely more difficult than Croatia. They will be more rested as they didn’t play on Friday while we had to work hard.

“They changed their Coach recently and they look to be very dangerous going forward. I’d say they have a good chance of challenging in this group.”

Casiraghi’s men saw off Croatia 2-0 on Friday thanks to a brace from Cagliari’s Robert Acquafresca.

“We showed our quality against Croatia and we just need to play with the same determination and concentration again,” the ex-Chelsea man concluded.

The Azzurrini are in action at 7.45pm this evening.

Italy Under-21 (probable): Consigli; Motta, Marzoratti, Criscito, Rubin; Dessena, Morosini, Marchisio, Rossi, Giovinco; Acquafresca

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[D-Kin]

Despite sensational goals from Giuseppe Rossi and Daniele Dessena, Italy’s 100 per cent Under-21 qualifying record ended with a 2-2 draw in Greece.

Fresh from a 2-0 win over Croatia, Italy wanted another positive result to consolidate their position at the top of the group for the European Under-21 Championships. The only change to the starting XI was Vicenza’s Piermario Morosini in for the suspended Luca Cigarini.

There was an adjustment to the officials, though, as the Russian referee and his assistants were unable to reach the Greek capital in time, so German Stark took over.

It started well in Athens with Sebastian Giovinco threading through for Robert Acquafresca, but the man who bagged a brace last week could only turn his angled drive past the post.

Instead, it was Greece who took the lead with their first real attempt after 19 minutes, Petropoulos rising to head in a corner.

Dessena had a potential equaliser disallowed soon after and Giuseppe Rossi slipped as he was sent clear by Empoli starlet Giovinco.

Torino’s Matteo Rubin was forced off with an injury to make way for Lazio revelation Lorenzo De Silvestri. Giovinco continued to dominate proceedings, as he tested Kasmeridis with a free kick and created another promising opportunity for Acquafresca, halted by a debatable offside flag.

Pierluigi Casiraghi’s side struggled after the restart and risked going 2-0 down when Rimini shot-stopper Andrea Consigli fingertipped a dangerous Hristodoulopoulos effort wide of the target.

Italy finally drew level on 62 minutes, as former Parma and Manchester United man Giuseppe Rossi scored a sensational individual effort. He found space down the left and unleashed a powerful and precise drive to beat the goalkeeper.

Moments later Rossi skimmed the woodwork again from the edge of the area, but Consigli was tested twice by Makos from close range.

The Azzurrini turned the game around completely in the closing stages with a splendid team goal. Rossi and Giovinco combined before Parma’s Dessena smashed his unstoppable strike into the top corner.

It still wasn’t over in this dramatic encounter, as in the final minute substitute De Silvestri brought down Makos. Mitroglu stepped up and buried his penalty to Consigli’s right, securing a 2-2 draw for Greece.

This ends Italy’s 100 per cent record, but they remain clear at the top of Group 1 with 13 points in five games. Greece move second on 10 and Croatia follow with nine.

Greece 1-2 Italy
Scorers: Petropoulos 19 (G), Rossi 62 (I), Dessena 81 (I), Mitroglu pen 89 (G)

Greece U21: Kasmeridis; Maniatis, Galitsos, Papastathopoulos, Tzavelas; Hristodoulopoulos (Mitroglou 84), Rikka, Makos, Dimoutos (Pliatsikas 67); Kone (Kiliaras 80); Petropoulos
Italy U21: Consigli; Motta, Marzoratti, Criscito, Rubin (De Silvestri 36); Dessena, Morosini, Marchisio; Rossi, Giovinco (Russotto 82); Acquafresca (Pozzi 77)
Ref: Stark (Ger)

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[D-Kin]

Pierluigi Casiraghi was left to rue a sluggish start after the Azzurrini’s 2-2 draw with Greece, but was pleased with the performance.

Italy’s Under-21 side lost their 100 per cent record in their Euro 2009 qualification campaign, but remain top of Group 1 with 13 points.

Superb goals from Giuseppe Rossi and Daniele Dessena only secured a point as Italy were caught napping early on and hit by a late penalty.

“It’s a shame because we got things back on track after a bad start,” Casiraghi admitted in his post-match Press conference.

“At the start we were playing too slowly. We needed a kick up the backside and we got one.

“We need to learn to start games as we mean to go on. It’s something that players learn and obviously these young lads will make mistakes.

“After we gave the goal away we played really well and dominated the game. We created lots of chances and I am happy with how we performed.”

Casiraghi’s men now wait until November 16 when they face pointless Azerbaijan.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Who is the most promising players on this team?

[D-Kin]

Well this is a pretty new batch of players, the likes of Montolivo and Pazzini are now too old so there's a lot of new talent.

In my opinion you should keep an eye on Dessena, Criscito, Marchisio, Rossi, Giovinco and Acquafresca.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Okey, I'm only familiar with ex-united player Rossi.

[Calcio]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

Okey, I'm only familiar with ex-united player Rossi.

From my knowledge he seems to be getting a big push.

[D-Kin]

Here's Casiraghi's squad for the games against Azerbaijan and the Faroe Islands:

Goalkeepers: Alfonso (Inter), Consigli (Rimini), Sirigu (Cremonese)
Defenders: Criscito (Juventus), De Silvestri (Lazio), Marzoratti (Empoli), Motta (Torino), Rossi (Parma), Santacroce (Brescia)
Midfielders: Bolzoni (Inter), Cigarini (Parma), De Ceglie (Siena), Dessena (Parma), Giovinco (Empoli), Marchisio (Empoli), Morosini (Vicenza)
Strikers: Acquafresca (Cagliari), Cerci (Pisa), Osvaldo (Fiorentina), Pozzi (Empoli)

[D-Kin]

Casiraghi fears negative sides Tuesday 13 November, 2007

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Under-21 boss Pierluigi Casiraghi has warned Italy will face a defensive brick wall against Azerbaijan and the Faroe Islands.

“These will be two difficult games, because we are going to take on teams who are very adept at defending in numbers,” said the Coach ahead of the crucial European Championship qualifiers.

“Let us not forget how difficult it was to get the better of the Faroes in the first leg. We have more to lose than to gain, especially for a side like us who makes attack the primary objective.”

The Azzurrini are streaking out in front in their qualifying campaign after four wins and a draw. Italy are one point clear at the top of Group 1, but have a game in hand over second-place Croatia.

They welcome Azerbaijan to Fermo on Friday and then travel to Torshavn on Wednesday November 21.

“My Under-21 side has improved a great deal and many players got better after working with their clubs. We still have a year left to complete this work and be in the best shape for the finals.”

Lazio defender Lorenzo De Silvestri was not at training today, as he was given compassionate leave to attend Wednesday morning’s funeral of Gabriele Sandri.

De Silvestri was good friends with the fan tragically shot by a stray policeman’s bullet in a motorway service station near Arezzo on Sunday.

“Unfortunately football is going through a delicate time and it is very difficult for the reasons everyone can see,” added Casiraghi of the crowd trouble that followed the incident.

“We have to send out a strong signal. All we can do is try to remind people what it’s all about on the field.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Claudio Marchisio has been removed from the squad due to injury, Salvatore Bocchetti replaces him.
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