2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

[llewelyn]

italy is up 2-0 at halftime.

giovinco paonessa and cerci (from pisa) are playing next to each other from left to right with acquafresca alone up top. dessena and cigarini are behind them, so it looks like a 4-2-3-1.

cigarini is playing real well; he's an excellent passer.

cerci has looked dangerous when he's had the ball, but he's gotten very few opportunities (not surprising considering he has giovinco across from him).

first goal was an own goal it looks like after a shot by acquafresca set up by giovinco. the second goal was legit and was scored by acquafresca. man of the first half imo is giovinco.

[llewelyn]

u21 - qualifier vs. Azerbaijan 5-0 ft.

none other than giovinco set the third goal up for cerci.

great pass from giovinco to osvaldo whose shot gets deflected to russotto who bangs in it near-post for the fourth.

and dessena added the 5th from a cross from de ceglie.

[azzurri]

Another fantastic Giovinco performance. Although Azerbaijan are not the best team, its all relative. Giovinco is usually the player most applauded whoever the azzurrini play.

[sinoy1]

Cerci also played well I heard.Great stuff from our youth product.Tipped to take over the creative part of the team after Totti retires.Bout time he's producing!

[D-Kin]

As expected a nice convincing win.

[D-Kin]

U-21: Giovinco rules Azerbaijan Friday 16 November, 2007

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Sebastian Giovinco created four goals as Italy tore apart their Azerbaijani Under-21 counterparts in a 5-0 qualifying triumph.

On-form Pisa striker Alessio Cerci also celebrated his debut for Pierluigi Casiraghi’s squad with a goal. He earned this call after netting eight times in 14 Serie B games.

Italy now lead Group 1 with 16 points from six games, four ahead of second-placed Croatia.

The Azzurrini were without the injured Marco and Giuseppe Rossi along with Claudio Marchisio for this Under-21 European Championship qualifier in Fermo.

Robert Acquafresca picked up an early yellow card that will rule him out of the next match against the Faroe Islands, then set up a good chance that Paonessa saw saved by the goalkeeper.

Empoli starlet Giovinco ran rings around the Azerbaijan defence and created opportunities for Acquafresca and Paonessa.

The visitors had just one point from five games going into this match, but threatened an upset when Nadirov pounced on a Daniele Dessena error to drill just wide of the upright.

It took a stroke of luck for the Azzurrini to break through, as Giovinco again was the creator for Acquafresca when his shot took a crucial deflection off Amirguliyev to send Aghayev the wrong way.

Moments later the two players combined once again, but this time Acquafresca’s strike smacked against the crossbar.

He got his glory in first half stoppages with an angled drive as he ran on to a splendid Giovinco assist.

After the break Casiraghi introduced Fiorentina’s ‘Oriundo’ Daniel Pablo Osvaldo, who was born in Uruguay of Italian parentage.

Osvaldo combined with the inspirational Giovinco for a promising scoring opportunity and the Empoli starlet again went close to marking his performance with an individual goal, but the final touch let him down.

Osvaldo continued to impress as he spun round, but the shot was too central and easy prey for Aghayev.

Cerci celebrated his Under-21 international debut with a goal, getting on the end of an assist from – who else? – Giovinco to flick it past the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Giovinco created the fourth goal of the night five minutes from time, as Osvaldo’s effort was beaten away into the path of Russotto for an easy finish.

The emphatic scoreline was sealed in stoppages when Dessena made the most of Paolo De Ceglie’s cross from the left flank.

Italy 5-0 Azerbaijan
Scorers: Amirguliyev og 42 (I), Acquafresca 45 (I), Cerci 77 (I), Russotto 85 (I), Dessena 92 (I)
Italy U-21: Consigli; Motta, Marzoratti, Criscito, De Ceglie; Dessena, Cigarini; Giovinco, Cerci, Paonessa (Morosini 68); Acquafresca (Osvaldo 61)
Azerbaijan U-21: Aghayev; Shimzada, Hasanov, Abishov, Narimanov; Hajiyev (Karimov 74), Novruzov (E Mammadov 68), Yusifov, Amirguliyev; Nadirov, Javadov (A Mammadov 83)
Ref: Trattou (Cyp)

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[D-Kin]

Casiraghi high fives Azzurrini Saturday 17 November, 2007

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Pierluigi Casiraghi praised his Under-21 Italy squad after their emphatic 5-0 qualifying win over Azerbaijan.

“The boys did brilliantly. It was a great game even though we struggled a little at the start, partly due to the heavy water-logged pitch and of course to our opponents’ performance,” said the Coach.

“It is only a shame we picked up some yellow cards that will suspend a few players for the next match.”

Goalscorers Robert Acquafresca and Daniele Dessena were booked and will miss the encounter with the Faroe Islands.

“We knew that Azerbaijan had good technique, although perhaps a little less in terms of physical presence, so we came out in the long run and once we broke the deadlock it got easier from there.”

The undoubted star of the show was Sebastian Giovinco, who set up four of the five goals despite being a bench-warmer at club side Empoli, but Casiraghi tried to spread his praise.

“There are many talented players in the squad. We need to let them play and have faith in their abilities,” commented the tactician.

“It is not easy for me to pick who to start, especially upfront. Paolo De Ceglie played a great game at left-back.”

Italy are dominating their Group with 16 points to Croatia’s 12 and Greece on 10. Albania follow on seven, the Faroe Islands three and Azerbaijan one point.

Today Albania travel to the Faroes, while Greece welcome Croatia in a head-to-head for second place.

The winners of each group reach the European Under-21 Championship play-offs along with the four best runners-up.

The tournament will take place in Sweden in June 2009.

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[D-Kin]

Davide Bottone and Davide Di Gennaro have been called up to replace Robert Acquafresca and Daniele Dessena who picked up yellow cards against Azerbaijan.
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[D-Kin]

Bottone living Azzurrini dream Monday 19 November, 2007

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Torino midfielder Davide Bottone has spoken of his pride after receiving a shock call-up to Pierluigi Casiraghi’s Azzurrini squad.

The Under-21 side have been hit with injuries and Claudio Marchisio and Marco Rossi were forced to pull out at the eleventh hour before the thumping win over Azerbaijan.

Daniele Dessena and Robert Acquafresca picked up bookings last Friday and are suspended leaving Bologna’s Milan-owned hitman Davide Di Gennaro and 21-year-old Turin native Bottone to receive the call to face the Faroe Islands.

“It is a dream come true,” Bottone told Tuttosport. “I want to thank Toro President Urbano Cairo as he spent the money to buy me from Varese and I hope that this will also please him.

“I can never thank Walter Novellino enough for what he has done for me. From my first training session at Malles he has treated me like any other player and shown faith in me. I will always be thankful to him.”

Torino’s squad is full of promising youth prospects with Marco Motta and Matteo Rubin already capped at Under-21 level and Tommaso Vailatti tipped to follow.

Di Gennaro has made just one appearance for Milan to date when he replaced Alessandro Costacurta against Udinese last season in the veteran stopper’s emotional San Siro farewell.

However, the promising striker has hit two goals in six games for Serie B promotion contenders Bologna and will hope to make his mark on the international stage on Wednesday.

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[D-Kin]

U-21: Casiraghi focused on Faroes Tuesday 20 November, 2007

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Pierluigi Casiraghi wants his Azzurrini to stay focused against the Faroe Islands to cement their Euro 2009 qualification advantage.

Italy’s Under-21 side lead Greece by a point, but they have a game in hand after Croatia upset the Greeks last weekend.

Casiraghi’s men hammered Azerbaijan 5-0 on Friday, but they will have to do without a vast number of players for the trip to Torshavn.

Marco Rossi, Giuseppe Rossi, Claudio Marchisio, Marco Andreolli, Matteo Rubin and Francesco Pisano are injured, while Robert Acquafresca and Daniele Dessena are suspended.

“It would be a crucial win to keep us dominant at the top and to round off a very positive year in all respects,” Casiraghi stated.

Although the Italians will be huge favourites to take maximum points, they won’t underestimate a side that made them sweat in a 2-1 win in September.

“I’m sure that the Faroe Islands, who are welcoming back five suspended players, will give us as much trouble as they did in the first game,” the Azzurrini boss continued.

Casiraghi signed off by offering his congratulations to senior counterpart Roberto Donadoni.

“I’m happy for Donadoni because he has worked well and the success is thoroughly deserved,” he said.

“It is an important triumph for football in this country as a whole.”

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[D-Kin]

U-21: Azzurrini’s cold reception Wednesday 21 November, 2007

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Pierluigi Casiraghi’s Under-21 side are preparing to face the Faroe Islands in the bitter cold of Torshavn and the Coach is expecting a tough test.

The Azzurrini lead Euro 2009 qualifying Group 1 and have a chance to extend their lead at the top with a win over the Nordic minnows.

Last Friday’s 5-0 hammering of Azerbaijan will have boosted Casiraghi’s men, but they won’t be allowed to forget how hard they had to work for a 2-1 win when the two sides met in Italy.

“We remember how hard the home game was,” Casiraghi insisted. “It will need another performance like the Azerbaijan game to get the win.

“They will be very determined and organised in defence so we need to find space to impose our game on them.

“It’s a crucial match, even if a win won’t mathematically guarantee qualification.”

The Tórsvøllur clash kicks off at 1pm and the Italians are expected to have just one fan to roar them on.

University student Alarico Rossi - a friend of Empoli defender Lino Marzoratti and former Milan academy player – is believed to be the only away fan.

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[llewelyn]

woke up early to watch this one.

ft italy 1 - 0 faroe islands

pozzi scored the lone goal from a cross from de ceglie. we had tons of chances and finally put one away. it was a nice header.

santacroce was sent off in the first half and even with 10 men the azzurrini dominated. they didn't show the replay, but apparently it was an elbow.

our strikers didn't have good games at all. cerci and osvaldo missed a bunch of opportunities as well as giovinco.

all in all a win is a win.

[D-Kin]

U-21: Pozzi spares Azzurrini blushes Wednesday 21 November, 2007

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The Azzurrini are within sight of Euro 2009 qualification as Pierluigi Casiraghi’s 10-man side struggled to a 1-0 win over the Faroe Islands.

Italy’s youngsters were looking to follow up their 5-0 mauling of Azerbaijan last Friday, but they faced a sterner test in freezing conditions in Torshavn against a side they only just overcame 2-1 at home.

Casiraghi’s men dominated early proceedings as Faroe ‘keeper Gunnar Nielsen denied Luca Cigarini after six minutes and Pisa hitman Alessio Cerci fired into the side-netting five minutes later.

Cerci’s shot was parried into the path of Juventus defender Domenico Criscito, but he ballooned his effort over the bar. The rain continued to fall and the Italians continued to miss chances as Cerci headed against the bar from close range.

As half-time loomed, Brescia defender Fabiano Santacroce lashed out in a 50-50 and was surprisingly shown a straight red card.

Despite their numerical handicap, the Azzurrini continued to pile on the pressure and Cerci’s shot was brilliantly saved before the interval.

The introduction of Empoli’s Nicola Pozzi was the turning point and finally Casiraghi’s men got their deserved breakthrough after 80 minutes when Pozzi rose to head home Paolo De Ceglie’s cross.

The deflated Faroes had fought hard for a stalemate and looked dispirited as the game fizzled out.

Italy’s Under-21’s have a handsome seven-point lead at the top of Group 1 and have now amassed 19 points from seven games.

Faroe Islands 0-1 Italy
Scorers: Pozzi 80
Sent Off: Santacroce 41
Italy U-21: Consigli; Motta, Santacroce, Criscito, De Ceglie; Morosini, Cigarini, Paonessa (Bolzoni 46); Giovinco, Cerci (Marzoratti 57), Osvaldo (Pozzi 67)
Ref: Vik (Svk)

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[D-Kin]

At the end of the day it's a win away from home.

I'm pleased.

[D-Kin]

U-21: Casiraghi praises 10 troops Wednesday 21 November, 2007

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Italy Under-21 boss Pierluigi Casiraghi has praised his side for fighting past the Faroe Islands with 10 men.

Brescia stopper Fabiano Santacroce was dismissed with just 35 minutes played, but the Italians still dominated in Torshavn and grabbed a 1-0 win, courtesy of a Nicola Pozzi header 10 minutes from time.

“We were a bit tired out there,” Casiraghi stated on Rai after the final whistle. “I’m happy because we reacted well to losing a man.

“We played well and created lots of chances in the opening half an hour, but that little bit extra was missing as we missed at least five chances.

“I’m really pleased with Piermario Morisini and Nicola Pozzi. They are already like veterans at such a young age.”

Casiraghi’s side lead Croatia by a point at the top of Group 1 and have a game in hand with three left to play.

There is now a sizeable hiatus in the qualification process with the next test coming in Azerbaijan on March 25.

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