Friendly: Portugal - Italy [06-02-08]

[Jager]

Di Natale misses a sitter, as Italy break out of their own end with three or four passes. Started by Pirlo and ended by Pirlo, the guy is incredible in this game thus far....but still no goals for no one.

[verde-rubro]

any one got a link to a live feed?

[Jager]

Portugal coming on now, getting into the game. Starting to get confident.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by verde-rubro

any one got a link to a live feed?

MyP2P.eu :: Free Live Sports on your PC, Live Football, MLB, NBA, NHL and more...

The one that says "Channel English one" is working.......you will need TV ants though.

[jec1]

Forza italia!

I refuse to watch those nuthuggers on Gol TV, horrible commentating!

[acitalianman13]

italy took the lead

[sinoy1]

1-0 italy with Toni scoring at the stroke of halftime.

Palladino impressed me a bit.He's decent going forward.His final ball distribution could be a bit better.

Pirlo is magic.Without him.That midfield would be utter crap.

Id look for a switch though.Aquilani for Ambrosini to add a bit more creativity.The former is good defensively as well.

Quag for Palladino in the 75th minute to make it a 4-3-3....although it looks more like a 4-4-2 right now and a 4-3-3 when attacking.

Amelia did good on the free kick.Good half.

[jec1]

Yeah, Italy always finds ways to score when it counts.... Even when the other team dominates, it shows how good they're.

Portugal are not at the same level as italy.... we don't play as a team!

[Jager]

The Portugese came on late, they lacked finish. Italia score on a nice break, with a nice cross by Grosso, which Riccardo should of had, but what can you say. Toni doesn't miss stuff like that.

Though the first non goal by Pirlo should of counted.

Good first half by the Azzurri overall, considering the caliber of the Portugese attack in midfield.

The only thing I question for them is their strikers. This is still a problem for Portugal, and frankly I don't understand how a nation can create so many good midfielders, but can't create a top notch box player??

Italy's play has been balanced, they are working together as a team, and I'm midly impressed.

[jec1]

Hugo almeida should start, maku is like toni, a late bloomer but he has been inconsistent at times.

I expect italy to win 3-0.... You guys don't understand that the portuguese get frustrated when their down. Pirlo is all class, love him as a player, Although portugal is dominating in possession, Italy knows how to be patient.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by sinoy1

1-0 italy with Toni scoring at the stroke of halftime.

Palladino impressed me a bit.He's decent going forward.His final ball distribution could be a bit better.

Pirlo is magic.Without him.That midfield would be utter crap.

Id look for a switch though.Aquilani for Ambrosini to add a bit more creativity.The former is good defensively as well.

Quag for Palladino in the 75th minute to make it a 4-3-3....although it looks more like a 4-4-2 right now and a 4-3-3 when attacking.

Amelia did good on the free kick.Good half.

We do have more creative midfielders than just Pirlo, but its very evident that Don doesn't want to take the ball away from Pirlo, and frankly he seems to play his best when he has the ball. In Milan, I've seen play some stinkers at times, but he doesn't get the ball as much, as its usually fed to Kaka quickly.

For the Azzurri, they don't have this option. I also want to point out, that we have been doing very well using both flanks, if its a fullback or one of the other midfielders or one the other forward like Di Natale. Plenty of balls are being knocked into the box.

***Messed up...pushed edit instead of quote...sorry.Sinoy1***

[azzurri]

If Donadoni fields this team in the summmer, Italy are screwed. The formation is ok, but he is playing the wrong players. His obsession with Di Natale needs to end and Palladino doesn't deserve a call up. Both should be bench players at best when u consider who he has left out.

As for the game, Italy are sitting back in midfield. They're inviting Portugal onto them.

[Jager]

Very good strategy Nick since the Portugese like to push up in numbers, and the counter is our game. To be honest, Di Natale has been okay today. He almost scored two goals, but Riccardo made nice saves.

The other thing is that the Portugese leave way too much space at the back. This is something they will have to fix in their game if they hope to go to the next level.

Maybe this is what Jec was referring to in his post about being patient.

Personally they should dress Pele, bench Queresma...play Ronaldo up front with Deco behind...and add another striker....and that is it. This is from my limited viewing from their team, but to me, they have not fixed the problems from their World cup campaign.

#that should be Pele and Maniche as duel DMs....

[sinoy1]

Originally Posted by Jager

We do have more creative midfielders than just Pirlo, but its very evident that Don doesn't want to take the ball away from Pirlo, and frankly he seems to play his best when he has the ball. In Milan, I've seen play some stinkers at times, but he doesn't get the ball as much, as its usually fed to Kaka quickly.

For the Azzurri, they don't have this option. I also want to point out, that we have been doing very well using both flanks, if its a fullback or one of the other midfielders or one the other forward like Di Natale. Plenty of balls are being knocked into the box.

***Messed up...pushed edit instead of quote...sorry.Sinoy1***

Somewhat agree.Definately agree to the fullbacks thing.Grosso and Oddo have done very well.Zambrotta started off flying but injured himself.

A few key switches about 65th minute and this team can really be rocking the net and creating alot more.

Finally...hit the right button lol.

[jec1]

Like I said 3-0 italy