Friendly: Italy - Belgium [30-05-08]

[D-Kin]

Panucci ready for Belgium battle Friday 30 May, 2008

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Italy take on Belgium in a friendly this evening and Christian Panucci is taking the pre-Euro 2008 friendly seriously.

The world champions host the Belgians at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence ahead of June’s European Championship and the players are now fighting for places in the starting 11.

Panucci, who scored the goal against Scotland that secured qualification for the competition, certainly doesn’t see this evening’s game as a chore.

“There’s no such thing as a friendly in the Azzurri shirt,” the Roma stopper insisted.

“Of course the result won’t matter, but it’s the last game before Euro 2008 and so we need to put in a hard-working, serious performance and try to win.

“I think that Roberto Donadoni will experiment and then we will have to see who he fields for the first game against Holland.

“The important thing is that we are a strong group and we believe in ourselves. We are the world champions and so we are obviously going to the Euro to win it, even if there are other contenders.

“We are considered to be amongst the favourites and we will fight to reach the end.

“The Holland game is vital because it is always important to get off on the right foot, especially in these kind of competitions.”

Italy (probable): Buffon; Panucci, Cannavaro, Barzagli, Grosso; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Camoranesi; Di Natale, Toni

Belgium (probable): Stijnen; Hoefkens, Kompany, Vertonghen, Pocagnoli; Witsel, Simons, Fellaini, Defour, Mudingayi; Dembele

channel4.com - Football Italia

The team has been written as if we're gonna play 4-4-2 but I doubt we will, or at least I hope we don't.

Belgium aren't great, if we take this seriously we should win comfortably.

[Forza_Roma]

I forgot about this match...Italy justs need to avoid injuries. All players fitness levels are high so no need to kill themselves int his match.

I don't think Don will use a 442...Ch4 always gets the formation wrong. Maybe we will get some clues as to who will start in the opening Euro game.

Maybe Cassano will get the nod??

[D-Kin]

Why not?

Just play him I say, give him some confidence.

[Forza_Roma]

I'm sure he will feature at some point...there are 6 subs i believe, in friendlies so he will probably play. Don will probably change the formation at half time as well. Start Toni, then bring on Borriello. Same with Cassano and Di Natale etc.

[Forza_Roma]

How is Buffon's back? He still suffering? I don't think he should play today and rest. Give Amelia the nod.

[D-Kin]

Buffon is fine as far as I know.

[Forza_Roma]

Last week Panucci had a badly bruised toe nail. That's why he didn't play in the Coppa Final until the final few minutes. Going to keep an eye out to see if he plays.

Hopefully, Perrotta is fit enough as well with his calf injury.

[sinoy1]

1-0 so far.Pirlo is playing great.Aquilani on the starting position is making the Belgium team concious of his passing and hence they are stretched.What a goal by Di natale.But what about Pirlo's passing and deking out the defender.World class.

[Forza_Roma]

Di Natale is fighting for a starting position...he needs to impress. But, not doing so based on appearance...buzz cut doesn't suit him.

[Forza_Roma]

Aquilani with a bullet that just goes wide of the goal.

[sinoy1]

These commentators on GOLTV are terrible.

[Forza_Roma]

I'm not using sound...nice to see Panucci playing...guess his foot is better.

Goal Di Natale

Italy 2 - 0 Belgium

[Forza_Roma]

Di Natale feed the ball into the area and beats the keeper with a low shot.

Cassano applauds the goal from the bench.

[sinoy1]

Di Natale makes it 2.He is stepping it up.

[sinoy1]

Aquilani with the pass?