WC Qualifier: Italy - Bulgaria [11-10-08] - TalkSoccer

**dukeofdavinci** · 06-10-2008, 10:23 AM

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Azzurri: Lippi calls four debutants Sunday 5 October, 2008

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Alex Del Piero is not in the Italy squad for Bulgaria and Montenegro, but four new faces include Giuseppe Rossi and Christian Maggio.

Marcello Lippi has to deal with a number of injuries to Andrea Pirlo, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Marco Materazzi, Nicola Legrottaglie, Marco Cassetti, Fabio Grosso and Angelo Palombo.

There are four new faces in the squad, including two Napoli players, winger Maggio and defender Fabiano Santacroce.

Udinese striker Simone Pepe is a debutant, while Villarreal hitman Rossi makes the step up from Under-21 level.

Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo is also advanced from the Azzurrini, while Milan's Daniele Bonera and Palermo's Antonio Nocerino return.

Juventus captain Del Piero confirmed he had not been included during an interview after the 2-1 defeat to Palermo.

“Lippi called me up and explained that I was not in the squad,” he revealed.

Antonio Cassano has also again been left out despite his brace against Atalanta this evening, while Wolfsburg defender Andrea Barzagli is dropped.

Italy continue their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign by travelling to Sofia to face Bulgaria on October 11 and then welcome Montenegro to the Stadio Via del Mare in Lecce on October 15.

The Azzurri currently lead Group 8 with six points from two games, followed by Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland on four.

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Amelia (Palermo), De Sanctis (Galatasaray)
Defenders: Bonera (Milan), Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Chiellini (Juventus), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Santacroce (Napoli), Zambrotta (Milan)
Midfielders: Aquilani (Roma), Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Palermo), Perrotta (Roma)
Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Pepe (Udinese), G Rossi (Villareal), Toni (Bayern Munich).

right and left defense still in mid peril wth the injuries we are facing

.but i cant understand lippi's omission of del piero.we have no iaquinta and no cassano, so why no del piero when we are missing those 2 names.this will put a huge pressure on toto i believe, but we still have gila whom is finding the touch under lippi and his new environment at fiorentina.

tho glad to see rossi in the squad.ideally i would like to pair him wth seba giovinco and see the fireworks

.

**dukeofdavinci** · 06-10-2008, 03:56 PM

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Juve duo are Azzurri doubts Monday 6 October, 2008

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Marcello Lippi may have to make do without Gigi Buffon and Mauro Camoranesi for Italy's upcoming World Cup 2010 qualifiers.

The Azzurri will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record on the road to South Africa as they face Bulgaria and Montenegro.

Buffon reported a recurrence of shoulder pain after Juventus' defeat against Palermo yesterday.

The Bianconeri No 1 has been struggling with the injury for weeks and may need some time to rest the troubled area.

Meanwhile, Juve winger Mauro Camoranesi has complained of a strain in his right thigh.

Both men saw Azzurri medical staff this afternoon and a decision will be made shortly over their fitness.

Italy travel to Bulgaria on Saturday before hosting Montenegro in mid-week

damn as i expected.gigi is a doubt.i fear his shoulder might need an op, and if thats the case he might be out longer.

**sinoy1** · 06-10-2008, 04:20 PM

I hope its a 4-3-1-2. With De Rossi in the heart of the midfield and Aquilani and Montolivo.Rossi playing a tad bit behind Toni and Gila/Di natale.

Central defence is good again.Where as Dossena isnt playing that great in Liverpool.

We'll see how things go.

**dukeofdavinci** · 07-10-2008, 01:07 PM

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Where as Dossena isnt playing that great in Liverpool.

amen to that.the moment he stepped down at anfield he was alredy absorbed their crappyness and he isnt fit for nt.

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Star duo out for Italy Tuesday 7 October, 2008

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There's bad news for Marcello Lippi as it has been confirmed that Gigi Buffon and Mauro Camoranesi will miss Italy's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The Juventus pair had been in doubt after reporting injuries and tests by the Azzurri medical team this morning have ruled them out of action.

Buffon's back problem could keep him sidelined for the next three weeks, which will also worry Claudio Ranieri.

Camoranesi has a first-degree tear in his right thigh and will need just 20 days to recover.

The pair will remain with their teammates at Coverciano until Friday when they leave for Bulgaria.

Siena goalkeeper Gianluca Curci will be called in to replace Buffon, but there will probably be no substitute for Camoranesi.

Italy play Bulgaria on Saturday before returning to the peninsula to take on Montenegro next Wednesday.

wow..3 weeks.i hope gigi recovers fully before we get in to the thick of qualy action.curci should get the nod.will be a great chance for him to mature and prove to both roma and lippi that he can be the custodian for both sets.

**dukeofdavinci** · 07-10-2008, 02:31 PM

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Lippi on new-look Azzurri Tuesday 7 October, 2008

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Azzurri Coach Marcello Lippi has explained his selection decisions and given his backing to embattled Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri.

Lippi has dropped Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero for his squad to face Bulgaria and Montenegro.

“I called Del Piero and we spoke about it,” Lippi explained. “I wanted to see what some new players could do - I told him that and he understood.

“I also told him to keep doing what he has always done.”

The Italy tactician also spoke to Wolfsburg defender Andrea Barzagli, who also doesn't feature in the current squad.

“I spoke to him for a long time,” Lippi said. “I want to see the player he was a while ago with the determination and rage. We discussed things very calmly.”

Napoli defender Fabiano Santacroce has been handed his first Azzurri opportunity.

“Santacroce has a physical dynamism and he is quick,” Lippi stated. “He can play in a few positions and he is a lad for the future.

“People are saying that his selection is a response to racism? I didn't think about that but that is a welcome message.”

The other new faces are Christian Maggio, Giuseppe Rossi and Simone Pepe.

“Maggio plays wide in a role that we don't use in La Nazionale,” Lippi explained.

“That has cost him up until now but considering Mauro Camoranesi's problems it seemed like the logical choice.

“Pepe scored goals and makes space - I like the way he plays. Rossi is an important player and he knows how to do everything up front.”

Lippi concluded by offering his sympathy for Juventus Coach Ranieri, who is allegedly close to the axe.

“Juve will rediscover their form very quickly,” he insisted. “I don't think that it is a problem of integrating the new players and the old guard but rather it is because of injuries.

“It's only when things are going badly that people say the Coach is responsible for everything.”

lippi on his selections.

**sinoy1** · 07-10-2008, 03:26 PM

Where is Cassano?

now more then ever Cassano should be on the squad.He is playing great.

**dukeofdavinci** · 09-10-2008, 10:29 AM

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Azzurri: Pepe to start in Sofia? Wednesday 8 October, 2008

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Simone Pepe could be given his Italy debut from the start in a 4-3-3 line-up against Bulgaria, as Marcello Lippi makes sweeping changes.

Pepe was the biggest surprise in the squad named by Lippi for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Montenegro.

The Udinese forward has never been considered at senior Azzurri level, but the latest reports suggest he could even be in the starting XI in Sofia on Saturday night.

He would partner Friuli teammate Antonio Di Natale in supporting Luca Toni, a trident that was tested out in training this evening.

Lippi oversaw a game between ranks at the Coverciano training ground and the line-ups give indications as to the side he’s considering for the World Cup clash.

The defence is set to be Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini and Liverpool’s Andrea Dossena.

The doubts are in midfield, as Fiorentina star Riccardo Montolivo is challenging Simone Perrotta of Roma for the third spot down the left channel alongside Daniele De Rossi and Gennaro Gattuso.

Over the course of the session, Chiellini, Montolivo and Alberto Gilardino switched over to the ‘first’ team, replacing Alessandro Gamberini, Perrotta and Toni.

First team: Amelia; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Gamberini, Dossena; Gattuso, De Rossi, Perrotta; Pepe, Toni, Di Natale
Reserves: De Sanctis; Santacroce, Ferrara, Chiellini, Bonera; Nocerino, Aquilani, Montolivo; Maggio, Gilardino, Rossi

hmm a trident wth toni, i dont think we can conjure up anything wth toni but if toto is there we have hope.

defense looks good, but in mid-field i think its better to go for aquilani ddr and gattuso instead of perotta and montolivo.

**sinoy1** · 09-10-2008, 04:12 PM

why not a 4-3-1-2? We suck with tridents.Gattuso De Rossi Aquilani with Monty above them and Di Natale and Toni uptop or Gila and Toni or Pepe and Di Natale (given the fact they play on the same team

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Im not fond of a 4-3-3.

**dukeofdavinci** · 10-10-2008, 02:59 PM

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Gigi faces extended absence Friday 10 October, 2008

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Juventus are reeling with the news that Azzurri goalkeeper Gigi Buffon will be out for much longer than previously expected.

The Old Lady are struggling after a series of poor results and they haven't been helped by some injuries to key personnel.

Possibly the most important absentee is star 'keeper Buffon, who was forced to pull out of Italy's World Cup 2010 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Montenegro.

The ex-Parma man has a second-degree tear in his right thigh and it now seems that he could be out until December, rather than November.

“The player will undergo physiotherapy and special training,” Juventus medic Riccardo Agricola revealed.

“After his injury has been allowed to completely heal, he will be allowed to rejoin the players for training.”

Austrian international Alex Manninger will continue to fill in during Buffon's absence.

crap, we loose him for more the 2 matches.and 09 is just around the corner.we need him in the finals in tip top condition tho.

**dukeofdavinci** · 10-10-2008, 03:09 PM

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Gila or Toni for Lippi? Friday 10 October, 2008

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Italy Coach Marcello Lippi is set to choose between Alberto Gilardino and Luca Toni to start in a 4-3-3 formation against Bulgaria.

The world champions face a tough test away to a dangerous Bulgaria side and they will need to play better than they did against Cyprus and Georgia.

Udinese marksman Simone Pepe looks likely to be handed his debut and the battle to join him up front with Antonio Di Natale is between in-form Gilardino and out-of-sorts Toni.

“A bit of Pepe will certainly be good for the team,” Lippi grinned. “I like the way he plays and how he covers and moves from deep.

“But I have never given any hints as to formation in training. I don't think I have announced anything and I have tried various options.

“A player who isn't shining for his club isn't necessarily out of form because his performances can be dependent on his teammates, Coach and other factors.

“How is Giorgio Chiellini's fitness? He looks like he will be able to play. He just needed a week of work.”

Lippi certainly won't be underestimating his opponents, who have some fearsome weapons.

“We all know Dimitar Berbatov but they have other important players such as Martin Petrov - he's an injury doubt but he will play in the end.

“They have been talking about our absentees? That's for the best because we can shock them.”

Alessandro Gamberini is challenging Chiellini for a place in the defence, while his Fiorentina teammate Riccardo Montolivo may be preferred to Roma's Simone Perrotta.

Italy (probable): Amelia; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Dossena; Gattuso, De Rossi, Montolivo; Pepe, Gilardino, Di Natale

better gila then toni.gila is doing way better under lippi now.also im looking forward to see how pepe performs for the azzurri too

**dukeofdavinci** · 11-10-2008, 08:19 PM

horribly boring game

we got composure but our players cant seem tobe fucking awake for longer the 30s wth scurrying away passes and sloppy all over.

pepe and montolivo are still not cut for internationals as of yet.both are still in a culture shock zone and lack experience.they need more grueling serie a' games before ready to be in the nt side.in a given normal day both of them wont make it.

defense had half to do whlie amelia was a spectator.

toto should have been a bit more selfish instead of crossing in left and right beautifully but just to know that the target man will fail wth a solid defense.rossi did good on that single try.i think wth out adp, we could have used cassano and he might have done better then what pepe conjured up.

well 7pts..

llewelyn · 11-10-2008, 10:32 PM

Toni is suspended after picking up his second yellow (the first came against Cyprus iirc) and will miss the game on Wednesday.

**D-Kin** · 12-10-2008, 01:52 PM

The average age of our starting lineup was 27.... an improvement it must be said.

Shame about the result though.