Italian U21 National Team

[D-Kin]

I don't think he is too old, you just have to be 21 or under at the start of the season.

[sinoy1]

hey under21 championships is comming to canada...they say ottawa is getting a game most like the the knock out stages....hopefully everything works out.

or was it under 20?

[Jager]

Italy 3 - 3 Denmark
Potenza 15 (I), Wurtz 21 (D), Kahlenberg 33 (D), Andreasen 41 (D), Palladino 61 (I), Bianchi 90 (I)
Aveiro

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Italy fought back from 3-1 down to snatch a 3-3 draw with Denmark as their European U-21 Championship defence kicked off.

The Azzurrini began the defence of their European Championship title against Denmark in Portugal. Alberto Aquilani pulled out of the tournament just a day earlier with a knee injury, while Fiorentina's Giampaolo Pazzini partnered Raffaele Palladino of Livorno upfront.

Italy had a lively start and Ellegaard performed a fine save on Pazzini's header, although he was just offside on Giorgio Chiellini's cross from the left. Soon after, both Foggia and Sammarco's shots from distance were charged down.

Gentile's men took a deserved lead after 15 minutes of play. A Cesare Bovo free kick was spread wide for Foggia, whose cross found Alessandro Potenza at the back post to volley home. It was the Real Majorca man's first goal at Under-21 level.

Denmark fought back and Bendtnder turned a header wide, but this left space for the counter-attack and Palladino drilled inches past the far post.

The Danes equalised soon after, as a corner kick was not cleared effectively and goalkeeper Gianluca Curci was particularly indecisive, so the ball came out to Rasmus Wurtz for a fierce drive from nine yards.

Bovo flung himself at another Wurtz effort from a similar set-piece scenario, while Bergvold's effort was comfortably held. A Kamper cross on the counter-attack reached Bendtner and his shot flashed across the face of goal from a tight angle.

Another horrible Curci error from a set-piece handed Denmark the lead moments later. The Roma shot-stopper was left stranded and, even after Chiellini's goalline clearance, Thomas Kahlenberg was able to tap into an empty net from six yards.

The wind was now in the Scandinavian sails and Kahlenberg swung a shot just wide of the far post, followed by a Bergvold angled drive that was also agonisingly close to the upright.

Marco Donadel was booked for a very late tackle on Bendtner and, from the resulting free kick from 20 metres, Leon Andreasen's strike pierced the defensive wall, as Atalanta midfielder Defendi left his position and left a gap.

Italy had penalty appeals before the break for a handling offence, as Pazzini's shot was clearly charged down by an outstretched arm, but the referee waved play on.

Curci blocked another Kahlenberg effort and Foggia volleyed over the bar after the restart. Andreasen was booked for hauling back Defendi as he ran clear on goal, but the Atalanta man was replaced by Torino's Alessandro Rosina immediately afterwards.

The free kick almost let Italy back into the game, as Bovo's set-piece was cleared off the line and Rosina's follow-up from seven yards thumped the upright.

Tension spilled out on 57 minutes when a backpass was intercepted by Palladino, but his shot struck a defender's arm and Pazzini clattered into the goalkeeper as both went for the loose ball. The Fiorentina forward was yellow carded, as he ended up kicking Ellegard.

The Azzurrini pulled one back on the hour mark, as Bovo's free kick found a totally unmarked Palladino for the Livorno talent's glancing header from six yards.

Soon after, Bovo's shot from distance was almost spilled by the goalkeeper, then Pazzini just failed to get on the end of two through balls from Palladino and Rosina with the Danish defence left stranded. Reggina striker Rolando Bianchi came on for Pazzini to spice up the attack.

Bianchi sprung the offside trap, but the tension of the match got to him and the substitute blasted well wide. A deflected Foggia attempt rose over the bar and Rosina's low drive was also touched out for a corner kick.

Ellegaard parried a Palladino strike at the near post, as the Azzurrini poured forward in search of the equaliser. Denmark almost made it 4-2 on the counter-attack, but Curci stood his ground to charge down Kahlenberg's point-blank finish.

Foggia had a great chance to draw level through a spectacular volley with the inside of his foot on Rosina's cross, but it was wide of the target.

The 3-3 finally came as the clock ticked into stoppages. Palladino flicked on the ball into the path of Bianchi, who ran into the area and unleashed an unstoppable strike. It was a particularly important goal for the Reggina man, who has missed most of this season with a serious knee injury.

<Post-Match Comments>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Italy: Curci; Potenza, Canini, Bovo, Chiellini; Foggia, Sammarco, Donadel, Defendi (Rosina 55); Pazzini (Bianchi 68), Palladino

Denmark: Ellegaard; Jakobsen, Andreasen, Agger, Troest; Wurtz, Bergvold, Kamper, Kahlenberg; Bendtner (Rasmussen 79); S Poulsen (Sorensen 73)

Ref: Yefet (Isr)

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba.../ita21den.html

Well we kick off our title defense.

[D-Kin]

It's good to see Palladino scoring.

[Jager]

That backline is not too bad, surprised they gave up that many goals.

[Sven]

this game was on Channel 5 at 4 am this morning i think channel 5 are showing all the games. as France u21 was playing portgal u21.

[Rosa]

European U-21 Championships - Gp B - 29/5/06 (19.45)
Italy 0-1 Holland
De Ridder (H) 72
Aveiro, Portugal

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Italy’s hopes of retaining their European Under-21 crown are over after a shock 1-0 defeat to Holland. A second half strike, as well as Ukraine’s 2-1 victory over Denmark, has seen the Azzurrini finish third in the table. Although they ended the group stage level on four points with Holland, Monday’s result allowed the latter to progress.

The Azzurrini went into the game knowing that just a draw would be enough to qualify for the semi-finals, but also in the knowledge that a win would secure them top spot in Group B and avoid the French in the last four.

Boss Claudio Gentile kept faith with the side which beat the Ukraine 1-0 on Friday, with just Riccardo Montolivo coming into the midfield for suspended captain Marco Donadel. Although the Dutch came into the game with just a point from two games, they were a side to be respected – especially with striker Huntelaar who grabbed 33 League goals in the past campaign.

The Italians, who won the European Championships two years ago, started the game brightly. They arguably dominated the opening 20 minutes and threatened almost immediately. Livorno ace Raffaele Palladino failed to hit the target in the first 60 seconds. Alessandro Rosina attacked soon after even if he was unable to keep his shot down.

Palladino, a Juventus owned youngster, then forced Vermeer to make a save with his feet on 17 after some excellent work on the flank by Pasquale Foggia. Italy then threatened just before the half hour mark with Rolando Bianchi. The man who netted the late equaliser in the 3-3 draw with Denmark last week just headed over the bar.

Italy did start to lose their shape though which allowed the technically efficient Dutch to come back into the game. Emanuelson went close in the 37th minute with a cross-shot which just crept over the bar, while a number of important late Italian challenges denied Holland in a few more dangerous situations.

The half ended as it began even if Paolo Sammarco picked up his second yellow card of the tournament which means he’ll now have to serve a one-match suspension.

There were no personnel changes at the interval from either side. Holland took control of the early exchanges, even if they were struggling to capitalise on their superior possession. Emanuelson brought Gianluca Curci into action on 57 minutes, but the Roma man did well to get down to his near post.

It took the Azzurrini almost 20 minutes to make their presence felt at the other end with Bianchi being denied an opportunity by the Orange ‘keeper, while substitute Marino Defendi missed a decent opportunity just seconds after when he failed to connect properly with the sphere.

Holland soon took control of the ball again though and after De Zeeuw brought concern to Italian hearts, the Dutch did eventually take the lead in the 74th minute. Substitute De Ridder had only been on the pitch for two minutes before heading home a Castelen cross from the left.

With the very real risk of elimination, Italy went on the attack in search of another late goal after their heroics against Denmark and the Ukraine. Giuseppe Scurto, who came on for the injured Michele Canini, and Defendi put their heads to good use but were not repaid with a goal.

In fact, they almost went two down in the 84th minute when Curci blocked De Ridder as the Dutch hit on the counter-attack. The same two men continued their duel three minutes later with the Roman again coming out on top.

Italy hit back with an attack of their own almost instantly. Foggia, a revelation for Ascoli this term, saw his dangerous effort blocked by Aissati which allowed Vermeer to stop. The latter then palmed away a Foggia effort for a corner in minute 89. It was all too little too late though for Gentile’s youngsters.

Grr, how annoying, I was so sure we'd win it again. It's all cos Aquilani is injured

[Jager]

You could be right, however I think a "break" was in order to be honest.

[Rosa]

Yes you're right, i supose with many of the players gwtting too old and going to the senior side gentile needs more time to mould a new team together. Harder for the U21s cos you have a more limited selection.

[sinoy1]

1) he should have called lupoli and rossi

2) he should have called rosi so he can partner foggia on the wings of the midfield

3) curci is lacking something big now...he's hasnt played well in a little while.

edit: i also agree that with out aquilani the boyz didnt look as confident.

[dukeofdavinci]

Manchester United starlet Giuseppe Rossi has been called up by new Under-21 boss Gigi Casiraghi for next week’s Croatia friendly.

The former Parma teenager has been included in the Italian squad for the first time after he was one of 20 boys selected for the August 15 tie at Grossetto.

Andrea Consigli, Marco Andreolli, Francesco Pisano, Antonio Nocerino and Francesco Lodi have also received their maiden call to the Giro Azzurro.

Casiraghi, who controversially replaced Claudio Gentile last month, has included many familiar faces though from his predecessor’s era.

Roma goalkeeper Gianluca Curci has been selected, as has club colleague Alberto Aquilani who is expected to run things in midfield.

There are also recalls for the Fiorentina pair of Riccardo Montolivo and striking sensation Gianpaolo Pazzini, plus Torino winger Alessandro Rosina.

Squad – Goalkeepers: Consigli (Sambenedettese), Curci (Roma).

Defenders: Andreolli (Inter), Coda (Udinese), Dellafiore (Palermo), Ferronetti (Parma), Mantovani (Chievo), Pisano (Cagliari), Potenza (Fiorentina).

Midfielders: Aquilani (Roma), Defendi (Atalanta), Lodi (Frosinone), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Piacenza), Padoin (Vicenza), Rosina (Torino).

Attackers: Lazzari (Cesena), Pazzini (Fiorentina), Pozzi (Empoli), Rossi (Manchester United).

great news for both our nazionale and under 21 side!!.hope he will make it to the next level that is our azzurri nazionale soon.its due time our figc look at players out side italy if they are indeed good enough!!.with ruud gone i hope rossi can have lots 1st team action!!

glory glory man utd!!8)

[Jose_Mourinho]

That's great news for Italy, he could have played for USA as well couldnt he?
Is Gianpaolo Pazzini really as good as they think he is is Football Manager?

[Sven]

lol. ye hes ok , didnt score much last year i think he got about 7/8? because of tonis great scoring rate

[sinoy1]

lets not forget lupoli as well. im hoping for a 4-3-1-2 in world cup 2010 with rossi playing in the attacking midfield spot or maybe even cassano.

[kyan]

its about time he got a shot, 30 goals in 30 reserve appearances and 4 in 12 senior appearances last year. im very tempted to get the number 42 on a new shirt

from what ive seen of lupoli in the senior team he doesnt seem good enough yet, his reserve record is awesome, similar to rossi's but hes unable to perform for the first team in any competition