Goodbye to an amazing year that saw the Azzurri win their fourth World Cup and Serie A crash into turmoil with the Calciopoli scandal. Let's hope 2007 only brings headlines on the field!Calciopoli Review >>>
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!
Goodbye to an amazing year that saw the Azzurri win their fourth World Cup and Serie A crash into turmoil with the Calciopoli scandal. Let's hope 2007 only brings headlines on the field!Calciopoli Review >>>
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
U21: Italy v Luxembourg
12 December 2006: Italy U21 2-0 Luxembourg U21 (Vibo Valentia)
Arturo Lupoli and Gabriele Paonessa scored on their Italy Under-21 debuts as an experimental Azzurrini side defeated Luxembourg 2-0 in a friendly at the Stadio Luigi Razza in Vibo Valentia.
It took only 13 minutes for Derby County striker Lupoli to register his first goal for the U21s. The 19-year-old, who is on loan at Derby from Arsenal, received a pass just outside Luxembourg's penalty area and broke the deadlock with a powerful left-foot shot.
The visitors had the opportunity to equalise in the early stages of the second half when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Marco Motta. However, Roma goalkeeper Gianluca Curci dived to his right to save Jerome Bigard's shot and spare Motta's blushes. Seven minutes from time Andrea Russotto split Luxembourg's defence with a fine pass into the path of second-half substitute Paonessa, of Vicenza, who made no mistake from close range.
The Azzurrini, five-time European champions, are preparing for the European Under 21's Championship Finals which begin on June 10, 2007 in the Netherlands.
Arturo Lupoli and Gabriele Paonessa scored on their Italy Under-21 debuts as an experimental Azzurrini side defeated Luxembourg 2-0 in a friendly at the Stadio Luigi Razza in Vibo Valentia.
It took only 13 minutes for Derby County striker Lupoli to register his first goal for the U21s. The 19-year-old, who is on loan at Derby from Arsenal, received a pass just outside Luxembourg's penalty area and broke the deadlock with a powerful left-foot shot.
The visitors had the opportunity to equalise in the early stages of the second half when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Marco Motta. However, Roma goalkeeper Gianluca Curci dived to his right to save Jerome Bigard's shot and spare Motta's blushes. Seven minutes from time Andrea Russotto split Luxembourg's defence with a fine pass into the path of second-half substitute Paonessa, of Vicenza, who made no mistake from close range.
The Azzurrini, five-time European champions, are preparing for the European Under 21's Championship Finals which begin on June 10, 2007 in the Netherlands.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
U21: Casiraghi shuffles his pack…
Italy Under-21 coach Pierluigi Casiraghi has named an experimental squad for the friendly against Luxembourg in Vibo Valentia on 12 December.
Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli, on loan at Derby County, is one of 12 new faces in the fold. Promising Juventus youngsters Paolo De Ceglie and Claudio Marchisio, as well as Raffaele De Martino of Udinese and Valerio Virga of Roma, are among the other debutants.
Empoli defender Lino Marzoratti had already been included once in the squad, but has never actually had a chance to play with the outfit.
The Azzurrini are preparing for the European Under-21's Championship in the Netherlands next summer, and Casiraghi says: "It will be a good opportunity to see players who will also be eligible for the Under-21s after the European Championship next summer."
The five-time champions will face England, Serbia and the Czech Republic in Group B.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Gianluca Curci (Roma), Daniele Padelli (Crotone).
Defenders: Marco Andreolli (Inter), Michele Canini (Cagliari), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Lino Marzoratti (Empoli), Marco Motta (Udinese), Francesco Pisano (Cagliari).
Midfielders: Ignazio Abate (Modena), Simone Bentivoglio (Modena), Paolo De Ceglie (Juventus), Raffaele De Martino (Udinese), Marino Defendi (Atalanta), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Valerio Virga (Roma).
Strikers: Arturo Lupoli (Derby County), Michele Paolucci (Ascoli), Gabriele Paonessa (Vicenza), Nicola Pozzi (Empoli), Andrea Russotto (Treviso).
European Under-21's Championship Draw >>>
Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli, on loan at Derby County, is one of 12 new faces in the fold. Promising Juventus youngsters Paolo De Ceglie and Claudio Marchisio, as well as Raffaele De Martino of Udinese and Valerio Virga of Roma, are among the other debutants.
Empoli defender Lino Marzoratti had already been included once in the squad, but has never actually had a chance to play with the outfit.
The Azzurrini are preparing for the European Under-21's Championship in the Netherlands next summer, and Casiraghi says: "It will be a good opportunity to see players who will also be eligible for the Under-21s after the European Championship next summer."
The five-time champions will face England, Serbia and the Czech Republic in Group B.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Gianluca Curci (Roma), Daniele Padelli (Crotone).
Defenders: Marco Andreolli (Inter), Michele Canini (Cagliari), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Lino Marzoratti (Empoli), Marco Motta (Udinese), Francesco Pisano (Cagliari).
Midfielders: Ignazio Abate (Modena), Simone Bentivoglio (Modena), Paolo De Ceglie (Juventus), Raffaele De Martino (Udinese), Marino Defendi (Atalanta), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Valerio Virga (Roma).
Strikers: Arturo Lupoli (Derby County), Michele Paolucci (Ascoli), Gabriele Paonessa (Vicenza), Nicola Pozzi (Empoli), Andrea Russotto (Treviso).
European Under-21's Championship Draw >>>
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Lippi's international ambition
Marcello Lippi admits he received many offers after the World Cup triumph and would be willing to take charge of another national side.
“Several proposals came in, all from overseas, including some non-European clubs,” revealed the former Italy boss.
“My intention is to resume my activity in the 2007-08 season, so I’ll only make my decision in May. Would I go on another international bench? If there was an offer then I’d certainly consider it.”
Lippi has won every trophy available at club level with Juventus and conquered the 2006 World Cup in Germany before quitting the Azzurri.
He took a year off to rest and relax, rejecting a bid from the Mexican national team to sign him up this summer.
Most recently he has been linked with the Milan bench, Napoli and even Spain or England if results continue to disappoint.
The tactician spoke to journalists during today’s presentation of a new book about the Germany 2006 triumph, titled La Squadra. It was co-written between Lippi and journalist Rosa Alberoni.
“Several proposals came in, all from overseas, including some non-European clubs,” revealed the former Italy boss.
“My intention is to resume my activity in the 2007-08 season, so I’ll only make my decision in May. Would I go on another international bench? If there was an offer then I’d certainly consider it.”
Lippi has won every trophy available at club level with Juventus and conquered the 2006 World Cup in Germany before quitting the Azzurri.
He took a year off to rest and relax, rejecting a bid from the Mexican national team to sign him up this summer.
Most recently he has been linked with the Milan bench, Napoli and even Spain or England if results continue to disappoint.
The tactician spoke to journalists during today’s presentation of a new book about the Germany 2006 triumph, titled La Squadra. It was co-written between Lippi and journalist Rosa Alberoni.
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