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UEFA EURO 2008 Qualifiers Result: Italy 0 - 0 France A Disappointed Draw
Italy 0 - 0 France 
Substitutions: 58' Camoranesi out, Simone Perrotta in 86' Franck Ribery out, Toulalan in
65' Filippo Inzaghi out, C. Lucarelli in
83' Alessandro Del Piero out, A. Di Natale in
Excuse me, where are the goals?
A disappointed result for the most awaited match of the EURO 2008 Qualifiers.
The match finished Italy 0 - 0 France, a draw with no goals. Unbelievable! What gets me mad is that after all the hype, the result favors France, still leading a joint position with Scotland in Group B.
The match with special dedication to the memory of Great Italian Tenor Luciano Pavarotti who died on Thursday. It was an emotional moment when the voice of great Pavarotti was heard singing "Nessun Dorma" before the kick off. A big "Grazie Maestro / Thank You Maestro" the best way to thank Italy's icon. Bravo Pavarotti.
Contrary to the respect that French showed for the Italian anthem at the Stade de France. Even Fabio Capello and Marco Civoli, who were narrating the match in the Italian channel RAI, felt totally disappointed. So do I!
Watch the video to hear both National Anthems, France and Italy.
Domenech watched the match from the stands serving out his UEFA-sanctioned suspension. Assistant coach Pierre Mankowski, took his place.
Neither Milan striker Super Pippo Inzaghi, Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero nor Thiery Henry could mark a winning goal for their respective teams. Can you believe it!!! Juventus player David Trezeguet did not play.
Fact is that Italy, the 2006 World Cup Champion, still cannot beat France within the regular 90 minutes. The last time it happened was on June 2, 1978 during the first round of the 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina won by Italy 2 - France 1.
As to those who saw the match as a revenge of the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, it was not. Simply, venue was not the same, and neither the players. The two main protagonist of this now soccer-movie Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi were not present, Zidane retired after the World Cup and Materazzi was injured.
The first 15 minutes were dominated by France. Italians appear nervous without a clear view. It seems the AZZURRI forgot the script of the movie!
The first opportunity for Italy to score was with Italy and Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro in the 14th minute. France goalkeeper Mickael Landreau made a good save. Mamma mia! We could have opened the score here!
Good effort Cannavaro! Bravo. Photo: Sabattini
Watch the video with the Highlights of the EURO 2008 Qualifiers Italy - France.
France used a 4-4-2 formation. Though, Nicholas Anelka and Thierry Henry, especially Henry, did not see much luck.
In the second half, Italians were more effective. Saint goalkeeper Gigi Buffon denied Anelka the chance to score. Cannavaro, who was perhaps the best, also made a great save when Ribery almost saw the way to score.
Here is Roman gladiator midfielder Daniele De Rossi keeping control of the ball while Makelele tries to get the ball. Photo: Sabattini
In the 52nd minute, Super Pippo Inzaghi heads the ball from the right box and what appeared to be almost a chance to score just missed the target!
Inthe 57th minute, Claude Makelele commits a foul on Roaring Lion Gattuso. So, Referee Lubos Michel grants a freek kick to Italy. Well done! That was a clear foul.
Here is the moment wher Makelele commits foul. Photo Sabattini
As far as the "striking couple " Del Piero - Inzaghi, no results. There was no connection. They did fight but France covered well the spots not allowing the duo to mark goals. Thuram and Escude' did not allow Del Piero any opportunity to score.
Italian Head Coach Roberto Donadoni decides to try another strategy and makes a substitution. In the 65th minute, Filippo Inzaghi is out and it's the chance for Shakhtar Donetsk forward Cristiano.
Only at the end, Italians realized that it was time to score or else. Pressing began without luck.
In the 72nd minute, Italy and Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero tried almost every single trick to score, but here he was caught offside. Unbelievable, nobody could score!
In the 88th minute, Italy and Milan roaring lion Gennaro Gattuso shoots with his right foot from the penalty area but "Lady Luck" was not with the Italians. Wasted chance.
From Italy, most effective players were Captain Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Barzagli (replacing Materazzi who watched the match from the stands due to injury), Gianluca Zambrotta, and Gigi Buffon. From France, Malouda and Frank Ribery.
Interesting that while Donadoni made all 3 substitutions, France made only 1 substitution and in the very end of the match, precisely in the 86th minute. Ribery was out and Toulalan in.
After the match, Italian players condemned the lack of respect from the booeing and whistling of France's National Anthem, starting from Saint goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, and Massimo Oddo. I don't blame France captain Patrick Vieira who was upset with this lack of respect, as he said "we did not expect it."
Bottom line, it seems that France coach Raymond Domenech "telepathy" did work. At least France did not lose and at times look much better than the Italians. It was clear that France wanted a victory or the draw. Italy could not show a firm plan to fight for the victory.
Sadly, Italy could not beat France within the regular 90 minutes. This, my friends, gets me really mad because Italy should have won this match at home. Don't you think?
UEFA EURO 2008 Qualifier ITALY 0 - 0 FRANCE San Siro Stadium Milan, Italy Lubos Michel (Referee) Martin Balko (Linesman) Roman Slysko (Linesman) Pavel Olsiak 9-8-2007 | |||
| Italy | France | ||
| 0 | Goals | 0 | |
| 7(4) | Shots (on Goal) | 9(5) | |
| 9 | Fouls | 17 | |
| 9 | Corner Kicks | 1 | |
| 1 | Offsides | 2 | |
| 51% | Ball Possession | 49% | |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 2 | |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | |
| 4 | Saves | 5 | |
Italy (4-1-4-1)
Goalkeeper: Gigi Buffon;
Defenders: Massimo Oddo, Cannavaro, Barzagli, Zambrotta;
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Mauro Camoranesi (Simone Perrotta 58);
Forwards: Alessandro Del Piero (Di Natale 83), Filippo Inzaghi (Lucarelli 65).
Yellow Cards: Gennaro Gattuso 31, Daniele De Rossi 86
Coach: Roberto Donadoni
France (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Landreau;
Defenders: Lassana Diarra, Thuram, Escude, Abidal;
Midfielders: Franck Ribery (Toulalan 86), Makelele, Patrick Vieira, Malouda;
Forwards: Thiery Henry, Anelka.
Yellow Cards: Makelele 5, Thiery Henry 56
Coach: Pierre Mankowski, assistant coach (Domenech watched from the stand)
Ref: Lubos Michel (SVK).
Related Stories: 
- Will Italy beat France in the regular 90 minutes?
- EURO 2008 Qualifiers ITALY-FRANCE: HOMAGE TO LUCIANO PAVAROTTI
- INZAGHI: "WE WILL RESPOND TO THE FRENCH ON THE FIELD" BUFFON: "THE RIGHT MOTIVATION WILL COME FROM THE FANS"
- Euro 2008 Qualifiers Match Italy - France, Materazzi "France will lose at San Siro"
- Italian National Team: Buffon Ignores Controversies Created by France Coach Domenech
- France Coach Domenech ban upheld and will watch Italy - France from stands after bribe claim
It's a shame, Italy controlled the ball much better than France and put more pressue on the opposition. However, the French defense played very well, smothering Italy's forwards. France should be very happy to come out of there with a draw. Ukraine drew today also which helps Italy, but Scotland won.
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So disappointed
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Kenntak, I disagree. The first 20 minutes or so, France played much better. I was disappointed seeing how Italians were playing as "visitors" while France seems to be at home despite the boos.
This match was a disappointment, too much hype and not a good match.
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You know what there shouldn't have been boos because Italians should of believed in their national teams more than that and enstead cheer up the Italian squad to win. It would have helped better.
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Milan 99, imagine if you are disappointed with a draw... How dissapointed I AM when Italy cannot convince with a clear victory.
Indeed, Materazzi was not there. Let me tell you that his replacement Andrea Barzagli from Palermo did a great job!
No, I dont think the Materazzi incident was planned at the WC.
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Yes agree if it was planed it would be by Materazzi if he only told others about it, it won't happen because they're not cheaters like him.
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Milan 99, indeed, it was so shameful and I apologize on behalf of many Italians who condemn the boos. My respect to the French at the Stade de France for showing "class."
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Thank you Anna its so great talking to you
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I saw the match on TV5 monde. I was so happy every time Diarra would not let Zambrotta take the ball from him. The French team played with confidence for 90 minutes. Can't say the same for Italy.
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Nice that you were able to watch the game i wasn't able to
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I am disappionted in the Azzurri's display. They continue to not be abl to beat he french in 90mins. THere was not ,uch passion and determination on the Azzurri front until the last few minutes when Oddo unfortunately broke the rythm when he sent the shot/cross outside.
Barzagli I am extremely proud of I must say, he claimed in teh press that they were all saying the only centrebacks for Italy are Nesta, Canna, and Materazzi. Well he went out there determined to prove a point and he was the only Azzurri that did so. Good for him!!!
Now the Azzurri must get it together and go out their and WIN!!
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I totally agree with you Michel. French showed more grinta, with confidence, while Italians appear to be the visitor. Diarra play well, but Zambrotta was also great.
How did the TV5 monde narrated the match, partial, bias?
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Milanista, we are on target. Barzagli along with Cannavaro and Buffon were the best. It saddens me seeing the ITALIAN TEAM struggling so much. Since the era of Donadoni, I have not seen a convincing match yet.
Forza Berzagli
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I see the game differently. I saw the Italians as generally pretty confident with better possession, and the French sat back defensively. Occasionally the French would counterattack, but the Italians were up to stopping them. I think we could have gotten more out of the forwards and needed more creativity to get scoring chances, but let's give credit where credit is due--France played great on defense. I often saw two French defenders marking Inzaghi. France had a good game plan and executed it well--they wanted to make sure they left with a draw at least.
I don't think the Italians made the necessary adjustments to deal with the French focus on defense. Toni and his size would have helped. Honestly, I was not impressed with Lucarelli, he seemed to disappear. I noticed that the Italians quickly got back on defense when the French counterattacked as there seemed to be concern with the speed and size of some of the French players. That is understandable, as a French goal would have been devastating. Plus, it is the Italian way to give priority to defense.
On the Big Soccer boards they are blasting the decision to play Del Piero. Numerous people are stating that he was awful, and is too old and slow to play for the national team. I think Del Piero could have played a little better, but I don't agree with such harsh criticism. These same people were probably the ones saying that Cannavaro should not have played.
In the end, I thought the Italians passed well and controlled the ball well. They needed more help and creativity from the forwards as France was not going to allow many shot opportunities. They also needed better dribbling near the penalty box which would have created more openings in the French defense. France tackled well. A couple of missed tackles there through better dribbling, and this would have been a different game.
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Kenntak nice but was that only a comment?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7QyV9Z7DzQ
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Milan99, I guess I got carried away.
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Thats great it shows how much you care about the beautiful sport
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Italy need ANTONIO CASSANO. He is the most talented player. He was best player in Euro 2004. Cassano & Totti on the team = EURO CUP CHAMPS
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This is the time for Cassano to shine in the Euro 2008 by scoring or making assists. I hope this time Italy beat France. Enough draws!
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Cassano, you are right. The latest quality football of Italy is very poor.
Italy needs top quality players with the winning mentality plus talented skills. As 2006 World Cup Champions, Italy needs to start winning convincingly, not losing or getting draw.
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The thing is that a lot of national/clubs are getting better look at clubs and internationals that we've never heard of now is beating great nations and clubs, for me football is not to be predicated its like always 50/50.
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