RESULT Friendly Match: Italy Olympic 1 - 1 Romania U-21 Goal by Giuseppe Rossi and Stancu
ItaliaCovering the 2008 Summer Olympics Game in Beijing from an Italian Perspective

39' Giuseppe Rossi 88' Stancu
Substitutions: 46' Viviano out, Consigli in 46' Chiacu out, Gingioveanu in
46' Coda out, Motta in 46' Ninu out, Homei in
46' Marchisio out, Dessena in 70' Tanase out, Ochirosii in
60' Rocchi out, Acquafresca in 80' Deac out, Patrascu in
60' Rissi out, Abate in 80' Bicfalvi out, Pacuraru in
60' Criscito out, Borcchetti in 85' Tudose out, Mardare in
70' Giovinco out, Russotto in 85' Radu out, Sburlea in
70' De Silvestri out, Ranocchia in
70' Cigarini out, Candreva in
Buy your Official Italian National Team Gear Click Here to buy Italy Home Soccer Jersey, Italy Away Soccer Jersey, Italy 4 star goalkeeper jersey, Caps, Italy socks, Italia Soccer Balls, Italy Soccer Scarf, Italy World Cup Posters, etc. ![]() CLick here to buy your soccer fans wigs |
This is a Friendly match for the Italian National Olympic Team to prepare for the 2008 Summer Olympics Games in Beijing from August 8, 2008 to August 24 in China.
Forza Azzurrini!
I am watching the match live in the Italian Channel RAI ITALIA.
Surprisingly, Coch Pierluigi Casiraghi starts with Marchisio instead of Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo. Hum? Reportedly, Montolivo has fever but he came out with his teammates. Robert Acquafresca on the bench? Hum?
These are the starting 11:
Viviano, De Silvestri, Coda, Crisicito, De Ceglie, Marchisio, Luca Cigarini, Nocerino, Rossi, Rocchi, Sebastian Giovinco
Among the spectators there are Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi, formerly Head Coach Cesare Maldini.
Captain is Nocerino who signed for Palermo.
Romania is not leaving space for the Azzurrini.
Imagine in the 10th minute, a brilliant move by the young Juventus striker Sebastian Giovinco who is surrounded by 4 Romanian players who hd to bring hm down. Bravo Giovinco.
Again, in the 22nd minute, a chance for Italy with Giovinco free kick who went over the bar...
In the 38th minute, I am telling you Giovinco is the motor of this team. He comes in the area providing the assist to Rossi who shoots and miraculously Romania defense saves when the ball was right on the line about to enter!!!!

Pistoia, Italy Olympic - Romania (Tuesday, July 22, 2008) - Rossi battling between two Romanians
Photo: pegasonews
There is justice guy, a minute later, in the 39th minute, Giuseppe Rossi shoots with his left foot and gets a helping hand from a Romanian defender deviating the ball on his intent to block the ball. It is goalllllllllll....
Italy Olympoc 1 - 0 Romania U-21
Second half now in progress and Casiraghi starts with 3 changes.
Although Viviano is the first goalkeeper, Casiraghi is giving the chance to Consigli in the second half. This is good because in case something happens to Viviano in the Olympics we got to know how well is Consigli. So, thumbs up for the change.
Second change is Coda out and Motta in. Third substitution Marchisio out and Dessena in.
I think Acquafresca will be in sometime in the second half. He should. Don't you tbink? Casiraghi needs to test our main Azzurrini.
So far, I am not seeing a strong squad. There will be 2 more friendly matches before the Olympics. The midfield needs help to create more goal opportunities for our forward. Three convinces me so far in this match goalkeeper Viviano, striker Giovinco and Giuseppe Rossi. Well, we need to see Riccardo Montolivo in action too because he is a guarantee in the midfield.
In the 53rd minute, Dessena sends a beautifull pass to Tommaso Rochhi but he can't make it and there you go a wasted chance. Forza, ragazzi!
In the 54th minute Romania maskes trhee substitutions.
In the 55th minute, this Giovinco is the hero of this match, he runs, creates pases, fools the opponents. Imagine just from a corner he almost make a goal surprising Romanian goalkeeper. Giovinco is the future of the Azzurri. Thumbs up for Giovinco.
Now we are talking guys! Casiraghi makes 3 substitutions in the 60th minute.
Rocchi is out, Acquafresca in
Rossi is out, Abate in
Criscito out, Bocchetti in
Just dying to see Acquafresca!!!!!! Forza Robiiiiiii
Abate, awesome. Let's change the rhythm of the match with you creativity.
In the 70th minute Casiraghi makes his 7th substitution. Giovinco is out among a loud applause from fans. Welld one Giovinco. Thumbs up! Russotto is in.
What was I saying??? Wow, Abate is definitely changing the rhytym with a faster pace. That's what we need, speed. Abate had his first chance to score and the ball was only inches from the post.
Then, in the 76th minute, another chance when Abate was in front of the goal but cannot control the ball. Hey, here is a future AZZURRO too. I think we have a winning combo with: Giovinco, Viviano, Rossi, Abate, Acquafresca.
NOOOOOOOOOO Romania scored!!!
Unbelievable! match is over... no, this squad is not ready for the Olympics yet. Many things to improve, 2 more weeks and Casiraghi has to work hard.
Rocchi disappointed me. Instead, Abate amazed me and well as GIOVINCO! Watching the performance from the Azzurrini, I am not that optimistic. Hopefully, Casiraghi will work more with the offense. I am sure with Montolivo we will improve the midfield plus having the top guys since the first half. Acquafresca, Abate, Giovinco, Rossi.
I don't agree with La Gazzetta dello Sport that it was a positive result in the overall. I think the opposite. It was a negative result losing in the last minutes and missing many chances to score. Plus, I did not see that "strong Olympic team" needed to beat Argentina and Brazil. Hum, if I am thinking on Pato and Ronaldinho with Brazil, then, our Azzurrini really need to improve in these 2 weeks.
LINEUPS
International Friendly Match
ITALIA-ROMANIA
Stadio Comunale di Pistoia
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Pistoia, Italy
Referee: Chapron (France)
Coach: Pierluigi Casiraghi
Coach: Sandoi.
Related Stories:
- Schedule Italian National Olympic Team From Monday, July 21 to Saturday, July 26, 2008
- "To all the athletes who will represent Italy I wish to honour our country, to win,"Juventus Forward Alessandro Del Piero, July 16, 2008
- Official 22 Called Up Players for the 2008 Summer Olympics Games in Beijing by Coach Pierluigi Casiraghi


















Wow, man, we are winning!
PO PO PO PO PO PO
PO PO PO PO PO
I feel good guys, this is good news. Anna i am here, taking my lunchtime to enjoy the second half. Man, bring the pizza, forgot to ask Mark to check.
Reply to this
Pietro good you made it. You will be here for the second half?
Jump in... PO PO PO PO PO PO PO
Not sure on Mark coming and Nina.
Reply to this
Here I am guys! Pizza is hot grab a piece, Pietro taking your lunch? good so get 2 pieces . Lucky you having the entire second half. I am here few minutes is my break.
Ok for the Azzurrini PO PO PO PO PO PO
Anna jump in, I know you are busy updating..a quick hello and get a pizza too.
Reply to this
Yeah guys,we are winning and the second half just started,lippi is there too.bye for now
Reply to this
I recorded and will see it later.
Reply to this
Me too i will watch it after work. Good to see you Monica . grab a pizza Mark brought extra for all of us.Anna Viviano out? why?
Reply to this
Thanks Mark, I was hungry already!!! 2 pieces please.
Few minutes, well let me go back to update so you can get more info before you leave.
PO PO PO PO PO PO P
Reply to this
Thanks man, good we are here the good old days, we are missing Nina and milan99, save some pizza for them too.
Anna go ahend and keep udating we take care here of business with Mark
Reply to this
Abate is coming on !get ready romania
Reply to this
I agree that Giovinco is the man to watch. Tommaso Rocchi not scoring yet?
Reply to this
No, at least Anna is not mentioning it, so far is 1-0. Man, i am expecting a goal from Rocchi and Acquafresca.
Reply to this
Mark, no, Rocchi did not score is out now. and ROMANIA JUST SCOREEEEEEEEEEE
Reply to this
Man, no, we are getting a draw? no, not good.
Reply to this
Man, Anna i agree this team is not ready yet. Abate wasting 2 chances for goal. Man,!
Reply to this
Abate has just missed a precious chance to score!
Reply to this
Billy is there too wow.I miss costacurta!
Reply to this
How did that happen?
Reply to this
We just missed a great chance to score the second gaol!
Reply to this
Nina, I am not happy with the match, the Azzurrini wasted many chance. Abate was good, he gives us speed but missed the final touch to score.
Reply to this
Anna,I feel the same way! The boys were not themselves today.They were nervous and lost control of the game.Abate was not as good either!
They did better during the touloun tournament.I agree,we should have had someone like inzaghi instead of Rocchi and definitely more over age players.We needed at least two other over age players,one in the defense and one in the mid field.Also the fact that Montolivo was sick affected the team.Still don't know why Osvaldo and lanzafame were not included.
The only players that impressed me were Rossi,Giovinco,and Dessena(in the second half).Over all our performance was horrible!
Reply to this
That's what I thought too. Rossi, Giovinco and Dessena and Acquafresca were the best.
But this team needs lots of work.
The final list will be out tomorrow. DOn't know if Osvaldo will make it.
Reply to this
I hope he makes it. Also our defense without Santacroce is a bit shaky heard he was suspended in the game against the Foreo Island and because of that was not selected. The goal for Romania resulted from the fact that we had a player from Romania in our box unmarked!If only Milan would release Bonera to go with the Azzurrini. Countries like Brazil and Argentina have some of their experienced players with them. Also Nocerino was good, the experience shows. I think the group is full of talent, but they just need the right formation and at least 2 other over age players.Rocchi did nothing!
I real did not like what I saw today,this was by far the worst performace for the Azzurrini.Even our u-19 players did better than them.
Reply to this
I was not impressed with how we played.With this kinda of performance we won't even get the bronze medal.Anna,I was able to watch the game on Rai sports from sopcast.I'm glad i did because had i watched it on my online satellite tv channel i would have not seen Albertini interview in half or all the other interviews with Nocerino,Aqaufresca,and Casiraghi.I forgot how good it used to be to watch games on our Rai! nothing like it!
I love the song they had towards the end cuore Azzurro and all the world cup memories!
Reply to this
Too many days off, I was checking the schedule and every week they got 2 days off???? I did not like how the team is performing with only 2 more weeks for the Olympics.
Reply to this
I know Anna,I'm disappointed as well,I'm sure lippi wasn't impressed either.Did you see Costacurta leaving before the end of the game?
Casiraghi is in denial to think that this squad is capable of winning Gold!
Reply to this
Will get back later after updating the blog.
Reply to this
Isn't that the same result in the Euro! that's not good but good enough that its a friendly, next time I hope they win with 2-4 goals
Reply to this
Ok guys, I am done watching the match, man, it was just like we discussed in this blog. Agree with Giovinco being the super star, man, that guy is ITALIA itself like the big guys. Abate, yes, Anna i agree he gave us more speed and his technique was clear too bad he could not stay in Milan but he blew those 2 chancs for score. Though, i agree that he must be in the starting line up with Giovinco, Rossi, Viviano, Acquafresca.
Surprised why Osvaldo is not playing, man, he could be better ah Montolivo i saw him too and thought he was going to play but recember you said he had flu.
I saw Lippi, Maldini but where was Costacurta? Man, Nina must have been dreaming awake LOL
No, i don't think this team is ready for the Olympics and agree that Casiraghi is giving too many vacations when they do not deserve it yet. Man, it was obvious the team wasn't ready at all and like Acquafresca said they have been together 2 years? It did not show but i think it was Casiraghi formation that did not work, because he started with the second bench and saving the good ones in the second half, bad move because if he wanted to shows us that we couldwin the Gold, he did not convince me.
I am afraid Pato and Dinho will give us the big surprise, man, ok.
Mark is here, LOL
Reply to this
Pietro, don't you think Argentina will be hard to beat or what man Argentina is WAY BETTER THEN BRAZIL!!!! CHALLENGE HERE LOL!!!
Reply to this
Milan99 good you are here i was about to sign off. Man, of course Argentina is a challenge and i think more than Brazil but the added note of the two milanisti Pato and Dinho is forcing me to lift the Brazilian flag LOL
Reply to this
That's OK Pietro, I just want you to admit Argentina is a great challenge that was it!
Reply to this
You are right girl, i do admit Argentina is a challenge specially withe Messi but also Brazil with my 2 milanisti. We were here earlier, man, Mark was here around 9 pm. i think.
few minutes and i am off or will be late for the coffee mornings readings. will check your comments and reply to few than off i go. LOL
Reply to this
Glad you admit so!!!
Reply to this