By Anna Italia
Covering the 2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifiers from an Italian Perspective



                                  Italy 2 -  0 Georgia

                                          16' Daniele De Rossi
                                          89' Daniele De Rossi

Substitutions:  46' Andrea Pirlo out, Angelo Palombo in    46' Eliava out, Dato  Kvirkvelia in
                         56' Antonio Di Natale out, A. Del Piero in   54' Levan Mchedildze out, D. Siradze in
                         70' Luca Toni out, Vincenzo Iaquinta in     68' Menteshashvili out, Odikadze in

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Click here for the  PREVIEW Italy - Georgia

Here we are ready to cheer for our Italian National team.  I am watching the match live on RAI ITALIA.   No  surprises, here is the starting eleven chosen by Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi with the 4-3-3- formation:

Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Legrottaglie, Dossena; Andrea  Pirlo, De Rossi, Alberto Aquilani; Camoranesi, Di Natale, Luca Toni.

Lippi decides to give another shot to Luca Toni. Goog thing is that defender Nicola Legrottaglie made it despite the muscular problem suffered during this morning training session.  Anyway, Andrea Barzagli is ready in case of Legrottaglie not making it the 90 minutes.

Here is the starting eleven from Georgia Head Coach Hector Cuper:

Loria; Lobjanidze, Salukbadze, Kaladze, Shashiashvili; Kenia, Kobiashvili, Menteshashvili, Odikadze; Iashvili, Aleksidze.

Wow, all Udinese fans with a big banner for the hometown Idol "ANTONIO DI NATALE."  I love it.

I like the attitude of the Azzurri. They are starting with more determination than what we seen with Cyprus and the objective is clear "more aggressive" to score in the first 30 minutes. 

In the 15th minute, great combination between forward Luca Toni and Antonio Di Natale while fans applaud every movement from Di Natale!!!  Luca sends an assist to Di Natale and for few inches misses the target.

Just a minute later.... wow..... say what!!!! Excellent....

In the 16th minute, there he comes the Roman gladiator midfielder Daniele De Rossi  GOOOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL  Daniele De Rossi shoots from the distance from about 70 yards  blasting Georgia goalkeeper Loria!!!! 
 
Italy 1 - 0 Georgia

         

 Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifier Italy - Georgia - Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi celebrates his goal while joined by his teammates defender Nicola Legrottaglie and midfielder Mauro Camoranesi. Photo: AP/LaPresse

Click the video to watch the first goal of Italy and AS Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi



Come on guys, let's do our cheer leading dance for the Italian National team and for De Rossi!!!  Go De Rossi!  Go De Rossi! Go De Rossi!

                      

     Italy's Daniele De Rossi (R) celebrates with teammate Mauro German Camoranesi (L), after scoring against Georgia during their World Cup 2010 qualifying football match on September 10, 2008 in Udine. De Rossi proved the match winner with a brace as Italy at times laboured to a 2-0 victory over Georgia. AFP PHOTO/VINCENZO PINTO

Come on, the last 10 minutes of the first half, Italy is slowing down.... Oh no. I don't want this attitude because one goal is not enough.

In the 27th minute, Italy risks big time when Georgia midfielder Kenia finds the net empty and try to score, uffaa.. but where was Saint goalkeeper Gigi Buffon?  We cannot make this type of mistake. Thanks God, Lady Luck was protecting Buffon.  Kenia got two chances to score!  Oh no, come on guys wake up and smell the coffee.

In the 30th minute, uuuffaa, mamma mia!  a clash with De Rossi  and Kenia...

In the second half.  Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi makes his first substitution in the 46th minute.
Midfielder Andrea Pirlo out, Angelo Palombo in

In the 46th minute, Georgia Head Coach Hector Cuper also starts with a substitution,
Eliava out, Dato  Kvirkvelia in

I am not liking this second half with forward Luca Toni not finding his way to score.  It seems the ball not wanting to be his friend.  Just hope Lippi  substitute him because Italy must score.  Though not even Di Natale has been able to score yet. 

Wonder whether if Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta will play or not.  Any will be a good substitute for Toni.

Italy, come on! 

Time for Italy to hurry up and score.

In the 53rd minute, Alberto Aquilani is booked for a bad foul.

Clearly, Georgia Coach Cuper wants to equalize the score.  Cuper makes his second substitution in the 54th minute.
Mchedildze out, D. Siradze in

Oh wow... just about time! In the 55th minute, Lippi makes his second substitution.
Antonio Di Natale out, Alessandro Del Piero in

Hey, so nice seeing Di Natale leaving the field among the applause from his fans.  Well done Di Natale!  Too bad he could not score in this match, but was playing well. Sure, he deserves all the applauses.

And hip hip hurrah!  Alessandro Del Pierooooooo 

In the 66th minute, Aquilani and Luca Toni try a combo.  Aquilani shoots with the left foot and defenders intercepted the  ball.

                   

Italy's Alessandro Del Piero (L) fights for the ball with Lasha Salukvadze of Georgia during their World Cup 2010 qualifying football match on September 10, 2008 in Udine. Italy defeated Georgia 2-0 ensuring to reach the top of World Cup qualifying Group Eight following a scoreless draw between Montenegro and Ireland. AFP PHOTO/VINCENZO PINTO

In the 68th minute, great magic by Del Piero, made it all the way to the penalty area and how I suffered when he shoots and the ball went over the bar! 

Too bad Italy had to play against our AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze who is the Captain of Georgia.  I love Kaladze but with Milan!!!! 

In the 70th minute, finally, Lippi makes his third substitution.
Luca Toni out, Vincenzo Iaquinta in.

Guys, Iaquinta is welcomed among applauses and few whistles.  Hello, Iaquinta gave a lot when he played for Udinese and he deserves more applauses.  Forza Iaquinta.  Gee... maybe the whisltes were for Luca??? Oh welll...

The  positive aspect is that Luca Toni played better  than what he did with Cyprus.  Yet, I think Lippi should let him find his best form to include him again in the starting eleven. Georgia defender and Milanista Kakha Kaladze marked Luca super well.

             

Italy's Luca Toni (R) fights for the ball with Kakha Kaladze of Georgia during their World Cup 2010 qualifying football match on September 10, 2008 in Udine. AFP PHOTO/VINCENZO PINTO


You can tell something is missing  here "the motor of the squad"  Right now with 20 more minutes is when the roaring lion Gennaro Gattuso usually gets the fans involved with the team and encouraging his teammates.  How much we miss Gattuso!  Too bad he broke his left wrist and is out for 1 month.

Yet, guys, good to see the Roman gladiators Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani both battling in the field with all their guts.  Good!

In the 89th minute, yes, yes, yes, and one million YES!!!  De Rossi scoressssssss  Oh my gosh Am I happy or what!!!  Tow of my favorite guys!  Del Piero sends the assist to De Rossi who shoots into the far left corner blasting for the second time Georgia goalkeeper Loria.!!
 
Italy 2 - 0 Georgia

Wow, this time ITALY played better  Dancing time for the Azzurri. PO PO PO PO PO PO PO.  How proud I feel of De Rossi!!!!  The gladiator!!! Forza!  Despite all his personal problems and finding the will to keep focused and even score two goals!!! wow.. Bravo! These are the first doppietta / brace by De Rossi with the Italian National Team.

                        

Italy's Daniele De Rossi celebrates after scoring against Georgia during their World Cup 2010 qualifying football match on September 10, 2008 in Udine. De Rossi scored the two goals for a 2-0 victory over Georgia ensuring his team to reach the top of World Cup qualifying Group Eight following a scoreless draw between Montenegro and Ireland. AFP PHOTO/VINCENZO PINTO

Click the video to watch the second goal of Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi.



Referee Einwaller signals 4 minutes stoppage time.

wow... Georgia not giving up and guess what? what!  In the 93rd minute, Kenia goes in the area shoots and guess who was well alert?  yes, Saint goalkeeper Gigi Buffon sending the ball away!!!! 

That's it.  Match is over and Italy won this time with more grinta, with the heart just as Lipppi asked before the match.  Well done guys... now we are going somewhere!  Good.  This victory sees Italy in the first position of Group 8.  Awesome guys!

Guys, after the match RAI ITALIA is interviewing Lippi and he dedicated the victory to the injured players Fabio Grosso, Alessandro Gamberini and Gennaro Gattuso.  Also, Daniele De Rossi dedicated his two goals to his father-in-law who passed away recently.
-----

Click the video to watch the interview of Marcello Lippi after the match.



Match will be live on Gol TV at 11:30 a.m. and a repeat at 6 p.m. USA Pacific time also live in Italian in RAI ITALIA

To Watch live stream www.goalcentre.com/italy-vs-georgia-live-highlights/


2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifiers Results on Saturday, September 6, 2008

Italy:       Cyprus 1 - 2 Italy
Georgia: Georgia 1 - 2 Ireland

2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifiers Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Match Stats Italy - Georgia
	ITALY	GEORGIA
Goals	2	0
Shots (on Goal)	12(8)	3(2)
Fouls	4	8
Corner Kicks	3	3
Offsides	3	4
Time of Possession	34%	66%
Yellow Cards	2	1
Red Cards	0	0
Saves	3	6

LINEUPS
2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifiers
Italy - Georgia
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
11:30 a.m. USA Pacific time
Udine



ITALY 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Gigi Buffon;
Defenders: Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Nicola Legrottaglie, Dossena;
Midfielders:  Andrea Pirlo (46' Angelo Palombo), Daniele De Rossi, Alberto Aquilani; Forwards: Mauro Camoranesi, Antonio Di Natale (56' Alessandro Del Piero), Luca Toni (70' Vincenzo Iaquinta).

Subs not used: De Santis, Barzagli, Cassetti, Gilardino,

Coach: Marcello Lippi

Captain: Fabio Cannavaro

	Europe Group 8 Team after Sept. 6	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
	Ireland Republic	1	1	0	0	2	1	3
	Italy	1	1	0	0	2	1	3
	Bulgaria	1	0	1	0	2	2	1
	Montenegro	1	0	1	0	2	2	1
	Cyprus	1	0	0	1	1	2	0
	Georgia	1	0	0	1	1	2	0

GEORGIA 4-4-2

Goalkeeper: George Loria;
Defenders: Ucha Lobjanidze, Lasha Salukbadze, Kakha Kaladze, Zaal Eliava (46' Kvirkvelia),
Midfielders: Levan Kenia, Levan Kobiashvili, Zurab Menteshashvili out (68' Odikadze), Levan Khmaladze;
Forwards: Alexander Iashvili, Levan Mchedildze (54'Siradze)

SUBS: Kvaskhvadze, Rati ALeksidze, Giorgi Shashiashvili, Andrea Kvakhadze

Coach: Hector Cuper

Captain: Kakha Kaladze

Booked:  45' Andrea Pirlo (I), 54' Alberto Aquilani (I), 68' Levan Kenia (G)

Referee: EINWALLER Thomas (AUT)
Assistant Referee 1: HEIM Roland (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: SCHWAB Norbert (AUT)
Fourth official: MESSNER Stefan (AUT)


What do you think of the result?  Which player surprised you or disappointed you and why?



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