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


                       Italy 65% ball possession and Montenegro 35% ball possession

            Italy Head Coach Marcello Lippi equalizes  the record of 30 games without defeat
                         from 1934 and 1938 World Cup-winning coach Vittorio Pozzo
                                   
                         Italy 2  - 1  Montenegro
                                         8' Alberto Aquilani         19' Mirko Vucinic
                                       28' Alberto Aquilani


Substitutes: 59' Dossena out, Bonera in                       82' Boskovic out, Bozevic in
                     65' Aquilani out, Simone Perrotta in          89' Zverotic out, Novakovic in
                     75' A. Di Natale out, F. Quagliarella in       92' Vucinic out, Damjanovic in

You can watch the match Italy - Montenegro  live in this livestream

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Italian Serie A Players with Montenegro: Fiorentina forward Jovetic and AS Roma forward Mirko Vucinic serving as Captain for Montenegro.


Here is the current Europe Group 8 Standing after the Third 2010 World Cup Qualifier match on Saturday, October 11  Bulgaria 0 - 0 Italy.  Italy still leading the group, but a victory today is "a must, an obligation."

Wow, I am watching the match live on RAI ITALIA and have goosebumps seeing our Azzurri making their entrance.  Forza Azzurri
Narrating the match is Marco Civoli with Enrico Variale and commentary from Lecce coach Mario Beretta during breaks!  Bravo.

Time to sing the National Anthem "L'inno di Mameli."  Camera shows close up from each of our Azzurri singing. Wow, guys, watching Gennaro Gattuso like a firm soldier singing and the injured Roman gladiator Daniele De Rossi singing with all his hearts just make me cry.  Grandi i nostri!!!!

Time for the Montenegro anthem too and our Serie A Player AS Roma forward Mirko Vucinic leading his National country.  Bravo for Vucinic.

Here is the starting eleven formation from Italy by Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi:

Marco Amelia, Gianluca Zambrotta, Andrea Dossena, Giorgio Chiellini, Fabio Fannavaro, Daniele De Rossi, Simone Pepe, Gennaro Gattuso, Alberto Gilardino, and Antonio Di Natale.

Lippi opted for Gilardino instead of Udinese forward Fabio Quagliarella who is among the substitutes.  Aquilani instead of Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo.

Here is the starting eleven formation for Montenegro from Montenegro Head Coach:

Vukasin Poleksic, Milan Jovanovic, Savo Pavicevic, Radoslaw Batak, Jovan Tanasijevic, Simon Vukcevic, Stevan Jovetic, Mirko Vucinic, Branko Boskovic, Elsad Zverotic, and Nikola Drincic

Wow, guys, in the 8th minute, it is Italy and Roma midfielder to score the first goal for Italy!  Forza!  Wow, such a quick game from teh right an assist directred to Antonio Di Natale who cannot reach the ball and Aquilani following the action shoots in front of the goal blasting Montenegro goalkeeper Poleksic.
Italy 1 - 0 Montenegro

                       
                            
Lecce, October 15, 2008 2010 World Cup south Africa Qualifier Italy - Montenegro: Italy and Roma midfielder wearing the "Number 10" and scoring his first goal with the Italian National Team!  Bravo! 

                

Hey Bravo Aquilani!!! Look at Dossena almost tearing Aquilani's jersey to celebrate the goal!!!

Click the video to watch the FIRST goal of AS Roma midfielder  Alberto Aquilani with the Italian National team today against Montenegro.




                    

Italy's midfielder Alberto Aquilani (on ground) celebrates with teammates midfielder Gennaro Ivan Gattuso (L) and defender Giorgio Chiellini (R) after scoring against Montenegro during their FIFA World Cup 2010 group 8 qualifying football match on October 15, 2008 at Via del Mare stadium in Lecce. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI

The Azzurri are playing a quick game. I like this!  Perfect, this is what Italy needs to be fast and not allow  space for Montenegro .

What an experience for Vucinic playing against his teammates Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani.

In the 11th minute, Vucinic gets the first yellow card of the match by Referee Oliveira Alves.

In the 12th minute, wow, a clear and present danger with Vucinic who almost score but was offside.

Oh no, talking about being a danger. Guess what!!!  what! 

In the 19th minute, precisely Montenegro and Roma forward Mirko Vucinic in a counterattack equalizes the score!!!  Vucinic had a one one one with Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and nothing to do guys, Vucinic with a left footed shot blast Italy goalkeeper Marco Amelia.
Italy 1 - 1 Montenegro

Click the video to watch the goal of AS Roma forward and Captain of Montenegro Mirko Vucinic.



In the 21st minute, Referee Oliveira Alves books Milan Jovanovic.

        
Lecce, October 15, 2008 2010 World Cup south Africa Qualifier Italy - Montenegro: Here is Italy and Fiorentina forward Alberto Gilardino showing great football technique.  Bravo for Gilardino.

wow, incredible! awesome! spectacular!  Guys, it is a brace!!!!!  In the  28th minute, Alberto Aquilani scores again!!!! Bravo!!!!
Guys, join me to cheer the Azzurri!!!! PO PO PO PO PO.  We got to win this match.
Italy 2 - 1 Montenegro

Unbelievable guys, the third yellow card is again for Montenegro!  Referee Oliveira Alves books Jovan Tanasijevic.

In the 43rd minute, our roaring lion midfielder Gennaro Gattuso  gets a yellow card!

In the 59th minute, Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi makes his first substitution: Dossena out, Daniele Bonera in.
Well done Dossena.

AC Milan defender Bonera is welcomed by the fans with an applause and boy, you can see how happy Bonera is running to defend the Azzurri.  Thumbs up Bonera.

                             
Italy's forward Alberto Gilardino (R) argues with Montenegro's defender Jovan Tanasijevic during their FIFA World Cup 2010 group 8 qualifying football match on October 15, 2008 at Via del Mare stadium in Lecce. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI


                       

Italy's forward Antonio Di Natale (L) fights for the ball with Montenegro's midfielder Simon Vukcevic during their FIFA World Cup 2010 group 8 qualifying football match on October 15, 2008 at Via del Mare stadium in Lecce. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI



In the 65th minute, second substitution for Italy.  "The Man of th Match," AS Roma midfielder author of the two goals for Italy is substituted by his teammate Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta.  A well deserved standing ovation for Aquilani. Definitely, the man of the match!  Great for Aquilani. I am so happy and proud of Aquilani, what a match from the Roman gladiator! 

Let me bring the cheerleaders to say "thank you" to Aquilani!!!!

                        
                                  Go Aquilani! Go Aquilani! Go Aquilani!

Guys, our Azzurri now seem a bit tired.  I must hightlight the great performance from AC Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta and also Palermo goalkeeper  Marco Amelia.

Daniele De Rossi with all 'his knee injury" is showing great determination and team leadership.  Great for De Rossi. 

For Montenegro, making his 6th appearance with the National team, it is Fiorentina forward Jovetic having a great match along Mirko Vucinic. 

In the 75th minute, Italy makes their last substitution. Antonio Di Natale out, and Fabio Quagliarella in.  Well done Di Natale.

Well, we could not see the "UDINESE tridente," but glad to see Quagliarella having playing time with the Azzurri. Anyway, guys, remember on Sunday for the Serie A Udinese return to play here in Lecce for the Serie A Week 7.

Strange that Montenegro Coach has not done a single substitution until the 82nd minute!  He should have made changes earlier, don't you think?  Anyway, in the 82nd minute, Montenegro makes the first substitution.
Boskovic out, Bozevic in

A well deserved victory for the Azzurri!!! Great  match from Marco Amelia making those two great saves against our Serie A players from Roma forward  Montenegro Mirko Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic from Fiorentina.  Those would have been two clear goals.  Thanks Amelia!!! well done.

Simply put, this time, Italy Head Coach Marcello Lippi made the right changes.  Lippi took the risk to substitute Montolivo for  Aquilani and he did not disappointed him at all.   Ball possession for Italy is 65% while for Montenegro 35%.

Great night for Aquilani and for Italy Head Coach Marcello Lippi reaching 30 matches without losing just like 1934 and 1938 World Cup-winning coach Vittorio Pozzo.  Thumbs up for all the Azzurri.

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2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifer Europe Group 8 Italy 2 - 1 Montenegro Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Via Del Mare Stadium Lecce, Italy
Italy		Montenegro
2	Goals		1
12(9)	Shots (on Goal)		10(8)
10	Fouls		9
2	Corner Kicks		5
2	Offsides		1
65%	Ball Possession		35%
2	Yellow Cards		3
0	Red Cards		0
7	Saves		7

LINEUPS
2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifer Europe Group 8
Italy - Montenegro
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Via Del Mare Stadium
Lecce, Italy

GOALS: 8' Alberto Aquilani (I), 19' Mirko Vucinic (M), 28' Alberto Aquilani (I)

ITALY (4-3-3): 1 Marco Amelia, 2 Gianluca Zambrotta, 5 Fabio Cannavaro, 4 Giorgio Chiellini, 3 Dossena (59' Bonera), 8 Gennaro Gattuso, 6 Daniele De Rossi, 10 Alberto Aquilani (65' Perrotta), 7 Simone Pepe, 9 Alberto Gilardino, 11 Antonio Di Natale (75' Quagliarella).

Subs not used: 12 De Sanctis,  14 Gamberini,  15 Montolivo, 17 Rossi,

MONTENEGRO (4-5-1): Vukasin Poleksic, Milan Jovanovic, Savo Pavicevic, Radoslaw Batak, Jovan Tanasijevic, Simon Vukcevic, Stevan Jovetic, Mirko Vucinic (92' Damjanovic), Branko Boskovic (82' Bozevic), Elsad Zverotic (89' Novakovic), and Nikola Drinci

Referee: Pedro PROENÇA (POR)

Assistant Referee 1: MIRANDA Bertino (POR)Assistant Referee 2: Jose TIAGO GARCIAS BOLINHAS TRIGO (POR)

Fourth official: Paulo COSTA (POR)

What do you think of the result?  Which players surprised you and why?





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