By Anna Italia
Covering the 2009 Friendlies and Confederations Cup South Africa Qualifiers from an Italian Perspective



                                 Italy 3  - 0 Northern Ireland
                                     20' Giuseppe Rossi
                                     53' Pasquale Foggia
                                     70' Sergio Pellisier

Preparations toward the 2009 Confederations Cup Buy your tickets now to see the Italian National team

Substitutes:    46'  Fabio Grosso out, Dossena in                          45' Healy out, Donnelly in
                        46' Gennaro Gattuso out, Matteo Brighi in              62' Tuffey out, Mannus in
                        46' Riccardo Montolivo out, A. Palombo in            62' O'Connor out, Garrett in
                        46' Giuseppe Mascara out, Pasquale Foggia in       70' Carson out, Lawrie in
                        62' Giampaolo Pazzini out, Sergio Pellissier in         78' C. Evans out, Ferguson in
                        72' D'Agostino out, Galloppa in                              83' Little out, Donelly in

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Hip hip hurrah!   Finally, the game is on, Guys, I am watching the match on RAI ITALIA and the stadium is  beautiful. It's the magic moment for FC Inter defender Davide Santon making his debut with the Italian National team at only 18 years old.  Also, Catania forward Giuseppe Mascara  proudly debuting with the Azzurri wearing jersey number 7.  Thumbs up!!!





Here is the official starting lineup for ITALY by coach Marcello Lippi:

ITALIA (4-3-3): Federico Marchetti, Davide Santon, Nicola Legrottaglie, Alessandro  Gamberini, Grosso, Gennaro Gattuso, D'Agostino, Riccardo Montolivo, Giuseppe Rossi, Giampaolo Pazzini, Giuseppe Mascara. 


Here is the official starting lineup for NORTHERN IRELAND by coach Worthington :

NORTHERN IRELAND  (4-3-3): Tuffey, Johnson, Casement, Coates, Mc Givern, O'Connor, Evans, Mc Cann, Little, Healy, Carson.


 Hey, guys, AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso returning to play an official match with teh national team after 6 months recovering from injury and he is the captain today!!!!  po po po po po.

I am extremely happy to see Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti making his debut with the Azzurri. Just awesome!  Guys, this is excellent because Italy goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has been saying that Marchetti is one of the best goalkeepers in Italy right now.  I hope Marchetti the best.  Forza!!!!    Imagine the joy of Marchetti last season making his debut in Serie A with Cagliari and now  his debut with the Azzurri.  What a moment!!!!  You bet Cagliari president Cellino will throw a party for him!!!!!

Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo making his 5th appearance with the Azzurri.  Bravo.

Wow, guys, my super joy and congrats to Catania forward Giuseppe Mascara making his debut. Awesome!    Bravo for all Catania fans.  It's a diverse Italian National team and  any of our footballers getting the chance to show their potential too.

Grab your popcorn, snack, and let's all enjoy this match.

Wow, guys, the fans are giving a loud applause to Gattuso!!!!!  THE ROARING LION!!!!!


Oh my gosh, guys, in the 17th minute a solo run by Sampdoria forward Giampaolo Pazzini and in front of the goal but right before shooting is being cleared by the opponents.   Gee, here we almost had it guys!!!!!   Forza Pazzini... Come on!!!



wow, wow, wow.. yes, yes, yes. JUMP!!!!!!   In the 20th minute, guys, a great assist from Giuseppe Mascara  to Villareal forward Giuseppe Rossi and bam bam bam making his first goal with the Italian National team blasting Northern Ireland goalkeeper with a powerful left footed shot!!!!  Rossi is making his 5th appearance with the nazionale.  What a moment for him.
Italy 1 - 0 Northern Ireland



The fans are crazy and deservedly cheering for Rossi!   po po po po  I am having a blast and really enjoying the match so far with our youngsters.  

Click the video to watch the goal from Italy forward Giuseppe Rossi in the friendly match ITALY - NORTHERN IRELAND on Saturday, June 6, 2009 in Pisa, Italy.



Come on Italia!!!!!!   Fans are also chanting "Marcelllo Lippi" wow, Lippi is so happy with the reactions of the fans and thank them for this chant.   I LOVE IT!!!!!!  Just awesome guys,  the fans in Pisa are happy watching the Italian National team.  po po po po po po po



wow, wow, wow, wow, in the 24th minute, so close to score the second goal with a header from Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini and  is cleared by Northern Ireland midfielder Evans right on the line when I was about to shout goal!!!!!  Bravo Gamberini.  .

Guys, Marchetti is doing fine so far.   In the 37th minute, Marchetti making a save  when Northern Ireland Healy was close to equalize the score.   Bravo Marchetti!!!!  Forza! 

Wow, hey, guys, a bim bom bam with the duo with Montolivo - Pazzini in the 42nd minute. Montolivo making his run towards the area and a right footed shot, though defender Coates deviates the ball.  Two minutes later, Pazzini again with a chance to score, though not having good luck in the final touch when Northern Ireland either clears or deviate.. here Pazzini's shots goes over the bar.  



Half time and a pause to grab some pizza guys.... I have here Cheese Pepperoni and garlic bread to watch the game.  I am so happy...  what a day.  

Second half starts with 3 changes for the Azzurri.
Pasquale Foggia, Angelo Palombo and Matteo Brighi, replacing Giuseppe Mascara, Riccardo Montolivo and Gennaro  Gattuso

Mamma mia!   You wont' believe it, but yes IT IS TRUE!!!!!  In the 53rd minute, Lazio midfielder Pasquale Foggia making his 3rd appearance with the National team and he is scoring his first goal for the Azzurriiii after an assist by Rossi... Wow, guys, Foggia making a tunnel and almost falling but he battled like the gladiators and bammmmmmm goal for Italy!!!!!  All players run to congratulate Foggia!!!!  Awesome!
Italy 2 - 0 Northern Ireland

Click the video to watch the goal of Italy midfielder Pasquale Foggia in the friendly match ITALY - NORTHERN IRELAND on Saturday, June 6, 2009 in Pisa, Italy.



What a joy!   Geee, am I happy or what!!!!!!!  YOU BET I AM !!!! 

It is so nice to see the fans in Pisa supporting the team and I think it has been one of the best audience for the Azzurri.  Chanting are consistent.... 

What? Say what!!! Yes, Referee Blom grants a  penalty to Italy conceded by goalkeeper Tuffey bringing down Pazzini in the area.    a clear penalty, no question about it.   Taking the penalty is  Pazzini himself.... come on Pazzini....  he gets set, ready, and what?????? NO, NO, NO, NO, just U N B E L I E V A B L E ....  Pazzini failed to convert the penalty and he is clearly upset and so do I!!!!!  Guys, Tuffey deviates the ball and hits the post.... oh my gosh... maremmaaaaaaaaaa    cosa hai fattoooooo!!!!!

In the 61st minute, a substitution for Northern Ireland.  Goalkeeper Tuffey out, Mannus in
same minute, Italy make a substitution. Giampaolo Pazzini out, Sergio Pellisier in.

Wow, guys, it is the debut of Chievo Verona forward Sergio Pellisier at his 30 years old.  I am crying of joy to see him happily making his entrance. wow, what a moment for Pellissier!!!!!   PO PO PO PO PO Geee. guys, so far we have Catania, Cagliari, and Chievo Verona represented here with their players making their debut...  I am so happy to see these teams here apart from the traditional big teams.

In the 68th minute, Northern Ireland making a substitution.Carson out, Lawrie makes his debut.

OH MY MY MY MY YES YES YES YES,,, REJOICE FELLOW FANS FROM CHIEVO VERONAAAAA  Sergio Pellissier scoring his first goal in the Italian national team on his debut!!!!!!!   precisely in the 70th minute...   what a joy and this deserves that I jump and do the cheerleading!!!!!!  
Italy 3 - 0 Northern Ireland

Click the video to watch the goal from Italy forward Sergio Pellissier in the friendly match Italy - Northern Ireland on Saturday, June 6, 2009 in Pisa, Italy.





You bet Lippi is encouraging the Azzurri to keep playing and not let go this victory.  
Substitution for Italy in the 70th minute, D'Agostino out, Galloppa in.  hip hip hurrah for Galloppa making his debut!!!


In the 71st minute, Northern Ireland so close to shorten the distance!!!!! McCann challenging Italy goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and miss the target.

Mamma mia!!!!  In the 79th minute, Pellissier is rocking and so close to score a second goal!!!!  What a match!!!  Pellissier almost on a one on one with Northern  Ireland goalkeeper Mannus denying the chance for the second goal.


In the 83rd minute, AS Roma Matteo Brighi with a chance to score and goalkeeper Mannus clears the headed ball....  wow....

Guys,  this match might be a friendly, but our AZZURRI are playing like they wree  doing for the World Cup!   You bet all our younger players and even PELLISSIER at his 30 years old want to to show Lippi that they deserve to be here battling for Italy.   Standing ovation for all of them making a great match and giving so much joy to the fans.  

Party time for everybody and so glad that  Cagliari goalkeeper keeps a clean sheet!!!!!! 


So, bring the cheerleaders for the Azzurri!!!!!!!!   HERE THEY COMEEEEEEEEE


                  GO Italy!  Go Italy!  Go Italy!
Join me guys... po po po po po po po po  FORZA AZZURRRIIIIII

Click the video to watch the highlights of the friendly match ITALY - NORTHERN IRELAND on Saturday, June 6, 2009 in Pisa, Italy.





INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCH
Preparatory match towards the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
ITALY - NORTHERN - IRELAND
Stadium Arena Anconetani.
11:30 a.m. USA Pacific time
Pisa, Italy

Referee: Blom

SCORERS: 20' Giuseppe Rossi, 53' Pasquale Foggia, 73' Sergio Pellissier

ITALY (4-2-1-3): Marchetti; Santon, Legrottaglie, Gamberini, Grosso (46' Dossena); Gattuso (46' Brighi), D'Agostino (75' Galloppa); Montolivo (46'  Palombo); G. Rossi, Pazzini (62' Pellissier), Mascara (46' Foggia).

Substitutes not used: (De Sanctis, Cassani, Esposito, Biagianti).

Coach: Marcello Lippi.

NORTHERN IRELAND (4-1-4-1): Tuffey (62' Mannus); Johnson, Casement, Coates, McGivern; C. Evans (78' Ferguson); Little (83'  Donelly), O'Connor (62' Garrett), McCann, Carson (70' Lawrie); Healy (45' McGinn).

Substitute not used: (Duffy).

Coach: Worthington.

Attendance :  8.200 making  120.000 euro.

Italian National Team fixtures for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. 
Click here to buy your Tickets

Confederations Cup
USA - Italy
June 15, 2009
Venue: Loftus Stadium, Pretoria, South-Africa
Buy your tickets USA - Italy

Competition: Confederations Cup
Egypt - Italy
June 18, 2009
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South-Africa
Buy your tickets Egypt - Italy

Italy - Brazil
June 21, 2009
Venue: Loftus Stadium, Pretoria, South-Africa
Buy your tickets Italy - Brazil





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- FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009: Match Officials, Fixtures,Schedule, Tickets for Italy, Brazil, New Zealand, South Africa, Iraq, USA, Egypt, and Spain

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What do you think of the result? Was it fair? Which players surprised you or disappointed you and why?
How about the referee?

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