By Anna Italia
Covering the 2010 World Cup Qualifying and Friendlies from an Italian Perspective

Hello guys, let's talk about the AFTER match , il dopo partita, from the lucky result, I might say the "involuntary gift from Georgia defender Kakha Kaladze" scoring the two goals for Italy.  What's to talk about it?

Ehem, ehem.. so much to talk now that the match is over and that Italy got the "3 gifted points."  GEORGIA 0 - 2  ITALY   Here is the thing guys... the plain truth whether we want to admit it or not: Italy is not playing convincingly even if being  on top of the table of Group 8, period. ouch!
 

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I am glad to see that Italy... well, excuse me... my untouchable "Saint goalkeeper" Gigi Buffon admits that it was not a brilliant match.However, guys, Buffon for me was among the best ---if not the best --for Italy.   Let's not even forget the save when Italy defender Domenico Criscito almost made an own goal too!!!!

Point is that this time I did not have to ask Frank Sinatra's Lady Luck to be in Italy side..... oh my gosh, I would have not even dared to askfor "Lady luck" had I known that the sacrifice was to see one of ourown Italian Serie A Players making the 2 own goals.  It pains me somuch seeing the face of frustration from Georgia and AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze after scoring not only 1 own goal, but mamma mia 2 owngoals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to go out ballroom dancing and celebrate this victory. Yet, I could not celebrate knowing how we won... Sure... what matters at the end is who gets the 3 points and I am glad Italy got the 3 points. However,  I did not go ballroom dancing for respect to Kaladze... my Milanista guy.  Is not that I am happy because he made those 2 own goals...  Though, Wednesday, let's go ballroom dancing because Italy will play against Bulgaria!



As Buffon declares, "In the first haf time we made elementary mistakes while Georgia ran like crazy putting us in difficulty." 

Buffon makes reference that after losing unexpectedly in the Confederations Cup, the morale of the team was affected, taking away a bit of confidence.  The solution to get back the confidence is "to win these games by playing a beautiful football."  Oh wow, BAM BAM BAM.... these words really hit me in my eye.. let me pick my right eye and say that is swollen with a big black punch!

I do agree with Buffon that Italy lost to an extent a bit of confidence after the elimination in the Confederations Cup. However, I keep hearing game after game that Italy will have to play "a beautiful football" and convincingly to show why they are the World Cup Champions... Yet.. the victories might have arrived with luck, struggling... but excuse me, knock, knock, anybody home????  So far Italy has not played a "beautiful football, un bel calcio." where I can say, WOW THAT"S MY ITALY THE WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS.

Point is that Georgia dominated the first half with constant pressing.  Georgia who are already out of the World Cup qualification played with such determination that the AZZURRI struggled all the first half.   Sure, I agree with Buffon that Georgia "in the second half slowed down a bit and luck allowed Italy to win the game."

I am wondering where are the goals from Italy's forwards? 

Anyway, guys, regarding the critics made by Italy Head Coach to the press, Buffon commented, "He's  right when he says that there's too much talk of other things before a  game of the National team, which could affect some players and  lose  concentration. Lippis' declarations are aimed at the journalists, but they are  also a warning for us."

Regarding the younger players, Buffon said that "Lippi  knows what to do, but in any case even if many young players have  international experience, personality is needed to play for the  national team more than playing for your own club."

Click the video to watch the interview by Enrico Varriale  from RAI SPORTS to Italy goalkeeper Gigi Buffon after the 2010 World Cup Qualifier Europe Group 8 match GEORGIA - ITALY on Saturday, September 5, 2009.




Not everything is lost guys.  Italy still can react and grab that "lost  bit of confidence" to regain their status as World Cup champions.  

One of the positive things is that Buffon is back in town!!!! Yep!  Gigi feels he is getting back to  his best shape.  Buffon said, "The most important thing, as I was telling my trainer and mentor Ivano Bordon, is that finally I am training since two months without any pain.  This is obvious and you could see it in the field."

You bet I can see Buffon showing his best lately!  

Back to the crucial saves made by Buffon, guys, the most important save was avoiding that our defender Domenico Criscito scored an own goal.  "I would have been disappointed to have conceded a goal in that moment, I wanted to conclude the game without conceding goals. From the defense point of view we were doing fine, and I am happy," said Buffon.

 
Regarding the embrace, the hug with midfielder Angelo Palombo to celebrate after the first own goal, Buffon said, " After having the "merenda / snack," we had talked in his room and encouraged each other.  Then, during the game we were there to keep the motivation with our teammates. In that moment, he was happy and he came to thank me." 

Guys, this was because the assist that ended in the way to Georgia defender Kakha Kaladze was made by Palombo but intended for Vincenzo Iaquinta... when for Italy's luck and Georgia's frustration Kaladze scores the first own goal.

Now, it's time for Italy to continue with their trainings for the next game of the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers ITALY - BULGARIA on Wednesday, September 9 ... and please  let us see that "beautiful football" once and for all.....  anyway.. Lippi.... put Quagliarella in the starting lineup!!!!  The rhythm of the match improved with Quagliarella in the second half....

Front page of the Italian newspaer "La Gazzetta Sportiva" says it all ... "Viva L'Italiadze".... point is that thanks to the 2 own goals from Kaladze we got the 3 points....





FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualifier Europe Group 8

ITALY - BULGARIA
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Olimpico di Turin Stadium
Torino, Italy
20:50
 
Buy Italy National Soccer tickets: Italy - Bulgaria tickets



Related Stories:

 Italian National Team Remaining Schedule  for the 2010 World Cup games against Bulgaria:

Sunday, September 6,  2009  
h. 10.45 (12.45 l.t.) Departure in a charter flights from Tbilisi to  Torino, Italy
h. 15.00 Arrival  time in Torino and transfer to the Centro Sportivo di Vinovo.
Press conference (Coach)
h. 16.30/17.00  Italian National team training (open to the press)

Monday, September 7,  2009 
h. 10.30  Italian National team training in Centro Sportivo Vinovo  (open to the press)
After training, Press conference (players)

Tuesday, September 8,  2009 
h. 10.30   Italian National team training in the Olimpico Stadium Turin (open to the press)
After training, Press conference (Coach and players)

Wednesday, September 9,  2009
h.  20.50  2010 World Cup Qualification
Italy - Bulgaria
Stadio OlimpicoTurin, Italy

Buy Italy National Soccer tickets: Italy - Bulgaria tickets

Click here for LIVE ONLINE football / soccer games streaming - View FULL LIVE Schedule  

What do you think of Buffon's declarations?   Do you think  Italy can regain back  BEFORE WEDNESDAY that missing  confidence and defeat  convincingly  Bulgaria, yes,  no, and why?


 




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