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


                         Italy vs Sweden
           Buy your tickets online now: Italy vs Sweden tickets,  Wednesday, November 18, 2009

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Hello my friends.   Well, let's start the week fresh and put in the archives the goalless draw from Saturday, Italy 0 - 0 Netherlands.  It's time to prepare for the second friendly game of this month Italy vs Sweden on Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

So, let's see what is going on....  

Sunday, November 15 / Domenica 15 Novembre 2009
transfer from Pescara to Milano Marittima.  In mattinata Trasferimento da Pescara a Milano Marittima
h. 15.30 Training at the Germano Todoli Stadium from Cervia (open to the press) Allenamento presso lo stadio "Germano Todoli" di Cervia (aperto alla stampa)
Al termine incontro con la stampa (CT)

- Guys, with all the ongoing pro Cassano demonstrations almost everywhere including the fan invading the match on Saturday Italy vs Holland, Lippi not closing the doors to anybody but neither confirming Cassano.  Lippi just limits himself by saying there are few positions available for the 2010 World Cup.  Lippi already have a group of 15-16 confirmed players, but sill having doubts on the rest to form the 23 official called up squad.  Whether Cassano will be part of the project or not is not sure.  Also to take in consideration are Alessandro Del Piero, Fabio Quagliarella and supposedly even Juventus forward Brazilian born Amauri who is acquiring the Italian citizenship.


- Lippi satisfied with the performance from Candreva and I am also impressed.  Candreva was one of the best players.

- Lippi gave a resting time to goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo, Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro, and AC Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta. All four players returning home for a well deserved rest.  They won't take part of the match against Sweden. 21 players remaining with the Italian National team for the match against Sweden on Wednesday, November 18, 2009.
   
-  Training included a practice match game against the Allievi of the Nationals from Cessena ending 7-1 for the Azzurri  with 4 goals from Giampaolo Pazzini, Antonio Di Natale, Cristian Maggio, and Cassani. Scoring for the Allievi was Valenti.

 

Monday, November 16 / Lunedì 16 Novembre 2009
h. 10.30 Training at the Germano Todoli stadium open to the press
     Allenamento stadio "Germano Todoli" di Cervia (aperto alla stampa)
     Press conference with players after training / Al termine incontro con la stampa (calciatori)


-After the tactical training, Lippi had a practice match game with the possible formation against Sweden:

Goalkeeper: Federico Marchetti.
Defenders:  Cristian Maggio,  Giorgio Chiellini and Domenico Criscito
Midfielders: Biondini, Riccardo Montolivo, and Candreva
Forwards Marchionni, Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Di Natale


- Press conference from Italy and Sampdoria forward Giampaolo Pazzini

Well, grab your cup of coffee or a snack....  I went to the official website of the Italian Football federation to make sure I had the right declaration from Giampaolo Pazzini after seeing the headlines in La Gazzetta dello Sport, TuttoSport and Il Corriere dello Sport about Pazzini against a possible called up from Brazilian born Juventus forward Amauri...

Here is the thing guys..  Here is what Pazzini declared in Italian and posted in the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

“Non mi sento in ballottaggio con Amauri, perchè lui è brasiliano. Questa situazione della naturalizzazione, mi dà un po' fastidio come italiano: un conto è avere la doppia nazionalità, un conto è non avere nulla a che fare con l'Italia”.
Buttato il sasso, non nasconde la mano: “Questo è un anno importantissimo perchè porta ai Mondiali ed io devo pensare a giocare bene e fare gol, per guadagnarmi un posto. La concorrenza è forte e mancano tanti mesi ancora per dimostrare di meritare una maglia. Quell'espulsione contro l'Irlanda mi ha penalizzato e mi è costata tanto: sono in credito con la fortuna, perché senza quel cartellino rosso avrei avuto più possibilità di giocare in azzurro, rispetto alle sole 4 presenze che ho fatto sinora”.

I wanted to include the original declaration in Italian to translate what Pazzini is really saying...  "I don't feel in competition with Amauri because he is Brazilian.  This situation of the naturalization upsets me a bit as Italian: One thing is to have double citizenship, and another thing is not having anything to do with Italy.  This is an important year because it takes us towards the World Cup and I must think on playing well and make goals to earn a position in the team.  Competition is strong and still missing many months to demonstrate that I deserve the Azzurri (jersey). The sent off against Ireland penalized me."   Pazzini referring to the sent off during the match against Ireland because he could have been playing more with the National Team instead of the only 4 appearances he has made so far.


 Regarding the handball goal in the match against Holland, Pazzini said, "I did not celebrate, instead I told Lippi that I had touched the ball with the hand.  I could have not hidden this fact not even in a World cup match."


 

Domenico Criscito also talking on the conference.

"Lippi has called up many young players and if we are here is because we are good. Our objective is to replace the titolari when they no longer play with the National team.  Me, in South Africa? I hope so, it is up to me to show I can deserve to be called up."

Criscito and Pazzini have formed part of the Azzurrini, the Under 21 Italian Team.
 

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International Friendly Match

Italy vs Sweden
  Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Venue: Stadio Manuzzi, Cesena, Italy
  Time 20:30 Italy time 
11:30 a.m. USA Pacific time
   Buy your tickets online now:
 Italy vs Sweden tickets


What's your take on Pazzini's declarations?   If there is only 1 place available and you have to choose among Pazzini and Amauri, who will you pick and why?





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