By Anna Italia


                                      ITALY 2 - 1 Spain  
                                          11' Riccardo Montolivo               37'' Xabi Alonso
                                                        84' Alberto Aquilani

      

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Italy passing the test with goals by Riccardo Montolivo and Alberto Aquilani.  Italy responding to the call of rebuilding Italian football honor.  

Undoubtedly this  victory  boost the morale of the team and turning point to stop years of bad football with negative results.  Italy World Cup champions in 2006 and Spain World Cup Champions in 2010. Italy can see the light now .... Prandelli with a more offensive formula.

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A battle between the two top goalkeepers Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas, also, both being captains of their teams.  Yet, in this game, Prandelli giving the honor of "captain" to Antonio Cassano thanks to the gesture of Buffon who suggested the idea.  It was a gift for Cassano.

About 50,000 at the San Nicola Stadium.  Many fans for Bari Vecchia idol Antonio Cassano displaying banners.

Game will start with a minute of silence  in memory of Andrea Pazzagli.

Wow, I am so nervous and happy at the same time watching our Azzurri, E dai Forza Italiaaaaaaaaaaa  I am watching the game on Rai International.  Awesome.   Spain with a 4-3-3 and Italy with a 4-3-1-2

Oh wow, guys, the chant of "po po po po po" starting now...  awesome... closeup from players warming up.

Here is the official lineup from ITALY by coach Cesare Prandelli:

Italy: Buffon, Christian Maggio, Andrea Ranocchia, Giorgio Chiellini, Domenico Criscito, Motta, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo, Rossi, Antonio Cassano

Here is the official lineup from SPAIN by coach
 
Spain: Iker Casillas, Iraola, Pique, Albiol, Arbeloa, Busquets, Alonso, Santi Cazorla, Iniesta, Pedro, Torres.

Wow, guys, I have goosebumps just watching our players making their entrance to the pitch... close up from each one of them.. Buffon, Cassano, Daniele De Rossi, and guys, I can't hold these tears of joy, pride for our Italian National team. 

Players now ready for the national anthem.....  Spain national anthem......  guys, I like Spain, but today, I am for Italy 100%.   Now, Italian national anthem, l'inno di Mameli... wow, awesome guys, .. close up from Buffon, Cassano, Daniele De Rossi, Giuseppe Rossi... then the fans with banners supporting the team...... spectacular...

Minute of silence...

Now, this is it.. showtime... Referee whistles the beginning of the match.. here we goooooo let's roll the ball....

In the 1st minute Xabi Alonso commits a foul on Antonio Cassano.. free kick..

Oh my gosh, guys, Italy in these early minutes already sending the message "we want to win."  In the 4th minute an assist by forward Giuseppe Rossi and  there it is defender Domenico Criscito smacking a left footed shot  hitting the left post.... uffaaaaaaaa and we were ready to shout the goal....

Cassano pressing and let me tell you he is inspired, you can tell by the way he is running and being alert. 

hello, hello...  Cassano in a duel with Albeola and we might soon call up a goal....  forzaaaaaaaaa

Say what!!! Oh yes!!! helllo, guys, in the 11th minute an assist by Domenico Criscito finding midfielder Riccardo Montolivo coming from the left hand side of the area running fast enough leaving behind Spanish players.. guys, Montolivo with coolness challenging Spain goalkeeper Casillas anticipating to stop Montolivo, though, not a chance.. Montolivo make a soft chirurgic right footed shot to score his first goal with the Italian national team.
 Italy 1 - 0 Spain

oh oh spaghetti oh... Guys, first substitution in the 16th minute for injury... Spain forward Fernando Torres cannot continue and substituted by Fernando Llorente.  Wonder why not bringing Villa, he is on the bench???

Italy are playing awesome, guys. They are pressing, running, and not the "passive style" Pop the 3 minute microwave popcorn guys.... 

oh gosh, you bet Italy better be alert because now Silva with a left footed shot from about 25 yards outside the area  and lucky it went directly to the arms of beloved goalkeeper Buffon.

Ooops...  in the 19th minute Antonio Cassano was looking for a penalty ... though referee not convinced.. match continue..
 
No way, no way, no way!!! oh gosh, guys, Referee giving a penalty to Spain despite the protests from defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 36th minute. Chiellini arguing not bringing down Fernando Llorente, but Referee standing by his decision....

Taking the penalty spot is Xabi Alonso on a one on one with Buffon, and my heart beating so fast... Xabi  gets set and now smacking a right footed shot sending Buffon to the other side on the left and there you go  Spain equalizing the score.... ufffaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Italy 1 - 1 Spain

In the 39th minute, Cassano making his way from the right side gets an assist by Giuseppe Rossi.. Cassano shoots but there it is Casillas saving in the center...

In the 40th minute Javi Martinez commits a foul on Chiellini....

Pique seems hurt, on the ground and looks for another substitution in Spain....... yep, he can't make it.  Del Bosque substitutes Gerard Pique for Sergio Busquets

A dramatic end of first half with Antonio Cassano jumping high above Busquets to head the ball and missing the target not by much.. goes over the bar forcing Casillas to stretch...

Referee whistles the end of first half.... close up from Montolivo and Criscito heading to the dressing rooms.. and I hope they can combine another goal.

So far, Cassano pleasing the fans and he only needs a goal....

Hum.. second half starts and Spain substituting goalkeeper Casillas to bring Barcelona goalkeeper Valdes... Italy keeping Buffon in the second half... wise decision from Prandelli leaving Buffon on the pitch.

Italy with substitution in the 45th minute, Thiago Motta out, Claudio Marchisio in.
Spain with 4 substitutions: Andres Iniesta out, David Vila in; Iker Casillas out, Victor Valdes in; Andoni Iraola out, Alcantara in;

oh gosh, guys, in the 58th minute from a corner kick by Andrea Pirlo finding Cassano on the left hand side to make a right footed shot but Valdes saves....

Pazzini and Balotelli warming up....

Cassano making a pass to Montolivo and then back to Cassano.. Spain clearing danger..... corner for Italy... Pirlo taking the spot...  nothing happening the attempt saved by Valdes

In the 60th minute, Prandelli making two substitution. Antonio Cassano out leaving among the standing ovation from the fans while he applauds back to thank them.  Mario Balotelli replacing Cassano.   Another substitution Giuseppe Rossi out and replaced by Giampaolo Pazzini....  nothing will please me more than see Pazzini scoring.. come on Pazzoooooo

Oh gosh, guys, I want Italy to win this game, come on!!!!!

In the 61st minute Spain creating danger with David Silva and Llorente with a left footed shot challenging Buffon... 

Italy making another substitution in the 65th minute Daniele De Rossi out, Alberto Aquilani in.. the once "AS Roma teammates..."  how I miss to see Aquilani playing for Roma.  Do you?
 
In the 74th minute Prandelli substitutes Riccardo Montolivo and the turn for Palermo midfielder Antonio Nocerino.  Fans applauding Montolivo author of the goal.

In the 77th minute Marchisio with a long shot towards Mario Balotelli and caught offside... 

uuffaaa guys, Spain are creating danger.. in the 78th minute David Villa making an assist to  David Silva coming on the left side to deliver a left footed shot and Buffon saves!!!!!!  Forza Buffon

ooopsss.. Italy in danger suffering the pressing from Spain i the 81st minute

In the 83rd minute, there it is Andrea Pirlo with a right footed shot and is saved!!!!!!!

Italy are not giving up and pressing...

Oh mamma miaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa  In the 84th minute, assist by Pazzini to Aquilani seeing his chance for a right footed shot and bam bam bam GOOOALLL  a deflection and practically Valdes ends defeated on the ground while Aquilani runs to celebrate with open arms and now we are talking, oh yeah, we are talking!!!!  Italy taking the lead and I can't help but crying of joy.... I want Italy to win, oh God please hear my prayers...
Italy 2 - 1 Spain

Jumpppppppppppppppppppppp guys, po po po po po po forza Italia.. oh how happy I am!!!!!!  Italy beating Spain.. we are getting back on track... come on Italiaaaaaaa

uffaaa in the 87th minute Busquets brings down Balotelli...

Three minutes added time. 

In the 92nd minute Balotelli so close to score with a right footed shot   and Valdes saves after the assist by Marchisio..

Few more minutes,,, resist guys!!!!! resist!!!!  Italy cannot lose this game!!!! Come on  forzaaaa

In the 94th minute last attempt from Spain with a right footed shot coming from the left and Buffon a wall, the Italian defense a wall.. no passing.... and this is it!!!!!!!  Referee whistles the end of the gameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ITALIA WON!!!!!!!!!!  oh my gosh... allow me to jump all over the place now... Italia, Italiaaa italiaaa Italiaaaa Italiaaaa

 

FIFA World Cup Victories
Italy		Spain
Winner (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) Runners-Up (1970, 1994) Third (1990) Fourth (1978)		Winner (2010) Fourth (1950)

Click the video to watch the highlights of the friendly game ITALY vs SPAIN on Wednesday August 10 2011 at San Nicola Stadium in Bari, Italy.






Photo AP

Here he goes... Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo smacking his right footed shot to defeat Spain goalkeeper Casillas who tried to anticipate to stop Montolivo...

 
Photo AP

Italy - Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo congratulated by his teammates Giuseppe Rossi, Antonio Cassano and Andrea Pirlo after scoring his first goal with the Italian national team putting Italy ahead of Spain in the 11th minute.
 

Photo AP

Italy - Napoli midfielder Christian Maggio celebrates with midfielder Riccardo Montolivo.



Photo Reuters

The joy from Italy goalkeeper Gigi Buffon seeing Italy ahead of Spain.



Photo AP

A battle to control the ball between Italy forward Giuseppe Rossi and Spain Andres Iniesta. 



Photo Reuters

Italy and Juventus teammates Giorgio Chiellini along Andrea Pirlo trying to get the ball away from Spain Javier Martinez.
 

Photo Reuters

The joy from Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani celebrating his goal --- the winning goal --- against Spain to the delight of millions Italian football fans. In the photo also Claudio Marchisio  Way to go guys!



International Friendly Game

 Italy - Spain
Wednesday August 10 2011
San Nicola Stadium
Bari, Italia

Referee: Felix Brych

Related Stories:

- RESULT International Friendly: SPAIN 1 - 0 ITALY with a Superb GOLAZO from David Villa After a Terrible Mistake from Cannavaro, March 26, 2008

-  UEFA EURO 2008 ResultsQuarterfinals: SPAIN 4 - 2 ITALY Cesc Fabregas was the MATADORkilling the Italian Bull with his penalty! Watch the video.


What do you think of the results? Which players surprised you or disappointed you and why? 

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