By Anna Italia 
Italian Soccer Serie A supports 100% the Italian National Football team

65% Ball Possession ITALY and  35% Ball Possession NORTHERN IRELAND

               Italy 3 - 0 Northern Ireland   
                             21' Antonio Cassano
                             53' Antonio Cassano
                             76' Gareth McAuley (own goal)

      


A perfect record for Italy  qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2012  unbeaten.   Italy are leading Group C Group with 26 points,  Estonia with 16 points while Serbia having 15.  It's the rebirth from the Italian national team , the Prandelli's era giving  satisfaction fot the  million of fans.

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On October 8, 2010 the game for the Euro qualification in Northern Irelanda - Italy  ended with a goalless draw 0-0.

It's a special  game because  the Italian Football Federation is presenting an award to 4 Italian footballers who had been capped over 100 times for the Italian National team.  A majestic moment to see defender Paolo Cannavaro with 136 caps, defender Paolo Maldini with 126 caps, goalkeeper Dino Zoff with 112 caps, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon with 110 caps.


Here is the official lineup from Italy national football team by coach Cesare Prandelli;

ITALY (4-3-1-2): Buffon, Mattia Cassani, Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio  Chiellini, Federico Balzaretti, Riccardo Montolivo, Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Pirlo, Alberto Aquilani, Sebastian Giovinco, Antonio Cassano.

Here is the official lineup from Northern Ireland by coach;

NORTHERN IRELAND (4-4-2): Taylor, Hodson, Baird, McAuley, McGivern, Little, Norwood, Evans, Gorman, Davis, Healy.

Great goal by  Italy and AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano in the 21st minute.  An assist by AS Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi with a right footed shot  while  making eye contact towards Cassano who was in between two  Norther Ireland players running to take the lead  leaving them behind to  smack a right footed shot on the air defeating Northern Ireland goalkeeper in the lower left corner.  It's the 8th goal from Cassano with the Italian National team.

Northern Ireland challenging Italy  in the 28th minute with Ryan McGiven  forcing Buffon to a super  stretch to his right and clearing danger with the palm..... encouraging applause by the fans for Buffon.
 
An awesome  game also for Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, especially int he 38th minute when there is the combo move from the right to buddy Daniele De Rossi making a pass to the "atomic ant" Sebastian Giovinco and we could have seen a goal here though Giovinco's left footed shot at the far post is blocked... great move.
 
First half ends 58% ball possession Italy and 42% ball possession Northern Ireland.

Italy returning in the second half with the determination to keep the lead.  In the 53rd minute there you go from the right side Antonio Cassano with a right footed shot defeating Northern Ireland goalkeeper  in the lower left corner. It's now the 9th goal from Cassano with the Azzurri and you bet it is an  added boost to his morale and a direct  sign for Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri to consider him in the lineup.
 
Oops, oh well, just  after scoring his second goal in the match and Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli thinks it is enough.  Prandelli giving  playing time to forward Pablo Daniel Osvaldo making his debut with the Italian national team in the 56th minute.  Cassano leaving the pitch among a standing ovation while he tanks the fans back with an applause too.

In the 68th minute Prandelli making a second substitution replacing midfielder Alberto Aquilani by midfielder Antonio Nocerino.

Things not working our for Norther Ireland, In the 75th minute there is an own goal  by McAuley  after an attempt to clear  the shot by Italy defender Federico Balzaretti. The assist by Andrea Pirlo to Balzaretti and  the shot bouncing off the chest of McAuley making  the own goal....  well...   well, well

In the  76th minute Prandelli  giving time  to Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis replacing  Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.  The crowd giving a standing ovation to Buffon and welcoming De Sanctis. Buffon  assigns  Andrea Pirlo as captain now.

Overall, it's a good  game to clsoe the Euro 2012 Qualification.  Italy not conceding a gaol  and winning with 3 goals to the delight of all. 

	UEFA Euro 2012  Qualification Teams Group C as of Tuesday October 11, 2011	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
1	Italy	10	8	2	0	20	2	18	26
2	Estonia	10	5	1	4	15	14	1	16
3	Serbia	10	4	3	3	13	12	1	15
4	Slovenia	10	4	2	4	11	7	4	14
5	Northern Ireland	10	2	3	5	9	13	-4	9
6	Faroe Islands	10	1	1	8	6	26	-20	4

Source:  uefa.com



Photo Getty Images

Here is the official 11 players of the Italian National football team with Captain goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.




Photo Getty Images

The  moment of  Antonio Cassano scoring with a right footed shot to pen the score against Northern Ireland.



Photo Getty Images

Italy and AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano celebrating after scoring the opening goal against Northern Ireland and his 8th goal with the Italian National  football team.



Photo AP

Italian players celebrating after the goal from Antonio Cassano.



Photo Getty Images

Italy defender Federico Balzaretti celebrating after his  shot resulted in the own goal by Gareth McAuley.  Celebration with teammates next to  Pablo Daniel Osvaldo who made his debut with the Azzurri in this game.
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Photo Getty Images

A duel  between Italy forward Sebastian Giovinco and Northern Ireland midfielder Johnny Gorman. 



Photo Reuters

Fiorentina forward Pablo Daniel Osvaldo  making his debut with the Italian National football team in the game Italy - Norther Ireland replacing Antonio Cassano.



Photo Getty Images

Italy and Palermo defender Federico Balzaretti in action during the game against Northern Ireland.



Photo Getty Images

Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli can only applaud  his players after the victory against Norther Ireland.




Related articles:

-  UEFA Opens Full Investigation on suspended match Italy vs Serbia - Arrested Ivan Bogdanov the Serbian Fan Responsible for leading crowd violence and erruption in rioting by Serbian fans

- Result NORTHERN IRELAND 0 - 0 ITALY Friday October 8 2010 - UEFA EURO 2012 Qualification Group C



UEFA EURO 2012 Qualification Games - Group C

Italy - Northern Ireland
  Tuesday October 11, 2011
Stadio Adriatico
Pescara, Italy
20:45

Attendance:  19,48, (including approx. 80 Ireland fans)

Scorers: 21' Antonio Cassano, 53'Antonio Cassano  76' Gareth McAuley own goal)

OFFICIAL FORMATIONS

ITALIA (4-3-1-2): Buffon (dal 31’ s.t. De Sanctis); Cassani, Barzagli, Chiellini, Balzaretti; De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo; Aquilani (68'  Nocerino); Antonio Cassano (56'  Osvaldo), Sebastian  Giovinco.

Subs no used: (Astori, Maggio, Cigarini, Rossi).

Coach:. Ceseare  Prandelli.

IRLANDA DEL NORD (4-1-4-1): Taylor; Hodson, Baird, McAuley, McGivern; Evans; Little, Davis, Norwood (73'  McLaughlin), Gorman (77'  McGinn); Healy (65'  Feeney).

Subs not used (Mannus, McCourt).

Coach: Worthington.

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




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