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Falc

No local TV. Years ago (say 97-2003) our local station picked up the RAI feed but not anymore. The Scotland ECQ'fier 1 year ago was the exception and that was only on the Setanta feed. The reason why this became an issue was because RAI wanted to make their station more readily available (which they did) but you have to pay extra for different packages. Truth of the matter is aside from the posticipo on Sunday's, the occassional Leaf game, and some stuff on TLC and A&E, I barely watch TV.

Greek programming is pretty much only a couple of hours and only on weekends. Whereas there is 1 station dedicated to Italian programming 24/7, with the exception of about 25% Spanish programming.

Rai Internationals site is still not listing it but I talked to my uncle about 1 hr ago and he has it on his TV guide. So I'm going to take it as they will indeed have it. I'll chalk the discrepancy up to lazy ass Euro's not updating their website.

My best friend is Greek and I called him up to see if he knew that there was a game. He said that he did. I was thinking about watching it over at his place of business. He has a dish and on occasion they have ERT (Greek State TV) but warned me that I can't get peeved off if the old Greek guys (his customers) trash-talk Italy. If not there then sometimes he watches games at the Olympiakos supporters club to which he belonds to.

I'm thinking I better avoid any BS and watch it at my uncles place.

of the 11 starters tomorrow, 5 of them play outside Serie A

Cannavaro - Real Madrid
Rossi -- Villarreal
Grosso -- Lyon
DeSanctis -- Galatasaray
Toni -- Bayern Munich

As recent as Trap this would have been unheard of.

Falc

You know, I'm almost begrudging tomorrow's game. I'd rather out guys be focused on Sunday against Inter. From what I heard of a local station, apparently both Ibra and Mellberg have begged off Sweden's friendly to focus on Sunday.

I don't understand the Camo callup as well. For starters these are PRECISELY the games that you use to experiment and as you said, he just came back from injury. In Juve's best interests him playing is probably ideal for them though.

What do you make of Marchionni's performance filling in ? He seemed to do his part on this run that we're on.

Football aside, dumb question here

Otto Rehhagel is 70 years old. Do you guys think he lucked out or is this a hair transplant and dye job ?

Pabs - Marchionni has filled in well. Nothing spectacular but finally a good steady performance and no injuries. He scored a nice goal a few games ago. If you consider all of the injuries Juve have gone through this season, the team is much deeper than most people give them credit for. That depth is needed if the team is going to compete on two fronts. The guy who has given them good back up is Manninger. I hate to see what this team would be like with Chimenti in goal (currently #2 but #3 when Buffon comes back).

Camo getting some playing time is good for Juve. Maybe Lippi is trying to help his side. I am glad he is letting Del Piero sit. He needs the rest. I watched a little of Giovinco today online. He looked like he was pressing too much to score. He wore the captain's armband today. Some of the idiots on BS were making comments that he is not progressing. Give the kid time.

I don't expect much tomorrow. Not sure why FIGC scheduled this friendly other than money. At this point of the season, better to let the players train with their teams. I don't think Lippi will get much in a few days with these players and it is not as if playing tomorrow prepares them for anything. When is our next qualifier? March?

Pabs - Looks like ESPN2 will show it at 4:30. This is a first for a non-US friendly on the Deuce.

Here is a view of the drop trough goal scored by Catania the other day ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUg_6fXz ... erinsider/

Actually, the goal should have been called off for offside. It looks like the players were in an offside position and definitely interfered with the play.

Falc

March 28 against the same Montenegro that we just played. This time over there. Then back at home against Trap's Ireland on April Fools Day.

I'm actually glad that they are off the next 4 months. It will give more time for evaluation and have new players emerge. Also hope that the dead weight gets exposed.

Forza Azzurri

to get me warmed up for the game... popopopo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VutMLnjXTY4

The RAI website still does not show the match being broadcasted. I hope the ESPN2 showing will not screw that up.

It doesn't look like RAI is showing the match (according to my mom, Porta a Porta is on right now). That sucks as I had no clue espn2 was showing it. On the other hand this will probably the typical BORING friendly so not much of a loss.

Here are the lineups:

ITALIA - 4-4-2 - all. Lippi - De Sanctis - Bonera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso - Camoranesi, Gattuso, De Rossi, Montolivo - Toni, Rossi.

GRECIA - 5-3-2 - all. Rehhagel - Tzovras - Papastathopoulos, Vintra, Dellas, Papadopoulos, Spyropoulos - Katsouranis, Bassinas, Karagounis - Mantzios, Salpigghidis.

Che fregatura! I returned to find no match on RAI. It is Porta a Porta. The Dish guide still has the match on the Deuce at 4:30.

1-1 final.

Lippi got his "record" though I don't put much stock in it as he had an interval of two years. It shouldn't really count IMO. Still--it beats losing, right Donadoni.

Motherfucker

They changed the freaking TV guide in the morning and as a result, no game on RAI. Who the fuck watches Porta a Porta anyways ?

Instead I watched about 20 minutes of the Germany vs England game (England were superior from what I saw). Then I went to my friends place hoping that ERT (Greek TV) were showing it. Instead they are showing Greek basketball.

And his dish was down so he didn't have ESPN 2.

As a result, I didn't watch it. This is now the 3rd match in the last 4 that I have not seen. Meanwhile I probably missed 3 (at the very most) in the last 10 years.

Anyways, a respectable result. Without knowing how the match was played I can only go by the result. Both teams are in a transition phase. I would have loved a win but I can live with this.

Pabs - Stop watching gli Azzurri. They get the result when you are not watching!

I decided to stay away from the internet and watch the tape delay as if it was live. It kept me interested not knowing the result. Not a bad one. Definitely an amechevole. Neither side tried hard although better effort in the second half. Good to see Luca Toni bag one away. Giuseppe (Joe) Rossi was OK. I was expecting him to try to show something. He didn't. In fact, he looked slow to me. I don't see him with any break-away speed. Someone call Montolivo's wife, girlfriend or mistress and ask her to give him his balls back. He disappointed me the most. Not only he gets a chance to start but he wears the number 10 and we get that pathetic display. There was one point in the first half where he got the ball on the edge of the penalty area and had no clue what to do. Shoot the fucking thing. Camoranesi looked good and based on his play today, Ranieri better start him against Juve. He was one of the few players who had a drive to push forward. Pepe did some nice stuff. He might have some potential. Bonera screwed up on the goal. He should have closed space quicker on the goal. DeSanctis did well enough. Nice to know that we have some backup in goal if needed. The draw was a just result. Nothing special about this game.

Let me add that I thought Gatusso looked like he was in good form. Definitely better than what we saw last summer.

I just finished reading the PBP on a Greek fan forum and from what they are saying the best player was their keeper. Apparently he robbed Gattuso of all people early on. They are also saying that one of their guys was getting eaten by Grosso all game long. Another resport also mentions that Rossi was very quiet.

I'm off to read BS's PBP next.

Falc

What gets me is that I could have stayed here and watched online. Instead I went to the 'burbs to my uncles and then back into midtown to my buddy's place. I could have just put up with a choppy internet stream from the get go.

Falc

Montolivo is not a 3/4-tista as far as I'm concerned. Nor is Aquilani. We don't have one as far as I see. We have some good feet in the middle but we are clearly lacking a go-between the mid and strikers.

As a result I'm sure we will be seeing the same type of play we've seen in the last few years. A target man (Toni) with somebody playing to support him (Rossi). And if Toni doesn't convert, then we will get what we had in Euro 2008.

When Pirlo (our best player) returns we will have our QB back again. Though he plays further back (where you would normally have a DM play) he is definitely the one that distributes the play.

Pirlo is missing. Camo did a good job of playmaking. My problem with Montolivo is what was he doing on the pitch? He never tried to take on a player. He was not looking to make a quick pass. He was useless.

I guess the Greeks sold the North America rights to ESPN and that is why RAI did not show the match. Home team has the broadcast rights. If it was played in Italy, then RAI would have shown it.

It's interesting to note that Lippi made SIX changes and Rehhagel only made two late ones. Lippi even commented that if he really wanted to go for the win at all costs than he wouldn't have done this.

It seems like this was a dour affair. And I can't really blame them. Meaningless friendly in the cold. Was Lippi really going to BS them by telling them how this was a must-win game ? Please. The Juve players are focused for the Inter game and the Roma players are probably still recovering from the derby. They just went for the appearance fee for the FIGC coffers and that's about it. Even the Greek supporters stayed away (less than 10K)

Lippi's 31

- games unbeaten equals Javier Clemente (Spain) and Alfio Basile (Argentina)

I admit it kind of does take away ever so slightly seeing as how his tenure was split, but to be fair to him it's not really his fault.

- consists of 19 wins and 12 draws

I remember that game that he lost too. It was that loss in Slovenia in a WCQ'fier 5 minutes from time.

Falc

I just saw the goals. Sorry man, but no way in hell is Bonera to blame for the goal. 100% Gattuso's fault. He turned it over. I hardly see where Bonera is to blame. On the through ball it goes between Legrottaglie's legs, but BARELY. Game of mm's. 2 mm's move and the ball is blocked or richohets to a different place.

By all account Gattuso was one of the teams best on the day but he definitely wears the goat horns on that goal. He also got away with a hand ball in the box.

(note: in this video the commentator actually thinks the ball went wide of the goal whereas it went in)

Greece Goal

http://www.greeksoccer.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=si&img=4956

Italy Goal

http://www.greeksoccer.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=si&img=4957

kataweb's Report Card

ITALIA - 4-4-2 - all. Lippi - De Sanctis 6 - Bonera 6, Cannavaro 6,5 (Gamberini 6), Chiellini 6,5 (Legrottaglie 6), Grosso 6 - Camoranesi 7 (Maggio 6), Gattuso 6, De Rossi 6, Montolivo 5,5 (Pepe 6,5) - Toni 6,5 (Gilardino 5,5), Rossi 6 (Iaquinta 6).


Good to see that Maggio got some minutes. I will not be suprised if he takes over from Camo in the next few games.

Pretty much 6's across the board. With Montolivo getting the worst vote. Falc, is Montolivo your new Francesco Totti Whipping Boy ?

I was just hoping to see something good out of him, that he got his chance. He blew it. As for Bonero, I blame him for leaving the guy unmarked. The art of marking is a lost one.

lol, what ?

when the ball gets turned over quickly like that, it's hard to react. Get real. Look at the video. Gattuso gets past a guy and loses his head and in turn loses the ball.

Shouldn't Legro or Cannavaro share the blame instead of only Bonera ?

Brazil

I guess this game is indeed confirmed. Why London ? In the last little while Brazil seem to play quite a bit at Emerites Stadium. Obviously it makes sense for Brazil's Euro-based players to stay in Europe instead of BOTH teams having to fly to Brazil for a friendly, but if they want to stay in Europe, why not just have the game in Italy ?

I expect the support to be 50/50 and if anything favouring Italy (lot's of Italian ex-pats living in Britain)

Why Emirates?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

or in this case ....

€€€€€€€€€€€€€€

How so ?

For Brazil, yes, Italy no.

If Italy were to play Brazil in say Rome or Milan and get over 80K then even after they give Brazil a tidy 250,000 appearance fee, the FIGC would make money. Even if it was over the 500,000 but less than 1M appearance fee, the FIGC would still make money.

As it stands now the best they can do is split the gate. But something tells me the CFB's cozy relationship with Emerites Stadium has them taking most of the gate. And if that's not the case, the CFB is the one paying Italy the appearance fee.

Italy would actually probably make more money on their own if they invited Argentina to Napoli... lol

We may play them twice

It's interesting that we haven't played them since 1997 and we may very well play them twice in 2 years. Saturday the draw will be held for the Confederations Cup.

Amauri

Actually it's funny that Amauri is in the process of getting his Italian passport. It's not completely outlandish to say that one of Dunga or Lippi will call him and his debut will be against the other.

But something tells me neither Dunga or Lippi will call him.

Dunga has a shitload of players to chose from and considering the fact that Amauri is an unknown in Brazil (he's been in Europe for his entire pro career). Donadoni is the one that seemed keen on Amauri. I've yet to hear the same sentiments from Lippi. For all we know Lippi may be of the opinion that Amauri should play for his native Brazil.

Pabs - Your links to the goals are not coming through.

My guess is that the promoter is paying Brazil and Italy a boatload of money to play in England. And they probably have worked out TV deals, which means we are not going to see this one on RAI Italia. I am sure that this game is a guaranteed appearance for both federations and there is a promoter taking all of the risks but looking to get a big reward.

not on RAI

I thought of this possibility as well.

Montolivo: This is his second opportunity as he also did nothing in a qualifier two matches prior. He's missing the boat. We really need someone in line to replace Pirlo, but he's a generational player, and it's not easy to find such an influential player.

A virtual look at Juve's new stadium:

http://tv.repubblica.it/copertina/juven ... 6516?video

Sarà un impianto moderno e sicuro.

Falc

Those links should work now. That angle shows the Gattuso giveaway best.

Thanks Pabs. Actually, Gatusso did not give it away, he failed to get the ball under control after the Greeks lost it. Bonera blew the coverage. He was marking the man and let him go. So while Gatusso takes some blame, it was Bonera who let his man get free.

Falc

- Why the hell is the Inter vs Juve game on tomorrow ? Why didn't they schedule it for Sunday's posticipo ?

I won't be able to see it. I would have seen it on a web broadcast but I'll be out.

- Did I hear right ? Are both Camoranesi and Marchionni doubtful for tomorrow ?

Either Juve or Inter have a CL match on Tuesday. That is why it is being played on Saturday.

Not sure where you heard about Camo and Marchionni. I have not seen anything. The following are out for tomorrow:

Buffon, Trezeguet, Zanetti, Zebina, Salihamidzic, Knezevic and Poulsen.

I would expect the following lineup:

Manninger
Grygera, Legrotaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro
Camoranesi, Tiago, Sissoko, Nedved
Del Piero, Amauri

Cool. I'm liking that lineup

BTW, the draw for the Confederations Cup takes place tomorrow at 1600 CET

I guess that's 10am for us in the Eastern Time Zone of North America.

Confederations Cup

Africa: Egypt, South Africa
Asia: Iraq
Europe: Italy, Spain
North and Central America: USA
Oceania: New Zealand
South America: Brazil

Anybody else get the feeling that Spain will roll over everybody in this tournament ? I can't see us bringing a pure A team. I imagine Lippi will go with a team that is full of fringe NT players.

Which actually suits us well because much of our team is like this.

(ie: Pepe, D'Agostino, Quagliarella, Giovinco)

I can't imagine players like Rossi or Chiellini will go.

Anyways, I wouldn't mind playing USA, Spain & Brazil. Why not ? It won't be fun for us but at the same time it won't be fun for them either.