Azzurrini 1 - 1 Croatia Capspam
(mission accomplished, well, for now at least)
Croatia 1-1 Italy
Scorers: Motta 37 (I), Kulusic 82 (C)
Croatia: Kelava; Simek (Vida 46), Kulusic, Ipsa; Ilicevic, Ljubicic (Tomasov 46), Pamic; Badelj, Brezovec (Krizman 63); Smrekar
Italy:: Consigli; Motta, Andreolli, Criscito, De Ceglie; Dessena, Cigarini, Marchisio, Candreva (Morosini 75); Giovinco (Bolzoni 84), Balotelli (Osvaldo 60)
another game, another draw. At least we advance the qualification stage and head to play-offs round.
The matchup draw will be decided this Friday *crosses fingers like woah*
Since Azzurrini only needed a draw to advance, Casiraghi ditched his usual 4-3-3
in a favor of more defensive 4-4-2, by taking one support striker out and put a MF, like Candreva, in.
Before the game, There were rumours that this would be the last time we would see the magnificent Gianfranco Zola at Azzurrini sideline *weeps*
"One more game and I'm done with this shit. Good luck, pier"
Casiraghi was not amused LOL
This is Zola warming up to his new role as Westham head coach. He started barking orders already XD
Bocchetti made way for Android-Criscito partnership.
You can see Bocchetti was sad that he'd miss all the fun/glompage.
I think Giovinco did OK in first half. He made several great runs.
OK, he still hadn't pass any ball to Balotelli yet but at least there was no obvious, OMG-why-don't-you-pass-to-mario-you-idiot kinda situation.
Mario did great job too. He might not work his ass off like, say, Osvi. But he totally owned croatian babies whenever he got the ball.
As a matter of fact, his dribbling & assist almost found this Azzurrini-TP, Dessena. That would have been a goal. Great job, Mario!
On the other end, Consigli didn't have to do much. Thanks to solid partnership of Android-Criscito, especially Criscito
whom I thought showed what a CB he could become in 2nd half. I particularly like his game reading and ability to take ball out of the defense.
With the departure of Capitano Nocerino, Cigarini took over the role of team attorney.
Unfortunately, Ciga's tonight performance did not match up with his bitchiness.
Dessena & Marchisio did slightly better than Ciga. Marchisio was a ball winner.
And since the babies were playing 4-4-2, DD was licensed to push forward more and that's when he shines.
Italy took the lead in late first half from Motta header of Giovinco's corner kick.
Then Motta ran to the corner only to be pulled back by the gleeful Criscito
Mimmo was so excited he threw Motta to the ground and ready to pitchhump the capitano
Geez mimmo, why didn't you pin him to those cars behind ROFFLES
Then mimmo probably realized Papa Lippi might be watching so he walked off on Motta and let the rest of the squad enjoyed the glompage.
Not only did the babies celebrated, Casiraghi-Zola couldn't contend their joy too. awwww~~
At almost the end of first half, Mario got hurt.
After a brief splash of magic spray, Mario limped back to the pitch.
Guess who had to warm up?
nnnnnnnnnnnngh
that's all I could say.
Now off to second half.
Elf-ling & Mario made peace, it seemed.
See! Mario smiled to elf-ling
that or he said "I don't know what the hell you talking about, midget"
Mario showed off some skillz as a warning to Croatian babies.
Here was Azzurrini best chance in second half, it started from Mario's hustle.
Then Mario sent elf-ling 1-on-1 with the keeper. It should be a goal if not for atrocious finish from Giovinco >=O
There went $50K off your new contract, elf-ling!
"Jesus. I could've bagged that with my eyes closed!"
After Mario's 2 assists to Giovinco, I was waiting for Seba to wake the fuck up and start passing to Mario.
But Casiraghi killed my hope when he subbed Osvi in.
Mario smiled again!! Awww he must felt at home with fellow slashtastic babies ♥
*pets Mario's ankle*
There was a bizarre incident involving Morosini, a defensive MF, who was about to come in for Candreva.
The old dude in suit told Morosini to go behind the dug out and ordered him to strip! O_O
Not only that, he called #16 boy to join the strippin' too!
To add insult to my injured ovary, the #16 boy turned out to be Francesco Bolzoni *collapses*
Ahh, the boys switched shirts.
(This makes me hope they messed up jersey numbers again next game *starts praying*)
Candreva out. Morosini in.
Intermission: Another vintage Milan player showing up in Azzurrini game.
This time it was Zvonimir Boban. *squeeeeeeeeee*
*ahem* back to teh yummey bolzoni ♥
peekaboo!bolzoni
nnnnnnnnnnngh the tongue
Bolzoni seemed so tranfixed to the old man's scribbing, was he playing sudoku?
oh Bolzo, whai you so pretty ♥_♥
Back to Osvi, he may not have natural talents like Balotelli. But boy, he hustled hard!!
Tho he had to work on his anger management. Like here where Osvi resorted blalant foul when the ref ignore Croatian's foul on him.
And always-PMS-ing Pier laughed at that, WTF.
I think I know why all our babies turning to be drama queens! >=O
After the mother of playacting demostrated by Greece #10 last game,
I didn't expect to see anything more shameless. Boy, I was wrong.
Croatia #13 had a verbal fight with Osvi. Due to video quality, I'm not sure what Osvi did to him. Spitting at most. Definitely no physical contact.
But #13 pretended he was hit by Osvi! What the fuck is going on with young players these days!?
Like junior, like senior, the babies love heart clenching drama.
in min 82', they conceded a goal from Croatia freekick *stabs stabs stabs*
Right after giving up the lead, Casiraghi threw Bolzoni in to shore up defense.
It was a very disappointing second half from Giovinco. Not only he missed the sitter, but his passing, freekicks and corner kicks were also appalling.
Someone please sort this boy out. Pronto! >=O
Thank goodness the backline able to keep composure till the end and we're through to the next round, YAY!!
Bocchetti wasted no time setting on glompign spree. His first victim was Giovinco.
Then Casiraghi.
The babies celebrated the only way they know how: Teh Azzurrini babypileTM
Awwwwww the boys gave Casiraghi a tight, tight hug ♥
I hope mimmo can keep the momentum of tonight's positive performance. But before that, plz beef up, bb.
Motta, since you're the goal hero, I shall forgive you for not going undershirt-less *grumbles*
See elf-ling for example. See?
Happy smurfini everywhere ♥
I'll end the post with Casiraghi (finally) relieved smile.
There's lot of work to be done before the playoffs. Please don't let us down, Pier!! >=O
FORZA AZZURRINI !!
PS. I wonder if FIGC will backfill Zola's position. May I propose a candidate?
And we shall never leak stupid goal again!!
Goal Highlights
Click to viewItaly 1 - 0 Croatia
Mario's assist to elf-ling