U21 Euros: Azzurrini 2 - 1 Sweden Capspam
(Still flyin' after all these red cards)
DISCLAIMER: This is pretteh focus review. For an insightful match report, click here
After a disappointing start against Serbia, Azzurrini were set to redeem themselves with the host, Sweden.
Here's Azzurrini lineup, which is a carbon copy of the one against Serbia 3 days before. oh noez.
And here is mini meatballs lineup. The notable player is Marcus Berg (#9)
who bagged a hattrick against Belarus in the opening game D:
The game started with obligatory parade with children, and no, i'm not talking about Giovinco XD
~ Fratelli d'Italia ~
Elf-ling had a game face on. That's a good sign.
But not as good as this one. OMG! Could these two FINALLY make peace? *squeeee*
The MF Powerhouse Duo: Cigarini & Marchisio
with De Ceglie as Azzurrini's very own energizer bunny
the boy overran everyone, Serbian babies included, in last game
[.......]
Consigli looking fierce
Mimmo looking oh so pretteh
Bocchetti rocking the anthem, literally.
Android being...Android
And Motta being a captainy self
Oh hai benchies ♥
With baldie Abate just for Martha LOL
Let's begin our post with Pierluigi 'I love 4-3-3' Casiraghi
In this tourney, Pier takes his usual PMS-ing to another level
Good God *bites fist*
My ovaries totally blamed it on D&G ensemble. nnnnnnnnnnnngh
That's ok, Consigli, you still rocked with or without D&G suit
Consigli was so in control this game. He was quick and alert the entire time.
He carried himself really well especially during Swedish bombardment in the second half
After being snubbed by Swedish TV in the first game, Andreolli got a well deserved camera love today
As bustedflush said, Android provided us with much needed stability in the backline.
I partially gave credit to his robot-like expression. I bet it even scared the heck out of baby Swedens XD
Hello there, kinky 'Droid ♥
Andreolli also made several good interceptions in addition to his aerial domination of awesome
Compared to Euro 07, I can say he's been our most improved player (given how he , um, sucked so bad back then)
and he achieved all this by periodically plying his trade in Serie B.
Imagine what would happen if he played in Serie A week in, week out? Do you copy, Roma? XD
This game was such a rollercoaster ride to Salvatore Bocchetti
One minute, he spaced out and almost cost us a goal. Another minute, he busted out brilliant tackle/interception.
Maybe Casiraghi is pondering the solution of swapping mimmo to the other room as we speak XD
Unlike his erratic partner (wink wink), i thought mimmo was solid
but he still didn't offer much offesively since PDC already took care of everything but a kitchen sink on the left flank.
On the other side, Motta totally rocked my socks off today
Welcome back, capitano!! *draws hearts everywhere*
Now moving upfield with Cigarini.
It was as if Azzurrini universe revolved around ciga.
He did it all; helping defense, winning the ball back, cunningly distributing the passes,
not to mention cleverly wasting precious minutes at every opportunity during the second half XD
I thought Marchisio was great too but he was bogged down in defensive duties and not much involved in setting up the attacks
PDC is, to me, a revealation.
I had impressions that the boy's ability is pretty limited. He couldn't defend and was not much of a dribbler,
which would be a huge hurdle to put him in a LM role. I'm so glad that so far he proved me wrong *clutches heart*
However, no one surprised me today as much as Giovinco.
He gave an epic performance by finding the right balance between utilizing his mad techniques and playing simple passes to his peers.
Like here where he beautifully back-flicked the ball. Elf-ling made it looked so effortless it is ridiculous.
Not only that, elf-ling kept his petulant alter ego to the minimum
See!? Even when the foul on him was legit, lil elf didn't play rolling and moaning card like before.
He's just lying around quietly instead. Good boy!! *throws elf-ling a puppy treat*
Oh Mario, my Mario
Like Motta, Mario had such a drastic lift in performance today, well during the time he stayed on the pitch, at least...
Like everyone else in the team, Acquafresca showed up big time today
Not just scoring a crucial goal, he was lively and found himself several scoring chances in 1st half too.
Now that if Ruby could teach him how not to look clueless the entire time, maybe elf-ling, Mario & PDC would give him more service XD
As for the game goes, Bocchetti almost gifted Sweden a goal with his sloppy back pass in the opening minute! >=O
Sweden attacked us immediately but aside from Sasa's blunder, nothing was really threatening.
Azzurrini's first chance came in when elf-ling's defense splitting pass found Acquafresca. Too bad Acqua could not capitalize the chance.
Acquafresca also got another good service, this time from Mario-PDC link up play, but his header was denied by Swedish keeper.
*intermission break*
Rai Tre was nice enough to shower us with the glimpse of babies on the bench.
For example, Andrea Poli, 19 year-old cigarini understudy from Sassuolo/Sampdoria
For those who concerned about Paloschi's big-boy hair, rest assured, that issue has been taken care of *weeps*
Good Lord. Dessena. *fetches eyes bleach*
I so underestimated your ability in ruining your pretteh when you got rid of the mullet. GAH! What the hell is this!?
*back to regular programing*
Azzurrini goal came in min 22 from Giovinco's build-up play where he turning 2 Swedish players around
before beautifully lobbing the ball to Mario
The classy build-up ended with equally classy finish from Mario! Italy 1-0 Sweden!!
"Worship, Mass"
PDC immediately answered mario's mating call
And then the mass soon followed
I'm so disappointed in you, wee alberto. What the hell are you waiting for!? Go join the glompage!! XD
Elf-ling almost added his name to the scoresheet with this cheeky chip over Sweden keeper.
So close!!
OT: Is it just me that these Swedish fans looked at Elf-ling like they watching a lion cub in the zoo? LOL
Elf-ling's tat and his gangstah-self does not approve your adoration, misses!! XD
After such a nice start and a goal, i thought Azzurrini was going to tear up Sweden...NOT
Mario decided he had have enough of the kicking, hence he retaliated *facepalms*
The most ironic part is that Mario's stomp missed Wernbloom's leg entirely
but that didn't stop Wernbloom from rolling like he was hit by an 18-wheeler.
Mario, on the other hand, was in a complete zen-like mode.
I'm sure there're so many things going on in his head right now; Family, Girlfriend, Santon, Mortgage payment...
Obviously, red card is not one of them
Plz notice that Wernbloom was still rolling. Maybe he could land a role in House someday
"Red Card? Are you serious!?"
*in self-denial mode*
So Mario was forced to leave the pitch but that's ok, at least Dessena was there to consolate him
Mario: Dude. Thank you but I'm totally miserable right now. Don't make me look at your hair...
So that's the end of the first half. Azzurrini needed to hang on to the 1-0 lead for another 45 minutes. Ouch.
Giovinco: Damnit! Now who am I going to pass the ball to!?
Acquafresca: You...still have me, remember?
Giovinco: ...[...]...
Meanwhile, Mario was supporting his homies from the stand
*is texting Zlatan* "Yr ppl r so mean. i h8 sweden"
At min 52, elf-ling once again was having fun drawing foul from Swedes
Elf-ling's inch perfect freekick found Acquafresca who this time beat the keeper with his splendid header. Woo hoo!!
"OMG YAY! I IZ NOT USELESS!!"
While our gleeful Azzurrini were piling on Acquaboi, elf-ling got a complimentary squishing from Abate & Dessena ♥
Shortly after the second goal, Pier took lil elf off and subbed Sean Penn's son Abate in to shore up defense
My God, 100% complete pass!? O_o
Even the hostile Swedish fans couldn't help but clapping for Giovinco when he was leaving the pitch. Awwww.
Hee. Y'all can not resist me.
*yawn*
After 2-0 lead, Azzurrini was heavily on the receiving end of Sweden abuse.
Thank goodness for Sweden's indecisive final third, we were able to hold on to 2-goal lead.
With Sweden's aerial bombing caused all sorts of problems to Azzurrini, Pier decided to threw 195cm-tall Ranocchia in.
But since Acquafresca made way to Ranocchia, that means we're effectively in 5-4-0 and Sweden pressed us even more easily *facepalms*
The last sub of the day went to Dessena, who replaced Marchisio in the last min
Once Dessie stepped into the pitch, we conceded. Oh noez D:
It was a good goal from Toivonen though. He made a nice turn and mercilessly score a consolation goal for Sweden
Sweden's goal definitely put Pier & his crisp white, rain resisted D&G shirt to semi-panic mode.
But Thank God, Azzurrini was able to end the game with precious 3 points. YES!!
The bench went mental.
So they invaded the pitch to congratulate their friends
Sirigu took a step further by molesting Consigli. Who could blame him, really? XD
Even an ever-pissed-off Abate got some benchies love too ♥
This post is brought to you by Azzurr1n1, the sensation new boyband from Italy.
Even when one member was on temporary rehab stint, the first round show must go on on Monday Tuesday!!
FORZA AZZURRINI !!