U21 Euros: Azzurrini 2 - 1 Belarus Capspam
(Good boys, Come to Papa Motta!)
DISCLAIMER: This is pretteh heavy review. For an insightful match report, click here
After an outstanding performance against Sweden, The team needs only 1 point from Belarus to book their semi spot.
Our players insisted they wanna finish first round in style. We'll see ;)
First, Azzurrini: Back Stage Edition
With the ref checking out the babies
Mimmo looking intensed
Oh hai sasa ♥
What's up, Android
"FFS Can't you just pan the camera away for a min!? I need a ritual cuddlin' from ma Sasa!"
Then came General Motta, greeting his Azzurrini army *fans self*
"Boys, are you ready for this shit!?"
"Yes, Sir!!"
Awwwwww Marcolino is not all tough & cranky, he has his softer side too as he pet his mascot *squeeeee*
~ Fratelli d'Italia ~
Pierluigi Casiraghi was, as usual, PMS-ing
The bench was amped up
I can see you, Candreva :P
Even the fans were amped too, so to speak.
Unlike sulking Mario cuz he missed all the fun kicking the opponent yo
Pier made only 1 change thanks to Mario's suspension with Abate replacing Balotelli
And here's Belarus Lineup
Consigli was in his usual solid self tonight.
He didn't have much to do though, 'cept serving as an eye candy between goal posts *_*
Andreolli was once again pretty darn good
He kept his cool, and his pretty robotic expression, even with Belarus roaming the penatly area.
I can frankly say I don't wanna play Texas Hold 'Em with the boy :P
With the concentration-lapse-of-doom was nowhere to be found today, Bocchetti was all kinds of wonderful.
Not only that, Sasa's header forced a goal line clearace from Belarus too. *pets Sasa*
Oh, Capitano Motta, whai you so fierce ♥
As usual, Motta pwned the right flank. He's very active in pushing forward and created several good chances in the process
On the left, we had mimmo criscito
Without PDC, mimmo had to take responsibility in threatening the Belarus. And i though he did pretty well offensively.
Mimmo almost scored with not one, but TWO headers! Good job, mimmo!!
Ciga was good but not as amazing as in Sweden game
He still helped defending a lot and had a couple smart plays too.
But it's Marchisio who ran the midfield show today.
His workrate was so impressive. He was everywhere winning the ball back and setting up Azzurrini attacks.
But now that he's out of semifinal clash, I just have to pray others will pick up the slack D:
Poor boy, PDC T_T
After such a great start, PDC twisted his ankle badly and had to withdraw from the competition
And PDC was replaced by Dessena
He was painfully average today. Usually he is more lively and very involved in attacking.
Let's hope he wakes up and fills the gap left by PDC tomorrow *covers eyes*
Replacing Balotelli today was Iganzio Abate
He was so energetic in the first half: outrunning Belarus babies, creating opportunities with his skills
Abate even had 2-3 scoring attempts that almost went it!
This picture pretty much sums up Giovinco during first half.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
It's like Elf-ling was sleepwalking the entire first half. His touches were really sloppy and he kept losing possessions.
Thank Goodness lil elf woke up in the last 45 minutes and created chances after chances. He nearly scored one himself too.
And here's the man of an hour: Robert Acquafresca
He's still not as clinical as I like a premier prima punta like him to be.
But at least he worked really hard and did a great job in holding the ball.
And yes, this is Acqua's bitchface, can't you tell!?
Mario, meanwhile, hung out with FIGC homie at the stand.
"I'm bored. I wanna play. Why can't I at least sit with Alberto?" *yawn*
First half began with Giovinco trying his best to look so bitchy and bad-ass *pinches lil elf*
Though Azzurrini started the game very lively and came almost to score from Abate & Marchisio's shot,
we're pretty lucky not to concede a penalty when Motta hacked down Belarus player in the box.
Only min 9, De Ceglie awkwardly landed on his foot and twisted his ankle in the process. Ouch.
He tried to run it off but eventually had to give up. ooooh *pets PDC's ankle*
Even when losing PDC, Azzurrini still aggressively pushed forward for the goal.
Cigarini wittily played a quick freekick. His chip bypassed the entire Belarus backline
Too bad Abate could not capitalize the chance.
Azzurrini's best chance(s) came in 28th min when we had 4 shots on target back-to-back!
The first one, mimmo's header, was illegally blocked by Belarus Captain's ARM but the ref ignored the PK call >=O
Then Abate & Bocchetti took their turns terrorizing Belarus defense, who narrowly survived Azzurrini's waves of attacks.
Yeah, this was all i could say about those missed opportunities.
Abate seemed to agree with me.
Casiraghi agreed with Abate.
And i'm sure even FIGC officials agreed with Casiraghi too XD
After almost 45 minutes of Azzurrini showboating, Belarus showed our babies how to get it done.
woes.
WOES.
Luckily for our babies, after leading for only 3 minutes, referee awarded Italy a PK on Belarus captain's handball. (AGAIN.)
Acquafresca quickly volunteered for the spot kick.
No offense, but if this is a face of assurance, i can see why Cigarini tried to take the PK himself.
Thank God, Acqua did it! He sent Belarus keeper to the wrong direction.
Now we're level again. YES!!
Ciga rewarded Sawdust with a cuddle ♥
While Capitano Motta gave a full pectoral hug to Freshwater & Marchisio
"Btchz Plz. Get a room, will ya!?"
So the first half ended with Italy 1 - 1 Belarus.
Now let's roll half-time break from our pretty benchies.
Start with Pisano.
Morosini being dreamy.
Ranocchia
Poli, who could use a little help from Elf-ling's razor.
And here is lonesome!Paloschi entertaining himself while other kids were warming up. *sniffs*
The second half began with Elf-ling operating in full alert mode.
But looked like Sawdust was taking turn fall asleep, or else he must have done better with Giovinco's excellent pass >=O
*facepalms*
Only 5 mins into 2nd half, Marchisio, who was on some sort of sugar high, got giallo-ed and will miss the semi game. *headwalls*
Marchisio: Yellow!? What Yellow!?
Elf-ling: *was too scared to calm down his buddy*
Not only the babies ran into problem with the referee, Fourth official also told casiraghi to put his blazer back on. WTF.
Casiraghi: Come on, ref. It's kinda hot out here.
4th Official: I know you're hot..err..I mean IT'S hot. but please keep me focus by donning back your jacket, please?
After Abate started to fade in the second half, Pier decided to draw his wild card.
Convict is in da house, yo!!
So Abate was subbed to keep Paloschi's company.
While Candreva made his impact almost immediately
By sending Giovinco 1-on-1 with Belarus keeper!
But elf-ling's finishing of fail let him down again *facepalms*
"Do you know what is this, Giovinco!? It's my head, on a chopping block! GAH!!"
On the other end of the pitch, Bocchetti also got a yellow card
which Sasa tried to use his smug charm to get away with it. Too bad the ref handled this a little too well *fans self*
Consigli uncharacteristically slipped into no-ball's-land
Thank goodness, Belarus' header was off the crossbar.
Anyway, Consigli took this opportunity to "thank" marchisio who did nothing but standing on the goal line. Smart boy, Consigli XD
I just simply love this picture: M.C. Escher-esque mimmo *_*
Finally, Lady Luck turned her head to Azzurrini.
Elf-ling's pass found Candreva, who was onside.
But Sawdust was obviously offside here. Should this goal be invalid? Discuss
Then Candreva unselfishly laid it over to Sawdust, who was all alone, 1 yard from the goal.
When Sawdust saw the flag still down, he leisurely tapped the ball in.
Italy 2 - 1 Belarus, btchz!!
*iz relieved*
Awwww the senior ~LUV~ XD
Giovinco was so close to stretched our lead. Unfortunately, elf-ling hit the crossbar. booo.
With 5 mins to go, Pier took Ciga out and let Morosini, a defensive mid, in.
Oh hai, Mario.
"Is this mess almost over yet? Can I go see my homies downstairs now?"
Here he comes. So happy to be near his Alberto teammates again.
*texting Moratti* "I iz a good boy today. Can u send Santon over as promised?"
Bonus: Mario's beauty shot for bustedflush XD
My heart skipped a beat at the end of the game when mimmo was knocked over D:
Bocchetti: Who!? Who hurts ma bb!?
Good thing that the boy was ok *phew*
Then the ref blew final whistle, another win for Azzurrini. yay! \O/
Belarus #21 wasted no time making a move to Acquafresca
"Room #312, Hilton Hotel, y/y?"
"........."
"I take that as a yes, then. See you tonight, bb XD"
Boys, I'm so proud of you and all. But can't you learn one thing from Belarus. No undershirt, plz!
Oh well, I probably made an exception for Criscito only *le sigh @ mimmo's skinny arms*
ASA Quiz of the Day
Guess who is this Azzurrini boy? 1...2...3...
It is Marchisio. My God *gulps*
Looks like elf-ling's influence has already gone beyond hair style LOL
This post is brought to you by Megaphone ManTM
Relentlessly supporting Azzurrini while annoying the hell out of opponent fans since 2009.
Semi against Germany tomorrow. Please, please, win!! *crosses fingers*
FORZA AZZURRINI !!