U21 Euros: Azzurrini 0 - 1 Germany Capspam
(insert your favorite heartbeark anthem here)
DISCLAIMER: This is all nonsense review. For an insightful match report, click here
So now our Azzurrini is in the semi, competing against baby Germany for the ticket to the final, yo.
After serving one-match suspension, Balotelli was back to the starting eleven.
Oh hai, cigalicious ♥
See? Mario loves his baby teammates XD
Okiedokie. Let's roll, Ragazzini!
I noticed that every Azzurrini player, with possibly exception of Mario, touched the pitch and made a sign of cross.
I'm not sure if because they all are good Catholic boys or just superstitious little creatures.
Now proceed to the anthem
This time started with elf-ling
Unshaven Cigarini
Mario was thinking about Germany babies for tomorrow breakfast
Casiraghi was forced to reshuffle the midfield after losing both Marchisio (suspension) and De Ceglie (injury)
Turned out that Casiraghi dragging Dessena to presser was all decoy
because at the end, Pier gave the last MF spot to Morosini, a defensive MF from Vicenza.
As expected, Candreva started this game after an outstanding performance against Belarus
Acquafresca
Consigli
Criscito
And who else but Bocchetti would stand smugly by mimmo's side? XD
Roma represents: Andreolli and capitano Motta
The boys looking so fierce, me likey.
Italy lineup
And here Germany's
The game hadn't started yet but Pier was already facepalming. Oh noez D:
FIGC president: Remember, get the trophy or you'll be fired. No, i'm not talking about Lippi, I'm talking about YOU, Pier!
As for Azzurrini, our defense was hardly perturbed by Germany's attack.
It was one of those boring nights for Consigli, except for THAT goal *facepalms*
The game was like a catalogue of "how to score from set piece" courtesy from our fierce defenders.
Andreolli stretched the definition of 'unbeatable in the air' to the offensive front too!
I think he had 3 very good chances that should have been a goal, if not for Germany GK's awesomeness :(
Not to be outdone by Andreolli, Sasa had his moments too.
Again his was denied by Neuer, baby Bratwurst GK >=O
Criscito was again solid defensively and made contributions in our attack. Great job, mimmo!
And here is Mr. Fierceness personified, Marco Motta.
Defense, offense, hustlin', you name it, Motta got it XD
Without the ususal partners in crime in Midfield, Ciga had quite a rough night.
He was no way bad but trying to carry the entire midfield on his shoulder proved to be a bit too much for Ciga today.
Morosini worked really hard but his attacking was pretty limited :(
Candreva worked his ass off too but he's not influential like I want him to be. meh.
Since I couldn't cap a good pic of Candreva, I hereby give your Marchisio loungin' on the stand instead :P
The yellow tie dude: Blah, Blah, Blah
Marchisio: Uh. Why do i have to stuck with this guy. Where the hell is Mario's hot handler!?
Marchisio: *was not happy at what's happening in the middle of the park*
The old dude: *was praying he could return home safely tonight*
Oh hai little elf & his soon-to-be-decommissioned Breathe Rite strip ♥
It's official: Elf-ling & Mario can coexist in our attack! *squeeeee*
And they're such a joy to watch them playing off one another. Too bad we wouldn't see these glorious moments any time soon :(
Another evidence to support the newfound luv between these two, look at little elf's hair!
My God, if this is not Mario's, then I don't know who it is XD 'cept maybe dessena
While our baby defenders show us how deadly they can be in set piece attacking,
Elf-ling also demonstrated that he is *gasp* not entirely useless defensively *flails flais flails*
Hello, slacker.
I really do think Mario is talented and he will play a crucial part in restoring Azzurri to its glory but the boy has a lot of growing up to do.
Start with working harder & trying to play 1-2 pass instead of stubbornly dribbling pass host of defenders, can you? >=O
Anyway, Mario/Giovinco enterprise was definitely positive. I hope he can carry on with Forestieri, no? XD
And then there was Robert Acquafresca
It wasn't his night AT ALL, let me put it this way...
Italy started the game promisingly. Giovinco challenged Neuer from his strike early in the game.
And this was the recurring theme of the day:
1.) Italy got corner kick/free kick
2.) Mario/Giovinco whipped it to the goal mouth
3.) Our defenders powerfully head/hit the ball
4.) Neuer/whoever happened standing at the goal post narrowly cleared it away!!
repeat these steps 20 times and you'll get the idea of how the game went.
Even when the ball was about to curl under the crossbar, Neuer somehow managed to claw it away!
Though most of Azzurrini chance came from set pieces, the best opportunity during the first half was when
Acquafresca sent a beautiful pass to Candreva, only to have Candreva missing this sitter!
Abate: GAH!! How isn't it 1-0 already!?
Cerci: Woah. I didn't know Buffon is playing for Germany U21.
For some reasons, Pier was uncharacteristically looking very pleased.
Maybe after such a strong start, he was confident that we would prevail. Oh dear.
And the first half ended with 0-0.
Mario: We're going to tear 'em up in the second half, is that right, Seba!?
Elfling: Hell yeah, we so are!!
You boys had NO IDEA. *le sigh*
*** Half-time break ***
Rai Uno presents Benchies Du Jour. Today's specials are Pisano and his gravity defying 'do.
Dessena and his logic defying haircut
and slightly emo wee Alberto
*** Back to regular programing ***
Germany turned the table around within only 3 mins into second half.
Beck, Germany RB, beat Consigli with his out-of-nowhere screamer.
Now Italy trailed Germany 1-0. Oh noezzzzz D:
Shell shocked, all of a sudden Azzurrini lost their first half's complete domination.
The Attack was stuttering. Our midfields started to lose grounds with Germany.
It was dawn to Marchisio that his last game's bitchiness yellow card was a really, really BAD idea.
Thank goodness that our awesome defense could still hold their own against Germany. Phew.
So our reserves were called to get their asses up from the bench, including Abate,
And wee Paloschi.
The quiet Cendreva made way for the very animated Abate in min 67.
Look! He's all pumped up trying to rally his friends. Rino Gattuso is so going to LOVE this boy.
Still, same shit happened. Azzurrini had host of great chances to equalize
But they were all denied by this young gentleman, Manuel Neuer. *stabs stabs stabs*
I don't know why it took Casiraghi so long to sub Acquafresca out
And to put Paloschi in with only 12 mins to go >=O
OT: Anybody knows when did Paloschi acquire his wrist tat?
Also, it's not possible that a stadium sign can spell out my mind, is it? XD
Azzurrini was able to recover their first half momentum towards the end of the game.
And given Germany's offense sloppiness, our terribly fierce backline were all over Germany's PK box.
Still Neuer was simply impenetrable
And when Neuer caught off guard, Andreolli's header was off the goal by an inch.
My God, if this is beyond frustrating for me, I don't know how our boys would feel D:
I partly have to blame Casiraghi for his indecisiveness to gamble it all in.
As Germany attack being so tame, Pier should throw more attacking forces like Cerci or Poli earlier.
But no, the last sub he made was at last 5 friggin' minute and it's Pisano for Motta. WTH.
Well, at least we can get to see mimmo rocking the armband then.
There must be some magic power in Azzurrini captain armband, cuz mimmo almost bring us back from the grave,
if only the ref gave us this oh-so-obvious handball a P.K. GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I can hear you, mimmo. I can't believe how Lady Luck fuck us up over and over too.
Pier was so gutted, he could barely believe we're about to go out.
That or he's losing his plot already...
Finally, the ref decided to end our misery.
and let baby Germany celebrating...
While our babies were...oh well...
Awwww look at Casiraghi comforting his loyal midfield general *sobs sobs sobs*
"Well done, boys. I couldn't ask for more"
"Congratulations, defenders. From Olympic slackers, you all now became such a force to reckon with"
OK, Pier. You might not be the smartest coach around but heck, no other coach can rock D&G suit like you.
Even when you're about to break down and cry, you still exuded your bitchiness that we adore.
We just hope it wasn't meant to end this way. We're so sorry for you :.....[
This is it, gals. Too bad Germany spoiled our Azzurrini graduation party *sniffs*
There will be a wholesale change for the next Azzurrini cycle, but don't panic just yet
because Paloschi, Poli & Mario, to name but a few, will still be there to entertain and force a hard squee from us all XD
I just wish class of 2009 will continue to make us proud and, sooner or later, they will bring the fierceness back to Gli Azzurri >=O
FORZA AZZURRINI !!
Last but not least, I would like to thank you all at ahh_serie_a for sharing your ~*Azzurrini Luv*~
Special thanks to the magnificent bustedflush for being a partner in crime in pervin' reppin' the younginz.
Honey, it would be awfully less fun without you & your spam. Grazie Mille ♥