Here is Italy official starting lineup with Head Coach Cesare Prandelli choosing a 3-5-2 formation against Uruguay losing the match Italy 0 – 1 Uruguay on Tuesday 24 June 2014. Italy eliminated. What went wrong? Who disappointed you the most and why?
ITALY (3-5-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Giorgio Chiellini, Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli; De Sciglio, Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo, Marco Verratti, Darmian; Ciro Immobile, Mario Balotelli.
Hello my friends. I usually greet you with a “good morning.” Today, believe me, it’s not a really good morning. It’s just a nightmare awakening to a crude reality. I have barely slept watching all news online on the elimination of Italy, out of the World Cup. Yep, sadly, it is true. Italy eliminated after losing against Uruguay. However, the news going worldwide is on Uruguay “Cannibal” forward Luis Suarez biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and not even getting a yellow card!!!
Well, guys, to top the whole pizza pie, Head coach Cesare Prandelli resigned right after the game during the press conference and also Abete the president of the Italian Football Federation. Simply put, guys, it is a total failure!!! I agree with Buffon and, wait.. now it seems most players blaming also forward Mario Balotelli… Hum? So, now, allow me to go and prepare a heavy cup of Chamomile tea to calm down.
Here are the front pages from Italy main Sports newspapers La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Tutto Sport from Wednesday 25 June 2014
La Gazzetta dello Sport
Front Page, Prima Pagina
Wednesday 25 June 2014
Italia go home: A failure
The breakdown
Defeated by Uruguay 1-0. Prandelli and Abete resign
No Alibi, but another Referee Moreno damages us: Marchisio Sent off unfairly, Suarez bites Chiellini
The outburst, the best
The bitterness of Buffon
“We are deservedly out”
The delusion, he isolated himself
The Balotelli disaster
Dumped by the group
The case Suarez
Once again the Cannibal. “He is slimy”
Group C
Colombia fly with Cuadrado
Greece, what a strike.
Argentina at 18 with Nigeria
Today the turn for Messi and Pogba
Market, Juve enjoy
What intrigue Iturbe
Milan pressing, but if Kaka returns?
Violence, the Napoli fan
The drama of Ciro
“He is being kept alive by machines”
Corriere dello Sport
Front Page, Prima Pagina
Wednesday 25 June 2014
Zeroed out
-World Cup collapse.
Uruguay eliminate Italy: 1-0 (Godin). Terrible performance, but Marchisio’s sending off weighs heavily.
-The resignations.
Prandelli leaves along with Abete: “It is a failure.” Already looking to the future: Allegri or Mancini.
-The controversy.
Suarez bites Chiellini: “Shame.” Buffon and De Rossi against Balotelli: “Men are needed.”
Tutto Sport
Front Page, Prima Pagina
Wednesday 25 June 2014
Tricked by another Moreno: 0-1
Brandelli
Italy go home among chaos: the coach and Abete resign.
Godin and the referee send Uruguay to the round of 16. Suarez bites Chiellini: “Shame! And he sent off Marchisio…” Prandelli: “I don’t steal money.” Everyone against Balotelli.
Move for Iturbe.
Juve-Atletico super battle for Guarin
Kone or El Kaddouri?
Toro close for Benassi. And there is Botta
“What an AC Milan with Pippo!”
Even Pazzini attacks Seedorf
But watch out for the English.
Real: Falcao is the big signing for Ancelotti
61% Ball Possession ITALY and 39% Ball Possession COSTA RICA Italy 0 – 1 Costa Rica
44′ Bryan Ruiz
2014 FIFA World Cup Group D
Italy made their debut in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Group D against England with a victory. Good news is that Italy Head Coach Cesare Prandelli recovered first goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and is now defending Italy. Bad news is that Italy lost the game and now risking qualification to the next round. The passing will be decided in the next game against Uruguay on June 24. Credit to Costa Rica playing better, tough to admit it, but that’s the truth.
Current Standing after this match in Group D:
Costa Rica, 1st position with 6 points and a positive goal difference of +3
Italy, 2nd position with 3 points and a neutral goal difference of “0”
Uruguay, 3rd position with 3 points and a negative goal difference of -1
England, 4th position with 0 points and a negative goal difference of -2
I have goosebumps just watching the Azzurri making their entrance to the pitch! Wow, close up for each player during the National Anthem “L’Inno di Mameli.” All Italy putting their face in forward Mario Balotelli to lead Italy.
Game on…. Referee whistles the start of the game! Let’s roll the ball…
Oh oh… in the 2nd minute, Costa Rica already sending the alarm by challenging Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.. Midfielder Oscar Bolanos with a right footed shot getting the assist by Bryan Ruiz, and there it is Buffon to save in the center!
Come on Italia!!!!! In the 6th minute, Costa Rica defender Oscar Duarte commits a foul on Italy midfielder Claudio Marchisio attempting to stop him by holding him…. oh well..
In the 7th minute, corner for Costa Rica conceded by Italy defender Andrea Barzagli…. yep… corner wasted….
In the 9th minute, corner for Italy conceded by Costa Rica defender Giancarlo Gonzalez.
Come on Italiaaaaa, the fans increasing their chants for Italy with the classic “Po, po, po, po.”
Uffa!!!!! In the 14th minute, there is Italy defender Ignazio Abate caught offside after getting the pass by midfielder Daniele De Rossi.!!! I am so nervous now… come on Italiaaaa
In the 15th minute, corner for Costa Rica conceded by Italy midfielder Claudio Marchisio, and Mamma miaaaaa hello, hello, hello, there it is goalkeeper Buffon punching the ball away clearing danger!!! Yes, that’s my Gigi!!!!!!
Another corner for Costa Rica in the .. OUCH!!!!!! Hello, in the 19th minute, Costa Rica defender Oscar Duarte with a kick and the ball hitting the face of defender Giorgio Chiellini bringing him down…. uff…. well, Chiellini is ok…
In the 22nd minute, Balotelli pressing and battling with Costa Rica defender Giancarlo Gonzalez,, Balotelli commits a foul now on Gonzalez…. chance gone now…. fans encouraging Italia…..
In the 25th minute, Balotelli is caught offside after the assist by midfielder Marchisio!
In the 27th minute, so close…. from a long distance midfielder Thiago Motta attempts a right footed shot missing the target to the left….. but good, let’s keep pressing.
In the 30th minute, Costa Rica Closeup Italy Head Coach Cesare Prandelli lifting his hands as asking, hello, what’s going on!
I am fainting!!!! Hello,,, in the 31st minute, Balotelli getting the assist by midfielder Andrea Pirlo and all alone making a run having even time to accommodate the ball and the final right footed shot missing the target while Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas anticipates trying to block Balotelli… Mamma mia, Balotelli cannot believe his luck and hold his face with both hands…..
Photo vivoazzurro.it
Woooo! In the 33rd minute, guys, a right footed shot missile by Balotelli and going straight to the arms of goalkeeper Navas in the center !! The assist is by Thiago Motta!!!
In the 35th minute a clash between Italy defender Daniele De Rossi and Costa Rica defender Junior Diaz both on the ground now…. game continuing …. no bad intention, accidental clash….
In the 37th minute, a long right footed shot by midfielder Bolanos getting the assist by defender Michael Umaña while goalkeeper Buffon goes to the left to clear the ball!!!
Costa Rica creating clear and present danger again in the 39th minute! The assist by midfielder Celso Borges to Bryan Ruiz challenging goalkeeper Buffon with a left footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
Protests going on in the 42nd minute for a contested foul……
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO In the 44th minute, Costa Rica opening the score with forward Bryan Ruiz defeating goalkeeper Buffon with a headed shot in the bottom right corner!!!! This is just incredible and I am about to collapse! Closeup showing coach Cesare Prandelli upset after the goal while the joy by Ruiz and Costa Rica fans is all over the place….
Photo vivoazzurro.it
Video, goal by Costa Rica forward Bryan Ruiz….
First half ending 55% ball possession Italy and 45% ball possession Costa Rica
Second half staring with a substitution. Italy forward Antonio Cassano replacing midfielder Thiago Motta in the 45th minute
In the 49th minute, Italy defender Ignazio Abate concedes a corner…. Bolanos serving the assist following the corner to defender Giancarlo Gonzalez missing his headed shot to the right….
Wow, In the 52nd minute, a right footed shot from a free kick by Andrea Pirlo and goes straight to Costa Rica goalkeeper punching the ball away with both hands.
In the 54th minute, goalkeeper Buffon saving midfielder Celso Borges right footed shot in the top left corner!
In the 56th minute Italy with a substitution, forward Lorenzo Insigne replacing Antonio Candreva
Time running by…. Italy must RUSH to score… goals are needed!!!
In the 59th minute, there is another danger created by Bryan Ruiz… luckily Joel Campbell is caught offside.
Prandelli two changes making a more attacking lineup with Balotelli-Cassano-Insigne…. let’s see how it goes…
Closeup showing Costa Rica fans increasing their chant…. Italy must wake up…..
In the 62nd minute, Cassano’s right foted shot is blocked!!!!!
Costa Rica making a substitution in the 67th minute, midfielder Jose Cubero replacing midfielder Yeltsin Tejeda.
First yellow for Italy is for forward Mario Balotelli after a foul on Costa Rica defender Junio Diaz.
Photo vivoazzurro.it
Italy with the last substitution in the 69th minute replacing midfielder Claudio Marchisio with forward Alessio Cerci
Twenty more minutes for Italy to react…..
Photo vivoazzurro.it
Costa Rica making a substitution in the 74th minute forward Marco Ureña replacing Joel Campbell
Time running by and Italy still not scoring….. 10 more minutes to go….. this is just unacceptable. wake up Italyyy
Costa Rica replacing midfielder Bryan Ruiz in the 80th minute with forward Randall Brenes
Uffa.. what a luck!!! In the 82nd minute, the assist by Cerci to Lorenzo Insigne missing the target with his right footed shot going too high.
Italy still not finding the way to the goal….. 7 more minutes!!!!!
I am almost collapsing… wake up Italy… 5 more minutes and cannot believe Italy being down by a goal!!!!! not even scoring! hellooooo come on Italiaaaaaaa
In the 86th minute.. hello… Cerci offside after the assist by Cassano!
Say no more, this it… Referee whistling the end of the game.. what an upset!!!
Here is ITALY official starting lineup by Head Coach Cesare Prandelli:
It’s all party and positive attitude among the Italian National team and fans after winning the first game in the World Cup against England. The Italian team returning on Sunday 15 June around 13:30 from Manaus to prepare the second game against Costa Rica on Friday 20 June in Recife. Reportedly, goalkeeper Gigi Buffon still not sure whether he will be ready to play as he is recovering from ankle injury. England 1 – 2 Italy
Italy – Costa Rica will be a direct encounter for the leadership. Check Group D Standing.
Costa Rica, 1st position with 3 points and a positive goal difference of +2
Italy, 2nd position with 3 points and a positive goal difference of +1
England, 3rd position with 0 points and a negative goal difference of -1
uruguay, 4th position with 0 points and a negative goal difference of -2
Here is the video of the Italian team returning from Manaus. Keep supporting the Azzurri.
================== 2 Tickets options for the Next World Cup Group D Games
2014 World Cup: Match 24 – Buy Italy vs. Costa Rica tickets,
Friday 20 June 2014, Arena Pernambuco – Recife, Brazil Friday 6/20/2014, 1:00 PM
2014 World Cup: Match 39 – Buy Italy vs. Uruguay tickets
Tuesday 24 June 2014, Arena das Dunas – Natal Natal, Brazil Tuesday 6/24/2014, 1:00 PM
Buy Italy Tickets: Italy National Football Team Tickets: Friendly games, World Cup, UEFA Euro
Good morning my friends! Oh boy, am I happy or what!!! Sure, you bet I am super happy. Hey, hey, hey. It’s Italy’s debut in the World Cup against England! Here are the front pages from Italy main Sports newspapers La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Tutto Sport from Saturday 14 June 2014. Just love the headlines encouraging the Italian National team! Surely, I agree that this is it. No more testing, it’s time for the Azzurri to show their worth. It’s the hour for striker Mario Balotelli to regain Prandelli’s trust. I am preparing my Cappuccino to keep watching the news. Are you planning to watch the game England – Italy? Prepare your snacks and have your Italian flags to cheer for the Azzurri!!!
La Gazzetta dello Sport
Front Page, Prima Pagina
Saturday 14 June 2014
Italy without fear
Manaus, Amazonia Arena at 24
At midnight the debut against Hodgson’s England
We have not won in the World Cup since Berlin’s final
Prandelli: “Optimal sensations”
Timeout, it will be decided today
The protagonist
Mario must now regain the coach’s trust
The City
Manaus, humid and that pitch
The other of the round
Uruguay discover the ants and Costa Rica
What a revenge!
Spain overwhelmed by Netherlands
Xabi Alonso’s penalty and then unchained van Persie and Robben, Champions of the World punished: (5-1)
Arjen, 25 goals with the national team passing Van Basten
The case
Neymar already king
but the referees under fire
From Messi to Higuain
It’s Argentina goal
Strikers to fear scoring 112
Mexico starts well
Transfer market. Galliani had obtained the authorization to invest on the Argentinian
Milan on Iturbe, but there is Juventus
The Bianconeri pressing for Morata, but Wolfsburg offers 30.
Inter-Osvaldo: first on loan, then 11 millions
Serie B the playout
Salvation Varese
Novara: In two years from A to Lega Pro
Corriere dello Sport
Front Page, Prima Pagina
Saturday 14 June 2014
At midnight our World Cup go: There is England
Italia!!
Great challenge in Manaus with the threat of hot weather and pitch
All the expectations are for Mario
Prandelli: “We are ready to win”
Hodgson points at Rooney
There is Uruguay with Costa Rica at 21
Mancini, “No fear, it’s possible to defeat them”
Spain humiliated
Chile, yes
Netherlands crush the Champions: 5-1. Vidal plays, Sanchez goal: Australia ko
Barbara ordered: “Milan I want the Champions”
Pioli believes. “Trust Lazio we can fly”
Napoli, Pandev is the key for Gonalons
Tutto Sport
Front Page, Prima Pagina
Saturday 14 June 2014
At midnight in the hell of Manaus the awaited Italy World Cup debut against England
Prandelli: “We will fight for every ball”
Buffon: “They would do well to fear us”
Van Persie and Robben what jewels!
Casillas disaster
Netherlands show, Spain defeated
Ultimatum to Real Madrid Club
Moratta: “Juve or I break with Real”
The Bianconeri formalized the offer for Sanchez (20 millions) and press with Inter for Guarin and Ranocchia.
Toro: Molinaro!
Tests already done
“Great strike for Europa”
Market Toro 2
Granata blow “I want to go to play with Ventura”
Falcao closer to Milan
There is Monaco for Balotelli.
Inter, Real assault for Kovacic
Meeting with Mihajlovic
Ferrero show, “New anthem, Sampdoria with me worth Scudetto”
By Anna Italia
