Man, we were ready for one heck of a ride at the start of this one. The clash of the titans and a replay of the World Cup finals was in the making. Domenech and Donadoni were ready to play all their best players for a place in the quarters.
Both teams fielded their best squads with Henry vs Toni, Ribery vs De Rossi, Gallas vs Grosso and Buffon vs Coupe
t. The match was watched by nearly 100 million fans all over the world, including Asia even though the match was at an obscene hour at 0015 IST (Indian Standard Time).
Italy started attacking from the word go as they battered past the French defence at once only for Toni to miss the left post. But France did not make any progress toward the Italian goal as they lost the ball again and again.
Then came the defining moment of the game. In the 8’, Ribery, chasing a sprinting Zambrotta received a knock on his ankles, and did not get up again as he was carried off on a stretcher and was substituted by talented youngster Samir Nasri. France were demoralised by the loss of their in- form playmaker, and did not fare any better as the ball was continuously possessed by Italy.
The pressure showed as Toni was fouled by Abidal in the penalty box after he received a beautiful pass and was one on one with the goal keeper. Abidal was shown the red card b
y the ref, and France conceded a penalty. Pirlo converted the penalty kick with a finish above Coupet.
Domenech immediately removed Nasri and brought in an experienced Boumsong for the defence. But that did not make any difference as Italy kept on passing through the defence like ghosts but squandered their chances.
At half time, Italy led 1
-0. But it wasn’t over. A freekick near the French box was taken by De Rossi and Coupet jumped the right way, but on its way to Coupet’s hands, the ball took a deflection off Henry's foot and it went the wrong way- into the net.
Italy, on the threshold of victory, missed a few more chances, but no more goals were to be scored as Italy won 2-0.
But it seems Italy do not know how to score in front of goal, rather they score through penalties and freekicks, which has been their saving grace this EURO 2008. This will cause them a lot of problems against in form Spain in the quarter finals as the Spanish have clinical finishers in Villa, Torres, Silva, Xavi and Fabregas.
ANYWAY, Go Spain !!!
Highlights compiled by blizzard!!
Pirlo, 25th minute, 0-1 + First Half Highlights
De Rossi, 62nd minute, 0-2 + Second Half Highlights
Both teams fielded their best squads with Henry vs Toni, Ribery vs De Rossi, Gallas vs Grosso and Buffon vs Coupe
t. The match was watched by nearly 100 million fans all over the world, including Asia even though the match was at an obscene hour at 0015 IST (Indian Standard Time).Italy started attacking from the word go as they battered past the French defence at once only for Toni to miss the left post. But France did not make any progress toward the Italian goal as they lost the ball again and again.
Then came the defining moment of the game. In the 8’, Ribery, chasing a sprinting Zambrotta received a knock on his ankles, and did not get up again as he was carried off on a stretcher and was substituted by talented youngster Samir Nasri. France were demoralised by the loss of their in- form playmaker, and did not fare any better as the ball was continuously possessed by Italy.
The pressure showed as Toni was fouled by Abidal in the penalty box after he received a beautiful pass and was one on one with the goal keeper. Abidal was shown the red card b
y the ref, and France conceded a penalty. Pirlo converted the penalty kick with a finish above Coupet.Domenech immediately removed Nasri and brought in an experienced Boumsong for the defence. But that did not make any difference as Italy kept on passing through the defence like ghosts but squandered their chances.
At half time, Italy led 1
-0. But it wasn’t over. A freekick near the French box was taken by De Rossi and Coupet jumped the right way, but on its way to Coupet’s hands, the ball took a deflection off Henry's foot and it went the wrong way- into the net.Italy, on the threshold of victory, missed a few more chances, but no more goals were to be scored as Italy won 2-0.
But it seems Italy do not know how to score in front of goal, rather they score through penalties and freekicks, which has been their saving grace this EURO 2008. This will cause them a lot of problems against in form Spain in the quarter finals as the Spanish have clinical finishers in Villa, Torres, Silva, Xavi and Fabregas.
ANYWAY, Go Spain !!!
Highlights compiled by blizzard!!
Pirlo, 25th minute, 0-1 + First Half Highlights
De Rossi, 62nd minute, 0-2 + Second Half Highlights
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