Int Football - City pair give Brazil win over Italy

Eurosport - Wed, 11 Feb 09:57:00 2009

Manchester City duo Elano and Robinho both struck first half goals to delight a packed Emirates Stadium and give Brazil a 2-0 win over Italy in an international friendly.

FOOTBALL 2009 International friendly Italy-Brazil Elano - 0

A star-studded cast took to the field in a clash of the two of most successful teams in international football, with the 2002 World Cup winners registering victory over the 2006 champions.

On paper, this game - friendly or not - always promises much and once again it did not disappoint, with the crowd treated to a fiercely competitive encounter filled with flair, two fine goals and no small amount of tough tackling.

As expected, Brazil started with an attacking line-up, with striker Adriano supported by the talents of Ronaldinho, Robinho and Elano.

And it was the latter pair who got their names on the scoresheet to give the South Americans a two-goal half-time lead after an entertaining opening 45 minutes.

Both strikes were of the highest quality, Elano setting the standard on 13 minutes following a sumptuous, flowing passing move that had the Italian back line wondering what had hit them - no mean feat given the Azzurri's defensive reputation.

Ronaldinho started off the series of crisp, first-time passes, Elano ultimately receiving the ball for a second time in as many seconds as he ran through on goal. A neat finish by the diminutive midfielder over the advancing Gianluigi Buffon was good enough to break the deadlock.

Fourteen minutes later Brazil doubled their lead with another magical passage of play, although this time the bar was raised by just one man - Robinho.

Following a quick counter attack, and helped by some indecision by Andrea Pirlo in the Italy defence, the City forward pulled a dazzling array of tricks right out of the top drawer to twist and turn past three defenders before firing a low shot across Buffon and into the far corner.

Elano also went close with a scorching shot that fizzed inches over the bar before the half-time whistle sounded and the sizeable Brazilian contingent at the Emirates retreated to the concourses in high spirits.

But it could easily have been a different story.

After just five minutes, Italy defender Fabio Grosso lost his marker and connected sweetly with a volley that arrowed into the back of the net, only to see the linesman's flag rule out the strike. Television replays later showed the Lyon full-back to have been at least level with the last Brazilian defender when the ball was played through.

It was to prove a crucial decision as Italy initially struggled to recover from going two goals behind.

The introduction of Giuseppe Rossi after the break gave the Azzurri a touch more bite going forward and the former Manchester United striker gave the South Americans a scare on 48 minutes with a sharp shot that hit the side netting.

Italy had a second goal disallowed, although half-time substitute Luca Toni's finish on 68 minutes was this time correctly chalked off for hand-ball.

Marcelo Lippi's side stepped up their game as the second half wore on and twice Toni went close to pulling one back, but Julio Cesar denied the Bayern Munich striker's headers on both occasions.

In between Toni's brace of efforts, Grosso brought a fine save from the Internazionale keeper with a curling 25-yard free-kick, but it was not enough for Italy to avoid a first defeat under Lippi since October 2004.

As for the Italian's opposite number, the result was just what Dunga needed amid speculation former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari could be in line for a return to the Brazil set-up.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

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  1. The linesman that gave the offside decision is named­ Sharpe isnt he one of them that gave all the bad­ decisions at the 2002 world cup did he not give? an­ offside against Inzagi no wonder the pratts still a­ linesman Italy lost beacause of this decision Italy­ leadind are adifferent side,also the selection of­ Legroatalie he is Juveas weak link now Italys bring­ back big Marco if he had played Robhino and Elano would­ have finished up in the crowd, Italy must find a number­ 10 to match Del Piero Totti and Zola they have one at­ Juve called Giovinco biut he is so small he looks like­ he should playing in the under 15s Di Natale should be­ paired with his mate at Udinese,there you go Lippy­ sorted for you.

    From lphs151, on Thu 12 Feb 5:59PM

  2. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
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    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    ALL MATCHES ON WEB: ­ PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, CHAMPIONSHIP, CARLING CUP, ­ LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - UEFA CUP­ AND MUCH MORE

    ALL THE HIGH-LIGHTS OF PREMIER LEAGUE­ MATCHES

    From , on Wed 11 Feb 5:24PM

  3. Excellent game really enjoyed watching Brazil doing­ "thier thing" & even though Italy's­ 1st goal was on side that hand ball was unbelievable he­ might as well of just caught the ball & then put on­ the floor & then gone for goal so Brazil would of­ won 2-1 instead Nice to see Elano playing in his­ natural position maybe Hughesy needs to look at this to­ get the best out of him at City as for Robinho what­ footwork! Looking forward to the England game tonight­ should be good fun Congrats to Beckham on his England­ place he's still a good player & he's­ dedicated & passionate about playing for his­ country What more could you ask for from an England­ player GOOD LUCK LADS!!!!! :)

    From swearer2008, on Wed 11 Feb 4:51PM

  4. I hope members of Nigeria`s Super-Eagles learnt a­ lesson or two from the Brazil - Italy encounter.Kumbe.

    From SoBarikor, on Wed 11 Feb 3:10PM

  5. CHRIS W...I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND !!

    From rc_alcock_the_scouse_bum_boy, on Wed 11 Feb 1:11PM

  6. CHRIS W.....DO YOU LIKE SAUSAGE ROLL'S ??????

    From rc_alcock_the_scouse_bum_boy, on Wed 11 Feb 1:10PM

  7. Can somebody PLEASE send a hit-man out to erolflinn????­ or i'll do it myself!.... he's a SAD SAD­ man...all he ever does is search other teams forums out­ and slags anything to do with Man City..... you friggin­ bitter RAG.

    From Chris W, on Wed 11 Feb 12:36PM

  8. risattigiovanni...... ANCH'IO!!

    From Chris W, on Wed 11 Feb 12:33PM

  9. Brasil o melhor time do mundo!! E não tem pra ninguem!

    From wagner, on Wed 11 Feb 12:29PM

  10. LITTLE ROBINHO...HE COULDN'T SCORE AGAINST WEST­ BROM OR MIDDLESBORO...

    From rc_alcock_the_scouse_bum_boy, on Wed 11 Feb 11:41AM

  11. Italy were robbed! Fantastic game though

    From shortstufffc, on Wed 11 Feb 11:33AM

  12. Viva Brazil !! - from a Malaysian Brazil supporter !

    From Aliaa, on Wed 11 Feb 11:05AM

  13. Falsetti Clodoaldo, the only place where a ball still­ are loved this place is called BRASIL, this is the­ difference when playing against us, so everything is­ happened naturally...and the drible in Zambrota is­ called "PEDALADA", it is over for me.

    From Clodoaldo, on Wed 11 Feb 10:17AM

  14. Reply to Half A Brain remember World Cup Final 1970 who­ won,what score and no
    pnalty shoot out get your facts­ right.
    Fr Big Dee

    From denniswhite787, on Wed 11 Feb 10:16AM

  15. Brazil is my favourite team. Well done Brazil. I­ respect Italy but viva Brazil. Can someone tell me­ where Ronaldo 9 is? He is my best footballer ever.­ Where is he?

    From brighton, on Wed 11 Feb 10:13AM

  16. Very good Brazil and very poor Italy yesterday.Brazil­ deserved the victory,Italy are going nowhere with this­ kind of football.Zambrotta made 25 crosses from­ everywhere only the first half.Comment 47: Who wants to­ watch Itali-Nigeria1994 mate.R ubish.

    From popovski01, on Wed 11 Feb 9:49AM

  17. Comment 47 - "Brazil will always crumble under­­ pressure."

    Which is why they are 5 times world­ champions and the most successful international team in­ history but don't let anything like facts get in­ the way of what you say.

    From Nige, on Wed 11 Feb 9:35AM

  18. if Grosso's goal wansnt ruled out,Italy would have­ dominated the game and you wouldnt have seen brazil­ with the fancy tricks...football nowadays is disgusting­ just why to play if u can't...referees can make a­ team win or lose....Forza Italia...

    From Jad, on Wed 11 Feb 9:29AM

  19. forza italia i migliori siamo noi...

    From risattigiovanni, on Wed 11 Feb 9:16AM

  20. The Azurri's are still number 1,in world football.­ Up Italia!!!!!!!!. Brazil will always crumble under­ pressure.

    From a Nigerian who supports Nigeria and­ Italy, after the greatest match in world cup history:­ USA 94, Nigeria vs Italy (second round match) go watch­ it now

    From Godwin, on Wed 11 Feb 9:16AM
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