Friday June 1, 2012 Friendlies Finished Letzigrund
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Russia knock three past Italy
Italy slumped to a third straight defeat as Russia scored three times in the second half to complete a 3-0 win in a friendly in Switzerland. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- Italy
- Russia
90' Whistle goes on the button. Referee has seen enough. As have Italy. A 3-0 win for Russia.- 89' Not going to be much time added here.
- 88' Work to be done then for Italy over the next week or so, but Balotelli has done well tonight.
87' Sweet strike by Balotelli from the edge of the box, but Akinfeev dives to tip the shot over the bar. A brilliant save by the Russian goalkeeper.
86' GOAL! Shirokov nods home from close range with De Sanctis and Maggio all over the place at the back. Italian defence a shambles at the back.- 85' Nocerino wallops the ball clear from Pavlyuchenko's cross.
- 84' So certainly been an interesting enough evening. Sure Croatia, Spain and Ireland won't mind facing the Italians in this condition.
83' Dzagoev departs to be replaced by Kokorin for the Russians.- 82' Balotelli chips the ball over the wall, but always heading wide of the target.
- 81' Arshavin tracking back to win the ball from Maggio. Dzagoev then takes down Marchisio 25 yards from goal.
- 80' Arshavin fouls Balotelli. He was booked earlier. Not sure if a referee would produce a red card in these matches unless it was a horror tackle.
- 79' Russia ranked 11th in the world with Italy down at 12th in the last FIFA rankings, but that could all change during the Euro 2012 finals.
- 78' Defeats to USA, Uruguay and Russia going into this tournament. Italy far from settled in terms of the winning habit.
- 77' This is Italy's final warm-up match before they meet world champions Spain. Will need to produce something a bit better than this next weekend.
- 76' Giovince goes for goal from distance, but lacks the same quality as Pirlo in seeing an effort clear the bar by some margin.
- 75' A real blunder there by Maggio when he should have walloped the ball up the park. Surely going to be a third straight defeat for Italy now.
- 74' GOAL! Shirokov slides the ball into the empty net after De Sanctis made a mess of a clearance. Awful goalkeeping. Russia lead 2-0.
73' Offside flag goes up against Nocerino. Was at least two yards offside there.- 72' Roman Pavlyuchenko has been booked for a late tackle on Barzagli.
- 71' Di Natale smashes a shot at goal from distance. Straight into the arms of Akinfeev.
- 70' Antonio Di Natale replaces Andrea Pirlo while Sebastian Giovinco replaces Antonio Cassano for Italy. All change for Italy. Or certainly feels like it.
69' Balotelli follows Arshavin into the book for felling Shirokov. His frustration boiling over as it tends to do from time to time. Russia continue to lead 1-0.- 68' Arshavin is shown the yellow card for a late foul on Barzagli. First foul of the night.
- 67' Dzagoev decides to try his luck from 25 yards out. Ball flies over the bar. Dzagoev netted four goals in the qualifying campaign.
- 66' Antonio Nocerino has been wheeled on for Riccardo Montolivo for the Italians.
- 65' Roman Pavlyuchenko replaces Alexander Kerzhakov for Russia. The changes suddenly coming thick and fast here.
- 64' De Sanctis forced to nudge the ball over the bar from Arshavin's deflected cross. Russia looking dangerous.
- 63' Another change coming for Italy with Antonio Nocerino replacing Riccardo Montolivo.
- 62' Italy trying to avoid a third straight defeat here tonight.
- 61' A change for Italy as Thiago Motta replaces Daniele De Rossi.
- 60' GOAL! Kerzhakov finally comes up with the good as he slams the ball beyond De Sanctis from Shirokov's pass. Fine finish. Russia have the lead.
- 59' Cassano blows another chance as he miskicks in front of goal from Balotelli's ball across goal. Surely the best chance of the night from two yards out.
- 58' Pirlo scored once in the qualifying campaign against the Faroe Islands.
- 57' Balotelli showing his skill to send Montolivo racing down a line before Pirlo winds up smacking a shot wide of goal. Real chance not taken.
- 56' Zyryanov pulls an effort wide. He has not brought his shooting boots with him so far.
- 55' Ths game continues to project a real sense of openness. Russia on the ball just inside the opposition half.
- 54' Zhirkov is brought down by Balotelli. Late tackle and the Russians win possession.
- 53' Another change for Italy with Angelo Ogbonna taking over from Federico Balzaretti.
- 52' Marchisio dashes onto De Rossi's ball, but the finish is weak as empties a shot into the arms of Akinfeev.
- 51' Balotelli picks out Cassano with a superb ball, but his team-mate lifts the volley over the bar. A fine effort. Another intelligent move.
- 50' Cassano is caught offside from Montolivo's through ball. Nice piece of play by Italy.
- 49' Alez Dzagoev is caught offside after a tidy spell of possession play by the Russians.
- 48' Russia also shuffle their pack with Igor Akinfeev replacing Vyacheslav Malafeev.
- 47' Change for Italy as Morgan De Sanctis replaces Gianluigi Buffon for the second period.
46' We are off and running in the second half in this match.- 45' There goes the whistle for the break. 0-0 at half-time.
- 44' Not sure there will be much time added to the first period.
- 43' Has been a fine match so far. Possession play almost level. Italy begin their Group C campaign against Spain next Sunday before they face matches with Croatia and Republic of Ireland.
- 42' Montolivo clips the ball wide of goal from Maggio's cross. Right idea, but difficult to finish from that range.
- 41' Cassano tries to slide the ball into the path of Balotelli, but Russia break up the attack.
- 40' Pirlo swings the free-kick over the wall. Looked like Malafeev got a touch to that in nudging the shot over the bar, but no corner awarded.
- 39' Maggio bundled to the deck by Zhirkov. Set-piece chance for Italy from 30 yards out.
- 38' Pirlo really showing glimpses of his class this evening. He is going to be a key figure as Italy look to progress at the Euro 2012 finals.
- 37' Cassano cuts the ball across goal for Balotelli to net, but unfortunately he was offside from Pirlo's probing pass.
- 36' Nababkin with the ball into the area, but headed clear by the Italian defence before Arshavin fouls Marchisio.
- 35' Pirlo picks out Marchisio on the run. Great little ball by the Juve man, but his team-mate is deemed to be just offside.
- 34' Arshavin deemed to be guilty of foul play on Barzagli in the Italian box.
- 33' Russia already with nine shots at goal compared to four from the Italians. Has been an enjoyable 0-0 with Russia enjoying the better moments.
- 32' Barzagli forced to concede the corner before Buffon is forced to stop a volley by Zhirkov. Italy man marking non existant at the back post.
- 31' Dzagoev going in after Kerzhakov smashes an effort well over the bar. Corner for the Russians.
- 30' Russia coach Dick Advocaat urging his side to sort themselves out. At least three good chances have been passed up now by Russia.
- 29' Shirokov slips the ball wide of goal from inside the Italian area. Another glorious chance spurned by the Russians. Lovely play on the build-up by Dzagoev.
- 28' Zyryanov lifts a shot over the bar from 15 yards out. What a chance that was! Should at least have hit the target there.
- 27' Russia's opening opponents at Euro 2012 suffered a 2-1 loss at home to Hungary earlier this evening. Read about it here... Czechs bounced out by Hungary
- 26' Offside flag goes up against Cassano. Some of the Italian play has been excellent so far tonight. Have really knocked the ball around with some menace.
- 25' Balotelli just fails to get on the end of De Rossi's pass. So close to an opening goal for Italy. Brilliant attacking move.
- 24' Zyryanov shows great composure in the box when sneaking around a couple of defenders but lays the ball off to Shirokov on the edge of the box and he can only turn his shot over the bar.
- 22' De Rossi finds space now for Italy but he can't quite get hold of his shot. More pressure from Italy though as they press for an opener.
- 20' Christian Maggio now attacks from right-back but he can't get on the end of a ball from De Rossi. Italy are attacking with real width though.
- 18' Balzaretti, looking to make an impression with Criscito out of the picture, bombs down the left wing but cannot find an Azzurri shirt with his cross into the box.
- 16' Italy have strung some nice moves together tonight but Russia are looking dangerous on the counter as well. It has been a very good contest, particularly for a friendly.
- 14' Balotelli gets a sight at goal some 25 yards out but his ambitious effort does not trouble Malafeev.
- 13' Nice work from Balotelli and Marchisio but they cannot set Cassano free in the box. It was a fluid move from the Italians though.
- 11' Balzaretti is forced to head behind for a corner at the back post but Zhirkov gets his delivery all wrong as his set piece flies high over the bar and behind. Poor from the former Chelsea man.
- 9' Arshavin plays a pass into Roman Shirokov and he flicks the ball first time over the defence to find Kerzhakov. He connects firmly on the volley and sends the ball thumping against the base of the post!
- 7' A gorgeous pass from Andrea Pirlo over the top releases Mario Balotelli and he takes a touch before seeing his rifled effort turned over the bar by Russia keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev.
- 5' Russia win a corner when Arshavin causes havoc down the left and the ball finds Alan Dzagoev 20 yards from goal. His shot moves in the air but Gianluigi Buffon is down quickly to save.
- 4' Antonio Cassano spreads the ball wide to Daniele de Rossi and the midfielder plays the ball back to the forward, who turns his shot wide of the post. A decent effort.
- 3' Leonardo Bonucci tries to play the ball forward to Riccardo Montolivo but the midfielder, playing in an advanced role, can't get the ball under control.
- 2' Alexander Kerzhakov collects a quick pass from Andrei Arshavin but is dispossessed on the edge of the Italy box.
1' KICK OFF!- 19.40 Italy are almost at full-strength, although Giorgio Chiellini, who is expected to play at left-back with Domenico Criscito dropping out of the squad due to the ongoing match-fixing investigation, is rested today so Federico Balzaretti starts.
- 19.35 TEAMS: Italy: Buffon, Bonucci. Barzagli, Balzaretti, Maggio, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Rossi, Montolivo, Cassano, Balotelli. Russia: Malafeev, Berezutski, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Nababkin, Zyryanov, Denisov, Arshavin, Dzagoev, Kerzhakov, Shirokov.
- 19.30 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the pre-Euro 2012 friendly between Italy and Russia. Italy have had a horrid build-up so far - with a friendly called off due to an earthquake and a match-fixing controversy hanging over the squad - but can they prepare for Euro 2012 with a win tonight?
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Summary
- No live comments for this game
Team Line-up & Ratings
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- G. Buffon
- F. Balzaretti
- L. Bonucci
- A. Barzagli
- C. Marchisio
- A. Pirlo
- C. Maggio
- D. De Rossi
- R. Montolivo
- A. Cassano
- M. Balotelli
Subs
- M. De Sanctis
45′ - A. Di Natale 69′
- T. Motta 63′
- G. Chiellini
- I. Abate
- A. Diamanti
- S. Sirigu
- A. Nocerino 63′
- S. Giovinco 69′
- A. Ogbonna 54′
- E. Giaccherini
- F. Borini
- G. Buffon
Starting line-up
- V. Malafeev
- K. Nababkin
- A. Berezutsky
- S. Ignashevich
- Y. Zhirkov
- K. Zyryanov
- R. Shirokov
×2 - I. Denisov
- A. Dzagoev
- A. Arshavin
- A. Kerzhakov
Subs
- I. Akinfeev 45′
- R. Sharonov
- A. Shunin
- D. Glushakov
- D. Kombarov 87′
- A. Kokorin 85′
- R. Pavlyuchenko 63′
- P. Pogrebnyak
- V. Malafeev
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Rate Players
Italy looks like a decent team, the only problem they have is they may keep conceiving goals if they receive one. No discipline like some time before. Russia looks less fantastic but they are DISCIPLINED at play, and that may as well see them to Semis and even beyond.
@ 16. Le frog From france still upset cause they get your girls? ;)
oh dear.
they changed gigi buffon at the half :D and is frandly dont take it serious....
No comment :D
I felt sorry for them.
unbeliveble
3 in defense !! a very weak defense , unstable and unreliable ,Italy can score any time but also can take a goal any time. prendelli continue with this style no chance, return 4-4-2 classical
Balotelli has been missing goals for Italy in the last few games, the difference with this game is that Italy was meant to prepar with Luxemburg as an easy game and then be ready for Russia, but again luck did not go Italy's way with that earthquake that cancelled the game. All the major teams played apart from Italy. Not sure how they will handle Spain now. But I guess the Rep Of Ireland will win and say how wonderful and historic it all was, good enjoy it when the team is down, it only happens once a decade to celebrate a game that will make all their inferiority seem alright.
Italy has officially their worst side of all time. Italian football is dying out and soon will be on par with Serie B. How the mighty have fallen. Shouldn't even turn up for Euro 2012, you'll get knocked out first round.
Russia could be the dark force. Playing almost dutch football. Italy has no chance, poor in every department. If russia doesn't meet Germany in the quarter, they could go to the final.
FORZA SHITALIA !! Mafioso,gypsies looklike,greasy and smelly hair
who was this rubbish number 2 for Italy?!!
3-0? After all these opportunities Italy?
lol at the guy who claimed it was an easy victory for Italy. However, at the Euros Chiellini and Bonucci should start at centre back. Suprised that perhaps Del peiro or Totti not been given a call up or is that because they have retired from international football? But I think Italy should try and bring through a few attacking wingers like the likes of Giovinco.
italy simply doesn't have the same class anymore.
Italy are simply too wasteful, they look good going forward, but their defence isn't good. Balotelli and Cassano should have scored!
italy should definetly win .
Balotelli need to go somewhere else and play. Yuck.
If Di Natale stays on the bench it is the most stupid thing ever.
