FOOTBALL Live

Wednesday April 1, 2009 Finished Stadio San Nicola

1 - 1

Italy

  • Iaquinta 10’

Republic of Ireland

  • Keane 89’

221 comments | Write your comment

  1. Ireland draw in Italy

    Ireland draw in Italy

    A late equaliser from Robbie Keane gave Republic of Ireland a 1-1 World Cup qualifying Group 8 draw against 10-man Italy in Bari. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Italy
    • Republic of Ireland
    • 90+5 Italy hold on! A really exciting match there and a good, battling comeback from the Irish against a resolute Italy side. A draw is a fair result given Italy's circumstance and Giovanni Trapattoni's unbeatent competitive run with the Irish continues!
    • 90+5 Ball through the middle and Keane is in with Cannavaro and Chiellini flying in too and it spins inches over!
    • 90+4 Noel Hunt with a foul on Zambrotta as he chases the ball down. He has a little grin at Zambrotta, who gives him a mouthful as he walks away.
    • 90+3 The corner is swung over and Italy don't deal with it AND IT BOUNCES AROUND LIKE A PINBALL BUT DEFLECTS OFF AN ITALY SHIRT OVER BUFFON AND OUT FOR A CORNER! Ita;y are clinging on!
    • 90+2 Ireland pounding the Italy box now, the hosts failed to clear AND STEPHEN HUNT WITH THE SHOT BUT DEFLECTED OVER! What a chance! Corner!
    • 90' Ireland are pressing for a winner here as three minutes of added time are signalled!
    • 89' Given launches it long and Folan rises in the box with a brilliant flick-on to the right AND KEANE LATCHES ON TO THE BALL AND HE DRILLS IT INTO THE BOTTOM RIGHT FOR 1-1!! KEANE SAVES IRELAND!!
    • 88' Cannavaro goes down in his own box, ambiguously enough for the ref to think it's his head so he stops play. Looks like cramp though.
    • 87' Bad tackle by Cannavaro on Kilbane, late but not dangerous so no card. Would have been a second too.
    • 85' Ireland counter, slipped through to Keane in the box, he plays it back to Kilbane who shoots but tipped over! Corner!
    • 84' Italy break, they have men over as Iaquinta races down the right, he has pace to burn and drills it low for Dossena sliding in but just nicked away from him!
    • 83' Whelan is taken down by Chiellini on the edge of the box, terrible challenge but play on! Keane is in and he drills it back but away for a throw. How that was not a free-kick I will never know, there was barely an advantage.
    • 81' De Rossi is now booked for sliding in on Hunt, he got the ball, again that was harsh. This ref is losing control of the game, dishing out cards for very little.
    • 80' Iaquinta booked for mouthing off.
    • 79' Good spell of pressure from this corner, head tennis in the Italy box but Folan is penalised for a foul on Chiellini and it's a free-kick to Italy.
    • 78' Again the corner is played low, to the edge of the box this time, and put behind for another one.
    • 77' Folan gets it on the edge of the box, he moves forward and has a pop, deflected and a corner.
    • 76' Almost a chance for Iaquinta as a free-kick is missed by Dunne but it spins away from him and is back with Given.
    • 75' McShane loses his head after getting booked, it seems Iaquinta was fouling him but he was penalised. Daft all round. Free-kick sent far post but no-one is there.
    • 74' Late from Dunne on Colombo. The City man is lucky not to get booked for that.
    • 73' Great low ball across the box by Kilbane but hacked away by Cannavaro! Keeping it low is probably advisable for Ireland given the size differential.
    • 71' Whatever the Italian for "all day is", Buffon probably just said it as he plucked another cross out of the air.
    • 70' Easy for Buffon though, who releases it quickly to Dossena but his pass inside is intercepted, McShane comes forward and looks wide right to Gibson but he hasn't got the pace for that ball and it's out for a goal kick.
    • 69' Gibson wins a corner on the left and goes over to take it, urging the fans on in the process.
    • 68' Free-kick to Ireland on the right, short to Hunt who clips it in but headed behind by Iaquinta for a corner. Shocking corner sent to the far post with no-one close, and Folan has committed a foul.
    • 67' Hunt trots down the right and wins a free-kick off Grosso who is booked rather harshly.
    • 65' Ireland have the ball back and start pressurising the hosts again but it's high and they'll win those all day.
    • 64' Good run forward from Dossena but, on the edge of the box, his shot is blocked and Ireland clear.
    • 63' Gibson with a full-blooded challenge on Dossena but no foul, looked two-footed to me.
    • 62' Noel Hunt on for Doyle.
    • 61' Ireland are no camped in the Italy half. The pressure is telling and the legs are tiring but Iraly still have the lead.
    • 59' Doyle now gets in down the right but his low cross strikes the leg of Cannavaro and spins into the arms of Buffon.
    • 57' Ireland have the ball in the Italy box, Doyle holds it up and knocks it wide for Hunt who touches it past Buffon but it's going out and Buffon flies across to take Hunt out, he wants a penalty but the ball was dead anyway so nothing given. Risky from Buffon though.
    • 56' ITALY SUB: De Rossi on for Pepe.
    • 55' IRELAND SUB: Darron Gibson is on for Andrews.
    • 54' Inexplicably it's taken short to Andrews, whose first touch is shaky and allows the defenders to come out and force a panic cross that is cleared.
    • 53' Free-kick to Ireland on the right which Hunt will take...
    • 52' Ireland are back defending now after a short corner is swung over by Pepe and Given and Kibane have to combine to clear.
    • 51' Keane charges forward with Kilbane outside him, Keane plays it ahead of Kilbane but he is not quick enough to get there ahead of Zambrotta, who slides across to put it out for e throw.
    • 50' De Rossi, who is a cheating little so and so, goes down clutching his face after a shoulder-charge from Hunt that clipped his shoulder. The referee does not buy it but does give a free-kick for the barge.
    • 48' Low ball across the Ireland box that O'Shea calmly puts out for a throw.
    • 46' ITALY SUB: Palombo has come on for Pirlo at the break, interesting as Pirlo was playing well and creating chances.
    • 46' Second half underway!
    • - Ireland have had a whopping 68 per cent of possession but have only had one shot on target, which was well saved by Buffon.
    • 45+2 Half-time and 1-0 to Italy, who are down to 10 men.
    • 44' Kilbane raises a smile after he tries to claim a corner after the ball clearly hit him.
    • 42' Ireland attack again but Kilbane is said to have fouled Pepe on the left.
    • 41' Ireland counter and Hunt has the ball on the edge of the box, he takes a touch and half-volleys towards goal and it dips at the last for Buffon to tip it over! Corner Ireland! Great effort by Hunt.
    • 39' Grosso has a shot that is saved by Given but the flag was already up as he was well offside when Pirlo passed.
    • 37' The home crowd get excited when a ball over the top plays Grosso in but Given rushes out to claim.
    • 36' Doyle chases it down the left but shepherded out by Chiellini. Italy seem to have the measure of Ireland here.
    • 34' High ball into the Italy box but Buffon rises well to catch it.
    • 33' Italy come forward as Pirlo plays it to Grosso who is surely offside but the flag is down and he lofts a great ball in for Iaquinta which Given tips away but it drops to PEPE AT THE FAR POST but side netting! The angle was very tight but Ireland again escape.
    • 32' The ref blows for what appears to be no reason as Keane set Andrews up for a shot. Doyle was penalised for heading the ball.
    • 30' Good run by Folan down the right, he beats Pepe but a poor touch lets him down and Grosso clears. Eventually Ireland win a corner after McShane pressurises Pepe.
    • 29' An Ireland attack is stopped in its tracks after Doyle was adjudged to have pushed Zambrotta before challenging for a high ball with Cannavaro.
    • 27' Good defending from Cannavaro again with Doyle about to sneak in.
    • 25' Keane on the left, he cuts inside and has a crack but well over with Buffon covering easily.
    • 24' Corner for Ireland but Iaquinta is back defending Hunt's delivery and the second ball in is acrobatically cleared by Cannavaro.
    • 22' Pepe gets in down the right after good play from De Rossi, he lofts a testing cross for Iaquinta but Dunne gets it away.
    • 21' IRELAND SUB: Folan comes on for Keogh.
    • 18' O'Shea's cut is still dribbling somewhat, lending credence to the sending off, but I still think it was harsh as there was no intent.
    • 16' Hunt on the ball, he races down the left and gets in the box and a heavy challenge from Chiellini but no penalty! That looked like a push but play on says the ref!
    • 14' Keogh is again crowded out by Italy defenders. Going one down is not really what you would expect with Ireland's man advantage, ideal for Italy as it allows them to sit back, protect the lead and save their legs.
    • 12' Keogh chases it down the right but Grosso gets across to clear.
    • 10' Good ball clipped over the top by Pirlo, Grosso gets in down the left, Ireland are standing off Italy here, he hits the byline and drills it low to the edge of the six-yard box and IAQUINTA IS THERE TO FLICK IT PAST GIVEN FOR 1-0!! Terrible defending from Ireland, they were just carved apart there, with McShane particularly culpable in failing to challenge Grosso.
    • 8' Given slips after attempting a clearance but Ireland manage to get the loose ball clear. This is a great opportunity for them now, Italy are imperious at the back but a man down they will tire.
    • 7' Ireland sense blood, if you like, and are using Italy's momentary disorganisation to pound them down the flanks, first with Hunt and then with Keogh, the Wolves man drawing the wrath of the home fans with a few tricks to annoy Grosso.
    • 6' O'Shea is led off for treatment but I think that red was very very harsh. Contact was made but the ref has done the Italians there. Cannavaro was booked for protesting.
    • 4' Pazzini is sent off! Disaster for Italy! It was a nothing challenge with O'Shea, who went down clutching his head. O'Shea has a cut above his eye, it seems the ref felt Pazzini led with the elbow but that looked harsh. His arm was barely raised and there was no elbow.
    • 3 Poor tackle by Kilbane but the Italians waste the free kick.
    • 1' Match underway!
    • - IRELAND ANALYSIS: Andy Keogh is on the right for the Irish with big bad Keith Andrews in the middle of the park. There is, as expected, no Aiden McGeady.
    • - ITALY ANALYSIS: Vincenzo Iaquinta has a partner today in Giampaolo Pazzini, with Pepe accompanying them in a triple-pronged attack; Quag and Rossi are on a decent bench but of course no Antonio Cassano in front of his hometown fans.
    • - IRELAND TEAM: Given, McShane, Dunne, O'Shea, Kilbane, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, S, Hunt, Doyle, Keane; Subs: Kiely, Delaney, Kelly, Keogh, Folan, Gibson, N, Hunt
    • - ITALY TEAM: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso, Brighi, De Rossi, Pirlo, Pepe, Pazzini, Iaquinta; Subs: Amelia, Motta, Gamberini, Dossena, Palombo, Quagliarella, Rossi
    • - Pics of Ireland's clash with Italy will appear throughout the match here: Photo gallery

  • Team Stats

    Italy Stats Republic of Ireland
    34% Possession 65%
    2 Shots 12
    1 Shots on target 3
    1 Saves 0
    1 Corners 10
    21 Fouls 13
    4 Offsides 2
    3 Yellow cards 1
    1 Red cards 0
    17 Tackles 22
    191 Accurate passes 404
    48 Bad passes 45

  • Player Stats

    G =
    Goals
    S =
    Shots
    SoT =
    Shot on Target
    F =
    Fouls
    FW =
    Fouls Won
    O =
    Offsides
    A =
    Assists
    AP =
    Accurate Passes
    BP =
    Bad Passes
    T =
    Tackles
    • Italy
      G S SoT F FW O A AP BP T
      1 Gianluigi Buffon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 2 0
      3 Fabio Grosso 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 24 12 5
      2 Gianluca Zambrotta 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 11 1 0
      4 Giorgio Chiellini 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 12 2 3
      5 Fabio Cannavaro 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 10 1 1
      6 Daniele De Rossi 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 34 7 2
      8 Matteo Brighi 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 18 5 4
      10 Andrea Pirlo 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 22 10 1
      11 Vincenzo Iaquinta 1 1 1 2 5 3 0 17 5 0
      7 Simone Pepe 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 11 3 1
      9 Giampaolo Pazzini 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
      14 Alessandro Gamberini 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      12 Marco Amelia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      17 Giuseppe Rossi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      13 Marco Motta 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      15 Andrea Dossena 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 0 0
      16 Angelo Palombo 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 12 0 0
      18 Fabio Quagliarella 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
    • Republic of Ireland
      G S SoT F FW O A AP BP T
      1 Shay Given 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0
      2 Paul McShane 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 42 1 1
      4 John O'Shea 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 50 2 4
      5 Richard Dunne 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 51 2 1
      6 Glenn Whelan 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 62 8 5
      3 Kevin Kilbane 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 34 10 2
      11 Stephen Hunt 0 1 1 4 6 0 0 15 1 3
      8 Keith Andrews 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 39 7 3
      9 Kevin Doyle 0 3 0 3 1 1 0 11 4 0
      10 Robbie Keane 1 3 1 1 1 0 0 33 5 1
      7 Andrew Keogh 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 7 0 1
      16 Stephen Kelly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      15 Darron Gibson 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 22 2 0
      17 Liam Miller 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      12 Dean Kiely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      13 Kevin Foley 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
      18 Caleb Folan 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 16 1 0
      14 Noel Hunt 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 2 1

  • Summary

    • 90+5 Ball through the middle and Keane is in with Cannavaro and Chiellini flying in too and it spins inches over!
    • 90+3 The corner is swung over and Italy don't deal with it AND IT BOUNCES AROUND LIKE A PINBALL BUT DEFLECTS OFF AN ITALY SHIRT OVER BUFFON AND OUT FOR A CORNER! Ita;y are clinging on!
    • 90+2 Ireland pounding the Italy box now, the hosts failed to clear AND STEPHEN HUNT WITH THE SHOT BUT DEFLECTED OVER! What a chance! Corner!
    • 89' Given launches it long and Folan rises in the box with a brilliant flick-on to the right AND KEANE LATCHES ON TO THE BALL AND HE DRILLS IT INTO THE BOTTOM RIGHT FOR 1-1!! KEANE SAVES IRELAND!!
    • 85' Ireland counter, slipped through to Keane in the box, he plays it back to Kilbane who shoots but tipped over! Corner!
    • 84' Italy break, they have men over as Iaquinta races down the right, he has pace to burn and drills it low for Dossena sliding in but just nicked away from him!
    • 83' Whelan is taken down by Chiellini on the edge of the box, terrible challenge but play on! Keane is in and he drills it back but away for a throw. How that was not a free-kick I will never know, there was barely an advantage.
    • 57' Ireland have the ball in the Italy box, Doyle holds it up and knocks it wide for Hunt who touches it past Buffon but it's going out and Buffon flies across to take Hunt out, he wants a penalty but the ball was dead anyway so nothing given. Risky from Buffon though.
    • 41' Ireland counter and Hunt has the ball on the edge of the box, he takes a touch and half-volleys towards goal and it dips at the last for Buffon to tip it over! Corner Ireland! Great effort by Hunt.
    • 33' Italy come forward as Pirlo plays it to Grosso who is surely offside but the flag is down and he lofts a great ball in for Iaquinta which Given tips away but it drops to PEPE AT THE FAR POST but side netting! The angle was very tight but Ireland again escape.
    • 16' Hunt on the ball, he races down the left and gets in the box and a heavy challenge from Chiellini but no penalty! That looked like a push but play on says the ref!
    • 10' Good ball clipped over the top by Pirlo, Grosso gets in down the left, Ireland are standing off Italy here, he hits the byline and drills it low to the edge of the six-yard box and IAQUINTA IS THERE TO FLICK IT PAST GIVEN FOR 1-0!! Terrible defending from Ireland, they were just carved apart there, with McShane particularly culpable in failing to challenge Grosso.
    • 4' Pazzini is sent off! Disaster for Italy! It was a nothing challenge with O'Shea, who went down clutching his head. O'Shea has a cut above his eye, it seems the ref felt Pazzini led with the elbow but that looked harsh. His arm was barely raised and there was no elbow.

Live Team Line-Up

There is no formation available for this game

Comment 202 - 221 of 221

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  1. TRAPPOTONI TRAPPOTONI OLE OLE OLE!
    IF DUFF AND MCGEADY­ WERE FIT IRELAND WOULD HAVE WON!

    From Fionn, on Sun 19 Apr 1:01PM

  2. MAY I CORRECT THE COMMENTATOR NOEL HUNT CAME ON INSTEAD­ OF KELLY GET THE SUBSTITUTIONS­ RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Fionn, on Sun 19 Apr 12:56PM

  3. this was a good match overall even though that redcard­ wasnt justified, i think italy should of won this game­ at least 2-0 if it wasnt for that card, but the got 14­ points and lead in their group keep it coming azzuri!!

    From mystic, on Thu 2 Apr 4:06PM

  4. Cannot understand why Andrea wasn't playing in 2nd­ half-he's easily the best player in the team (&­ the best midfielder in the world!) Italy weren't­ half as good without him. Pazzini's red card was­ totally unjustified - & azzurri still scored a few­ minutes later! (thanks to Andrea's lovely little­ chip again!). From the 4th minute thereafter it­ wasn't a fair match with Italy down to 10 men.­ Ireland were pretty poor(especially in the 1st­ half)& lucky to get the draw.
    Forza azzurri!

    From annestephens57, on Thu 2 Apr 1:31PM

  5. Mr Yahoo can you not get the substitutions correct Noel­ Hunt came on not A Kelly who ever he is

    From hylmike, on Thu 2 Apr 12:59PM

  6. Kenggolan la tireyensa neu tetuko !!!

    From banggarg, on Thu 2 Apr 6:41AM

  7. Comparing Ireland and Italy as footballing nations is­ like comparing a good chianti and a bottle of buckfast.­ Anyway well done Ireland, but I dont think the Italians­ will be too worried about it.

    From Jamie, on Thu 2 Apr 1:17AM

  8. well done ireland. you did well

    From NICK, on Thu 2 Apr 12:33AM

  9. the next match is the most important one we have left­ we need a positive result to end bulgaria s hope of­ even gettin second place..great to get a draw 2nite,,bu­ cud of and shud of won against ten men...trap needs to­ bring back andy reid why is he bn over looked and­ players ;like mac shane playin(he is useless) s.ireland­ is needed in midfield aswell...stephen hunt is brill­ deserves to keep his place..come on ireland

    From doylers, on Wed 1 Apr 11:42PM

  10. 34.2% Possession 65.8%
    2 Shots 12
    1 Shots on­ target 3
    1 Saves 0
    1 Corners 10
    21 Fouls 13
    4 Offsides ­ 2
    3 Yellow cards 1
    1 Red­ cards 0
    17 Tackles 22
    191 Accurate passes 404
    48 Bad­ passes 45

    From spuddy_d24, on Wed 1 Apr 11:36PM

  11. michaelobrien96 - You have been living in the same­ place too long, go to Europe and Italy and educate your­ self. It's not just about football nor is the­ world, if people like to hate Italy out of ignorance­ then its just that, then you really must hate the rest­ of the people of world and what does that say about you­ why so serious?

    From tom, on Wed 1 Apr 11:10PM

  12. And what have the Irish produced michael? Isn't it­ past your bedtime anyway?
    Saying the Irish are a better­ footballing nation than Italy is the definition of­ arrogance, so quit being stupid.
    How do they not have­ anything to show for it? Go check the track record­ dimwit.
    Stating facts and results can never be­ described as arrogant, but boasting about things you­ don't have as you've been doing... so criticism­ is a form of autobiography yea?
    Don't you have­ anything better to do than put down footballing nations­ that literally dwarf you?

    From i am a teacup, on Wed 1 Apr 11:09PM

  13. Oh really EGG?
    That's what was said in 2006, and­ also 2008....
    Have you not realised that Italians have­ always known how to get a result against any team in­ the world and at any stage in a competition?
    I'd­ like to come back here in 14 months and laugh at your­ shortsighted comment. Italy will be at LEAST, in the­ quarterfinals... Ireland will be at MOST in the group­ stages. This is obvious.
    Haven't some of you­ learnt to never rule out the Italians?
    They have always­ maintained a top 10 status since the ranking was­ established, as have Brazil, Argentina and Germany...­ the 4 greatest footballing nations on this planet.

    From i am a teacup, on Wed 1 Apr 11:04PM

  14. Italian managers can still make a good exciting team­ this year but their Italian stubborness of leaving good­ talanted players out pays the price. How many times­ have they left out the Baggio's the Zola's the­ Del Piero's the Casson's and now even Inzaghi­ when you needed them and more players which seem to­ elude their comprehension which should be included?

    From tom, on Wed 1 Apr 11:03PM

  15. someone good! besides from scum like him

    From Micky, on Wed 1 Apr 10:57PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    What the F*ck are italians good for besides pizza,­ being fat, and being in good mafia film, oh yeah, not­ much... sure ye won the world cup but come-on the naion­ are an arrogent bunch of wasters, who think that god­ himself made italians and only them.... honestly, if ye­ were arogent and had something to show for it, id say­ something, but if soccer is all you stains have to­ shout about, i mean i enjoy a bit of footie but its a­ sport, an entertainment, thats all... honestly who have­ ye produced in history that has revolutionised the­ world, besides mussolini

    From Micky, on Wed 1 Apr 10:56PM

  17. A poit of note to Giuki, you noted that this result was­ down to an Italian, was it? was it really? Ive watched­ trappatoni's teams for 20 years now and each time i­ should point out that he does play the game in a­ nagative way, it may not be pretty but it gets­ results...you dont concede you dont loose. Its my own­ personal belief that it was Brady that orchestrated­ this performance tonight, and the way the game was­ played indicated that, nearly a whole game of attacking­ play by the irish, not exactly a ploy that you'll­ find in Il Traps playbook. Secondly i would like to­ point out this, that is quite possibly one of the­ weakest Irish squads ive ever seen and as Dunphy says­ probably the weakest in the last 25 years, and as for­ Italy, even the dog on the street will tell you, that­ this particular Italian side is nowhere near the same­ level as some of the great Italian sides in the past,­ moral of the story is, should either or both of these­ sides reach the world cup, dont expect an extended­ stay!

    From EGG, on Wed 1 Apr 10:53PM

  18. because they have such interests in tradional sports,­ like the irish,
    such as gaelic games, rugby etc, etc

    From Joe, on Wed 1 Apr 10:51PM

  19. Take a look at Eurosport player ratings and my shout­ for Whelan as MoM is well and truly justified: most­ successful passes and tackles made.

    Also, I dont mean­ this to be patronising, however, why do Irish­ supporters and commentators expect far to much from a­ pretty average group of players (compared to Italy,­ Spain and England) and just be happy with a great­ performance! Trappertoni is performing minor miracles­ and needs to be lauded. Apart from Given, Keane and­ Dunne, the Irish team is made up of PL squadies (eg­ O'Shea) and players who are more accustomed to life­ in the Championship (Whelan, Andrews, Keogh, Hunts et­ al). Tonight, against Italy; Ireland played out of­ their skin! Bartender.....

    From Timmy K, on Wed 1 Apr 10:51PM

  20. History of Bad luck like Liverpool beating Roma in Rome­ after 1-1 on penalties to win the European cup in 1984­ and again against the Italians of Milan after being 3-0­ down and went on to win on penalties. Italy's bad­ luck on penalties in 90'semi-final 94'final­ second round 98' penalties and Euro 2000'­ golden goal last minute of extra time France against­ Italy. Korea 2002 with with stupid reff, 2004 lost­ group stage on goal difference because of a 2-2 draw­ and Euro 2008 penalties against Spain. Now add that the­ Italians have little luck against Premiership sides or­ incompatability that suits Premiership sides and then­ add the fact Italians are still top of world football­ and will always be a force regardless of bad things­ turn out.

    From tom, on Wed 1 Apr 10:50PM
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