Italy vs South Africa, friendly.

Franco on for Rosina. Rosina's played a good match, all positives for the attacking midfield so far.

The formation and tactic changes to a wider system; Semioli adds to a central midfield of Palombo, Mauri and Nocerino in a trianlge wih Semioli will stretch the play like Lippi's Italy, Gila and Lucarelli hold the attack,

3 minutes to be added for extras.

Semioli on for Rosina.

Montolivo as well IMO , created few dangerous though ball.

2nd for Lucarelli.

3zycupid wrote:Montolivo as well IMO , created few dangerous though ball.

He's a very controlled player, measures the play and we're able to hold the tempo more because of his presence. With wider players like Semioli and Foggia who like to hit the lines as well as cutting inside i think we have to hold with an agressive player, Nocerino gives the side that, as well as his range of technical ability, Nocerino's footballing ability is very underrated.

2-0, cross by Semioli and another header by Lucarelli! Great match by him, all good options in attack now for Donadoni!

Final score 2-0

I'm very pleased with tonights match, we controlled the tempo without having to force the pace or over exert, good tactical variation from Donadoni and excellent that so many fringe and Azzurrini talents got a chance and they took it!

A healthy friendly, Foggia, Rosina, Montolivo, Lucarelli all impressed - not really a workout for the defence under any real pressure, apart from a McCarthy shot i can't recall Sud Africa having any real attempt.

Pirlo wrote:Final score 2-0

I'm very pleased with tonights match, we controlled the tempo without having to force the pace or over exert, good tactical variation from Donadoni and excellent that so many fringe and Azzurrini talents got a chance and they took it!

A healthy friendly, Foggia, Rosina, Montolivo, Lucarelli all impressed - not really a workout for the defence under any real pressure, apart from a McCarthy shot i can't recall Sud Africa having any real attempt.

Very comfortable win , Amelia rarely make a save.

Lucarelli

Glad to see you on, Pirlo.

I only watched the first half and i was impressed with how we kept the ball, but it has to be said that we were just knocking it in the middle and not attacking Italy's defence. But then again Benni McCarthy has always been a poacher who can't bring in other players into play hence we couldn't go forward as we would have liked.

I'll watch the second half later today, and if we still performed like we did in the first half then we won't be really worried about the defeat to Italy B. Like i said earlier, Carlos' first mission is to get the team to play confidently and be able to knock the ball around. He is achieving that so far, then we can move to second phase of getting goals. With Zuma coming back from injury then we should be able to score at least once a match.

Did anybody see the guy who was wearing number 19? He is Teko Modise and he's our version of Cesc. In the first half he didn't misplace any pass. What a future he has.