Archive for March, 2009

Montenegro 0-2 Italy: Pirlo-Pazzini Give Azzurri Top of the Group (World Cup 2010 Qualifiers)

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Italy's Giampaolo Pazzini celebrates his goal against Montenegro during their 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Podgorica March 28, 2009. (REUTERS)

Three points in the bag, and thank you Bulgaria. Italy‘s week-end couldn’t have started better: a win against Montenegro (courtesy of Pirlo and Pazzini) and the Berbatov boys neutralizing Trapattoni in Dublin, Marcello Lippi must be rather satisfied & smiling at his boys’ performance: Saturday’s was match which, for lack of a mind-blowing performance, the Azzurri dominated from start to finish, and after which they are now topping group 8 of the World Cup qualifiers. A good omen to prepare for Bari’s fixture against Ireland.

And what can be said about Giampaolo Pazzini‘s first-ever match with the senior team? Any ball this kid touches these days turns into goals…

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Italy Call-Ups for Montenegro / Ireland (World Cup 2010 Qualifiers)

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifiers - Italy vs. Montenegro/Ireland

The Italian call-ups for their upcoming World Cup 2010 Qualifying matches vs. Montenegro (March 28) and Montenegro (April 4) have been revealed. Italy coach Marcello Lippi submitted the list of 23 players to FIFA earlier this week, a list which as usual contains notable absentees and a few surprises.

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Could Zlatan Ibrahimovic leave the Nerazzurri?

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

For those following mCalcio for the past month or longer, you know that my primary task here is to offer thoughts on Serie A weekly betting. This week I’ve decided to do an opinion piece, also because I tipped Roma to beat Juve this past week-end, and… well things didn’t go too well for me, as we know. :P  

I have been dismayed this week by the news that Inter president Massimo Moratti has admitted Zlatan Ibrahimovic could leave Inter at the end of the season, should he express a desire to leave and granted a club offers enough money.

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Serie A Matchday 29 – Week-End Review + GOALS of the Week (2008-09)

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

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Napoli 0-0 Milan: Donado-napoli Takes Its First Step, Rossoneri Shut Out (Serie A Matchday 29)

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Napoli's coach Roberto Donadoni (L) shouts orders at his team beside AC Milan's David Beckham during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Paolo stadium in Naples, March 22, 2009. (REUTERS)

In pure Neapolitan style, Azzurri supporters greeted the San Paolo appearance of their new manager with the following banner: “Donadoni, sbruoglia sta matassa“. That’s dialect for “Donadoni, clear this mess up”.

Well… mission accomplished? Not quite, but Napoli are on the right path, and the way in which Donadoni achieved this 0-0 draw shows some reassuring signs of improvement. If you’re not convinced, a clean sheet against a team which had scored in 29 consecutive matches (Milan‘s last goal-less fixture was in October against Cagliari) speaks fairly clearly; the Azzurri’s stellar pre-Winter performances are still very far away, but at least on the motivational side Donadoni’s done his job.

And to be perfectly honest, Napoli had indeed scored a valid goal (Marek Hamsik) which really shouldn’t have been called off.

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