Posts Tagged ‘Montenegro’

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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Italy 2-1 Montenegro: Aquilani Double Gives Marcello Lippi 30-Game Unbeaten Streak (World Cup 2010 Qualifiers)

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

Lippi isn’t the kind of guy concerned with critique or running after world records, and I’m sure most of us here would agree getting three points out of a match (such as Italy did today against Montenegro) is the most important thing. Yet, it must come as great satisfaction when someone tells you you’ve officially achieved 30 consecutive matches unbeaten at the Azzurri helm, which puts you right up there with a legend like Vittorio Pozzo (for those unfamiliar with pre-World War II history, he was the World Cup winning coach in 1934 and 1938).

As for today’s match, it was without question a Giallorossi’s affair. Starting with the shirt Montenegro was wearing (red & yellow), the home stadium (Lecce, which traditionally wears those colours), and above all Alberto Aquilani: the Roma midfielder had not played this well since the match vs. Real Madrid back in March, and highlighted his performance by two goals (including his first ever for the Azzurri). Sprinkle a little bit of Mirko Vucinic in between (yet another Roma player), and the picture is complete.

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Italy vs. Montenegro Preview (World Cup 2010 Qualifiers)

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

Perched at the top of Group 8 World Cup Qualifiers (7 points in 3 matches), Italy is looking towards Wednesday’s match vs. Montenegro as a good way to wrap up the year 2008. With no more WC qualifying matches till March, you can be certain Marcello Lippi’s boys will step onto Stadio Via del Mare (Lecce) eager to end the year on a win, especially after Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Bulgaria.

Can Vucinic & friends prevent them from doing so?

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