2010/2011 UEFA Champions League Final Preview and Prediction by Chris Behrens

by Chris Behrens for World Football Commentaries


Barcelona v Manchester United by geuzehead



Editor's Note

Chris successfully predicted all 16 teams in the group round phase and five out of eight in the round of 16. Then, three out of four in the quarterfinal round and now, the final winner.

Total: 25/29 = 86%

• 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Predictions by Chris Behrens

• Revised 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League Predictions by Chris Behrens

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The kings of Europe will be crowned at the end of the month and presented to us is a mouth-watering rematch of the 2008-2009 Champions League Final. Barcelona have already deflected that Manchester United will be the favorites going into the match, which couldn’t be farther from the truth, while Fergie and the gang go into the match vowing for redemption and lessons learned from their last encounter 2 years ago. Let’s dive right into three keys to the game for both sides.

Barcelona’s Keys to Victory

1) Have Purposeful Possession and Capitalize:

This has rarely proved to be a problem for the Catalan giants. While it’s likely that Guardiola’s men will win the possession battle easily (I’d say they get 65% of the ball), the team can be vulnerable if they become content with holding the ball and carving out the perfect chance. In the whopping 4 losses the Bluagrana have had this year, the team has had the ball for seemingly decades but failed to punish the opposition. A bit of the blame must go to David Villa, who has hit the post more times than any player I’ve ever seen. It’s time for Villa to be clinical and what better stage to net a winner than at Wembley?

2) Andres Iniesta must play well:

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Andres Iniesta.

Typically not a problem for the midfield maestro when wearing a Barcelona jersey, the Spanish international has formed arguably the best partnership along with Xavi and Sergio Busquets (or Javier Mascherano) in the world. Xavi will surely zip the ball around for 95% pass completion rate, so I’ll pin the key on Iniesta’s absurd dribbling ability. If he can dink the midfielders in the center of the pitch, his final through ball is typically lethal and of pinpoint accuracy. Iniesta’s highly creative play has a chance to make him the hero twice (World Cup 2010 Final) in just over a year.

3) The Center Back next to Pique must mark well:

Whether it be a questionably fit Carles Puyol or a makeshift defender in Javier Mascherano, one of the two will have their hands full in shadowing the United front line. Wayne Rooney will surely get a start and Mexican sensation Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez will likely get the nod too. Both players work incredibly hard and have instinctive movements on par with some of the best attackers in the world. Chicharito will be particularly dangerous as he somehow always finds a way to be on the end of a final ball or just happen to be in the right spot. Margin for error will be low in the heated affair and if Mascherano is assigned the task of marking on the "Little Pea," his reckless tackling and questionable defensive tactics may be the demise or success story of the match.

Manchester United’s 3 Keys to Victory

1) Use Speed on the Wing Liberally:

Lionel Messi once said one of the most terrifying players he’s ever had to match up against was Theo Walcott. Many will be tempted to assume Ji Sung Park to possibly get a nod on the wing, and while his work-rate is attractive, his speed is not. Andrei Arshavin and Walcott proved that movement in tight spaces along with sheer speed can work against Barcelona, one of the few things that can. I’d love to see Nani partner with Ryan Giggs on the wings, despite Antonio Valencia’s outstanding form as of late. Giggs has experience against Barcelona from the European final 2 years ago and should produce a solid performance while Nani’s electric movement and ability to draw fouls with theatrics should produce at least a chance or two for the Red Devils.

2) Counterattack with Ruthlessness:

Reuters Pictures

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez.

Another way Barcelona have been broken down is for a side’s ability to quickly move the ball down the pitch once the Spanish side finally lose the ball. Arsenal frontman and overall disappointment of a player, Nicklas Bendnter, nearly punished Barcelona on the one chance he was given after a quick counter (of course he flubbed it). Chicharito’s clever off-the-ball movement will give the Spanish defensive unit headaches but where he may really give headaches is on the counter. His ability to play off the last defender is fantastic so he’ll just need a final delivery. Giggs, Rooney, and either Darren Fletcher (if fit) or Michael Carrick are all capable of a great final ball to see the prolific striker in for a chance.

3) Wayne Rooney must be tireless:

Rooney has been a tale of two stories this season, with his latest chapter finding him success as a deep-lying striker-playmaker adaption. In addition, however, his work-rate has been increased from last season, as his pure striker mentality has vanished and he’s transformed from bowling ball clinical finisher to creative master and true teammate. What 12 months time can do. Barcelona have shown the rare times they’ve been flustered is with tireless pressure on the ball and physical presence unearthing the ball from their incredible feet. Pep’s men will surely have a lot of the soccer ball; that much is practically a given. Carrick will surely win some balls on an occasion or two but Rooney better be ready to run if he wants to see the ball. If he’s not exhausted at the end of the match, don’t expect a favorable result from United.

Final Prediction

Barcelona to win 2-1 over Manchester United. (Correct on team: 3 x 1)

Chris' final tally: 25/29 = 86%

About the Author

Chris Behrens, Champions League Correspondent and soccer seer at soccerpro.com.

Chris gets his all of his licensed soccer equipment at soccerpro.com.

Please check out SoccerProse: A soccer blog for soccer players, fans, parents and coaches.

Do you agree or disagree with Chris? Please let us know your own prediction in the comments section.

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The EuroChampsChallenge Tour of 21 Football Clubs by Robin Blacklock

by Robin Blacklock for World Football Commentaries


Robin and Angus at the Celtic Football Club in Glasgow.

The EuroChampsChallenge is a unique charity challenge set to achieve something nobody has ever done before. Covering 7,000 miles visiting 21 football clubs through 16 countries in only 14 days and in aid of 2 extremely deserving charities by 1 very driven team.

Inspired by a remarkable seven-year-old boy, the team aim to raise £100,000.

You can make a difference: www.eurochampschallenge.com

We have devised The EuroChampsChallenge, a challenge to visit every ground of every team that has ever won the Champions League - and its predecessor, The European Cup. We will start at Celtic Park in Glasgow at 9 am on Sunday 15^th May 2011 and in the following 14 days will travel 7,000 miles visiting 21 clubs from 20 cities travelling through 16 different European countries. The biggest part of the challenge is to try and meet a winner from each team – a Medallion Man – at every ground. If all works out we will finish at Wembley on the 28th May only hours ahead of the 2011 Champions League Final. With 21 autographs.

It has been some time since I last tried to raise money for charity - November 2000 whilst working at CBRE. Brian Skinner persuaded me to shave my head in aid of Children in Need. I did. While the funds raised were fantastic, the resultant image that I saw in the mirror shortly after left me so self-conscious and embarrassed that I vowed never to do anything as dramatic again.

Ten years on, and about to embark on the biggest challenge of my life, I remember well trying find an appropriate hat to hide my head before I left the house in the morning. I remember being very conscious of people looking. I remember feeling the need to justify my appearance to almost everyone I met.

Why is this relevant?

My 6 year-old son, Angus, was born with only one ear – a condition called microtia. From birth he has looked ‘different’ He already has to deal with people staring and he has already had to answer questions about his appearance. The microtia has come with additional problems and as a result he has been a fairly frequent visitor to the Sick Kids in Edinburgh. He has had numerous appointments, examinations and operations. His foreseeable future will continue in the same vein.

But he doesn’t look for a hat before he leaves the house. Nor does he grow his hair to hide anything. Don’t feel sorry for him, there’s no need. I’m a firm believer that in life you are defined not by what happens to you, but how you react to it. And in this respect, Angus is an inspiration; he is bright, cheery, and resourceful. He’s faced all he has had to endure with courage and resilience. He’s inspired me to do something unique. He’s inspired me to do The EuroChampsChallenge.

The two charities we are raising funds for have been tremendously supportive. Changing Faces is a charity set up to help those with disfigurement – however acquired – to deal with all life may throw at them; the Sick Kids Friends Foundation in Edinburgh ensure that whatever the reason for a child visiting them, there is at least some element of fun or enjoyment. We are forever grateful to these two organisations, and recognise that we will need them more in the coming months and years. It’s my turn to give something back.

Please take some time to visit www.eurochampschallenge.com to learn a little more about our adventure.

So. The punchline. There are three things I ask of you:

1. Go to virginmoneygiving and donate a £quid. Or a couple of £quid. Donate what you think we deserve. If that’s too much then donate what you can afford.

2. If you think this is worthwhile, please pass on The EuroChampsChallenge to friends and family who might share an interest.

3. Help us spread the word around the world.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you feel that this is a worthwhile cause to support.

Oh, and spare a thought for Brian. His hair never grew back.

The Medallion Men

The confirmed Medallion Men include Jim Craig at Celtic, Alan Kennedy at Liverpool, Paddy Crerrand at Manchester United, Kenny Burns at Nottingham Forest, Wim Jansen at Feyenoord, Lars Ricken at Borussia Dortmund, Bernd Wehmeyer at Hamburg, Gerd Muller at Bayern Munich, Helmuth Duckadam at Steaua Bucharest, Robert Prosinecki at Red Star Belgrade, Franco Baresi at AC Milan and Luis Suarez at Inter Milan.

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Eric Abidal: Inspirational Man of the Year

Reuters Pictures

Eric Abidal of FC Barcelona.

We are told not to call athletes role models because they will only disappoint us. We are told that sports stars live in another world that few us can imagine let alone comprehend. We are told that grown men chasing a ball around a grass field should not be idolized. But then a man comes along to change those notions in the most compelling fashion: French international Eric Abidal of FC Barcelona.



To read more of my commentary, please visit Beyond The Pitch.


Image courtesy of
Beyond The Pitch.

Eric Abidal Raising the UEFA Champions League Trophy


TELIKOS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2011 O ABIDAL SHKWNEI... by koukos_81

Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, editor and translator from Washington, D.C. He is the founder of World Football Commentaries. He has written and translated for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Beyond The Pitch, Football Media, Italian Soccer Serie A, Keeper Skool and Soccerlens.

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Italian Soccer Terminology In The Mother Tongue

by Steve Amoia

Calcio is derived, to the best of my knowledge, from the medieval game of "calcio fiorentino." Or, Florentine kickball. Calcio (cahl-choh) does not literally mean "football or soccer." In Italian, "calciare" means "to kick." A soccer player is a called a "calciatore." When Italians translate the word into English, they use the common term of football. Calcio is a great part of Italian culture, and the word represents their unique identity in the world of international football. Another word close to the hearts and souls of Italians is "Azzurri." (Aht-zoor-ree.)

The Italian National Team is known affectionately by its supporters (tifosi) as the "Azzurri." Or the "Blues." The color of their shirts came from the House of Savoia (Savoy), who were the kings of Italy between 1861 and 1946. The team began playing in 1910, and their first game was a win against France, 6 to 2. After the Republic was formed, the team maintained the blue color, which is synonymous with Italian soccer around the world. All Italian National Teams, regardless of the particular sport, are known as either "Gli Azzurri" (men) or "Le Azzurre" (women.)

Here are some Italian soccer terms, along with some related topics, that will help you to better understand calcio italiano.

Guarda. (Gwarh-dah.) Ascolta. (Oz-colt-tah.) Impara. (Eem-pah-rah.) Watch. Listen. Learn. Witness the passion of calcio italiano.

Image courtesy of La Lega Calcio.

Please click the image for Serie A ticket information to watch your favorite teams in person.

Coaches

Allenatore: Head coach. Pronounced "Ah-lane-nah-touray." From the verb, "allenare," which means to train, strengthen, or invigorate.

Allenatore in secondo: Assistant coach. Pronounced "... Een say-cone-doh."

CT or Commissario Tecnico: This term is reserved for the head coach of the Italian National Team, who is currently Cesare Prandelli. It is pronounced "Chee-Tee." Or they may refer to him as "Il CT." The longer term is pronounced "Com-me-sair-ree-oh Take-nee-coh."

Il Mister: Is another term for the head coach. Yes, it is an English word but is pronounced "Eel Meester." This is out of respect for the early British coaches who taught the game on the Italian peninsula. AC Milan (not Milano) was founded by British enthusiasts and they named their club the "Athletic and Cricket Club of Milan." But you pronounce the name "Ah-Chee Mee-lahn."

Referees

Arbitro: (R-bee-troh). Sometimes, we see the term "direttore della gara," which means "director of the game." Pronounced "dee-ray-touray day-lah gahr-rah."

Guardalinea: The linesperson or what is now commonly referred to as the "referee's assistant." You would pronounce this word "Gwardah-lee-nayah."

Players

Ala(e): The wingers. Pronounced "Ah-lah or Ah-lay."

Attacante(i): The strikers. Pronounced "Ah-tah-kahn-tay(tee)."

Calciatore: Soccer player. Pronounced "Cahl-chah-touray." This word is very close to cacciatore, which means "hunter."

Capitano: The team captain who wears the armband. Pronounced "Kah-pee-tah-no." The captain of the present Azzurri team is Gigi Buffon of Juventus FC.

Capocannonieri: This is the leading goalscorer in the Serie A. Pronounced "Kah-poh-kahn-nohn-yehr-ree." For the 2010-2011 season, it was Antonio Di Natale of Udinese.

Centroavante: The classic center forward (#9) such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Pronounced "Chain-troh-ah-vahn-tay."

Centrocampista: Midfielder. The midfield is referred to as the "centrocampo." The word "campo" (kahm-poh) means the "field or pitch." "Pista" (pee-stah) means racetrack. Literally, the one who runs around the midfield.

Difensore: Defender. Pronounced "Dee-fane-soar-ray."

Fantasista: A cross between a classic #10 and a creative visionary. Roberto Baggio best exemplified this position.

Giocatore: Player. Pronounced "Joe-cah-touray." The word "giuoco" means "play." Pronounced "Jaw-oh-coh." Derived from the verb, giocare. (joe-cahr-ray.)

La Regista: The literal meaning is "movie director." Usually, the #10 player. The creative playmaker. Pronounced "Lah-Ray-gee-stah."

Lo Stopper: One or both of the two central defenders. Pronounced "Low Stow-per."

Portiere: Goalkeeper. Pronounced "Poor-tee-air-ray."

Terzino: Fullback. Pronounced "Tear-zee-noh."

Trequartista: This is a position that hangs behind the attackers, and acts as a bridge between them and the midfielders. Pronounced "Tray-kwarr-tee-stah."

Common Terms From The Game

Ammonito: Warning. Pronounced "Ah-moe-nee-toh." Usually heard when a player receives a yellow card. When he receives a red card, he is "Espulso." "Ace-pool-soh."

Autogol: Own goal. Pronounced "Owl-toe-goal."

Cartellino Giallo/Rosso: Yellow/red card. Pronounced "Car-tay-lee-no jahlow/row-soh."

Calcio d'angolo: Corner kick. Pronounced "Cahl-choh-dan-go-low."

Calcio di punizione: Free kick. Pronounced "Cahl-choh dee pooh-neez-zee-oh-nay."

Catenaccio: Literal meaning is "door bolt." This refers to a defensive system that focuses on very tight marking, with rapid counter attacks. Internazionale (Inter Milan) introduced this system in the 1960's. Pronounced "Kah-tay-nah-choh."

Falo di mano: Hand ball. "Falo = foul." Pronounced "Fowl-loh dee mah-noh."

Fischiare: To whistle. Also, I fischi. What supporters do when they don't like something on the pitch. Common to North American booing or jeering. Pronounced "Fee-ski-ah-ray and E Fee-ski."

Forza: Go! Usually followed by the name of your team. Such as, "Forza Juve or Forza Azzurri." Pronounced "Fort-zhah."

Fuorigioco: Offside. Pronounced "Fwour-ree-joe-coh."

Il Derby: A game between two teams from the same city or region. Pronounced "Eel Dair-bee." For example, AC Milan and Inter Milan. AS Roma and Lazio. Juventus and Torino. When Inter plays Juventus, it is called "Il Derby D'Italia."

Il Modulo: The module or system that a coach employs. In the Serie A, most teams use a variation of the 4-4-2 or a 4-3-2-1. Some play a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3, which is more attack-oriented. A few play with 5 midfielders. Pronounced "Eel Moe-duh-loh."

Il Pallone: The ball. Pronounced "Eel Pah-low-nay." Also can be called "La sfera." Pronounced "Lah sfair-rah." Or La Palla. "Lah Pahl-lah."

Il Palo: Either of the two poles of the goal. Pronounced "Eel Pah-low." When a shot hits the pole, it is called a "palo."

Il Tridente: This is when the coach uses three attackers, or a "trident." Pronounced "Eel Tree-dayn-tay." As in the 4-3-3 referenced in il modulo.

Lancio in profundita: A long pass played into open space. Pronounced "Lahn-choh een pro-fuun-dee-tah."

La Classifica: The table of current standings in the Serie A. Pronounced "Lah Clah-see-fee-cah."

La Curva: The curve. The areas directly behind each goal. These are places where the more fervent home and away supporters sit or stand during games in Italy. Commonly known as the "Curva Sud" and "Curva Nord." Pronounced "Coor-vah Sued and Coor-vah Noord."

La Panchina: The player's bench. Pronounced "Pahn-kee-nah." Sulla panchina = "On the bench." Pronounced "Sue-lah pahn-kee-nah."

La Partita: The game. Plural form is Le Partite. Pronounced "Lah Pahr-tee-tah or Leh Pahr-tee-tay."

La Porta: The goal mouth. Pronounced "Lah Poor-tah." Literally, the door.

La Salvezza: Avoiding relegation to the Serie B. Each year, a few teams at the bottom of the Classifica lose the privilege (and financial considerations) to play in the Serie A. Some of these games are very intense. Pronounced "Sahl-vayt-sah."

La Tribuna: The stands or terraces. Pronounced "Tree-boo-nah." La tribuna d'onore is the VIP section. Pronounced "Lah tree-boo-nah doh-nor-ray."

La Traversa: The crossbar of the goal. Pronounced "Lah Trah-vair-sah."

Le Palle Gol: Goal scoring opportunities. Pronounced "Pah-lay Goal."

La Spogliatoglio: The dressing or changing room. Pronounced "Spoy-lah-toy-leoh." Uomo di spogliatoglio is a player who is respected as a club house leader. Pronounced "Wah-moe dee…"

Pareggio: Tie game. Pronounced "Pah-ray-joe." In newspapers or web sites that list la classifica, ties are referred to as "nulle." Pronounced "New-lay." Games won are called Vinte. Pronounced "Veen-tay." Games lost are Perse. Pronounced "Pair-say." In Totocalcio, which is a popular game picking lottery in Italy, here is how you would make your choices: AC Milan v. Juventus: 1 for Milan to win, X "Ickx" for a tie, and 2 for a Juventus away win.

Rete: Goal. Also refers to the actual net. The plural form is "reti." Pronounced "Ray-tay or Ray-Tee." The word "Gol" is also used.

Rigore: Penalty kick. Pronounced "Ree-gore-ray." The player who takes the penalties for a team is usually called the Rigorista. Pronounced "Ree-gore-ree-stah."

Rimetta: Throw-in or goal kick. Pronounced "Ree-may-tah."

Tacco: Backheel pass. Pronounced "Tah-koh."

Tifosi: The fans or supporters. Derived from the word "typhus." Pronounced "Tee-foh-see." Tifosi of AC Milan are called "Milanisti." Pronounced "Mee-lahn-nee-stee." The team is also called "I Rossoneri." The Red and Blacks, which are their colors. Pronounced "E Roe-so-nay-ree."

Tiro: Shot on goal. Pronounced "Tee-roh." The plural form is "tiri." "Tee-reeh."

Tuffo: Dive. Pronounced "Too-foe."

Un uomo in meno: When a player is red carded, his team plays with 10 men. Or, "one less man." Pronounced "Ewn wah-moe Een may-noh."

Ultras: The hard-core supporters. Pronounced "Ewl-trahs."

Tanti auguri. (Tahn-tee aw-gore-ree) Best wishes.

Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, editor and translator from Washington, D.C. He is the founder of World Football Commentaries. He has written and translated for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Beyond The Pitch, Football Media, Italian Soccer Serie A, Keeper Skool and Soccerlens. You can follow Steve @worldfootballcm on Twitter.

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il Grande Torino: 62 Years Later, and a Nation Still Mourns

Image courtesy of ilgrandetornino.net.

Valentino Mazzola is the last man at the right on the
top row. Please click the image to visit the museum
dedicated to il Grande Torino.

The Crash at the Superga Cathedral

In 1949, an event brought the rivals clubs, along with the people of Torino, together in mourning. On 4 May 1949, at the Basilica di Superga, which was a hilly area outside of Torino, an airplane crash tragically killed the entire team, managers, crew, and journalists on board. Thirty-one people died, and there were no survivors. One Torino player who was injured, Sauro Toma, did not make the trip. One can only imagine his pain.

"I have kept this sorrowness always on the inside." USA Today, January 2006.

Mr. Toma is now 80 years old, but makes an annual pilgrimage to Superga to honor his former comrades. Torino had won three Scudetti (titles) in a row, and ten played for the National Team. They were known as Il Grande Torino, and unbeaten at home since 1943. The team was returning from a friendly game in Lisbon with Benfica. Actually, the match was a farewell benefit game for a Benfica player, Francisco Ferreira, who was a friend of Valentino Mazzola, the legendary captain of Torino.

The accident had a profound effect on Italian calcio for many years to come. At the time, Torino was the best club team in Europe. Arguably, they were the premier team in the world. With extreme courage and dignity, the reserve team (Primavera) played and won the final four games of the campionato to give Torino its fourth consecutive Scudetto. It was the fifth title during the reign of this extraordinary team. In a show of respect and unity, all of the opposing clubs (Genoa, Palermo, Sampdoria, and Fiorentina) fielded their respective reserve teams. Since that tragic accident, Torino has won the Serie A Scudetto only on one occasion in 1977.

Since Torino had so many Azzurri on the team, the difficult chore to identify the bodies fell upon Vittorio Pozzo. He was the legendary coach, or Mister, of the Azzurri, and the only man to win two World Cups, along with an Olympic Gold medal. He was also one of the founders of Torino. As fate would dictate, Mr. Pozzo was in London to watch the English FA Cup final, and returned to Torino the night of the tragic accident. Had he not been in London, he would have attended the game in Lisbon.

On the ground, somebody was trying to identify them, making mistakes. I was correcting him when a soldier came in front of me. He was a marshal in the Carabinieri (Italian Police) who knew me. You should identify the bodies. I remember the Juventus player, John Hansen, in a long dark raincoat, who embraced me. That evening they led me to the general cemetery. I won't report the particulars. One by one, I identified them all. It was my Torino, the team I gave so much help to build.

Source: Toroclub.it.

Two days later, 500,000 people attended the funeral procession in Torino. At the time, the population of the city was 600,000.

Valentino Mazzola and his Legacy

The popular and inspirational captain of the team, Valentino Mazzola, or as he was affectionately known, Capitan Valentino, had a son named Alessandro. Many years later, Sandro would become a famous player for Inter Milan, and also play for the National team. He is now a soccer commentator in Italy. In a further twist of fate, both father and son captained the Azzurri the exact number of times: five.

In my humble opinion, had this Torino team survived, Italy would have won their third World Cup the next year in Brazil. Despite this tragic loss, Italy did send a team to defend its title from 1938. (The competition was not held during WWII.) They would have retired the Jules Rimet Trophy. Something that Brazil would accomplish in 1970. Ironically, Brazil defeated Italy in the 1970 final, 4 to 1. Sandro Mazzola was on the pitch that day at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Historical Records of il Grande Torino

• Most consecutive Serie A titles: 5, which ties them with the Juventus team of the 1930s.
  
• Most consecutive years undefeated at home: 4. From 1945 to 1949.
  
• Most consecutive games undefeated at home: 93 games, 83 wins and 10 ties, from 1943 to 1949. (In 1944 and 1945, the Serie A was not played.)
• Most consecutive games undefeated in one year: 21 in 1947-1948.
  
• Most points in one season: 65 (This was before a win earned 3 points.)
  
• Most home wins in one season: 19 out of 20 games in 1947-1948.
  
• Most goals scored in one season: 125 during 1947-1948.
  
• Most home points earned in one season: 39/40 during 1947-1948. (Back then, wins were worth 2 points, and a tie was granted 1 point.)
  
• Best percentage of goals per game: 3.8 during 1947-1948.
  
• Least amount of away games lost: 3 during 1946-1947 and 1948-1949.

Statistics courtesy of Wikipedia.

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Daniele De Rossi: "The Error Caused Me to Grow Up."

Editor's Note

I published this post initially on 12 June 2009. De Rossi had another elbow incident against AS Bari that received a 3-match ban in the Serie A (his second such incident this season.) Azzurri boss, Cesare Prandelli, has an ethics code which De Rossi has already violated resulting in a two-match ban in March 2011. This new incident may place the very talented but equally volatile De Rossi in a difficult position with Mr. Prandelli.

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A few years ago in a group round tie against the USA, Daniele De Rossi, the fiery AS Roma midfielder, elbowed Brian McBride with a scene seen around the world. McBride's face was bloodied, and De Rossi was shown a straight red card. He was suspended for four games, but returned for the final against France to score a penalty kick in the shoot-out.



Yesterday, he recalled the incident in his usual candid style:

E pronto per la sfida agli Stati Uniti, un ricordo amaro per il centrocampista dopo l'espulsione a Germania 2006. «È la pagina più nera della mia carriera, me la porterò dietro anche quando smetto: anche perchè ogni volta che gli arbitri vengono a spiegarci le nuove regole, per Europei o Mondiali, sui dvd rispunta quell'episodio - ha rivelato il centrocampista - Ma l'errore mi è servito a crescere, ora accetto anche con più serenità le critiche che mi furono fatte al tempo».

He is ready for the challenge against the United States, a bitter memory for the midfielder after the expulsion at Germany 2006:

"It is the blackest page of my career, something I will carry with me also when I retire. Also because each time the referees come to explain the new regulations, for the Euro or World Cup, on the DVDs they replay that episode," revealed the midfielder.

"But the error caused me to grow up. Now I accept the criticisms that came my way at that time with more serenity."

Italian Source: Corriere dello Sport, 11 June 2009.

After the game in question, he went into the American dressing room to apologize to McBride. A great player who was no stranger to broken facial bones or other injuries.

If I recall properly at the time, McBride said, "It was pure class."

Last Test before the USA on Monday

In a friendly match today against the Tshwane XI at the Super Stadium, the Azzurri won, 6 x 0. There was a crowd of about 5,000 to witness the last Italian test before their Confederations Cup debut on Monday against the USA.

Mister Lippi fielded the following team:

Buffon
Zambrotta, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Grosso
Gattuso, De Rossi, Pirlo
Camoranesi, Toni, Iaquinta

Giorgio Chiellini was the only starter to play the entire 90 minutes, and had the following observation about the Americans.



"Gli Stati Uniti puntano tutto sul gioco fisico e non vanno sottovalutati".

"The United States bases everything on physical play and they can't be underestimated."

Italian Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 12 June 2009.

Cannavaro Out Against USA, Legrottaglie Doubtful

Niente Stati Uniti per Fabio Cannavaro. Il capitano dell'Italia salterà l'esordio in Confederations Cup contro gli Stati Uniti, lunedì sera a Pretoria (ore 20.30). Il leader azzurro soffre di un risentimento al polpaccio destro che in questi giorni gli ha impedito di allenarsi con il resto della squadra e di giocare nelle amichevoli. Non è escluso che possa saltare anche la seconda partita contro l'Egitto (a Johannesburg il 18 giugno, ore 20.30).

dubbio legrottaglie — Ma è allarme in difesa. Oltre a Cannavaro, potrebbe saltare la prima anche Nicola Legrottaglie che lamenta un affaticamento all’inguine. Per l'impiego del difensore della Juve saranno fondamentali i prosismi due giorni.

"No USA for Fabio Cannavaro. The Italian captain will miss the opener of the Confederations Cup against the USA, Monday night at 2030. The Azzurri leader suffers from a bruise to the right calf that lately has stopped him from training with the rest of the team or to play in the recent friendlies. It hasn't be decided if he will miss the second game against Egypt (from Johannesburg on 18 June at 2030.)

Legrottagle Doubtful. But the alarm is in defense. Besides Cannavaro, Nicola Legrottaglie could also miss the game due to hamstring injury. The next two days will be fundamental for the Juventus defender."

Italian Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 13 June 2009.

Rino Gattuso Hails the Local Reception

"È incredibile vedere questa gente così partecipe, con un entusiasmo che dimostra quanto sia positivo il loro approccio al calcio e alla vita, nonostante le difficoltà che incontrano ogni giorno. Mi auguro che sia un bel torneo, che serva a regalare altri sorrisi a questa popolazione che ci ha accolto con grande affetto".

"It is incredible to see how the fans participate like this, with an enthusiasm that demonstrates how positive their approach to soccer and life is, not withstanding the difficulites they face every day. I hope for them that it will be a great tournament that serves to bring smiles to these people who have received us with great affection."

Italian Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 12 June 2009.

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