Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi was the star of the show as the Azzurrini beat the Holland under 21 side 2-1.
Rossi set one up and then scored one in an entertaining clash. Italy dominated the affair and created a number of chances and it was Fiorentina抯 Daniel Osvaldo who gave Casiraghi抯 men the lead.
The Villarreal star has scored 10 goals in La Liga this term and he found the net against a resilient Dutch side. On the hour mark the former Parma man unleashed a powerful drive from distance to double his side抯 lead.
Drenthe got Holland back into the tie, but it was not enough as the Azzurrini held on to beat the reigning under 21 European Champions. Donk was also sent off for the visitors.
Casiraghi抯 side will be playing the Beijing Olympics this summer so this game was an early test of what they are likely to expect in China.
The Azzurrini have an excellent side which includes Riccardo Montolivo, Domenico Criscito and Antonio Nocerino and they are likely to be favourites to win gold at the Olympics.
Roberto Donadoni last night announced his squad for this Wednesday抯 friendly with Portugal in Zurich. Carlo Garganese offers his take on The Don抯 selection
Italy 3-1 Portugal
The Azzurri were in authoritative mood in Zurich where goals from Luca Toni, Fabio Cannavaro and Fabio Quagliarella helped the world champions ease to victory against Portugal.
Early initiative
Having won nine of their last ten UEFA EURO 2008
Anglo/Italian Debate: “Ronaldo Best In World” - Is The English Media Na飗e?
The English press have made up their mind – Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world. Carlo Garganese asks if this proves just how naive the English media really is…
As a person who was born and educated in England, but has Italian parents and was largely brought up the ‘Italian way’, I am perhaps well placed to understand the difference between the English and Italian/continental way of thinking, not only in football, but in culture as a whole.
Lippi, Ferrara & Cannavaro To Return To Napoli - Report Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis wants to bring Marcello Lippi, Ciro Ferrara and Fabio Cannavaro back to the club in the summer, according to Tuttosport.
Following the romantic glory days of Diego Maradona in the 1980s, Napoli endured a fall from grace, yo-yoing between the top divisions, going bankrupt, and never looking like challenging for the top honours again.
However film-producer and current-president Aurelio De Laurentiis re-founded the club and signaled his ambitious intentions last summer with the signings of talented youngsters Marek Hamsik, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Walter Gargano.
De Laurentiis has vowed to bring back the glory days to San Paolo, and he wants to continue along this quest by acquiring the services of three legends in their own right, Lippi, Ferrara and Cannavaro.
Lippi, who coached the Partenopei in 1993/94, would return as boss, while former playing heroes Ferrara and Cannavaro would become sporting director and captain respectively.
The possibility of this all taking place is by no means out of the question, as Ferrara and Cannavaro in particular have never hidden their desire to return to their beloved hometown club.
Lippi may take more persuading given his prestige as one of the best coaches in the world, but if he is convinced that Napoli could compete for the Scudetto within a couple of years or so then anything is possible.
Donadoni Fears Tired Players Ahead Of Euro 2008 Italy national team boss Roberto Donadoni says that his biggest concern going into this summer's European Championships is having all of his players mentally and physically fit.
Donadoni took over as Azzurri boss from World Cup winning tactician Marcello Lippi, and he has admitted that it wasn't easy when expectancy levels were so high.
揑t抯 never easy when everybody has such great expectations,
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Post time 6-2-2008 12:16 PM
Post time 7-2-2008 10:06 AM
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