Balotelli misses a decent chance after great work from Pazzini and Aquilani. Pazzini has a tremendous leap on him.
Nocerino replaces Montolivo.
Balotelli’s final ball and decision making has been disappointing since being introduced.
Bonucci replaces Ranocchia.
Mata will replace Cazorla.
Alberto puts us 2-1 up. 
Balotelli denied a wonderful goal by Valdes.
2-1 final score.
Great result and performance and a few questions answered now. Criscito should have cemented the left back spot with a MOTM performance, bombed forward with great effect and defended bravely and intelligently, hit the crossbar early on and provided a wonderful assist for Montolivo. Ranocchia is the next great Italian defender in the making, a much better option to partner Chiellini than Bonucci is.
Montolivo was brilliant in midfield, some beautiful touches, intelligent movement and incisive passing. De Rossi, Pirlo and Motta has a nice balance to it in the middle with Montolivo playing the advanced position. The former trio were solid in midfield with doing too much, De Rossi got away with one moment of madness in the second half. Cassano and Rossi will be our front pairing from now on I suspect, they link up very well and show a good understanding, Rossi absolutely destroyed Pique in the first half tonight. Balotelli and Aquilani did very well when introduced, Aquilani grabbing the winner. Balotelli showed great strenght and technique but made the wrong choice or scuffed his final ball when he had the hard work done, but he did look menacing.
A very good performance and our starting XI looks really strong, hopefully Prandelli will bring Abate into the squad soon.
just back in my hotel room,very hot here,cracking win, spain are shit
forza italia
Great win for yourself and Totti’s boys.
Well done lads.
grazie bandage
Squad for the forthcoming internationals.
[size=“2”][color="#828282"]Goalkeepers: [/size][font=“Arial”][size=“2”]Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli) Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain)[/size][/font]
[font=“Arial”][size=“2”][color="#828282"]Defenders: [/size][/font][font=“Arial”][size=“2”]Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Palermo), Bonucci (Juventus) Cassani (Fiorentina), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Zenit), Maggio (Napoli), Ranocchia (Inter)[/size][/font]
[font=“Arial”][size=“2”][color="#828282"]Midfielders: [/size][/font][font=“Arial”][size=“2”]Aquilani (Milan), De Rossi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Motta Thiago (Inter), Nocerino (Palermo), Pirlo (Juventus)[/size][/font]
[font=“Arial”][size=“2”][color="#828282"]Strikers:[/size][/font][font=“Arial”][size=“2”] Balotelli (Manchester City), Cassano (Milan), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giovinco (Parma), Pazzini (Inter), Rossi (Villarreal)[/size][/font]
When did that utter cunt and Barcelona flop Thiago Motta declare for Italy?
Thought he was a full international with Brazil
Last season.
He scored the winner in a qualifier against Slovenia.
Never capped fully with Brazil.
A win tonight seals our place in Euro 2012.
Kick off @ 7.45pm.
Team is:
[center]Buffon
Cassani - Ranocchia - Chiellini - Balzaretti
De Rossi - Pirlo - Marchisio
Montolivo
Rossi - Cassano[/center]
For anyone interested. Motta starts ahead of Marchisio.
Very subdued performance tonight, Cassani and Balzaretti have been very wasteful, there are far better alternatives available at full back than these two.
Mario’s on for the last 15 mins.
Pazzini may have just booked our place at Euro 2012 with a late goal!
And we’re there.
Impressive 15 minutes from Mario when introduced.
Squad was announced today for the upcoming internationals against Serbia and the huns.
Cigarini and Barzagli come in to replace the injured pair of Motta and Ranocchia. Abate must be injured as he didn’t feature tonight, whether he would have been included or not is unknown but I would have hoped Prandelli would acknowledge Italy’s best right back at present, would aslo like to have seen Cerci get a call as he has been in fine form for Fiorentina this season.
Otherwise it’s as expected, good to see Cigarini back, he has lots of potential and his move to Atalanta should help him rebuild his career.