The Confederations Cup is over and after some amazing football played out to the vuvuzela soundtrack, South Africa 2010 cannot come fast enough. Except that is, for Marcello Lippi and his Italy squad after a desperate showing that saw them drop out of the tournament with some dismal displays. Football Italiano was there following the entire event and we hope you enjoyed our coverage of the Azzurri.
However, our maniacal support of the Azzurri doesn’t end there. Over the next 300-odd days, in anticipation of the world’s biggest showcase event in sport, we will provide you with the ultimate build up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Expect full coverage and highlights on the upcoming international friendlies and remaining Group 8 qualifiers, as well as extended focus throughout the year on the 23-man squad we believe will be going to South Africa. We will also spend the next year looking back on this great footballing nation’s history, remembering past players, Coaches and controversies, providing a definitive guide to all things Azzurri.
As well as looking to the past and present, we’ll turn our attention each week to those likely to be representing the Azzurri in the not-too-distant future. For an ageing squad, Italy has a fantastic wealth of talent to take into the future – showcased by the Azzurrini’s performance at the European Under-21 Championships in Sweden this month.
Once the year is out and the hosts kick-off the first game on Friday June 11 in Johannesburg, you’ll be more than ready to follow the Azzurri alongside Football Italiano.
Missed anything at the Confederations Cup? No problem – just check out our comprehensive list of coverage below if you did.
Italy at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
International Friendlies
June 6, 2009 – 19:50 – Arena Garibaldi, Pisa
Italy 3-0 Northern Ireland – Rossi 19, Foggia 52, Pellissier 73
Match preview –
Azzurri Analysis
June 10, 2009 – 19:50 – Super Stadium, Pretoria
Italy 4-3 New Zealand – Gilardino 33, 48, Iaquinta 68, 73; Smeltz 13, Killen 42, pen 57
Match preview –
Azzurri Analysis
Confederations Cup
Articles
Welcome to the Confederations Cup – June 11, 2009
Confederations Cup preview – All the teams – June 11, 2009
Hosts Bafana Bafana dig for fire – June 11, 2009
Confederations Cup competition round-up part one- June 30, 2009
Confederations Cup competition round-up part two – June 30, 2009
Italy Camp Focus
Azzurri anticipation ahead of American test – June 15, 2009
Italy’s future is there, when will it become the present? – June 18, 2009
Worst. World champions. Ever? – June 20, 2009
And it came to pass… – June 23, 2009
Fixtures & Results
June 15, 2009 – 20:30 – Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Italy 3-1 USA – Rossi 58, 93, De Rossi 72; Donovan 41
Match preview –
Azzurri Analysis –
Action round-up – Group stage round one
June 18, 2009 – 20:30 – Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Italy 0-1 Egypt – Homos 40
Match preview –
Azzurri Analysis –
Action round-up – Group stage round two
June 21, 2009 – 20:30 – Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Italy 0-3 Brazil – Luis Fabiano 37, 43, Dossena 45 (og)
Match preview –
Azzurri Analysis –
Action round-up – Group stage round three
June 24-25, 2009 – both 20:30 – Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein & Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Semi-finals
Spain 0-2 USA – June 24, 2009 – Bloemfontein
Brazil 1-0 South Africa – June 25, 2009 -Johannesburg
Action round-up – Spain-USA –
Action round-up – Brazil-South Africa
June 28, 2009 – 15:00 – Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
Third place play-off
Spain 3-2 South Africa
June 28, 2009 – 20:30 – Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Final
USA 2-3 Brazil
Action round-up – Third place play-off and final
Confederations Cup competition round-up part one- June 30, 2009
Confederations Cup competition round-up part two – June 30, 2009
