Italia 2 - 1 Holland/Netherlands, Highlights and Bitching Beppe Rossi

By: Marco | February 6th, 2008

* Highlight further down

Giuseppe Rossi scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win over reigning Euro Champions Holland/Netherlands. Rossi was the one wo dished out a great pass to Pablo Osvaldo for the 1st of the gfame. He then scored the winner on a solo effort from a long run. Royston Drenthe, the Real Madrid dollar whiz kid, scored the only dutch goal of the game.

Italia Started off the game with a Montolivo-Nocerino-Cigarini Midfield while Rossi and Cerci flanking Argentinian Hybrid Osvaldo. The dutch squad started the match well, controlling the ball and looking like the Euro Champs that they are, For their part, Italy looked extremely dangerous on the counter.

Then the Azzurrini kicked in to gear, 26 minutes in Osvaldo slipped a perfect Rossi pass under the Dutch Keeper for the opener. 1-0 ! Beppe Rossi scored the 2nd at the hour mark with a nice/lucky individual effort. Royston Drenthe profited from the Collective Amnesia of the Italia defense to narrow the gap 10 minutes later. Beppe Rossi and co. held on for the rest of the game !

The road to China looks good.

Italia-Olanda 2–1

Marcatori: 26’Osvaldo(I), 62’G.Rossi(I), 72’Drenhte(O)

Italia (4-3-2-1): Viviano s.v.(46’Consigli 6,5); Motta 6(46’Rossettini 6), Coda 5,5, Criscito 6 (M.Rossi 5), De Ceglie 6; Nocerino 6, Cigarini 6(71’Paonessa s.v.), Montolivo 5(46’Morosini 6); Cerci 6(46’Pozzi 6), Osvaldo 6,5(46’Russotto 6,5); G.Rossi 7(65’Abate 6).

All.Casiraghi 6

Olanda (4-3-3): Velthuizen 6; Zuiverloon 6, Drost 5,5(67’Janse 6), Donk 5, Pieters(46’George 5,5); Luijckx 5(Jong-A-Pin 5,5), Brama 6(46’Vormer 6), De Jong 6; Amrabat(46’Elia 6), Sno 5,5, Drenthe 7.

All.De Haan 6

Arbitro: Perez Rubinos(Spagna) 5,5

Ammoniti: Cigarini(I), Nocerino(I), G.Rossi(I), Paonessa(I), Drost(O)

Espulsi: al 78’Donk(O) per proteste

Beppe Rossi :

I know it’s not a smart thing to start bitching Beppe Rossi, but please allow me to. ( It’s a light bitching, don’t worry) Nobody’s denying the kid has crazy talent, can finish like the best of them and he’s still in his early 20’s. This Jersey-Born Wop has a huge upside and a great career ahead of him. With that said, Rossi needs to be a little bit less selfish with the Ball. It’s not a microphone, PASS THAT SHIT Beppe! Add a little unselfishness to his game and some hard work and Giuseppe Rossi has the chance to be up there with the Greats of the Italian game when his career is over.

Give the Kids a chance :

The Azzurrini were facing the European U21 champions and they proved their worth once again. Royston Drenthe, Holland’s most talented player, was purchased for 11M$ over the summer. Real Madrid gave Feyenoord a hefty amount of Money for a 20 year old who was playing in the Eredivisie. Imagine how Much Osvaldo, Cerci and Andrea Russotto would be worth if they played Week in and week out with a Serie A club. At least 11M$…

I can understand why pundits and experts are complaining about the lack of opportunities given to young Italians in Serie A. The clubs take a chance with a prospect after he’s been playing well with the U21’s or a Serie B/C club, rarely before. Thank god for Atalanta and their youth academy.

That is why I admire the Italian U21’s and the U21 program so much. They have won a Bronze Medal and 6 European Championships in the last 15 years.That’s more than 1 major trophy every 3 years! Not to Shabby…

The coaches and players that have gone through the program have almost all had success later on in their professional careers. Imagine if all these kids had a chance to play regularly. Unfortunately, The young Italian prospects don’t have that many chances to shine on the big stage, even less of a chance to learn from your mistakes.

This is possible in North American sports where you can just form young players and trade them off at the end of the season. Hell, that way you don’t need to worry about relegation and still get a great pick in the upcoming Pick in the draft. I would have loved to see The Expos go back to AAA Ball after sucking hard. We wouldn’t have to witness the likes of team like the Devil Rays play if North America adopted relegation.

Forza Azzurrini , Beijing here we come !