G. Rossi 2- 0 Azerbaijan, Highlights of the Giovinco Show

By: Marco | March 26th, 2008

Italia’s U21 squad came back from Baku with another win on their record after defeating Azerbaijan 2-0. Giuseppe Rossi scored both goals to lead an injury decimated azzurrini squad to a record of 7 wins and 1 draw in 8 games.

The azzurrini started out the game with the usual 4-3-2-1. With Giovinco and Rossi acting as the shoulders of Roberto Acquafresca. Jersey born Beppe Rossi scored after only 18 minutes after finishing another one of Giovinco’s patented foot searching passes and south pawed it passed Umarov. 1-0.

Giovinco, Marchisio, Acquafresca and Marco Motta all had decent chances blow the game out but the Azerbaijan Defence and Keeper did enough to not see things get out of hand. Sebastian Giovinco even tried a Fabio Quagliarella-esque midfield lob but to no avail.

This game looked like a blowout on paper but the Azzurrini managed to suffer a little bit, getting that 2nd goal with 20 minutes left to the game. G. Rossi slapped in a well earned rigore by fellow mini attacker Giovinco. It didn’t finish 5 - 0. Like the last time (or like Giovinco’s height) but at least no one got injured on the god forsaken field of Baku !

What does Pierluigi Casiraghi have to say about this ?

“This makes our record seven wins and a draw in eight games played. It’s pretty hard to top that.”

“I am very happy with this performance, we won, which is especially important in the light of the Albania situation’’

What Pierluigi means is that seeing how Albania are suspended form all FIFA and UEFA competitions until this little Kosovo, Albanian Football dilemma is resolved, Italy absolutely needed to win this game.

Italy are at the top of Group 1 with 22 points, Followed by Croatia at 18, Greece 13, Albania 10, Azerbaijan 2 and the Faroe Islands 1. If the UEFA were too kick Albania out of the qualifiers and consider their next games as ‘’losses’’ then that would artificially change the standings of this group.

I say don’t worry; Italy’s U21 ‘s clearly a step above every other team in their group and will be looking to stroll on through to the 2009 European championship. I’m positive Casiraghi’s Crew will be able to jump over all the hurdles that FIFA and UEFA might throw their way

Tabellino

Azerbaijan U21:

Umarov;
Medvedev, N Mammadov, Abishov, Abdullayev;
A Mammadov (Magivel 81), Novruzov (Nadirov 58); Dashdemirov (Amiraslonov 77), Amirguliyev, E Mammadov; Javadov

Italy U21:
Consigli;
Motta, Marzoratti, Bocchetti, De Ceglie;
Dessena (Morosini 64), Cigarini, Marchisio;
Giovinco, G Rossi (Pisano 69);
Acquafresca (Osvaldo 54)