Great result - and performance - from Casiraghi's boys tonight, picking up a 2-1 victory in Spain to send them into the finals of the U21 championships in the Netherlands next summer.
After weathering an early storm, they were soon 2-0 up thanks to two absolutely fantastic goals. The first came from Chiellini, a left footed, outside of the boot lob from 35 yards over the Spanish keeper. And just when you thought you wouldn't see a better goal for a while, Palladino broke into the box on the left, ran to the goal line, crossed to the far side where Montolivo met the ball with as sweet a right footed volley back across the goalkeeper as you will see.
The final half hour was made a bit nervy after Spain got the goal, but in truth, they rarely threatened. Instead, they just moaned and got dirtier as the match went on, getting the inevitable straight red for one of their players fouling Montolivo off the ball near the end. That Soldado in particular looks like a dirty little moaner - no doubt a player I will be shouting more abuse at over the next few years!
The encouraging thing from the perspective of the full Nazionale is that so many of these boys look like they could be real stars in the future - Rosina, Pelle, Curci, Andreolli, Potenza, Aquilani...the list goes on. But the best two tonight were the goalscorers themselves, Chiellini and Montolivo, who I suspect will break into the full squad before too long if they continue playing like this.
Forza Azzurini!
1 comment:
not having seen the game I can't comment on it but the romanisti Curci and especially Aquilani are both excellent prospects, being already on the edges of the first team, Rosi who didn't play last night likewise. as you say, encouraging for the nazionale.
Post a Comment