National A

Qualifications. Italy beats Bulgaria: one step away from World Cup

Torino 09/09/2009

Italy is now one step away from South Africa. The three points gained against Bulgaria thanks to the great goals by two of the world Cup champions, Grosso and Iaquinta, allow the Azzurri to move away from the Irish team coached by Trapattoni one month before the match against them in Dublin. With four points more than Ireland, the National team coached by Lippi has put a foot in the door towards the 2010 World Cup thanks to ninety minutes that had a taste of the past. Italy in World Cup condition. Good and confident, brilliant and active, very close to the team that won the World Cup in Germany. Could it be because of the atmosphere in Turin, three days more of preparation, Gilardino on offense, the return of DeRossi, or the fact that Pirlo was moved up closer to the forwards? Perhaps even what was at stake, too important to be underestimated and perhaps the bad match played last Saturday against Georgia. The fact is that against Bulgaria a “proud Italy” took the field and it was a whole other story. Good plays, goals, the right amount of tension and, above all, the determination that a match like this requires. Lippi lined up DeRossi in front of the defense (Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso), Camoranesi and Marchisio at midfield, Pirlo just behind the forwards (Gilardino and Iaquinta). Italy immediately up front with Gilardino having the first chance to score on 7’. Another four minutes and on 11’ Italy scores, thanks to a fantastic left-footed shot by Grosso, after a perfect combination with Pirlo. After breaking the ice, Italy is more confident and manuvers with its head up high, thanks also to Bulgaria that leaves spaecs open and are in difficulty on the high balls. On 14’, Iaquinta almost scores, while on 25’ Bulgaria claims a goal after a shot by Petrov that Buffon saves perhaps after the ball had gone into the net. But Italy continues to move ahead and on 39’ a right-footed shot by Iaquinta goes into the net right past Ivankov, confirming the superiority of the Italian team. Italy starts off the second half with the same confidence shown in the first and ahead 2-0. First substitution on 13’ with Rossi in for Gilardino, second substitution on 28’ with Pepe in for Marchisio and then D’Agostino in for Iaquinta. On 20’, another occasion wasted by Iaquinta. The Italy grants some space to Bulgaria that fortunately does not take advantage of the situation.