Tag: Italy

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

Inter Milan’s coach Walter Mazzarri has received the dreaded vote of confidence from the president after a poor run of results has seen the club slip out of contention for the top three. Only the top three teams in the Italian league qualify for the Champions League next season. Since the 1-0 win over AC Milan, Inter have been very poor and it has seen them slip several points behind Napoli in the third place. There are unlikely to make the vast points difference in the remaining matches of the season. Mazzarri, who was appointed by former president Massimo Moratti, is in danger of losing his job.

Just before any manager is sacked, they usually receive a vote of confidence from the board or the president. It has happened with Mazzarri as well, as president Erick Thohir says that the club are fully behind the manager despite not having won in 2014. The club has won just eight of the last 22 league matches, while they also suffered an embarrassing defeat in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia. There have been rumours that the club are considering a change in management in order to improve their fortunes. However, this vote of confidence from Thohir is likely to keep Mazzarri in the job at least for the next few weeks.

“After the close of the January transfer window and the game in Turin, I feel it is appropriate for me to outline our sports strategy. We are going through a transition year and our main aim is to lay the foundations for our future: this is a difficult season and clearly it is not easy to find another winning combination like the one we had a few years ago. I will sit down and discuss with him which players possess the necessary qualities and motivation to remain with us,” said the president.

ITALY DOMINATE SPAIN

Italy managed to completely dominate world champions Spain in the recent match at the Confederations cup, which earned them the praise of Spanish manager Vicente del Bosque. It was only a year ago when Spain managed by Italy 4-0 in the final of the Euro 2012. Italian manager Cesare Prandelli said prior to the match that the hurtful defeat was still in their minds. Perhaps, it motivated them to play the game of their lives after they dominated a very strong Spanish team that has won all the major titles in the last five years.

However, they were made to pay for their poor finishing because Spain once again emerged victorious. The penalty shootout victory was confirmed after new Manchester city signing Jesus Navas put the ball past Gianluigi Buffon. After the match, though, Vicente del Bosque praised the Spanish team by saying that they were extremely hard-working and full of quality. He said that the Spanish team could simply not keep up with the Italians on the night and we were lucky to come out with a victory. As a result of the win, Spain will now be facing Brazil in the final of the competition.

Spain failed to win the Confederations cup last time around, and they will be facing the current holders.

“Emanuele Giaccherini was very impressive, as was Christian Maggio and naturally Andrea Pirlo. Cesare Prandelli deserves credit for speeding up their play down the wings with Maggio and Giaccherini, as their runs put Spain under real pressure. Alberto Gilardino had a fantastic game, he was constantly shaking off markers and holding up the ball for his teammates. He ensured Mario Balotelli was not missed,” said the Spanish manager after the match. The match finished 0-0 after extra time and Spain managed to win 7-6 on penalties.

YOUTH IS RIGHT WAY

The Italian national team manager Cesare Prandelli has said that he has made the right decision to invest in the youth policy for the national team, which is expected to pay dividends in the long-term. He has also praised the Roma midfielder Francisco Totti by saying that he is in exemplary professional. The Roma captain scored his 221st goal in the Italian Serie A recently, which is an incredible feat considering that he is in the twilight of his career. However, he has managed to mould himself in such a way that the team has been able to use his best qualities.

This has especially come to the forte under the current Roma manager this season. The 37-year-old has made 17 appearances for the Roma first-team, while also scoring six goals in the process. Prandelli has praised Totti by saying that he had the experience of being with him in training for a few months. It helped him learn the way to the one of the best professionals in the game. Italy have been criticised for a long time due to the age of the squad. Prandelli has been trying to change this by introducing young players like Mario Balotelli into the squad. He has also praised the performances of the players like Stephan El Shaarawy.

“I had the good fortune to train him for a few months and that was an honour. He is an exemplary professional and is breaking all records at Roma, regardless of age. Totti is a real champion and always manages to achieve his objectives. He’s also a great man. We did well to choose the path of renovation for Italy and the explosion of so many young talents confirms that. The performances of Mattia De Sciglio, Lorenzo Insigne, Mattia Destro and Stephan El Shaarawy are clear for all to see,” said Prandelli.