El Shaarawy keen to link up with Balotelli

Italy's Stephan El Shaarawy is hoping to forge a strong international partnership with Manchester City ace Mario Balotelli



The pair is part of Italy's squad for their friendly against France in Parma on Wednesday.



AC Milan's El Shaarawy is the joint leading goalscorer in Serie A, with eight goals, and is aiming to replicate his domestic form at international level.



"I am at the complete disposal of the coach (Cesare Prandell)," El Shaaraway told reporters.



"At Milan I have learned how to alternate attacking and defensive phases. I hope to do well with Balotelli. Prandelli has given me all of his instructions and now I have to prove my quality."



France boss Didier Deschamps has also spoken ahead of the clash and remains uncertain what approach Italy will adopt, while stressing the importance of getting a result.



"When you take on a team like Italy, who are one of the best in the world, there are always special expectations and it requires a particular level of concentration," he said.



"I don't know exactly what to expect from Italy. In terms of systems they can adapt with a three-man defence or a 4-3-3. I'm certain Cesare Prandelli will choose a very attacking side.



"It is a friendly, but the result is always important."

read more...

Sampdoria take on Ferrara

Former Italy and Juventus defender Ciro Ferrara has been named as the new coach of promoted UC Sampdoria after leading Italy's Under-21 side to five wins in six competitive games.



Ciro Ferrara has left his post as Italy Under-21 coach to sign a two-year contract with newly-promoted Serie A side UC Sampdoria, where he replaces Giuseppe Iachini.



Appointed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after the national team failed to qualify for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals under Pierluigi Casiraghi, Ferrara has led the Azzurrini to five wins in six competitive games, and they are four points clear of Turkey at the top of qualifying Group 7 with a game in hand.



The 45-year-old former defender coached Juventus between May 2009 and January 2010. As a player, Ferrara won Serie A championships with SSC Napoli and Juventus and was capped 49 times by Italy. The FIGC are yet to name his successor as U21 coach.

read more...

Twitter reacts as Italy reach the final

Mario Balotelli struck twice in the first half to inspire Italy to a 2-1 victory over Germany and book their place in the Euro 2012 final against defending champions Spain in Kiev on Sunday.



Manchester City striker and Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo were the standout performers as Cesare Prandelli’s side caused a shock in the second semi-final, and the 21-year-old’s exploits received plenty of praise from his colleagues on Twitter.



Here are some of our favourite Tweets, in chronological order.



1min: Former Coventry City striker Darren Huckerby ‏(@hucks6dh6) is hoping for a better semi-final than the goalless draw on Wednesday: “Please let this game be better than yesterday match. #DullAsDishWater #Euro12”



1min: Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton ‏(@Joey7Barton) is backing Joachim Low’s side: “Got to fancy the German machine tonight. I can’t see beyond them. They will man mark Andrea Pirlo mark my words, he will be shackled. If you stop Pirlo then you as good as stop Italy.”



1min: England batsman Kevin Pietersen ‏(@kevinpp24) is also a member of the Pirlo fan club: “Come on #Pirlo ! He’s my new favourite footballer. Sink the Germans big man!”



1min: Newcastle United defender Danny Simpson ‏(@dannysimpson) gives his prediction: “Germany 1-0 and Mario Gomez to score! What do you think?”



20mins: Fabrice Muamba (‏@fmuamba) sees it as a challenge for the fancied German side: “Wow. This is big question for Germany to see how they can handle being a goal down.”



20mins: Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (‏@kschmeichel1) heaps praise on Antonio Cassano for the cross which resulted in Balotelli’s first goal: “What a ball in for Ballotelli! This makes it very interesting. #ItaliansCanDefend”



20mins: West Brom Albion midfielder Steven Reid (‏@stevenreid12) agrees: “Some ball from Cassano that… Finish! #balotelli”



20mins: Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit ‏(@GullitR) is delighted by the Manchester City striker’s goal: “Yeeeeeeeeees Balotelli. Come on Italy!”



30mins: Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas (‏@jjenas8) disagrees with some of the refereeing decisions: “Seriously another referee that needs his whistle taking off him!!!”



35mins: Birmingham City goalkeeper Ben Foster ‏(@BenFoster) is stunned by Balotelli’s second goal: “Don’t care if you like #Balotelli or not but wow!”



35mins: Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden ‏(@stuholden) is similarly speechless: “What a blast, wow ! Take a bow Ballotelli!”



Half-time: Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi (@GiuseppeRossi22) is delighted for his team-mate: “Supermariooooooo two!!!!!!!”



Half-time: Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand ‏(@rioferdy5) believes Italy could have beaten England by more if they had been clinical: “Germany 0-2 Italy…totally surprised me….saying that if Italy had converted their chances against us it would have been much the same!”



Half-time: TV presenter Eamonn Holmes ‏(@EamonnHolmes) doesn’t want England supporters to start getting smug: “How many people are rethinking the England performance now ? Maybe not as bad as it seemed on the night …..nah – it was still pants!”



60mins: Kasper Schmeichel ‏(@kschmeichel1) praises Buffon for a great save from a dangerous Germany free-kick: “Great save Buffon and very important!!! #class”



70mins: Former Newcastle United defender Warren Barton ‏(@warrenbarton2) is impressed by the Azzurri: “Italy are playing great – good passing, movement and looking to get forward!!!”



74mins: Fulham defender John Arne Riise ‏(@RealJohnARiise3) reckons his former Roma team-mate and City rival are playing brilliantly: “Grande Balotelli.. Grande De Rossi!”



80mins: United midfielder Tom Cleverley ‏(@tomclevz23) picks his man of the match: “Pirlo been class again!”



82mins: Former Tottenham midfielder Rohan Ricketts ‏(@RohanRicketts) is mesmerised: “Pirlo is a class act. His decision making on when you play one touch or take more is spot on. Weight of pass is also spot on. #EUR02012”



88mins: England legend Gary Lineker ‏(@GaryLineker) is trying to pick up some German: “Just asked @J_Klinsmann if they have a word in German for bogey team. He said they don’t. I think they need to find one!”



Full-time: AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng ‏(@KPBofficial) is impressed by Balotelli: “Italiaaaaaaaa!!! Balotelli showed the world what a player he can be!!”



Full-time: Newcastle’s Peter Lovenkrands ‏(@lovenkrands11) is backing Spain in the final: “Well done to Italy they played really well! Spain vs Italy is going to be a good one, think Spain will win!”

read more...

Balotelli sends Italy into final

Mario Balotelli finally answered the critics by delivering on the big stage against Germany in Warsaw tonight. The Manchester City striker struck twice in the first half to set the Azzurri on course for a Euro 2012 final showdown with defending champions Spain in Kiev on Sunday.



The shell-shocked Germans looked more dangerous after introducing Marco Reus at half-time, but they were unable to penetrate a resolute Italian defence until Mesut Ozil's injury-time penalty.



After his impressive display against England, Andrea Pirlo was again central for the Azzurri, and the midfielder was perfectly placed to clear Mats Hummels' scuffed effort off the line on five minutes as Italy started nervously.



Gianluigi Buffon then unconvincingly cleared a Jerome Boateng cross before proving equal to Toni Kroos' effort from outside the area, as Germany continued to ask questions.



Manuel Neuer eased himself into the game with two routine saves, but he was helpless on 20 minutes when Italy took a shock lead.



Antonio Cassano easily turned inside Hummels and crossed to the awaiting Balotelli, who soared over the wrong-footed Holger Badstuber and headed home from close range.



Sixteen minutes later the Manchester City striker went one better. Riccardo Montolivo's ball bamboozled the German defence, which gave Balotelli time to rifle a dipping 20-yard shot past Neuer.



Germany piled bodies forward after the break and Buffon twice denied Reus, while captain Philip Lahm spurned a great chance following a one-two with Toni Kroos.



Claudio Marchisio and Antonio Di Natale should have sealed victory when presented with gilt-edged opportunities, but despite Ozil's spot-kick, Italy held on to maintain their unbeaten record over Germany in competitive games.

read more...

Italy set to be boosted by Chiellini return

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini returned to training on Monday morning, raising hopes he may be fit to face Germany in Thursday's semi-final.



Chiellini was forced off with a thigh strain during Italy's 2-0 victory over Ireland in the final group game, and the Juventus centre-back was subsequently ruled out of the quarter-final with England on Sunday night.



However, he was present for a training session the following morning, taking part in running and ball-work, and there are now hopes that he will be available to play against Germany in Warsaw.



His return to fitness would be a significant boost for the Italians, who currently have doubts over the fitness of midfielder Daniel De Rossi and right-back Ignazio Abate, while Christian Maggio is suspended.



Meanwhile, Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon, a World Cup winner in 2006, has told his team-mates they must not get carried away after the penalty shootout victory over England.



"We cannot forget that we have only overcome the quarter-final stage," Buffon said. "I cannot start jumping for joy after taking a spot in the semi-finals. I will only do that when we win something as a team.



"Those of us that have won something important want to repeat that and achieve it also for those that haven't won a trophy yet."



Germany are widely expected to progress to the final, but Buffon is hopeful Italy can spring a surprise. "They are probably favourites, but we have the character to face anyone," he said. "No-one goes into a game wanting to finish second."

read more...