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June 29, 2006 | | | Another step forward. The quarter final of a World Cup doesn't happen everyday, and I have no intention of letting this chance go. Like me the whole team is really determined. This day has gone by very quickly, and I can't wait to start.
Don't even start telling me that Ukraine is an easy win, that it's the easiest of all the other quarter finals. I seem to recollect they have a certain player named Shevchenko, a great footballer, who brought his national team very far, up to the final fase of a World Cup, and this is a first time for them.
We can't underestimate one like him, and we have no intention of doing it.
This doesn't mean, of course, that we are scared, or concerned. We like the feeling of being in the quarter final, and we'll love the feeling of being in the semifinal.Just one step at a time. | | | June 28, 2006 | | | I told you. I knew that from the round of 16 on things would have seemed different, and the most titled and experienced teams would have come out of their shells. Now the situation confirms my forecasts. Brazil, Argentina, England, Germany, France, Portugal, and of course Italy are all there, plus the surprise that was Ukraine, our next opponent.
I also said that with real matches coming up, we would have seen real champions finally being themselves. Ronaldo, who had been harshly criticized, has already scored 3 goals becoming the greatest scorer in World Cup history. England won thanks to Beckham, Zidane should always be on the verge of quitting football for good, but he was crucial against Spain, while Figo is still the best of his Portugal.
From now on, though, it's way more difficult to guess right. Teams that are at the same level meet each-other on the pitch, and it's very tricky to know who is going to go ahead in the competition.
With regards to us, on paper we have the most approachable adversary, but with a champion like Shevchenko on the other side you can't really say.
Our attitude will be the same: respect for your opponent but confidence in our capabilities, we'll be determined to get to the end.
I'm convinced that in this World Cup, more than strategy and condition, it will be your 'head' to really determine how far you'll go. | | | June 27, 2006 | | | Being in the first 8 teams in the World is a nice feeling, and we fought and battled to deserve it. The match against Australia has been difficult, they were in an excellent physical condition, and we already knew it. We had our chances in the first half, and we were unlucky at some point, but then the expulsion of Materazzi put us in a very tricky position.
When the coach positioned us on the pitch he tried to do the best he could, trying to find the speed with Perrotta and Iaquinta. At the very last minute we had this penalty, and from the moment the referee pointed at the right spot to shoot I had no doubt it was my responsibility to do it and to help the others win. I thought I could have done the 'spoon' but with the heath I thought I could miss the goal and I decided to go for the strong shot.
The moment I saw the net moving I felt this incredible joy for our fans, for my team who fought so much and so well, for the people that are always supporting me and, of course, for myself aswell.
This is where I stop. We didn't really enjoy this win, though, as the news regarding Pessotto hit us, all of us, so terribly.
He was here in Duisburg a few days ago.. I can only say I want to see him standing on his feet very soon, this is what I whish him, and what I think all the Italians whish as well. |
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发表于 2006-6-28 05:43:40