http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/eurogames/ita21ukr.html European U-21 Championships - Gp B - 26/5/06 (19.45) Italy 1 - 0 Ukraine Chiellini 93 (I) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A last-gasp goal from Giorgio Chiellini handed Italy a precious victory over Ukraine that puts them in contention for a semi-final spot. Claudio Gentile made several changes to the side that snatched a last-gasp 3-3 draw against Denmark two days ago, as Torino's Alessandro Rosina and hitman Rolando Bianchi came into the starting 11 following their impressive substitute contributions, pushing Mario Defendi and Giampaolo Pazzini on to the bench. Livorno starlet Raffaele Palladino charged all the way up the field before he was cut off at the last moment, then Cesare Bovo curled a free kick over the bar from a tight angle. Ukraine went close after 16 minutes when Aliyev's strike from the edge of the box shaved the far post following good work from Milevskiy. But it was Italy who brought the first save out of the opposition goalkeeper, as Rosina's effort stung the palms of Pyatov with a curling left-foot effort and Bianchi was muscled off the loose ball from six yards. Palladino's inspired pass set Giorgio Chiellini running and Bianchi was again cut off as he prepared to pull the trigger. The Azzurrini thought they'd taken the lead on 28 minutes, but Canini's looping header from a corner kick was cleared off the line by Yarmash with the goalkeeper left stranded. Bianchi's weak volley couldn't trouble Pyatov, while a deflected corner kick fell to Rosina, but he ballooned it over the bar. There was a nasty blow for Alessandro Potenza, who accidentally collided with an opponent's elbow and knocked out a tooth. Nonetheless, he continued playing without requiring treatment. Bianchi's run into the area saw the ball ricochet into the path of Rosina in first half stoppages, but once again the Torino midfielder drilled over from a promising position. After the break, Rosina threaded through for Palladino, who fell under a slight shove from Mikhalik, but was booked for simulation. Milevskiy went on a slalom through the Azzurri defence before he was eventually crowded out. Rosina dummied a low Pasquale Foggia cross for Bovo's strike, but both the Roma defender and Palladino's attempts were charged down by defensive bodies. Bovo's free kick found Palladino, but he slipped and couldn't finalise the shot from eight yards. A curling right-foot Sammarco effort was plucked out of the air by the goalkeeper. Bianchi, who is still not 100 per cent fit following nine months out with a knee injury, made way for Fiorentina's Giampaolo Pazzini on the hour mark. Italy went very close to an opener soon after, as Pasquale Foggia shimmied his way into the box past two defenders before unleashing a powerful rising strike that the goalkeeper palmed out from under the crossbar. At the other end, Canini's defensive header to prevent Fomin getting there first was just over Gianluca Curci's net. From the resulting corner, Curci smothered Fomin's effort. The impressive Foggia was replaced by Atalanta's Defendi for the final 20 minutes. Rosina again threatened with a powerful left-foot snapshot that shaved the near post from distance. Rosina curled a free kick well over, but captain Marco Donadel was booked and will be suspended for the final Group match against Holland. It looked like the first time in nine games that Gentile's boys would fail to hit the back of the net, but once again they popped up with a decisive goal in stoppages. A long free kick found Juventus defender Chiellini for a preicse header into the bottom near corner to beat Pyatov at full stretch and snatch a precious victory for the Azzurrini. Italy: Curci; Potenza, Canini, Bovo, Chiellini; Foggia (Defendi 70), Sammarco, Donadel, Rosina; Palladino, Bianchi (Pazzini 62) Ukraine: Pyatov; Yarmash, Chygrynskiy, Yatsenko (Ischenko 79), Romanchuk; Oberemko, Aliyev, Cheberyachko; Kryvosheyenko (Mikhalik 46); Feschuk (Fomin 59), Milevskiy Ref: Webb (Eng) －－ http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/may26m.html Gentile admires Azzurrini spirit Friday 26 May, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Claudio Gentile and his Azzurrini players were again impressed by their determination, grabbing a stoppage-time decider for the second match running. “The team tried to take the initiative against an opponent that thought only about defending and setting up a wall. Considering everything, we deserved this victory,” said the Coach after the 1-0 win over Ukraine. Italy had fought back from 3-1 down to hold Denmark 3-3 in the opening tie and repeated the last-gasp trick for this result. “The match against Denmark was a bit of a slip-up, but the important thing is that these lads can bring out their pride and character at the right time.” This result puts Italy on top of Group B and a draw against Holland in Monday's last game will be enough to see them through to the semi-finals. It will be important to win the Group, as they'll be more likely to avoid France in the knockout round. “It wasn't easy to break Ukraine down, as they were very closed off, but once again this squad proved its determination. They were putting less pressure on us than Denmark, so I personally had more room to push forward,” said Chievo midfielder Paolo Sammarco. Captain Marco Donadel will be suspended for the game against Holland, so either Riccardo Montolivo of Fiorentina or Reggina's Davide Biondini will step in. “We were pushing forward and Ukraine threatened on the counter-attack, so I was often forced into fouls to stop the creation of dangerous situations,” explained Donadel. “I felt a pull in my calf and was limping towards the end, so we'll have to evaluate that with the medical staff. The most important thing is that we attacked from start to finish. The fact the goal only arrived in stoppages is irrelevant, as we had two penalty appeals and several chances.” Pasquale Foggia was a contender for Man of the Match, constantly causing problems for Ukraine down the left flank. “This is a team that always believes in itself until the final whistle. It was a bit more of a struggle today, but we got there eventually and Giorgio's goal was wonderful,” said the Ascoli man who was substituted. “Defendi had fresh legs, so it was only right he come on in my place. We are a very united squad and everyone contributes to the final product. It was a better performance than against Denmark and we were able to move the ball around more.” Foggia had one of Italy's best goal-scoring opportunities when he sprinted past two players and stung the goalkeeper's palms at the near post. “My first idea was to cross the ball into the centre, but there was too much congestion, while a defender was coming in and the angle tight, so I couldn't keep the shot down. I gave it a go and brought a save out of the goalkeeper.” -- Carlo Ancelotti：「斑马不奔，就等牠奔。」 　Marcelo Lippi：「斑马不奔，就让牠奔。」 　Fabio Capello：「斑马不奔，就把牠杀了！」 NIKE：「斑马不奔，就把牠变成马来貘！」 --

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