Italy - Argentina (Aug 14th)

"Messi's national team is the only big one I have yet to face. It would also be a homage to the pope. If we were to organize it, it'd be nice to have an audience with him and then go to the match in a single bus." - Prandelli

Does Prandelli really want to meet his maker so badly?  

The last time Italy played Argentina they were played off their park at their own home by Bielsa's Argentina.

Coaches recognizing Argentina as a threat

Sabella

Italy have officially invited Argentina to Rome for a friendly on August 14 in honour of Pope Francis, an idea sparked by Cesare Prandelli.

Last week Azzurri Coach Prandelli suggested it would be a dream to play an international match against Argentina, the land where the new Pope hails from.

Pope Francis is a huge football fan and even owns shares in his favourite club San Lorenzo.

The Argentine FA seemed positive about the idea too and today the Italian Federation officially invited them to organise the friendly.

“The date Wednesday August 14 is set aside in the FIFA calendar for internationals and we had already been in negotiations for some time with the Argentine Federation to plan a friendly on neutral turf in Switzerland or Belgium.

“Today the FIGC instead proposed Rome as the host city, sending a letter to the general secretary of the Argentine Federation Miguel Silva.

“Alternatively, the Italian Nazionale will use the August 14 date to play a friendly against a different opponent.”

Prandelli’s idea included both teams meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican before the game, then the two squads travelling to the nearby Stadio Olimpico in one united bus.

My only problem with this match is that how competitive can it really be given the very gregarious thought that brought it up? Sounds more like an exhibition match than one fans can see two of the best international teams tested against each other.

The players might be a tad reluctant to go in hard during a game meant to honour the pope, though it would be hilarious, given the occasion, if this did happen. In truth, it would be characteristic of all friendlies under Prandelli - bar the contests against Brazil and Spain - to see a very reserved and lifeless team take the pitch. Against Germany, France, England, the Netherlands, America and the like, we have been tepid, with Prandelli proving a poor motivational figure who routinely plays a side in which none of the individuals have anything to prove. I'd hardly expect a classic, however it would in a sense complete Prandelli's education at the national level in combination with upcoming fixtures with Mexico and Japan.

if both teams were to take it seriously, it would make for a mouthwatering game. I hope they do, our team needs a real test. Italy would be a good team to measure our progress against.

Gagiesta vs Pirlo

If this goes through, Prandelli should try and call up 23 Oriundi for the lulz.

Hehe I read “in horror of Pope Franchis” and I though “why is he afraid of football so much”?
LoL

dostoevsky wrote:Italy have officially invited Argentina to Rome for a friendly on August 14 in honour of Pope Francis, an idea sparked by Cesare Prandelli.

Last week Azzurri Coach Prandelli suggested it would be a dream to play an international match against Argentina, the land where the new Pope hails from.

Pope Francis is a huge football fan and even owns shares in his favourite club San Lorenzo.

The Argentine FA seemed positive about the idea too and today the Italian Federation officially invited them to organise the friendly.

“The date Wednesday August 14 is set aside in the FIFA calendar for internationals and we had already been in negotiations for some time with the Argentine Federation to plan a friendly on neutral turf in Switzerland or Belgium.

“Today the FIGC instead proposed Rome as the host city, sending a letter to the general secretary of the Argentine Federation Miguel Silva.

“Alternatively, the Italian Nazionale will use the August 14 date to play a friendly against a different opponent.”

Prandelli’s idea included both teams meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican before the game, then the two squads travelling to the nearby Stadio Olimpico in one united bus.

just in time for my birthday, I'm going.

dostoevsky wrote:If this goes through, Prandelli should try and call up 23 Oriundi for the lulz.

Keep religion out of football.

Guillermo Tofoni, account executive at World Eleven [company that organizes Argentina's friendlies], told canchallena.com "It's impossible to play the game at that date. Argentina already has a contract for a game in Moscow against Russia and it's been confirmed by both federations. However, it's AFA's intention to find an alternative date because we think it's a great idea to have a friendly with Italy".

Rumors of either November or December before Christmas.

Crespo: "Interestingly the roles are now reversed. Italy are very powerful and is the technical side that looks to dominate the flow of the play and speculates less. Argentina are less technical than in years past but they have the ace of spades in Messi and a great individual quality.

"I passed the coaching license recently and look to see which offers I get"

Messi was injured and couldnt feature in Barca's last preseaon game

I just hope he doesnt play (unlikely to happen). We already have cesc, pedro injured a week before the season starts.

Messi has never scored against Italy, so im sure he wants to play.

inb4 prandelli uses a 5 man defense, dat fear

 Erik the giant slayer Vs Danielle master tackler

I hope Prandelli rests the Milan players

This date is horrible for our players. If Balotelli gets injured here Im gonna FUUAAARK

AltoZ wrote:Messi has never scored against Italy, so im sure he wants to play.

He's never played against Italy.

Albiceleste wrote:if both teams were to take it seriously, it would make for a mouthwatering game. I hope they do, our team needs a real test. Italy would be a good team to measure our progress against.

Gagiesta vs Pirlo  

It would be, Italy in friendlies is typically bad but they do like to show up against the big teams usually. Against Germany and Brazil for example, more recently, both were pretty good games. Just the timing of this game seems off-setting with all the major leagues starting around the corner.

Messi has been ruled out  

Thank God!

http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/messi-jugara-contra-italia-2572634

So no Messi, no Aguero, no Gago. Pls don't rape us Prandelli.

Italy couldn't rape San Marino in a friendly.

There is no danger. In a WC semi though, there'd be a real threat