Last night in Arnhem England took on Italy in the Euro Under 21 Championships, it was a game that the Stuart Pearce's side could not afford to lose. Unlike many previous games between the senior sides this was an open game which had plenty of chances at either end.
On the Italian's part, their defending was hapless for most of the first half, this led to Leroy Lita having several good chances to score, one of which will go down as the miss of the season. The Reading striker eased his way passed a defender and then rounded the keeper Viviano, then with an open net gaping he swung a lazy boot at the ball, in doing so he somehow he managed to completely miss the target. Thankfully Preston and soon to be Sunderland striker Nugent saved Lita's blushes just a few minutes later with a close range diving header to open the scoring, then Lita partly atoned for his earlier howler by scoring a good goal with a fierce left foot drive which Viviano could only parry into the back of the net.
Italy fought back strongly but were somewhat fortuitous when they scored from a first half corner, Taylor the Newcastle defender flicked the ball on at the near post and the ball ended up cannoning in off Giorgio Chiellini who couldn't have meant to score. It was a very luck goal.
Sunderland manager Roy Keane was in the stands watching Nugent, and apart from his goal he wont have been that impressed, because quite simply the Preston man was not in the game. In the second half Casiraghi the Italian coach sent on Giuseppe Rossi of Manchester United. The young striker made an immediate impact and should really have taken one of the many half chances which he got on the end of.
Although Rossi has scored nine goals from 18 games to save Parma from relegation, finishing looks to still be something of a weakness in his otherwise superb all round game. His link up play and movement is first class, so much so that on the evidence of last night, Roy Keane should forget all about Nugent and make United an offer that they cannot refuse. Rossi is in a different class to Nugent of that I'm certain. Better still from a United perspective we should be keeping him, but I have a feeling that the young American / Italian has been earmarked for the summer sales.
The cultured and classy midfield player AS Roma star, Aquilani, made the score 2-2 in the second period with a superb low drive, it was nothing more than Italy deserved.
Final score England 2-2 Italy. Entertainment value 5/5.
I really hope they don't sell Rossi. He could be a genius in 5 years time. Maybe a loan move to Sunderland would be good - hopefully he'll actually get a game unlike Newcastle.
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