Balotelli stunner pegs back Brazil
Source: Agencies |
March 23, 2013, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MARIO Balotelli scored a stunning goal as Italy came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Brazil in an entertaining friendly in Geneva on Thursday.
It looked as if Italy would pay for its missed opportunities when Brazil took a 2-0 halftime lead thanks to goals from Fred and Oscar.
However, Daniele De Rossi pulled one back nine minutes after the interval and Balotelli leveled with a screamer from about 20 meters three minutes later, taking his tally to eight goals in eight games in 2013 for club and country.
"Italy's two goals stemmed from our mistakes, and not from their creation," Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar said. "When they attacked well I managed to control it, in particular by coming out of my area several times.
"I don't want to mention names, it's something that concerns only us, but you can be sure we will talk about it. We made mistakes in our passing and we made ourselves vulnerable at times. But we can't forget that Italy is a great team. But we still would have won if we hadn't made certain mistakes."
Mattia De Sciglio and Alessio Cerci were given their Italy debuts with the AC Milan defender starting, while Torino winger Cerci came on at halftime.
Italy is without defender Giorgio Chiellini, who was sent home on Wednesday with injuries to both ankles, while Claudio Marchisio was a late withdrawal due to illness.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will be pleased with the performance as well as the result. Italy's second consecutive friendly draw follows a run of five successive defeats - a contrast to its performance in World Cup qualifying, where Prandelli's side tops its group with 10 points from four games.
Italy's qualifying campaign continues in Malta next week.
"We played a great game," Prandelli said. "We conceded two goals after 30 minutes and it looked like the game was over. But instead we were good to come back and did some interesting things.
"Mario scored a very good goal and created a number of chances for himself."
It looked as if Italy would pay for its missed opportunities when Brazil took a 2-0 halftime lead thanks to goals from Fred and Oscar.
However, Daniele De Rossi pulled one back nine minutes after the interval and Balotelli leveled with a screamer from about 20 meters three minutes later, taking his tally to eight goals in eight games in 2013 for club and country.
"Italy's two goals stemmed from our mistakes, and not from their creation," Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar said. "When they attacked well I managed to control it, in particular by coming out of my area several times.
"I don't want to mention names, it's something that concerns only us, but you can be sure we will talk about it. We made mistakes in our passing and we made ourselves vulnerable at times. But we can't forget that Italy is a great team. But we still would have won if we hadn't made certain mistakes."
Mattia De Sciglio and Alessio Cerci were given their Italy debuts with the AC Milan defender starting, while Torino winger Cerci came on at halftime.
Italy is without defender Giorgio Chiellini, who was sent home on Wednesday with injuries to both ankles, while Claudio Marchisio was a late withdrawal due to illness.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will be pleased with the performance as well as the result. Italy's second consecutive friendly draw follows a run of five successive defeats - a contrast to its performance in World Cup qualifying, where Prandelli's side tops its group with 10 points from four games.
Italy's qualifying campaign continues in Malta next week.
"We played a great game," Prandelli said. "We conceded two goals after 30 minutes and it looked like the game was over. But instead we were good to come back and did some interesting things.
"Mario scored a very good goal and created a number of chances for himself."
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