Thank you Mr. De Rossi for your two goals against Hector Cuper’s Georgia and what goals they were.  With a cannon shot in the 16th minute, coming from over 25 yards out, Daniele De Rossi would provide Italy the match winner.  No chance for the Georgian keeper as De Rossi’s kick from straight out was rising and curved into the upper right-hand corner.

De Rossi went on to add a second goal in the final moments closing this one down for the Azzurri.  Aquilani went close on two occasions of his own and the big difference for the Azzurri was the forced switch to a Roma midfield (exception Pirlo).  It was a breath of fresh air with De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani on at the same time now if Lippi would only add Simone Perrotta to that mix.  For too long have Azzurri coaching stuck to the favored AC Milan midfield of Pirlo, Gattuso etc.  If it takes a Gattuso injury to see the light so be it.  Love the emotion and commitment of Gennaro Gattuso but the man can’t play the total 90 anymore. 

Juventus defender Nicola Legrottaglie would make the starting XI after surviving a late injury scare. Legrottaglie played the entire 90 minutes while Andrea Pirlo, Antonio Di Natale and Luca Toni all made way for second half substitutes.  The back four were still finding their places in this one and Georgian midfielder Levan Kenia really should’ve levelled 1 – 1 but he stumbled when he had a chance to tap in from six yards out.

Match Highlights

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Starting XI

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Legrottaglie, Dossena; Pirlo (Palombo 46), De Rossi, Aquilani; Camoranesi, Toni (Iaquinta 70), Di Natale (Del Piero 56)

Georgia: Loria; Lobjanidze, Salukvadze, Kaladze, Eliava (Kvaskvhvadze 46); Kenia, Khmaladze, Kobiashvili, Menteshashvili (Odikadze 68); Iashvili, Mchelidze (Siradze 54)