Hands up, Who Wants to be Giampaolo Pazzini?

By: Martha | March 24th, 2007

Let’s see: Fastest goal (28 or 29 seconds, depending on who you ask) in the history of Wembley Stadium, first goal in the new Wembley, first hattrick in the new Wembley. Yeah, I think you could say Gianpaolo Pazzini had a pretty good day at work.

The Fiorentina striker was rampant, terrorizing the England defense and benefiting regularly from the magical touch of club teammate Ricardo Montolivo, who served ball after ball right onto Pazzini’s feet. The first goal was by the far the best, slipping just inside the right post from long range, after a slight deflection off England defender Anton Ferdinand (who looks like a clone of big brother Rio — it’s really, really creepy). The other two, though less spectacular, still counted, and Pazzini even had a chance to win it when he slid in just a bit late for a rebound off the England keeper.

This was no typical soft friendly — it had more than its fair share of hard tackles and cards, and two Italian players had to leave the pitch to receive treatment for bloody bits. It was hard-fought and exciting as hell, and there was a ton of potential on display in both sides. (I cannot believe that James Milner is still a U-21.) Though England dominated large chunks of the first half and scored some impressive goals of their own — David Bentley’s sick free kick primary among them — Italy looked awfully good in every part of the field: Roma keeper Gianluca Curci was particularly impressive, as were Montolivo, Pazzini and little Alessandro Rosina.

Category: Fiorentina, Results

Tags: Azzurrini, England, Fiorentina, friendly, Gianpaolo Pazzini, Montolivo, Results, Rosina

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Comments  

• Andy |  March 24th, 2007 at 11:01 am

  
  
  

  An extremely exciting game in a new an exciting stadium. Bet when these two meet in the Summer’s U21 tournament it wont be the same type of game. Doubt if the 55,700 complained today. FYI It was Wembley’s 2nd test event to get all of the certificates required to be able to host this season’s FA Cup Final.

  Posted from United States

  

• bruno |  March 24th, 2007 at 3:33 pm

  
  
  

  Awesome game. One of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Both England and Italy played wonderfully today. I think both senior national squads can learn a thing or two from these youngsters.

  Posted from Canada

  

• ana |  March 24th, 2007 at 3:51 pm

  
  
  

  I love how both under 21 team shave most players over 21. The game was exciting.

  Posted from United States

  

• Ian |  March 27th, 2007 at 6:44 am

  
  
  

  Ana, U21’s are selected by 2 yr cycles. So as long as you are eligible at the beginning of the qualification cycle, you can play in all of the matches for those 2yrs. The U21 tournaments are also the qualification for the Olympics (U23’s) which happen at the end of every other U21 cycle. If that makes sense…

  Also, Curci was terrible in that match, especially bad on the first goal (Bentley’s free kick). Curci was supposed to be undisputed number one for Roma, but Doni was brought in because Curci hasn’t really panned out.

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• Martha |  March 27th, 2007 at 7:21 am

  
  
  

  I thought he had some really impressive moments, Ian, but perhaps you’re right — I probably only noticed the good bits and didn’t pay much attention to the rest.

  Posted from United States

  

• World Cup Blog A-Z of 2007, Part Two - World Cup Blog |  December 31st, 2007 at 3:21 pm | Pingback

  
  
  

  [...] The first official game between England and Italy’s Under 21 sides saw Giampaolo Pazzini christen the stadium with a hat-trick in the 3-3 draw. Elsewhere the Super Eaglets of Nigeria won the U-17 World Cup in South Korea, [...]

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