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INT Italy Fans Discussion

Estonia 1 - 2 Italy

Cassano leads Azzurri fightback

Italy came from behind with two second-half goals to snatch a 2-1 away win at Estonia in their Euro 2012 qualifier opener.

Antonio Cassano equalised on the hour mark before setting up Leonardo Bonucci three minutes later for Italy's second.

Sergei Zenjov put Estonia into a 31st minute lead and the home side were unlucky not to add to their advantage when Sander Puri's right-footed strike beat Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu but hit the crossbar and stayed out.

The result marks Italy's first win in 2010 and gives new coach Cesare Prandelli his maiden victory with the Azzurri since replacing Marcello Lippi after the World Cup.

Prandelli lost on his debut in a friendly against the Ivory Coast last month. The triumph has moved Italy level on three points with Estonia in Group C.

Prandelli played with Cassano, Giampaolo Pazzini and Simone Pepe in attack. Riccardo Montolivo had the first chance for Italy with a 20-yard volley going over the bar. Shortly after, Estonia goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko did well to parry away Pazzini's right-footed shot.

Estonia took the lead soon after. Sirigu was unable to hold onto Konstantin Vassiljev's free-kick and Zenjov pounced and knocked the ball in from six yards.

Cassano, who wasn't included in Lippi's World Cup squad this summer but has been immediately called in by Prandelli, should have pulled Italy level before the break. The Sampdoria striker got past his marker but fired wide from the edge of the area.

Italy showed more determination after the restart and were rewarded. Captain Andrea Pirlo curled in a corner towards the heart of the area where an unmarked Cassano got his head to the ball and nodded past the keeper.

It did not take long for Italy to go in front. Pirlo again took a corner and Cassano flicked the ball with the back of his heel into the path of Bonucci, who made no mistake from six yards.

Italy held on to claim a valuable win on the road. Prandelli's side host the Faroe Islands on Tuesday.

ESPN Soccernet
 
Zola: Cesare Prandelli is the right man to lead Italy

Former Italy international Gianfranco Zola has given his backing to new coach Cesare Prandelli, despite a less than convincing start to his reign in charge - coming from behind to beat Estonia 2-1.

Prandelli replaced Marcello Lippi as the nation's new head coach after their dismal efforts at the 2010 World Cup where they finished bottom of a group containing New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia. But, even after a slow start, Zola believes that Italy have got the right man.

"It will not be an easy group when you consider the situation in Italy, but I have faith because we have a coach who has always had good experiences in his previous jobs," Zola told the UEFA website. "He works very well with young players and that gives us the chance to build something new with a different, fresh mentality. I hope with my whole heart that our football becomes successful again.

"He is very good at working with players, whether they are young and new or players with a certain experience and personality. That is fundamental. At the moment the Italy team needs a leader, one who shows the way, mixed with young players who can inspire and freshen up the national team.

"I find it very important to focus on the sporting and football issues before any others. I hope Prandelli will take the right decisions. Brave decisions are needed to improve the situation."

Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete has urged the media and fans to be patient with Prandelli.

"We are all trying to bounce back together from the big disappointment of the World Cup in South Africa,'' said Abete to Radio RAI. "This is a different national team and we have to give Prandelli time to work in peace with the youngsters.

"The important thing is that everyone works for the team. We knew even before the World Cup that we needed an almost complete renovation (of the team) and we know how difficult it is to get results when you make changes.

"We have to be close to the national team. I think the players did well in Estonia.''

Meanwhile, Antonio Cassano says he is willing to admit has learned from the mistakes he made when he was his own worst enemy. The Sampdoria striker has come out of the international wilderness and immediately become a match-winner for his side.

''I am taking back the time lost, my adventure with the Azzurri colours was a disaster but it was my fault,'' he said.

The 28-year-old Cassano had to sit and watch as Marcello Lippi's Italian squad failed to advance beyond the group stage in the World Cup in South Africa.

When asked about Lippi's resistance to calls in the media to included Cassano in his team, despite the player's good form and behaviour in Serie A, he said: ''Lippi? I don't look at the past but at the present. I don't want to create controversies.

''I have a fantastic rapport with Prandelli, who has made me feel important as a person and I will always be thankful to him.

''I have had incredible disasters in previous years at a great cost. But (his wife) Carolina has changed my life.''

ESPN Soccernet
 
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