Brazil 2 Italy 2: Couldn't do it for City, but Balotelli can't stop scoring for club and country as latest stunner eclipses Oscar
It looked as though Italy would pay for their missed opportunities when Brazil took a 2-0 lead at half-time thanks to goals from Fred and Oscar.
However, Daniele De Rossi pulled one back nine minutes after the interval and the in-form Balotelli leveled with a screamer from about 25 yards three minutes later, taking his tally to eight goals in 2013 for club and country.
Curler: Mario Balotelli's long-range strike completed Italy's comeback as they drew 2-2 with Brazil
No chance: Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar was helpless as Balotelli's shot curled past him
Match facts
Italy: Buffon, Maggio, Bonucci, Barzagli,
De Sciglio (Antonelli 74), De Rossi (Diamanti 80), Pirlo (Cerci 46), Montolivo, Giaccherini (Poli 68), Osvaldo (El Shaarawy 46), Balotelli (Gilardino 83).
De Sciglio (Antonelli 74), De Rossi (Diamanti 80), Pirlo (Cerci 46), Montolivo, Giaccherini (Poli 68), Osvaldo (El Shaarawy 46), Balotelli (Gilardino 83).
Subs Not Used: De Sanctis, Abate, Giovinco, Astori, Ranocchia, Candreva, Sirigu, Marchetti.
Booked: Maggio, Poli.
Goals: De Rossi 54, Balotelli 57.
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Luiz, Dante,
Filipe Luis (Marcelo 77), Fernando, Hernanes (Gustavo 90), Oscar (Kaka 62), Neymar, Fred (Diego Costa 69), Hulk (Jean 85).
Filipe Luis (Marcelo 77), Fernando, Hernanes (Gustavo 90), Oscar (Kaka 62), Neymar, Fred (Diego Costa 69), Hulk (Jean 85).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Thiago Silva, Osvaldo.
Booked: Fred, Hernanes, Filipe Luis.
Goals: Fred 33, Oscar 42.
Att: 28,000
Referee: Stephan Studer (Switzerland).
Italy started brightly and had several chances to take an early lead as Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar was forced into smart saves from Emanuele Giaccherini and Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli also saw a low drive deflected just past the right post in the 13th minute.
The missed chances came back to haunt Italy when Brazil took the lead in the 33rd minute. A cross from the left was headed on by Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci and Fred was on hand to volley home from close range.
Andrea Pirlo came close to leveling five minutes from the break but he curled a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Brazil doubled their lead two minutes later following a swift counter attack. Neymar threaded the ball through to Oscar who side-footed it past Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Cesare Prandelli rang the changes at half-time, bringing on Stephan El Shaarawy for Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, and Cerci for Pirlo.
The changes provided new impetus and the Azzurri pulled a goal back nine minutes later when a corner from the left fell to De Rossi and he fired it home from close range.
Comeback: Italy celebrate their equaliser with the AC Milan forward
Opener: Brazilian striker Fred gave his team the lead in the first half in Geneva
Balotelli leveled shortly afterwards, collecting the ball at distance and firing a powerful shot into the top right corner past the helpless Cesar.
The Milan striker could even have won the game for Italy later on, but sent another shot straight at Cesar and then saw an effort deflected over the bar.
In the driving seat: Chelsea star Oscar doubled Brazil's lead just before half-time
Balotelli was praised by Italy coach Prandelli following his performance in the friendly.
'I know how he really wants to be one of the best in the world but he has to remember how he can get there, and that is through team work,' said the Italian coach.
'That is what he did tonight, like a true champion.'
Commanding: Brazil, who play Russia at Stamford Bridge on Monday, were cruising at half-time
Prandelli has not always seen eye-to-eye with Balotelli and at one stage dropped the 22-year-old from the squad.
'He has the potential to be among the best five (players) in the world but to do that he needs a lot of continuity, as he is having at the moment,' said Prandelli.
'I trust Balotelli, he played as a team player tonight and always managed to keep the right balance between attack and midfield and he was a strong point of our team.'
Back in the game: Daniele De Rossi celebrates with Andrea Barzagli after reducing Italy's arrears to 2-1
0 komentar:
Post a Comment