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| Lippi: 'We earned own goals' |
Saturday 5 September, 2009
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Marcello Lippi insists Italy “earned the good luck” that saw them conquer Tbilisi thanks only to two own goals.
“The own goals were fortunate, but we often threatened the net. Georgia have a young and technical side, they got off to a strong start, but we controlled them,” he said of the 2-0 result.
Kakha Kaladze had a nightmare, as the Georgia captain twice put the ball past his own goalkeeper.
“We didn't do much in the first half, but in the second earned the luck we received with those own goals.”
The Azzurri had not been able to score since the Confederations Cup encounter with the USA, firing blanks for three consecutive games.
Does it say something about the form of the strikers that the drought was only broken by own goals?
“Goals are also a move that puts the opponent under pressure and causes them to make mistakes,” insisted Lippi.
Fabio Quagliarella and Gaetano D'Agostino impressed when they came off the bench and could well start Wednesday's match with Bulgaria.
“We spread the energy around, as we have another game on Wednesday and needed to rest some players.”
Italy now lead comfortably with 17 points, while elsewhere Bulgaria thrashed Montenegro 4-1. Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has nonetheless stated he is fighting for the leadership and not second place.
“Of course Trapattoni should go for the top spot, with everything he has. That's only natural.”
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Geo 0-2 Ita: Azzurri win Kaladze nightmare
Kakha Kaladze scored an incredible brace of own goals to hand a disappointing Italy their 2-0 victory in Georgia. More |
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