Review against Italy, preview in Northern Ireland a.k.a. Where’s Iličić?

March 28th, 2011 | by: Zala | Comments Off

Yes. This was the question of the week. From Italian media, Slovenian media and many others. Also from us fans. But let’s start at the beginning. Ih yes, but before we start I have to apologize-I forgot my camera at home and I can’t post pictures from the game, but I will post them on Saturday on our site on Facebook.
So, I was already in Ljubljana so I didn’t need to hurry. But anyway I came on Stožice 45 minutes before and witnessed a fight between Olimpija fans and Maribor fans (Green Dragons vs. Viole). I personally think they shouldn’t fight when they are at a national game, because that’s the time when we all step together, but what the hell. It was fun to watch them-nobody got hurt

The fight-yes that’s Slovenia. We aren’t fighting against our opponents, but against our brothers.

Then people started gathering and the stadium was almost full. Yes-ALMOST! I was constantly looking on my phone to see the time and even 5 minutes before the fist whistle there were still many sits empty. And it was like that throughout the game. It was awful, I couldn’t even look at it. But okay, I let it go and focused on the game. It started very well. We had some beautiful chances at the beginning, but then Italy took the ball and we couldn’t get it back. Then after about 10 minutes we got the ball back and had another few amazing chances. But then Italy went forward again. It was something like that although the game and well 0-0 result seemed kind of fair. But that’s not what bothered me. I was more worried about the fans. 3/4 of he stadium didn’t even cheer for our national team. They were just sitting there like there were in front of TV (honestly…even my grandpa is more active in front of TV than these guys were on the stadium). No really I mean. If you don’t come to support, cheer, scream, clap, stand through the whole game if you have to and other things fans do at the stadium, then you should stay at home and watch the match on TV. You have a better view and everything. I’m begging you guys. If you don’t want to cheer on the game THEN DON’T COME! I was really disappointed, indeed.

A very emotional game not only for football fans but also for our whole nation ended in tears. Our eternal opponent managed to bring us down once again.

Second half was even worse(but I have to mention-some of the fans stood up when one of our guys had a 100 percent opportunity). Our guys played on high balls and it was very hard to score like that. I mean Italy has one of the best goal keepers on the world, right? Well, Buffon caught every single high pass so we couldn’t do anything. We had some opportunities, but so did Italy. Samir was again our SuperSarma and without him we would lose with a higher result. I’m really running out of time so I’ll be fast. Italy played very rough as I told you they would. I honestly think they deserved many more yellow cards then one (in 90th minute?) and our players were almost all the time on the ground. Nobody actually got hurt until the 70th minute. Brečko was taken down and limped off the pitch. We were all holding our breaths. Who will come in for him? We don’t have a second right back. Andjelković was subbed in for Brečko. We were screwed. Italy scored from the side where Brečko would defend our goal. I don’t blame Andjelkovć and not Brečko, either. Motta scored. But it was a loss for nothing. We could’ve pulled out a draw right away. But Kek decided to sub in Iličić in only 74th minute. He had an amazing opportunity from a free kick right after he was subbed in and it had us all wondering: what was Kek waiting for this long? After that we were slowly fading away.
Oh yes. Highlights:

So we lost. What now?
NORTHERN IRELAND-SLOVENIA Tomorrow TUESDAY 29th MARCH 20:45 CET
We HAVE to WIN! There is no other option. Serbia won their las game(against N. Ireland) and they have just as much points as we do. Estonia is 1pt behind us with one game less. Serbia playes in Estonia tomorrow 20:30. They have to draw or Serbia has to win. If Estonia wins we are SCREWED!
Cesar is the only one who won’t be able to play against N. Ireland.
My tactic? Iličić. Yes. I said many bad things about him. But it looks like he’s growing (not literary, I mean I think he’s tall enough). He’s like a stick-with those long, thin legs I’ve been watching Palermo on weekends to see Iličić and Bačinović and well i have to say they are our future so Iličić is our secret weapon. I hope Kek uses him properly this time. Oh and we need to play our game. No high passes, no waiting for the other team to score. But attacking, pressing, holding the ball, giving everything we’ve got. Free kicks are our good spot, counter attacks and so on.
I’m sorry for such a quick and in a rush review/preview but I’m really short with time so. I hope you’re not mad and hope you still believe in them. I know they can do it. So tomorrow I’m betting on a win.
Is 0-1 for us enough?
Your predictions? Comments? Anything?
Enjoy!