Review, Preview and much more… :)

March 23rd, 2011 | by: Zala | Comments Off

Oh yes…I’m sorry…again. But what the heck…My computer is back and I’m ready to write.
I’ve promised you a review on the friendly game against Albania. So here we go:
The starting line up (Samir Handanović and our captain Koren were injured):
Jasmin Handanović, Brečko, Cesar, Šuler, Jokić, Kirm, Radosavljević, Bačinović, Birsa, Novaković, Matavž
The game started off very interesting. Matavž had a beautiful opportunity in 6th minute. He shot for around 20 m on goal. And it was a close one. After that Matavž was on fire almost all the time.
We had many opportunities from corners and free kicks. Our Birsa had amazing assists, but none of them wanted to end off as a goal. We were missing far too much and you could see it on our players too. They were starting to get nervous and kicking the ball everywhere. This wasn’t our only problem. Samir Ujkani(Albania’s goalkeeper) was the main problem. He seemed to be in the form of his life. He was boxing, kicking running and saving the net all the time. But in 24th minute he couldn’t do it anymore. Radosavljević stole the ball from an Albanian defender and then 4 of our guys ran into the counter-attack. Rado sent the ball into the box and where Novaković was running and he easily shot it directly into the net. Oh what a goal
After that our boys had some other opportunities and attacks but as always their rhythm fell and they were starting to lose the control over the ball. Kek decided to do something about it so he subbed Matavž for our shining Iličić. And well I have to admit. He brought something fresh into the game. He had many opportunities, but the bes one was when he shot from a free kick and he hit the goalpost. Yes, they had many opportunities, but their game was nothing like in the first half. It was something like the USA game-amazing first half, a drowning second one. And to confirm my critics Albania scored. It was the 62nd minute and our game was on a very low level. They had an amazing first 15 minutes of the second half and they deserved the goal.
After that we were struggling to score and to even hold the ball. In the first half we held it like Barcelona or Arsenal, but in the second we couldn’t. But luck was on our sides(unlike against Georgia) and we got a penalty. Dedić was the one who took it and he didn’t miss the only chance we were given. It was 2-1 for us and it was also the end of the game. I think it’s time to end this 2-1 results…they are very annoying. But let’s have a look at the highlights firs, shall we?

(The commentator is Slovenian and I think he was even happier when Albania scored-you have to listen carefully)

Next time I will try to draw them some pictures how to hold the ball THROUGHOUT THE MATCH… Ever since they were all invited to those Italian clubs they don’t seem to understand any word of Slovenian anymore -.-”

Oh yes..poor Kek. Almost all his young talents are now playing in Italy and they are trying to learn Italian. Although Palermo coach (they have four Slovenian players there) said he should start learning Slovene if they are going to keep buying more and more Slovene talents Yes…I think it’s better if he does, ’cause Iličić isn’t very good in languages. But let’s leave the jokes aside and start the serious theme. Italy. No wait. Before that. Let’s hear it for our new president! (Yes, I know I’m sorry…I’ll write a post about it later…I don’t have time now ‘kay?) Aleksander Čeferin (a layer) became our third president in our short history. Congrats to him and I wish him all the best. But now it’s time for Italy.
You know…Italy is the only opponent I can’t be sure we can win over. Yes…they didn’t have their best season. And yes..most of the time they are lucky. And yes a few important players are injured…but wait..Who won the WC 2006..Umm Italy, if I’m not mistaken. Ow yes…we are fighting against former champions. It won’t be easy. But we know how to bring it and hopefully after all the drama… We finally CAN.

Scared much?
I know I’m a little bit…but however…let’s see the predicted line up.
Italy 4-3-1-2
Buffon, Maggio, Bonucci, Chiellini, Balzaretti, Motta, Montolivo, Aquilani, Mauri, Pazzini and Cassano.
You think it’s not THAT dangerous? Well, maybe you’re right. But to be sure. I want to say something.
We REALLY need to have Iličić and Bačinović in the starting eleven. Yes…I know it’s a weird decision. But think about it. They are both from Palermo. They both know how to play against Italian guys. And their game is very rough. And Italia needs a little bit rough. Because be sure THEY will show US what roughness means.
I was calculating the points from our group and I realized we don’t even need to win. We just have to score. Keep on pressing and if a draw comes out it will be totally fine (as long as we win against Northern Ireland). So I think our win recipe is pressing, playing rough and holding the ball. They have one of the best goalkeepers in the world (well he was injured for a long time so…we don’t know how much of that still counts) but we have to be sure it won’t be easy to break him. So we need free kicks(Birsa and Iličić), corners(Birsa) and counter attacks(Novaković, Matavž, Ljubijankić…whoever will play). Oh and also passes(Radosavljević, Birsa, Brečko). Our defense needs to tough up and think straight.
My prediction result is 1-1 But I’m hoping for a win with all my heart. I will be there on the stadium. By the way. The game is on 25th March 2011 at 20 45 CET in Stožice, Ljubljana. So we are at home. I respect them but I think it’s time to repeat the result(well I don’t mind a higher result either) on our last friendly game: 0-1 for us.
Oh and guess what Buffon said. He said they aren’t the favourites. So when he says it we have to take it with open arms and show him he is righter than he thinks. We will be their nightmare on Friday. So guys be sure you watch and support Slovenia, comment below, share your predictions, opinion and anything else.
Good luck, enjoy and hey please wish me luck for tomorrow (I have an exam in Maths-.-).
Hope to see some of you on the stadium on Friday. Everyone else-you’ll get my own pictures from the game on Sunday or Monday. Our next game is on Tuesday against Northern Ireland. Make sure you read a preview for that too.
See ya!

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