04-23-2019, 02:56 AM
MANAUS, Brazil -- Pure class and pure power. Skill and strength. Creative vision and clinical finishing. Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli are a study in contrasts on the football pitch. And off it. Together, they provide Italy with two distinct weapons and on Saturday both players stood out in a 2-1 win over England at the World Cup. Pirlo set up Italys opening goal without even touching the ball and Balotelli headed in the winner early in the second half. "We take our hats off to their skill," England coach Roy Hodgson said. It was an evening reminiscent of the 2012 European Championship, when Pirlo and Balotelli combined to lead Italy to the final of the European Championship. This time, after a few errant passes from Pirlo, the midfield maestro broke open the match by stepping over a cross and fooling the England defenders to let Claudio Marchisio fire in from long-range in the 34th minute. "Pirlo is a player who can add quality in every area of the pitch," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. "Whether its a tight triangle, going far forward or whatever, he can handle himself in any area." At 35, Pirlo is a veteran of the Italy squad that won the 2006 title. Modest and quiet, his personality couldnt be farther from the brashness that the 23-year-old Balotelli displays. After England equalized two minutes later, Balotelli showed his nose for goal by attempting a sharply angled lob shot after drawing goalkeeper Joe Hart out of position in first-half added time. England defender Phil Jagielka headed away the danger but that only seemed to increase Balotellis appetite. Five minutes into the second half, the AC Milan forward finally found the target, leaping over Gary Cahill to head in by the far post following superb work down the right flank and a perfect cross from Antonio Candreva. "Im really happy. Its a special feeling," said Balotelli, who proposed to his Belgian girlfriend a few days ago. "Ive never played in a World Cup and its fantastic. I dedicate this victory to my future wife, who is here, to my family, and to my friends." Balotelli hadnt scored for Italy since October but the enigmatic striker now has 13 goals in 30 appearances for the Azzurri and has silenced any doubts about his lineup status. Ciro Immobile had been pushing Balotelli for the centre forward spot after leading Serie A with 22 goals and a hat trick in a warmup match last week against top-flight Brazilian club Fluminense. "I think he can score many more," Prandelli said. "Ive said it before. (Balotelli) has enormous potential. He needs to convince himself that his movements up front are decisive enough to finish actions. He gave everything he had but Im convinced he has margins for improvement." When Immobile replaced Balotelli in the 73rd, the crowd at the Arena Amazonia showered him with a loud applause. And when the final whistle blew, Balotelli put his finger to his lips as if to silence the criticism he routinely faces. Then he winked to a TV camera. Born in Sicily to Ghanaian immigrants and raised by Italian foster parents, Balotelli is also subjected to racism constantly back home. Before kickoff Saturday, Balotelli tweeted, "ITALIANS. Whatever squad you support, today there is only the Azzurra squad! Hate, jealousy, contempt, lets put it all aside and ALL be united!" United with Pirlo, Balotelli and Italy are tough to beat. DaShawn Hand Jersey . Solomon Elimimian did not make the trip with the team after suffering what appeared to be a right leg injury in the teams regular season finale against the Calgary Stampeders. Luke Willson Lions Jersey . I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video. http://www.authenticnfllionslockroom.com...Jersey/.35 million, avoiding arbitration. Davis led the majors last season with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs, both career highs. He earned $3. Custom Detroit Lions Jerseys . The Detroit Tigers closer blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning Wednesday night against the Dodgers. Tracy Walker Jersey . Mesoraco hurt his hamstring while scoring from second in Friday nights 5-4 loss at Atlanta. Chapman was hit by a line drive during an exhibition game on March 19, breaking his nose and a bone above his left eye. The left-hander looked strong while throwing 43 pitches in batting practice before Saturday nights game against the Braves.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca! Hi Kerry, In Saturdays Bruins at Canucks game, Reilly Smith scores, and then continues on and runs into Luongo. Clearly Smiths elbow contacts Luongos head. Horrible non-call "hit to the head" after the goal was scored.Why are the referees so afraid to make the call after a goal is scored? Thanks,Murray ----Murray: There is no question that Reilly Smith was guilty of charging when he crashed into Roberto Luongo after the puck entered the net. The goal would stand since the puck crossed the line prior to the infraction but a minor penalty should have been assessed to Smith. Let me attempt to explain why the referee might not have reacted to the contact on Luongo and therefore did not call a penalty. From the refs position (behind the goal line, on the same side of the net that Smith approached Lou) the referee was focused on multiple elements of this bang-bang play. First, there was potential for a penalty shot to be called if a foul from behind had resulted once Christopher Tanev gave chase from his opposite-side defensive position. Tanev attacked from a back-side angle and made stick-to-stick contact with Smith just as the shot was being taken from outside the goal crease. Tanev then slid behind Smith making very light physical contact with the back of the Bruin player. At this point the referee would have determined that a legal stick check had been attempted by Tanev and would then focus on the puck entering the net to determine a legal goal. Given the close proximity and contact between Smith in the lead lane and Tanev from the back door the referee would most likely also conclude that Smith was bumped into the crease as he attempted to stop.dddddddddddd Contact by the defending player would negate goalie interference or charging on the play. Reilly Smiths primary focus was to score a goal and elude the check of Tanev. Following this, Smith found that he was very tight to Luongos crease and rapidly running out of real estate after his shot was taken. None of this gives a player the green light to crash into the goalkeeper. He must stop, avoid or minimize any contact with the goalkeeper as defined in rule 69. There was insufficient effort made by Smith to stop, avoid or even minimize contact with Luongo. While Smith didnt deliver his elbow to make contact with Luongos head it certainly was the end result with the goalies posture low and in a butterfly position. As I stated from the outset of this analysis a charging penalty should have been assessed to Reilly Smith. I would go so far as to say that a penalty would be called 99 out of 100 times for goalie interference on a play such as this if the puck had not entered the net so your point is well taken Murray. I dont believe however that the majority of referees are reluctant to call a penalty after a goal has been scored. Ive said it before and it bears repeating; too much is missed whenever a referee assumes a position behind the goal line! From this location a referee is unable to draw an angle on players crease crashing as he looks through the back of the net and traffic in an effort to find the puck. From that deficient vantage point there was just too much going on for the referee to catch the finishing hit on Roberto Luongo. ' ' '