Italy vs Romania Preview and Live Score: Euro 2008

If you are interested to get the online live score and updates of Italy vs Spain fourth quarter final match then visit the following link:
Euro 2008: Italy Spain Match Live Updates

If you want to get the online live score and updates of the France vs Italy and Netherlands vs Romania matches of Euro 2008, then visit the following two links:

Netherlands vs Romania Live Score and Updates

France vs Italy Live Score and Updates

If you are interested to get the online live score and updates of the France vs Netherlands match then visit the following link:

France vs Netherlands Euro 2008 Match Live Updates

If you are interested to get live score and updates of the Italy vs Romania match then visit the following link:

Italy and Romania Euro 2008 Match Live Updates

World Champion Italy is going to take on Romania in a ‘do or die’ Group C match. The match is very important for both sides as both sides lost points in their opening match in Euro 2008 tournament. Italy suffered a demolishing defeat to Netherlands by 3 goals in their opening match, even though their performance was not that much bad. However, their defense looked a bit sluggish in the match causing a humiliating defeat. Romania, on the other hand, achieved what they were interested to, sharing points with mighty France thanks to a goalless draw. Their well-organized defense did not give much room to French strikers to come in and attack and Romania was satisfied with that draw and winning a point from the first match. Italy vs Romania match is going to be held at Letzigrund, Zurich on 13 June 2008.

Match: Italy vs Romania, Group C Match of Euro 2008

Venue: Letzigrund, Zurich

Date: 13 June 2008

Group C is considered as the Group of Death in Euro 2008, considering the presence of three tournament favorites: France, Italy and Netherlands- and a dark horse, Romania. Even before the tournament started, it was expected that Group C was going to produce some exiting matches for the football fans and the world has already experienced an mind blowing match between Netherlands and Italy in the opening day match of the group.

Italy was stunned by the inspirational master class performance by Netherlands in the first match. Though their performance was not bad either, they lacked what it would take to produce results in the match. In fact, their 0-3 defeat has been their worst defeat in Euro till date. So, anything less than a victory over Romania could be lethal for the reigning world champions, as they will have to play against France in their last group match. If Romania held Italy to a draw, then Italy will require a victory against France in their last group stage match and the result of Netherlands vs Romania match to go their way. On the other hand, another defeat would see Italy got out of the tournament with a match at hand, which would be a humiliation for a reigning world champion. Coach Roberto Donadoni has been fully criticized in Italian media because of wrong squad selection in the first match and the coach is already facing a possible sack if Italy can not make it to the last eight of Euro 2008. Critics are active enough to make him the villain of Italy’s lackluster performance. So, the coach is now definitely under a huge pressure. So, anything less than a quarter final berth will, for sure, leave him under the sword of the critics and a possible sack would become very much realistic.

Romania does not need to worry for losing anything in the tournament, because even a die-hard fan of Romania would admit that it would not be easy for Romania to get into the quarter final of the tournament. However, I think, Romania will also be satisfied if they can at least come up with another crucial point from the match, when they would require a victory against Netherlands in the last group match to reach the last eight of Euro 2008 tournament.

Italy vs Romania: Head to Head

If you go through the head to head meeting of the two sides, it is pretty much clear that Italy has better success than Romania. Romania and Italy faced each other seven times so far, with Italy winning on five occasions and Romania winning once. The other match was held to a draw. The two sides faced each other in a world cup qualifier seven years back in 2001, when Italy picked an easy 2-0 victory over Romania. The only victory Romania recorded against Italy came 25 years ago in 1983 when Romania defeated Italy 1-0. However, Romania can not cherish a victory that came 25 years ago; rather they might take inspiration from their excellent qualifying round performance of Euro 2008 tournament.

When it comes to recent performance, neither side looks formidable as both Italy and Romania suffered two defeats out of their last seven matches, while Italy won five and Romania won four matches. Both the defeats of Romania came against two easy opponents: Israel and Bulgaria, while Italy suffered their defeats to two football powerhouses: Netherlands and Spain.

Roberto Donadoni Struggling to Face the Critics

As I earlier mentioned that Italy coach is now under the huge criticism from both media and football pundits in Italy. However, the coach is trying his best to put an off to all the criticisms, but still, it has become a problem for Roberto Donadoni to deal with it. The coach reacted strongly against critics’ comments that Italy is an aged side and it lacked physical fitness. Besides admitting that Holland has some physically strong players, the coach denied that Italy does not have physically fit players or Italian players are physically unfit. Rather the coach has no complain about the commitment of the match. He also adds that Italy prepared for Euro 2008 for the last two years.

Telegraph reported:

"There's a difference between a team of 30-year-olds and a team of 60-year-olds," countered Donadoni, whose side now meet Romania in Zurich on Friday. "All the players are up to the task. I don't think we were inferior physically. It was not a physical problem. You can't say we weren't fit enough but it's true Holland have some very strong players physically."

"I won't complain about the commitment of any of the players," Donadoni added. "I do not believe we lost 3-0 against Holland because we thought, 'We're the world champions'. We've been working very hard and professionally over the last two years, focusing on the Euro.

Romania Captain Christian Chivu Wants to Put an End to Criticisms

The current Romanian squad includes a number of players who play club football in Italy. So, they are very much acquainted with Italian style of football, which might help them to take on Italy tomorrow. There are critics who think the current Romanian side is the generation of losers, indicating the declining performance of Romania in the last decade. Romanian football saw a golden time when Gheorghe Hagi’s Romania reached the quarter final of 1994 world cup. Now, captain Christian Chivu is determined to show that the current squad is not the generation of losers. Chivu plays for Inter Milan, while some other players including striker Adrian Mutu, midfielder Paul Codrea, defender Stefan Radu, besides defenders Cosmin Contra and goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont who have previous experience of playing in Italy.

International Herald Tribune reported:

"This is not a generation of losers," Chivu said Thursday, a day before the Romanians face World Cup champion Italy in Group C. "Romania is a stronger team. It's better organized and maybe more determined because over eight years (without a major tournament) our frustrations have been mounting."

"I don't think that Italian defenders will sleep well tonight," he said.

Italy vs Romania: Online Live Score and Update

I think, many of you may not be able to watch the match live on television due to your professional or personal works. So, considering those passionate fans, here I am giving some links of online live score websites from where you can get the online live score and updates of the match between Italy and Romania:

It is pretty clear that both sides will looking to achieve something in the match. While Italy will be striving for a victory, Romania might look for at least a draw. You know that Romania has a strong defense that can deny goals against any big teams. However, France will be inspired to go all out for a victory. Thus, it seems, an exciting match is waiting for the football fans tomorrow. Though Italy is favorite on pen and paper, I would not like to write off Romania, who knows very well how to stand up against any football power and cause an upset.