Second Honeymoons Are Uncool

I have absolutely no evidence to back this up, but I’m guessing a second honeymoon lacks a bit of the zest and flair of the first edition. Certainly was the case for Marcello Lippi today in his second debut as head coach of the Azzurri because it, uh, didn’t go so well. Austria, the team which was supposed to be the laughing stock of the Euros, put four (FOUR!) into the back of the net today. Luckily for the Azzurri, the Austrians are a fair and charitable people, so two were for themselves and two were for Italy. Group hug.

But even better than the standard 2-2 draw was the return of Alberto Gilardino. Gila tripped on the grass during a 1v1 with Austria’s keeper (no really, he actually tripped this time) before celebrating the first own goal as though he scored it, then immediately plucking the ball from the net and running back towards to the center circle desperate for the equalizer. In first half stoppage time of a friendly. Oh it’s been a lovely 6 months to be an Azzurri fan.

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Category: World Football