Italy v Ivory Coast
International Friendly
Boleyn Ground
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Final score - Italy 0-1 Ivory Coast
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure was the match-winner as his second-half header saw Ivory Coast record a 1-0 win over Italy at the Boleyn Ground.
The second-ever full international held at the home of West Ham United was settled ten minutes after the break when Toure rose high to head Guy Demel's right-wing cross past Salvatore Sirigu.
The Italians, who whom new manager Cesare Prandelli was in charge for the first time, might have taken the lead a few moments after the interval through right-back Marco Motta, only for his shot to cannon back off the inside of the far post.
A crowd of 11,176 turned out in foul weather conditions to enjoy a fine evening of football in east London.
93 mins - Montolivo's effort is short and the Ivory Coast clear back to the Fiorentina man, who lofts the ball back in. Kolo Toure rises high to head clear and referee Atkinson gives a free-kick. Yeboua smashes the ball upfield and the final whistle goes. The Ivorians get back on track after their World Cup exit, while Italy will need more time to put things right. Thanks for joining us this evening on what was a unique and special evening at the Boleyn Ground.
93 mins - We're running short of time here if Italy are going to avoid defeat in Prandelli's first game in charge. Rossi is fouled midway inside the Ivory Coast half, so they have a sniff...
91 mins - Another substitution from the Ivorians as Kone replaces the lively Gervinho.
90 mins - Into the final minute and I can't see the Italians getting on the scoresheet here. The Ivorians have possession deep inside the Italy half. We're going to have at least three minutes more...
89 mins - Elsewhere in Carling Cup land, Coventry City are two down at League Two Morecambe, while Southend United are holding Bristol City 2-2.
88 mins - Give it up for Shrewsbury Town, who have come from 3-0 down to lead Charlton Athletic 4-3 in the Carling Cup. Elsewhere, League Two Crewe Alexandra are beating Championship Derby County 1-0. Back at the Boleyn, Borriello shoots left footed, but the ball rolls tamely through to Yeboua. Next to me, the Ivory Coast supporters are singing away, with one particularly vociferous man in a bright orange outfit leading the way. Good lad.
87 mins - An Ivorian defender is down in his own penalty area receiving some treatment. It's Eboue who was hurt, but after a bit of treatment he's right as rain.
85 mins - Italy have a left-wing corner and send the big guns up, but that man Yeboua is there again to punch clear with his right fist. There are 11,176 fans here tonight. Not a bad turnout on a rotten night, and those who have ventured to the Boleyn Ground will leave royally entertained. Let's hope we don't have to wait seven-and-a-half years to see another international here.
84 mins - Kalou is replaced by Fae for the final few minutes.
83 mins - Ivory Coast are readying Emerse Fae, who had a spell with Reading. Before he can come on, Bonucci is booked for scything down Kalou near the left touchline.
81 mins - The game is being played exclusively in Ivory Coast's half at present. Italy make a final change, bringing on Montolivo for Palombo.
79 mins - Yeboua is an exciting goalkeeper to watch, if nothing else! Rossi volleys the ball across and the stopper drops it at the feet of Borriello. Thankfully for the Africans, Yeboua recovers and falls on the ball before the AC Milan man can get a shot in.
77 mins - Ivory Coast have gone into their shells a bit here. Italy have a corner via Kolo Toure's head. The ball comes over and Eboue clears. Quagliarella picks up possession and nutmegs Gervinho before crossing, but Borriello's header is weak and an easy grab for Yeboua.
75 mins - Cassani, sporting a nice beard, loses Siaka with a neat turn before crossing to the far post. Quagliarella rises but the ball is just a little too high and he can only direct his header wide of the post. Yeboua takes an age setting the ball for his goal kick, and receives a lot of booing from the Italians in the crowd.
74 mins - Former West Ham youngster Josh Payne has scored for Doncaster Rovers in the Carling Cup tonight. Good work Josh. Back here, Pepe is replaced by Claudio Marchisio.
72 mins - Rossi almost makes an immediate impact, lifting the ball over Kolo Toure towards Borriello, but it skips off the wet turf and behind for a goal kick.
70 mins - Two more changes from the Italians. Motta is off for Cassani, who appeared here for Palermo in the UEFA Cup four seasons ago. Cassano is also going off, replaced by former Manchester United youngster Giuseppe Rossi.
68 mins - Ivory Coast are bringing out the party tricks here as Kafoumba skips past Borriello with a neat flick. The Italians in the crowd have gone a bit quiet. Prandelli is out to the edge of his technical area. The Ivorians also have a man barking out orders in a bright orange baseball cap. I'm not sure who he is though.
66 mins - Paolo Di Canio is here watching his fellow countrymen in action. The fans sing his name, but to be honest, Italy could do with him on the pitch.
65 mins - Cassano and Borriello work the ball into the path of Quagliarella, but the striker slips as he shoots and the ball slithers wide of the right-hand post. That was a good chance for Italy, but the elements worked against them.
64 mins - If anyone is going to score the game's second goal, it looks like being the Ivory Coast at present. Toure's opener has really taken the wind out of Italy's sails.
61 mins - Doumbia off, Yannick Sagbo on. Doumbia gets his name sung on the way off. The big forward has done well this evening, giving Chiellini and Bonucci a real test with his power.
59 mins - Balotelli and Amauri are replaced by AC Milan's Marco Borriello and SSC Napoli's Fabio Quagliarella. The latter scored the winner for Napoli here in last season's Bobby Moore Cup.
57 mins - Substitution for the Ivorians. Kafoumba is on for right-back Demel. The Hamburger SV man takes his time going off. He's had a good night, has Demel.
55 mins - GOAL! We have our first goal and it's Kolo Toure who has scored it. The big defender stayed forward from an Ivory Coast free-kick and got between Chiellini and Bonucci to head the ball powerfully past Sirigu. The goal is met by some screams of delight, while the small band of Ivorian fans behind me are singing their hearts out. They're delighted, and rightly so.
52 mins - Italy are coming on strong here. Pepe cuts inside Siaka with a superb first touch before working Yeboua with a curling shot. The goalkeeper spills the ball and Amauri tries to stab it past him but the effort goes away from goal. Amauri wants a penalty, but the referee gives nothing.
49 mins - Bonucci falls awkwardly under a challenge from Doumbia and stays down. After some running repairs, the defender is able to continue.
47 mins - Cassano swaps passes with Amauri, but Kolo Toure hooks the ball clear before the Sampdoria man can get a shot away. Italy keep up the pressure and Motta gets forward before smashing a low shot against the base of the far post. The ball bounces back and hits goalkeeper Yeboua on the leg before he grabs it under pressure from Amauri. Close!
46 mins - Cassano and Amauri kick-off. Italy are attacking the Bobby Moore Stand end of the stadium. I hope we see as much entertainment as we did before the break in the upcoming 45 minutes.
Into the second half and I don't believe either side has made a change at the break. We're just waiting for the Italian TV man to give us the go ahead and we'll be back underway.
Half-time score - Italy 0-0 Ivory Coast
46 mins - Balotelli is brought down from behind by Demel. Cassano gets free down the left and rolls the ball inside for the big Inter man, but he delays and the chance is lost. The half-time whistle is blown...
45 mins - We're nearly at half-time as another crunching challenge leaves an Italian feeling his leg. Molinaro is the man hurt this time following a tackle from Doumbia. He's OK to carry on though. Italy break down the right, but Motta slaps his cross miles behind the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand end goal. One minute of added-time...
44 mins - The rain is absolutely belting it down here, making for a real spectacle under the Boleyn Ground floodlights.
42 mins - Amauri chases a loose ball and finds Motta, who crosses to the back post to Balotelli, who handles.
41 mins - Italy are always capable of springing something though as Palombo plays a ball across for Cassano. The Sampdoria man cuts a cross back to Amauri, who can only head over from six yards under pressure from Kolo Toure.
40 mins - It's a horrible night here, but it's making for some good football. Ivory Coast are pinging the ball around beautifully on the lush playing surface, in particular. They have such pace and verve about their style of play.
39 mins - Eboue curls the ball in and De Rossi heads clear at the near post.
38 mins - Ivory Coast should be in front here. Demel wins yet another corner down the right off Molinaro's heel.
37 mins - Gervinho is loving this. He drops a shoulder to beat Motta then jinks past Bonucci with a couple of step-overs. He is just about to shoot when Chiellini makes a vital challenge to clear behind for a corner. Again, Amauri rises highest to head clear.
36 mins - Pepe takes the free-kick and bends it in low. As the Italians try to get a toe on the ball, Yeboua keeps his eye on it and makes a save low to his right. Good handling.
35 mins - It is meant to be a friendly....! Eboue is booked for a challenge that leaves Cassano in a heap on the ground. He needs the physio on as referee Martin Atkinson shows the Arsenal man the yellow card.
33 mins - Yeboua shows some interesting goalkeeping skills, punching the ball upwards away from Amauri, but he can't prevent the corner. Again, it comes to nothing.
32 mins - The first corner is sliced behind at the near post. Cassano's second effort is also poor and is headed clear. Ivory Coast break and the ball is eventually worked to Yaya Toure, but the Manchester City new boy slices his shot horribly wide.
30 mins - WHAT A CHANCE! Gervinho does amazingly well to slalom past two challenges before playing a superb one-two with Doumbia. The Lille midfielder is through on goal 12 yards out, but can only screw his shot inches wide of the post. Italy break through Balotelli and when Cassano crosses towards Amauri, Siaka is forced to head behind for a corner.
29 mins - Amauri tries to latch on to a through ball but Zokora, the former Tottenham Hotspur man, holds him off and Yeboua is able to gather.
28 mins - Since making a bright start, we've not seen a huge amount from the Italians. Demel crosses from deep and the ball slices into the hands of Sirigu.
26 mins - Ivory Coast have switched things round up front. Kalou is central, with Doumbia on the right and Gervinho still out wide left. It is the left-back Siaka who shoots from distance, though, but the ball easily clears the bar.
24 mins - De Rossi takes this one, but an Italian is penalised for pushing inside the penalty area and Ivory Coast can clear their lines.
23 mins - Italy go forward and Amauri is brought downat least 35 yards out. Balotelli shoots straight into the wall. The ball bounces back to the youngster and he is immediately fouled. Another free-kick, about five yards closer.
22 mins - This game is really end to end now. Ivory Coast force a corner which Amauri can only head straight to Gervinho. The midfielder can't get the ball under control, though, and by the time he does, he can only flash a shot miles over the top.
21 mins - The AS Roma man flashes his shot past the wall and just past the left-hand post. That was really travelling.
20 mins - Another set piece chance for Italy as Balotelli is brought down about 23 yards out. This free-kick is right in the middle of the pitch, just outside the 'D'. De Rossi fancies this one...
18 mins - The Ivorians are playing some superb stuff now. At least five players are involved in a sweeping move that ends with Doumbia back-heeling to Kalou, who works Sirigu again with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area. Again, the keeper shows good hands in the wet conditions.
17 mins - Doumbia is causing all sorts of problems now, and he nearly gets in behind Bonucci. Thankfully for Italy, the centre-back recovers and hacks the ball clear before the forward can cause too much damage.
16 mins - Italy's captain, Daniele De Rossi, played here a couple of years ago for AS Roma. The Italians were defeated that day, and their national team could have gone behind there as Eboue turns smartly before working Sirigu with a low left-foot shot from 18 yards. Good hands from the Palermo goalkeeper.
14 mins - The Africans are gaining some momentum here. Siaka gets in behind and crosses, but Chiellini is there to clear. Gervinho picks up the loose ball but his cross sails behind the goal.
13 mins - Ivory Coast break straight up the other end and Doumbia wins a corner. Gervinho's delivery bounces towards Kolo Toure, but he can't control the ball and Italy clear.
12 mins - Amauri is a real handful. He is not only a good target man, but also looks to be mobile and fairly quick. He holds the ball up well again before feeding Motta. The right-back makes 20 yards before trying to play in the Brazilian-born striker, but his pass is cut out.
10 mins - Ten minutes in and Ivory Coast are coming into things. Gervinho launches a cross towards Kalou, but Chiellini is there to head clear. The Juventus man is a really uncompromising figure. The Italians are trying to get Balotelli into the game as often as they can, as Palombo sweeps another raking ball out to the left wing. Unfortunately, the forward's cross is behind Pepe and flies out for a goal kick.
9 mins - Incidentally, West Ham United's young left-back Fabio Daprela named Doumbia as his hardest ever opponent in the matchday programme last season. The pair came up against one another when Daprela was with Grasshopper and Doumbia with Young Boys in Switzerland. The powerful forward has since moved to Russian football with CSKA Moscow.
8 mins - Ivory Coast have Yeboua in goal, Demel, Kolo Toure, Didier Zokora and Siaka are across the back four. Yaya Toure, Eboue and Chieck are in the midfield. Up front, Kalou is on the right, with Gervinho on the left and Doumbia through the middle.
5 mins - The rain is sheeting down here, but it's not hindering the Italians. Amauri chests down Molinaro's pass into the path of Balotelli, who smashes his shot wide of the near post from about 20 yards. Good stuff again.
3 mins - After keeping the fans waiting for a good 20 seconds, the teenager fizzes his effort a couple of yards wide of the angle of post and crossbar. Italy look right up for this. To complete their lineup, Sirigu is in goal, with Motta and Molinaro the full-backs and Chiellini and Bonucci in the centre. De Rossi and Palombo are protecting the back four.
2 mins - Balotelli and Cassano combine before Amauri wins a free-kick for handball 25 yards out. There is a massive air of anticipation as Balotelli prepares to take the set piece...
1 min - It's still belting it down with rain as we get underway. Italy have Amauri up front with Balotelli, Pepe and Cassano part of a three-man support group.
7.45pm - Ivory Coast are wearing their change strip of green and white and they'll kick us off. Italy are in all blue.
7.43pm - I think it's fair to say there are more Italians in the stadium than Ivorians, the the superb Italian anthem was sung with gusto and ended with a resounding round of applause from the Azzurri supporters. There are a few Elephants fans in the ground, though, so there will be a cheer should the Africans find the back of the net.
7.40pm - The FIFA anthem is belting out over the PA system as we wait for the two teams to emerge from the tunnel...And here they come. The Ivorians are wearing supremely bright tracksuit tops, while the Italians have their traditional white and blue on. The two teams line up on the sodden turf for the national anthems.
7.35pm - The atmosphere is building here as a gang of at least 40 photographers waits for the two teams to emerge from the tunnel. The man they all want a picture of is Internazionale's enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli. The 19-year-old makes his Italy debut tonight, with much expected of him. The Press Box is crammed full of Italian correspondents from all the major newspapers, while the Players' Lounge has been turned into an impromptu television studio!
Good evening and welcome to a wet and murky Boleyn Ground for tonight's prestigious international friendly between Italy and Ivory Coast.
The four-times FIFA World Cup winners are the designated home team and will be determined to begin a bright new era following a hugely disappointing campaign in South Africa. The Italians have replaced coach Marcello Lippi with Cesare Prandelli and drafted in a host of young players after going out in the first round.
Draws with New Zealand and Paraguay were followed by a disastrous 3-2 defeat by Slovakia, a game which featured an outstanding late goal by SSC Napoli striker Fabio Quagliarella (pictured).
Stuttgart's Cristian Molinaro, Internazionale forward Mario Balotelli and Juventus striker Amauri all make their Azzurri debuts in east London this evening.
Ivory Coast also plunged out of the World Cup at the group stage following defeat by Brazil, a draw with Portugal and victory over North Korea.
Currently without a coach following the departure of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Africans will be hoping the likes of Manchester City pair Kolo and Yaya Toure, Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue and Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou can heap more misery on the Italians.
This evening's fixture is just the second senior international to be held at the famous home of West Ham United. The only previous full international to take place here was back in February 2003, when Eriksson's England went down to a 3-1 defeat by Australia.
Italy: Sirigu, Motta (Cassani 70), Molinaro, Chiellini, De Rossi, Pepe (Marchisio 74), Balotelli (Borriello 59), Cassano (Rossi 70), Palombo (Montolivo 81), Bonucci, Amauri (Quagliarella 59)
Subs: Viviano, Lucchini, Astori, Antonini, Lazzari
Ivory Coast: Yeboua, Siaka, Kolo Toure, Zokora, Demel (Kafoumba 57), Cheick, Yaya Toure, Eboue, Gervinho (Kone 90), Doumbia (Sagbo 61), Kalou (Fae 84)
Subs: Zogbo, Angoua, Bamba