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Brazil find no telling opposition from Italy

Other News Materials 11 February 2009 02:52 (UTC +04:00)

A solid, attack-geared Brazil won a friendly against lacklustre world champions Italy on Tuesday 2-0 through goals from Elano and Robinho, dpa reported.

The five-time World Cup winners prevailed through their speed and classy ball control as the Azzurri, who won their fourth title in 2006, displayed major flaws in their trademark defence tactics.

The defeat also thwarted coach Marcello Lippi's hopes to set a new world record after 31 unbeaten games.

A good early dominance from Italy had as its only result a goal from flank defender Fabio Grosso that was disallowed for offside, while Gianluigi Buffon on 10 minutes had to stop a break from Brazil striker Adriano.

Brazil's second attack on 14 minutes left Buffon no chances as Ronaldinho and Robinho tore through Italy's defence to set up Elano for a winning face-to-face shot.

One more onrushing save was necessary two minutes later after Douglas Maicon dispossessed Andrea Pirlo and tried a spurt toward Italy's goal.

An even worse blunder from Pirlo favoured Robinho's classy goal on 26 minutes, when the Manchester City striker left three defenders standing before aiming his low shot to graze the far post and inflate the net.

Daniele De Rossi on 32 minutes tried to reanimate the stunned Azzurri with a long-range drive that found the hands of the well- positioned Julio Cesar.

Brazil remained in control and delighted the crowd at the brimming Emirate Stadium with their elegant touches and fast schemes.

The Selecao, however, also showed concreteness when Maicon had a low drive stopped and Elano on 39 minutes fired an impressive shot a few centimetres above the bar and a seemingly helpless Buffon.

A very high volley from Grosso was Italy's only telling effort before a break during which Lippi decided to bring on forwards Luca Toni, Giuseppe Rossi and Mauro Camoranesi.

The diminutive Rossi opened the second half with a wide drive and burst on the right flank as the Azzurri tried to step up their pressure.

Their efforts, however, boiled down to a Toni goal disallowed for ball handling on 64 minutes, while another chance went begging as the tall striker was unable to decide between shooting and passing an inviting feed.

Toni missed again with eight minutes to go, firing feebly off a great Rossi feed to favour Julio Cesar's save. The goalkeeper also blocked a free kick from Grosso and a slack header from Toni.

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