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Cagliari and Arezzo Draw 0-0 in Coppa Italia

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Cagliari and Arezzo drew 0-0 in a match in the Coppa Italia, Italy's main football cup competition outside the league.

Before the game, Cagliari's coach, Mister Pisacane, announced the players in his squad for the match. This list is often called the call-ups.

The official lineups for both teams were also released. These lineups show which players start the game for each club.

For Cagliari, midfielder Fazzini was included in the starting eleven. This means he began the match on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Maldini did not start the game. Instead, he began on the substitutes' bench, meaning he could be brought on later if needed.

The match itself ended without any goals being scored by either side, finishing at 0-0. Both teams will now wait to see the result of the fixture and how it affects their progress in the competition.

Vocabulary6 words

Coppa Italia
a big football cup in Italy
cup competition
a tournament teams play to win a trophy
call-ups
players chosen to join the team
official lineups
the real list of starting players
starting eleven
the eleven players who begin the match
substitutes' bench
where players wait if not playing

Quiz

1. What competition were Cagliari and Arezzo playing in?
2. What was announced before the game by Cagliari's coach?
3. True or false: Maldini started the match.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Cagliari and Arezzo drew _____ in a match in the _____.

Before the game, Cagliari's coach, Mister Pisacane, announced the players in his squad, often called the _____.

The _____ for both teams were also released.

For Cagliari, midfielder _____ was included in the starting eleven.

Meanwhile, _____ did not start the game and began on the _____.

The match ended without any goals, finishing at _____.

Discussion questions

  1. Why do you think coaches sometimes keep experienced players like Maldini on the bench?
  2. What is the importance of cup competitions like the Coppa Italia for football clubs?
  3. How might a 0-0 draw affect a team's confidence going forward?
  4. Do you follow any cup competitions in your country? What makes them exciting?

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