Here's some mixed news for you DP loving fans. Alex will be playing against Finland next Wednesday, but as an attacking left winger not a striker. I got this article from Football Italia.
Giovanni Trapattoni has revealed his tactics against Finland rely on Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero.
“Towards the end of this season,” commented the Italy Coach, “I have seen Totti in splendid form. Del Piero was criticised following the Champions’ League Final, but he was brilliant against Real Madrid.”
The two stars have not played in the same line-up since the ill-fated 2002 World Cup tie with South Korea.
“They did extremely well during that match,” insisted Trap, “and I would love to see my team repeat the same kind of performance, albeit scoring the goals we missed that day.”
The second round tie ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, but the Azzurri went out on a Golden Goal following Totti’s controversial red card.
The interesting development in Wednesday’s Euro 2004 qualifier in Finland would be Del Piero’s position.
“He has already played out wide on the left at Juventus,” noted the tactician, “and for Italy in that game with South Korea. I am sure he can deliver in that role.”
Trapattoni is forced into some changes in the absence of Christian Vieri, Pippo Inzaghi and Gennaro Gattuso. Fitness worries also continue for Cristiano Zanetti and Mauro Camoranesi.
The likely replacement for Vieri upfront will be Bernardo Corradi, especially after he scored in the 2-0 friendly test against Northern Ireland, but Marco Delvecchio also netted in that game.
“Delvecchio could also start in that position,” hinted Trapattoni. “I have 48 hours to decide.”
There were strong reports that Milan hero Gattuso was dropped following a bitter row between the two men.
“The players who are at this training ground are here because they want to be,” confirmed Trap.
“Gattuso is struggling with a back problem. He was the best player on the field in the Old Trafford Final,” he conceded, “but I have Zanetti and Massimo Ambrosini in that midfield role.”
It is unusual that Ambrosini warms the bench at Milan, but is preferred in the Italy squad ahead of his club teammate.
Zanetti’s ankle injury would have been the perfect opportunity to recall Juve’s Alessio Tacchinardi, but he was overlooked again.
“The door is not closed to anyone,” assured the Coach.