Euro 2008 Qualifications: Italia vs Lithuania [09-02-2006] (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter ramzax
- Start date
umpkin:
I concur. Italy looked shaky from the start and pretty flat-footed. Lithuania looked like a team that held no WC-parading ceremony in any regard -- and treated Italy like any other opponent they could potentially defeat. Lithuania, IMO, even had the better chances in the early stages.
After the goal, Italy got a wake-up call, though. Lithuania lacked coordination at the backline much of this match, and I sensed the goal coming -- not that it was unlucky of them.
Still, even if Italy put Lithuania on their heels for much of the remaining match, Lithuania didn't tuck in to some wholly defensive position. They sent down their forwards and some midfielders regularly and kept things interesting on the other end -- they didn't look content to hang on to a draw, which I have to commend.
Italy has some high points to take away from this match. But one of the things they'll need to forget is the lack of hunger they came out with tonight.
After the goal, Italy got a wake-up call, though. Lithuania lacked coordination at the backline much of this match, and I sensed the goal coming -- not that it was unlucky of them.
Still, even if Italy put Lithuania on their heels for much of the remaining match, Lithuania didn't tuck in to some wholly defensive position. They sent down their forwards and some midfielders regularly and kept things interesting on the other end -- they didn't look content to hang on to a draw, which I have to commend.
Italy has some high points to take away from this match. But one of the things they'll need to forget is the lack of hunger they came out with tonight.
I quite like Di Michele - He is technically gifted and quite versatille, whether he warrants a place in front of Del Piero, or Toni is a different matter though.
As I didn't see the match I cannot comment too much, the line he picked seemed to lack that guile, width, and movement at the final third. Giving chance to Cassano against minnows like Lithuania was a good move, but De Rossi, Perotta, and Gattuso isnt going to get you too many goals. He should have started with front 3 and taken out one of De Rossi or Gattuso (probably the latter) and started Gila.
Anyway, nothing personal against Donadoi, who I actually like quite a lot, but today's draw was a good smack on the face for Rossi. I hope Italia doesnt qualify for Euro so that historians can lament about how one man destroyed Calcio.
Also what is the point of supporting the federation seems to be against so much that, it now seems some of our players (Camo, Del Piero) would be ignored at all cost.
As I didn't see the match I cannot comment too much, the line he picked seemed to lack that guile, width, and movement at the final third. Giving chance to Cassano against minnows like Lithuania was a good move, but De Rossi, Perotta, and Gattuso isnt going to get you too many goals. He should have started with front 3 and taken out one of De Rossi or Gattuso (probably the latter) and started Gila.
Anyway, nothing personal against Donadoi, who I actually like quite a lot, but today's draw was a good smack on the face for Rossi. I hope Italia doesnt qualify for Euro so that historians can lament about how one man destroyed Calcio.
Also what is the point of supporting the federation seems to be against so much that, it now seems some of our players (Camo, Del Piero) would be ignored at all cost.
Those guys were all out of form except for Del Piero. It makes perfect sense that he played Cassano and Inzaghi because Cassano is as much of a support striker as Del Piero and Inzaghi is a supreme finisher. If he played Toni (lack of form) or Camoranesi (who has the poorest attitude), they probably would've done worse.
The biggest mistake that Donadoni did was playing with that flat midfield.No width at all.Wat the hell was he thinking ? perrota,pirlo,de rossi, gattuso...wats missing there ? Yes no wingers and dont tell me perrota is a winger cuz hes only a make shift winger not a true one.
He should've played marchionni at least, provide him with some width.Or play with a 4-3-3 formation.
He should've played marchionni at least, provide him with some width.Or play with a 4-3-3 formation.
