Il Capitano Alessandro Del Piero (382 Viewers)
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The young Totti and Del Piero where difference makers before 10 years, but surely they weren't the ones that made big difference in 2002, 2004, 2006 or 2008 so I wouldn't say that the aging of attacking superstars is to blame for Italy's late failings. It's true that the generation of 2006 is passing, but Italy in the last years had been suffering because coach is either inexperienced or not willing to give the next generation a fair shot. It's not like Italian NT will be greatly affected when Totti or Del Piero retires completely, but I'm sure it will affect several clubs who rely on them much much more heavily than the NT.
Do you really believe that?? Without Totti, Del Piero and Camoranesi italy wouldn't have won the world cup. They made the difference in so many games in that campaign. Del Piero and Totti took turns in running the italian attacking front.
During Euro 2008, you really cannot blame Italy for Donadoni's short comings.
In 2009 Confederation cup, Italy looked hopeless, soul-less, and impotent. Lippi was coaching. Same coach who got the world cup, and arguably one of the best coaches in history. But Del Piero and Totti were not there. Is that the only reason? No ofcourse not. But they played a major part of it.
Both Del Piero and Totti are making the difference in their teams on weekly bases. Both players have carried their teams for over a decade, and in Del Piero's case won lots of trophies. Just last season, less than a 10 months ago, Del Piero carried out deficient squad through the CL group stage and we barely got knocked out by one of the best teams in europe (Chelsea)...
One last note, you cannot compare Di Natale's achievements with Udinese with Del Piero's achievement with Juve.
If players like Di Natale and Quagliarella are being seriously considered for the Italian National team, Both Del Piero and Totti should be already on that list. So should Camoranesi. Its wrong to even mention these players in the same sentence as players like Del Piero and Totti.
I know many will disagree with me, and I know I am very biased towards Del Piero, but this has nothing to do with bias rather who can carry the italian national team and who can't.
During Euro 2008, you really cannot blame Italy for Donadoni's short comings.
In 2009 Confederation cup, Italy looked hopeless, soul-less, and impotent. Lippi was coaching. Same coach who got the world cup, and arguably one of the best coaches in history. But Del Piero and Totti were not there. Is that the only reason? No ofcourse not. But they played a major part of it.
Both Del Piero and Totti are making the difference in their teams on weekly bases. Both players have carried their teams for over a decade, and in Del Piero's case won lots of trophies. Just last season, less than a 10 months ago, Del Piero carried out deficient squad through the CL group stage and we barely got knocked out by one of the best teams in europe (Chelsea)...
One last note, you cannot compare Di Natale's achievements with Udinese with Del Piero's achievement with Juve.
If players like Di Natale and Quagliarella are being seriously considered for the Italian National team, Both Del Piero and Totti should be already on that list. So should Camoranesi. Its wrong to even mention these players in the same sentence as players like Del Piero and Totti.
I know many will disagree with me, and I know I am very biased towards Del Piero, but this has nothing to do with bias rather who can carry the italian national team and who can't.
Camoranesi and Totti were instrumental in 2006 victory, but they surely weren't the difference makers nor the best players in the team, they didn't won games on their own. It was the team that was behind the 2006 and they where 2/11 of the team not 10/11. I'm sure it's possible to replace them with players capable to do the job, even if you fail to see them. To replace Lippi - now that's a hard job, but there are some promising coaches in Italy.
I believe we are talking about Azzurri right know not their achievements in Rome or Turin (17 goals this season so far for Di Natale btw) and the players who should already be on that list are the ones that got Italy qualified to WC2010 and that's neither Totti or Del Piero, I'm sure Camoranesi is certain to go for the world cup.
I'd love to see both Totti and Del Piero in SA, but they must show they're worth it, they're not the leaders of the team and haven't been for many years now, nothing should be secured for them. If Totti makes Roma win scudetto/finish as top-scorer or if DP demonstrates fantastic form in the second part of the season they'll be there.
I believe we are talking about Azzurri right know not their achievements in Rome or Turin (17 goals this season so far for Di Natale btw) and the players who should already be on that list are the ones that got Italy qualified to WC2010 and that's neither Totti or Del Piero, I'm sure Camoranesi is certain to go for the world cup.
I'd love to see both Totti and Del Piero in SA, but they must show they're worth it, they're not the leaders of the team and haven't been for many years now, nothing should be secured for them. If Totti makes Roma win scudetto/finish as top-scorer or if DP demonstrates fantastic form in the second part of the season they'll be there.
Well, yes, of course, but as I pointed out there are open spaces in attack because apart from Di Natale, Gilardino and Iaquinta, no-one from the Italian attackers played enough and contributed to Italy's WC qualifications.
Imo it won't be unfair at all if DP (granted, if he's in good form) makes it to the WC squad ahead of Quag, Pazzini and Rossi, who hardly played in the qualifiers, just like DP.
Pazzini played 34 minutes in the qualifiers, exactly as much as Del Piero. Rossi played 125 minutes more and Quag played only 105 minutes more than Ale in the qualifiers.
None of them gets points from "contribution in the qualifiers" so they should all start from zero. Then Lippi should choose taking their quality (this is where Del Piero beats them all by a light year) and form in consideration.
If DP is in better or same form as they are, then I believe he should make it.
Imo it won't be unfair at all if DP (granted, if he's in good form) makes it to the WC squad ahead of Quag, Pazzini and Rossi, who hardly played in the qualifiers, just like DP.
Pazzini played 34 minutes in the qualifiers, exactly as much as Del Piero. Rossi played 125 minutes more and Quag played only 105 minutes more than Ale in the qualifiers.
None of them gets points from "contribution in the qualifiers" so they should all start from zero. Then Lippi should choose taking their quality (this is where Del Piero beats them all by a light year) and form in consideration.
If DP is in better or same form as they are, then I believe he should make it.
No disagreement here, I just pointed out to ZAF (one of the most intelligent posters here imo) that DP and Totti doesn't deserve a secured spot in SA. If Di Natale, Gilardino and Iaquinta will be there (and probably the only doubt sadly is about Vinny), I hardly see a place for both Totti and DP, a big guy like Toni, Amauri or Pazzini will be needed for Lippi. Are there any progress in the Totti-Lippi situation?
Iaquinta, Gilardino, Di Natale, Del Piero is enough if Lippi (hopefully) uses a 2 man front line. He should just use them all as forwards, enough with Di Natale on the left wing.
The team that is called for Italy at the next Fifa international date (against Cameroon) would give an idea of who Lippi likes. Del Piero has a really good chance of performing at this world cup if he keeps the fitness coach because he missed a large part of the season already.
The team that is called for Italy at the next Fifa international date (against Cameroon) would give an idea of who Lippi likes. Del Piero has a really good chance of performing at this world cup if he keeps the fitness coach because he missed a large part of the season already.
What do you mean by "this Totti"?
I must admit that I didn't watch many Roma matches this season (maybe 4-5 at most) so I'm not aware of Totti's fitness and form.
I do know, however, that at one point this season Ranieri praised Totti a lot and said that it's not a coincidence that Roma's good result happened at the same time with Totti's comeback. Also, I believe he's their best scorer this year with 21 goal on 22 matches in all competitions.
So is "this Totti" you're talking about the Totti of 2009/2010 or is there something about his fitness from the last weeks/month?
If it's only from the last weeks, then I guess it's fixable and Totti can regain his fitness and speed.
I must admit that I didn't watch many Roma matches this season (maybe 4-5 at most) so I'm not aware of Totti's fitness and form.
I do know, however, that at one point this season Ranieri praised Totti a lot and said that it's not a coincidence that Roma's good result happened at the same time with Totti's comeback. Also, I believe he's their best scorer this year with 21 goal on 22 matches in all competitions.
So is "this Totti" you're talking about the Totti of 2009/2010 or is there something about his fitness from the last weeks/month?
If it's only from the last weeks, then I guess it's fixable and Totti can regain his fitness and speed.
