Trap reveals Real-style Italy Tuesday 11 February, 2003
Giovanni Trapattoni has announced the 4-2-3-1 formation to play Portugal on Wednesday will copy Real Madrid’s tactics.
“It is similar to the Spaniards,” confessed Trap, “but not a carbon copy. It is an agile, fresh line-up with the quality to entertain and get results.”
The Coach will give starting places to debutantes Fabrizio Miccoli, Mauro Camoranesi and Bernardo Corradi at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Gianluca Zambrotta will also test out his new left-back position at international level.
“It can be compared to Real Madrid,” he added, “but with an Italian twist. I must adapt to the characteristics of my own players.”
It is a tactic also used by Empoli in Serie A this season. The press hinted that the decision to scrap the 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 was prompted by the spate of injuries to Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti and Christian Vieri.
“That is not true,” noted the former Inter and Juventus boss. “Had those stars been at my disposal I still would have tested out this new style of play.”
The line-up was tried out during training on Tuesday evening, but we are likely to see sweeping changes during the half-time break of this friendly encounter.
Over 30,000 fans are expected in Genoa, a Stadium the Azzurri have not played in for eleven years.
Meanwhile, FA President Franco Carraro has explained why the team will not walk onto the field with a banner that reads ‘Peace’.
“There is not a single Italian citizen who does not want peace,” said the FIGC chief, “and that certainly applies to the players as well.”
“But holding up a banner can be taken as a political statement, whereas the Azzurri squad is for everyone. That is why we cannot allow political statements on the field.”
The official line-up to start Wednesday’s game against Portugal:
Italy: Toldo; Panucci, Cannavaro, Nesta, Zambrotta; Zanetti, Perrotta; Camoranesi, Miccoli, Delvecchio; Corradi
Football Italia