Official Azzurri (Italy) Euro 2008 Qualifier thread (18 Viewers)

[Dostoevsky]

Donadoni Annoyed By 'Dishonest And Unfair Criticism'

The Italian national team coach Roberto Donadoni finally had the opportunity to respond to the fierce criticism he has received in the last few months.

Donadoni was the guest on TG1, where he spoke about various issues concerning the Azzurri following their qualification for Euro 2008 thanks to the 2-1 win against Scotland last Saturday.

In particular, the former Livorno coach spoke about what annoyed him most since taking over as the Italian national team coach.

"Being always on the verge of receiving the sack is our destiny, the way it works for us Italians," commented an ironic Donadoni.

"Luckily this time we were rewarded."

"The criticism which annoys me most is when there is no honesty and fairness in saying how things are," he continued.

"I will always fight this criticism. Let's criticize when things have been done and not before."

Italy will face the Faroe Islands on Wednesday in the final match of the Euro Qualifiers, and Donadoni is expected to give an opportunity to those players who featured less often.

Panucci Happy Like A Child

Christian Panucci described his emotions after scoring the winning goal against Scotland on Saturday evening.

Simply put, Panucci was the happiest man in Scotland on Saturday night after he went from being left out of the Azzurri squad during the 2006 World Cup to turning into the hero of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

"I am happy like my son of 6 years," declared the Giallorossi defender.

"I have had many satisfying moments in my career, but never like this one.

"Believe me, I'm so happy for Donadoni and myself."

The former Milan and Real Madrid player went on to dedicate the goal and the win to those people who were always close to him.

"I dedicate the win to my mother and my brother," he said.

"I hugged Donadoni many times; the qualification was also for him.

"I played with him at Milan and his mentality is a winning one."

goal.com

 

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[RAMI-N]

I hope Donadoni gets sacked as soon as possible...
He won't get Italy far in Euro 08.

 

[Azzurri7]

If Domenech doesn't like Panucci, that must mean he doesn't like ass. And if Domenech doesn't like ass, that must mean he likes dick. Domenech is therefore a faggot.

 

[Dostoevsky]

Cannavaro Admits Scottish Concerns

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has confessed that Scotland had him worried for a while during Saturday’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifier.

The Azzurri would have been staring elimination in the face had they lost the game in Glasgow, and after Scotland captain Barry Ferguson earned an equaliser on 65 minutes, the home side laid siege to the Italian goal looking for a winner.

With 10 minutes left James McFadden missed a glorious chance, firing wide of a gaping net, before Christian Panucci clinched qualification for the World Champions with a stoppage time header.

"After Scotland equalised I have to say we were afraid,” said Cannavaro.

“Our heads were down, Scotland was growing in confidence and were creating good chances."

The Italian press concurred with Cannavaro’s concerns following Ferguson’s equaliser.

"There was a bad 15 minutes as the Scots took courage,” said La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“There was unparalleled suffering as the Azzurri almost wilted under the physical power of the Scots and Weir's incredible header, cleared off the line by Pirlo."

"We trembled in the hellish atmosphere of Hampden against the tenacious Scots," quaked La Repubblica.

Meanwhile Italian federation president, Giancarlo Abete lavished praise on the Scottish supporters for the way they supported their team, even after the final whistle.

"They've given us a lesson. Their behaviour made our football look even sadder," said Abete, referring to the recent violent events in Serie A.

goal.com

 

[Fred]

Domenech must be the most hated figure in football right now...Hope he proves people wrong about him in the euros(me included)

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

i hope trezeguet gets his daughter pregnant.

 

[Bozi]

I've watched it again a few times today and I still don't understand why the ref awarded the foul in our favour . I can see why Scots fans would be very upset. It's true to say the 2 other big decisions went Scotland's way, but this decision was the easiest to get right. It was baffling!

it was a bafflingly poor decision but on the balance of things, scotland really got out of jail with the 2 decisions at the other end of the ptich. we did not really deserve to win, we have gained a lot of pride back in this campaign but FFs stop the whining boys

Indeed.

That is why I have been getting increasing annoyed at all the folk I have spoken to who have either accused Italy of cheating, or blamed the ref.

Both are clearly not to blame. Scotland only played well for about 20 minutes, around when we scored, and that just isn't enough to beat world champions

very true my man i got really annoyed at the whining and moaning surrounding mikoluinus's dive at hampden and here we are yet again. the team has really punched above their wight and restored a lot of pride but the players, amnager and press are showing a distinct lack of class here and a large dose of selective memory

 

[RAMI-N]

i hope trezeguet gets his daughter pregnant.

 

[RAMI-N]

Calcio Debate: Can Italy Win Euro 2008? ​

Italy sweated it out in Glasgow on Saturday evening to book their place at Euro 2008. However what are their chances going into next summer’s finals and who will be the main challengers? Carlo Garganese investigates…

Last night the ‘Domenica Sportiva’ show on RAI television discussed Italy’s chances of glory in Euro 2008.

The draw for the group stages of the finals will be made on December 2 and according to the so-called experts the seedings will be as such:

(Note that teams in bold are those who have not qualified yet, but are likely to)

Pot 1: Austria (as co-hosts), Switzerland (as co-hosts), Greece (as holders), Holland

Pot 2: Italy, Germany, Croatia, Sweden

Pot 3: England, Sweden, Portugal, Romania

Pot 4: Spain, France, Turkey, Poland

The seedings will be organised based on performance in this qualifying campaign, as well as the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

This clearly leaves Italy with the strong possibility of earning yet another ‘Group of Death’. A possible worst scenario would be a group containing Holland, England and France, while the best scenario would probably be a draw alongside Austria, Romania and Poland.

However with the likes of Portugal and Spain also floating around in the bottom two pots, a difficult group is certainly on the cards.

So what are Italy’s chances of going all the way in Austria and Switzerland?

Coach Roberto Donadoni has received constant criticism since taking over from Marcello Lippi but in truth the Azzurri will go into next summer’s finals with possibly the best competitive record of all the 16 teams.

After this Wednesday’s inevitable win over the Faroe Island’s, Italy will have won nine out of their last ten competitive games, and when you consider this included games against the likes of France, Scotland (twice) and Ukraine (twice) – this is very impressive.

Even the most anti-Italian football supporter will agree that Italy have the best goalkeeper in the world in Gianluigi Buffon. Indeed I think even Raymond Domenech, once he has finished his hourly bashing of everything blue, will admit this.

Despite the age of the back four, Italy still probably have the best defence in the world. The likes of Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluca Zambrotta are world-class, while Andrea Barzagli has been a rock in the recent games with France, Ukraine, Georgia and Scotland.

Only France, and maybe England can stake a claim for possessing a defensive unit anywhere near the quality of the Azzurri. Unfortunately for the Three Lions, they have possibly the worst goalkeeper in the history of the England national team ready to drop a clanger for them every game.

In midfield the Milan trio of Massimo Ambrosini, Rino Gattuso, and Andrea Pirlo have a telepathic understanding of one another’s game, having played together for more than six years. Indeed I still believe that Gattuso and Pirlo are the best centre-midfield partnership in international football in Europe.

Then up-front you have Luca Toni, who is one of the most fearsome strikers currently in circulation. Tall, strong, both-footed, good in the air – Toni is a real bully.

Italy certainly have the players to win Euro 2008. There is a nice blend of technical and mental qualities in the squad.

To win major international tournaments you need to have mental toughness, and there will be no team at Euro 2008 who will have this more in abundance than Italy.

The Azzurri are full of leaders – Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi, Rino Gattuso – they are all winners.

So who will be Italy’s main challengers? In international tournaments you really cannot write off anyone – this was proved in Portugal in Euro 2004 when Greece took the crown.

However in my opinion the main threat will once again come from France. Les Bleus have an outstanding defence, they have the firepower up-front, and they have world-class match-winners such as Franck Ribery. Unfortunately they have a ‘loser’ in charge of them in Raymond Domenech, who appears to put personal feuds ahead of the good of the team.

Germany had an outstanding World Cup last year and waltzed through their qualifying group but I do not think Italy will be at all scared if they had to face them in the knockout stages. The Azzurri have never lost to Germany in a major tournament, with a number of famous World Cup victories from 1970, 1982 and of course most recently in 2006.

Holland have some outstanding midfielders in the shape of Seedorf, Sneijder and Co, as well as the brilliant Van Nistelrooy up-front, but their defence is simply awful. Any team who has the likes of Mario Melciot, Wilfred Bouma and Andre Ooijer regularly in the starting line-up can be considered as no-hopers at this level of football.

Spain most certainly have the players but do they have the mental toughness? History tells us that they don’t. Spain are world-beaters when things are going well for them, but you can bet your bottom dollar that as soon as the chips are down they will just collapse. I’m also unconvinced by the blend of their midfield. Fabregas, Xavi and Iniesta, despite their class, are all too similar and surely cannot be fielded in the same team.

England should qualify if they get a draw against Croatia on Wednesday but it really is difficult seeing them as a serious challenger next summer. They possess an outstanding defence, but the innate technical and tactical deficiencies in the team will once again prove their undoing. There are also not enough goals in the squad, and the selection of strikers available to Manager Steve McClaren, who himself is out of his depth in this job, is shocking.

The last of the big boys is Portugal, who may indeed be one of the dark-horses for Euro 2008. Due to their shaky qualifying campaign, the chances of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men may be downplayed a little, but the truth is that they possess an outstanding crop of players. Their shortcoming, as has been the case since the times of Jordao in Euro 84’ may be up-front, and the lack of a top-class striker could be critical.

What are your views on this topic? Can Italy win Euro 2008? Who do you see as the Azzurri’s main challengers? Goal.com wants to know what you think…

Carlo Garganese
Goal.com

 

[Azzurri7]

i hope trezeguet gets his daughter pregnant.

 

[X Æ A-12]

i hope trezeguet gets his daughter pregnant.

EEEWWWWW anything spawned from Domenech is most likely hideous and stupid. Trezegol can hit much hotter Vag than that.

 

[Espectro]

So, Italy gets into the Euro... anybody want to bet that suddenly Totti will feel to come back from "retirement"

 

[ReBeL]

I love Scottish & English sites:

http://sport.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1821682007
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.1842637.0.0.php

Totti should be shot between his eyes if he thinks about coming back to the Italian national team.

 

[X Æ A-12]

So, Italy gets into the Euro... anybody want to bet that suddenly Totti will feel to come back from "retirement"

Ha! it pisses me off that if he does the don would let him back. No matter how good he is i wouldn't accept him back. He let the rest of our team get the bashing and do the dirty work of qualifying then he comes back to get the glory. Potti does not deserve the honor of representing the azzurri ever again.
I'm sure the azzurri players would be angered as well. If potti comes back for the WC 2010 qualifiers i would be fine with him playing in WC 2010 but he didn't help out in the euro qualifiers so he does NOT deserve to participate in the euro competition. Nesta i understaned why he left the azzurri and i hold nothing agaisnt him but i still think he doesn't deserve to compete in european tournament either. But i would like to see him back for the WC qualifiers.

 

[HelterSkelter]

Calcio Debate: Can Italy Win Euro 2008? ​

Italy sweated it out in Glasgow on Saturday evening to book their place at Euro 2008. However what are their chances going into next summer’s finals and who will be the main challengers? Carlo Garganese investigates…

Last night the ‘Domenica Sportiva’ show on RAI television discussed Italy’s chances of glory in Euro 2008.

The draw for the group stages of the finals will be made on December 2 and according to the so-called experts the seedings will be as such:

(Note that teams in bold are those who have not qualified yet, but are likely to)

Pot 1: Austria (as co-hosts), Switzerland (as co-hosts), Greece (as holders), Holland

Pot 2: Italy, Germany, Croatia, Sweden

Pot 3: England, Sweden, Portugal, Romania

Pot 4: Spain, France, Turkey, Poland

The seedings will be organised based on performance in this qualifying campaign, as well as the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

This clearly leaves Italy with the strong possibility of earning yet another ‘Group of Death’. A possible worst scenario would be a group containing Holland, England and France, while the best scenario would probably be a draw alongside Austria, Romania and Poland.

However with the likes of Portugal and Spain also floating around in the bottom two pots, a difficult group is certainly on the cards.

So what are Italy’s chances of going all the way in Austria and Switzerland?

Coach Roberto Donadoni has received constant criticism since taking over from Marcello Lippi but in truth the Azzurri will go into next summer’s finals with possibly the best competitive record of all the 16 teams.

After this Wednesday’s inevitable win over the Faroe Island’s, Italy will have won nine out of their last ten competitive games, and when you consider this included games against the likes of France, Scotland (twice) and Ukraine (twice) – this is very impressive.

Even the most anti-Italian football supporter will agree that Italy have the best goalkeeper in the world in Gianluigi Buffon. Indeed I think even Raymond Domenech, once he has finished his hourly bashing of everything blue, will admit this.

Despite the age of the back four, Italy still probably have the best defence in the world. The likes of Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluca Zambrotta are world-class, while Andrea Barzagli has been a rock in the recent games with France, Ukraine, Georgia and Scotland.

Only France, and maybe England can stake a claim for possessing a defensive unit anywhere near the quality of the Azzurri. Unfortunately for the Three Lions, they have possibly the worst goalkeeper in the history of the England national team ready to drop a clanger for them every game.

In midfield the Milan trio of Massimo Ambrosini, Rino Gattuso, and Andrea Pirlo have a telepathic understanding of one another’s game, having played together for more than six years. Indeed I still believe that Gattuso and Pirlo are the best centre-midfield partnership in international football in Europe.

Then up-front you have Luca Toni, who is one of the most fearsome strikers currently in circulation. Tall, strong, both-footed, good in the air – Toni is a real bully.

Italy certainly have the players to win Euro 2008. There is a nice blend of technical and mental qualities in the squad.

To win major international tournaments you need to have mental toughness, and there will be no team at Euro 2008 who will have this more in abundance than Italy.

The Azzurri are full of leaders – Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi, Rino Gattuso – they are all winners.

So who will be Italy’s main challengers? In international tournaments you really cannot write off anyone – this was proved in Portugal in Euro 2004 when Greece took the crown.

However in my opinion the main threat will once again come from France. Les Bleus have an outstanding defence, they have the firepower up-front, and they have world-class match-winners such as Franck Ribery. Unfortunately they have a ‘loser’ in charge of them in Raymond Domenech, who appears to put personal feuds ahead of the good of the team.

Germany had an outstanding World Cup last year and waltzed through their qualifying group but I do not think Italy will be at all scared if they had to face them in the knockout stages. The Azzurri have never lost to Germany in a major tournament, with a number of famous World Cup victories from 1970, 1982 and of course most recently in 2006.

Holland have some outstanding midfielders in the shape of Seedorf, Sneijder and Co, as well as the brilliant Van Nistelrooy up-front, but their defence is simply awful. Any team who has the likes of Mario Melciot, Wilfred Bouma and Andre Ooijer regularly in the starting line-up can be considered as no-hopers at this level of football.

Spain most certainly have the players but do they have the mental toughness? History tells us that they don’t. Spain are world-beaters when things are going well for them, but you can bet your bottom dollar that as soon as the chips are down they will just collapse. I’m also unconvinced by the blend of their midfield. Fabregas, Xavi and Iniesta, despite their class, are all too similar and surely cannot be fielded in the same team.

England should qualify if they get a draw against Croatia on Wednesday but it really is difficult seeing them as a serious challenger next summer. They possess an outstanding defence, but the innate technical and tactical deficiencies in the team will once again prove their undoing. There are also not enough goals in the squad, and the selection of strikers available to Manager Steve McClaren, who himself is out of his depth in this job, is shocking.

The last of the big boys is Portugal, who may indeed be one of the dark-horses for Euro 2008. Due to their shaky qualifying campaign, the chances of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men may be downplayed a little, but the truth is that they possess an outstanding crop of players. Their shortcoming, as has been the case since the times of Jordao in Euro 84’ may be up-front, and the lack of a top-class striker could be critical.

What are your views on this topic? Can Italy win Euro 2008? Who do you see as the Azzurri’s main challengers? Goal.com wants to know what you think…

Carlo Garganese
Goal.com

Personally,i dont think Italy can win the Euros.Not with Donadoni incharge atleast.Even if he is sacked for Lippi,i still wont put my money on Italy.Id love it if they win it however,and it root for them everytime they play,but this Italy side lacks firepower upfront.The central defence isnt as strong as it was during the World Cup too,and im keeping Materazzi in the equation here.Barzagli has been great ever since he took over the defensive duties from Nesta and Materazzi but wether he can continue it during the Euros remains to be seen.

The forward line for Italy doesnt have the same intensity that it did during the Vieri and Pippo heydays.One of them will need to be called up for the Euros to take the scoring burden off Toni.Plus Totti's return is vital for Italy IMO.I dont care if it makes him looks like an idiot,but an Italian team with Totti is much stronger than an Italian team without Totti.

 

[X Æ A-12]

Personally,i dont think Italy can win the Euros.Not with Donadoni incharge atleast.Even if he is sacked for Lippi,i still wont put my money on Italy.Id love it if they win it however,and it root for them everytime they play,but this Italy side lacks firepower upfront.The central defence isnt as strong as it was during the World Cup too,and im keeping Materazzi in the equation here.Barzagli has been great ever since he took over the defensive duties from Nesta and Materazzi but wether he can continue it during the Euros remains to be seen.

The forward line for Italy doesnt have the same intensity that it did during the Vieri and Pippo heydays.One of them will need to be called up for the Euros to take the scoring burden off Toni.Plus Totti's return is vital for Italy IMO.I dont care if it makes him looks like an idiot,but an Italian team with Totti is much stronger than an Italian team without Totti.

I think they have a definite chance. Matterazi will be fit by then and we will have our WC defense back. totti is not needed and we will do fine without. I think Italy will be Italy we will struggle through and look weak yet we will go far anyway.

 

[HelterSkelter]

Italy wont have their world cup defence back even if Materazzi regains form and fitness.There is no Grosso or Zaccardo,plus Panucci is unpredictable.Id have liked it if Zaccardo was given more chances on the RB position though.He does have talent.

 

[Dostoevsky]

Azzurri door open for duo

Roberto Donadoni insists that he hasn’t shut out Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta, but veteran boss Carlo Mazzone remains cynical.

Italy secured their place at Euro 2008 with a dramatic win over Scotland on Saturday and Coach Donadoni breathed an enormous sigh of relief.

The ex-Livorno tactician pinned his hopes on a new-look side without Totti and Nesta, but he is adamant that he never closed the door on either star.

“I did everything possible,” Donadoni told Radio Radio TV.

“How can I force them to return to the national side if they aren’t motivated? It would be counterproductive.

“If they change their minds I would listen to them, but certain choices deserve to be respected.”

However, Mazzone believes that Donadoni wouldn’t pick Totti for the wrong reasons and hit out at the Press’ role in Er Pupone’s retirement from international football.

“What do I think when people say that Donadoni wouldn’t call up Totti because he owes something to the new group? When I hear these things it makes me shiver as the Coach’s job is to rise above and always make the right choice for his squad,” the outspoken Roman told Radio Kiss Kiss Naples.

“Totti was forced to quit the Azzurri as he was mortified by the Press. The boss wanted him at the World Cup and he played a crucial role, even though he wasn’t at 100 per cent, but the media were very harsh.”

channel 4

 

[HelterSkelter]

Was Mazzone drunk during the world cup?Totti had an average worldcup.He was hardly his usual brilliant self.I still think he's vital to the Azzuri though,and Donadoni should do all he can to make him reconsider his international retirement.TBH i dont think Donadoni wants Totti in the NT because of some personal issues.If Lippi takes charge now,im beyond certain that both Nesta and Totti would come out of internationl retirement.

 

[Dostoevsky]

Pirlo: France Will Be Our Main Challengers

Azzurri star Andrea Pirlo has labelled France as Italy’s main threat in Euro 2008, and has words of praise for the job done by Coach Roberto Donadoni.

Donadoni has received constant criticism among supporters and the press ever since taking over from Marcello Lippi last summer.

However the ex-Livorno tactician has had an outstanding past 12 months in the job, and has qualified for Euro 2008 having won eight and drawn one of his past nine competitive matches.

“It was not easy for Donadoni to take over from someone like Lippi,” said Pirlo.

“Donadoni did not have a lot of experience and the first games were difficult. However we all understood that we needed to give a little bit more and Donadoni has grown so much.

“He showed his strength by calling up Panucci. Donadoni doesn’t care what your name is, or even who you play for, he calls those who are in best shape.

“This team has a great togetherness, we have the spirit from our World Cup triumph and we are aware of our strength.

Pirlo was then asked who he thought would be Italy’s main challengers at Euro 2008 and he had just one name.

“The French,” said Pirlo. “They have Ribery who I really, really like.”

goal.com

Abete: Long live the Don

Italian Football Federation President Giancarlo Abete has advocated Roberto Donadoni for a long reign at the Azzurri helm.

The former Livorno boss saw the pressure on his job ease with a 2-1 win in Scotland that secured qualification for Euro 2008.

While the Glasgow encounter could have been Donadoni’s last stand, now Abete believes that he is the man to take Italy forward.

“We fully deserved to qualify,” he enthused. ”If we had missed out, it would have been sad and we would have had 10 months of agonising depression

“But success came thanks to a united group of players assembled by the Coach and we will try and continue on this road for as long as possible.

“The FIGC believes in the man and the Coach. Donadoni has shown his technical abilities and the ability to keep the national side together

“It’s not right to talk about contract renewal at this stage as that fits the school of thought that one bad game is an disaster and one good one leads to plans for the future.”

Abete also had words of comfort for Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero, who has found himself frozen out of the national set-up.

“I consider Alex as an Azzurri player and Donadoni has clearly stated that he is amongst the candidates to go to the European championships,” he concluded.

channel 4