donadoni is the spice of this thread it doesnt need ur spice, but if u promise to behave we might have a chance
sorry rami
sorry rami
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Official Azzurri (Italy) Euro 2008 Qualifier thread (45 Viewers)
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World Cup winners Italy have signed a new contract with kit suppliers Puma until 2014.
The Italian Football Federation [FIGC] have today agreed to extend their contract with the German manufacturer.
Puma, who took charge of Azzurri kit matters in 2003, will thus dress the side at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup Finals – should they get there.
Puma will continue to provide accessories for the men’s and women’s national outfits at all levels, as well as the Beach Soccer and Futsal representative sides.
Meanwhile, Italian car manufacturers FIAT have also returned as a major sponsor for the A and Under-21 national sides.
The Turin-based company will now provide transport for players and staff both pre-match and post-match starting from this Wednesday against Scotland.
Football Italia
The Italian Football Federation [FIGC] have today agreed to extend their contract with the German manufacturer.
Puma, who took charge of Azzurri kit matters in 2003, will thus dress the side at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup Finals – should they get there.
Puma will continue to provide accessories for the men’s and women’s national outfits at all levels, as well as the Beach Soccer and Futsal representative sides.
Meanwhile, Italian car manufacturers FIAT have also returned as a major sponsor for the A and Under-21 national sides.
The Turin-based company will now provide transport for players and staff both pre-match and post-match starting from this Wednesday against Scotland.
Football Italia
Italy manager Roberto Donadoni is confident his side will be able to overcome a "physical" Scotland side in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Bari.
Donadoni confident
Group leaders Scotland will be looking to impose themselves on the world champions, but Donadoni is convinced the Azzurri know how to combat "Anglo-Saxon football".
"Scotland are a very physical side, with a lot of quality in midfield," he said. "They perfectly reflect the philosophy of Anglo-Saxon football and they never give up.
"Despite what I have seen, I will not change my strategy, in Bari we will have to impose our play from the start."
Italy currently lie in fourth place in Group B, five points behind Alex McLeish's side, but he refuses to succumb to the inevitable pressure heaped on his shoulders.
"I am calm. I don't feel particularly stressed," he said. "Ever since I joined the national team I have always felt pretty safe.
"My only concern is to put out an Italian side that is determined against Scotland. The comments about the future simply don't interest me."
Donadoni has added Udinese goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis to the squad amid concerns over the fitness of Gianluigi Buffon, who has missed two days of training with an upset stomach.
If Juventus keeper Buffon is forced to miss the game, Torino's Christian Abbiati will play with de Sanctis on the bench.
Meanwhile midfielder Simone Perrotta has been given the all-clear to resume training after having been sidelined with a thigh strain since Friday.
Scans have revealed the Roma ace's problem not to be serious, and Perrotta is in line for a starting berth in Wednesday's vital clash in Bari.
Eurosport.com
Donadoni confident
Group leaders Scotland will be looking to impose themselves on the world champions, but Donadoni is convinced the Azzurri know how to combat "Anglo-Saxon football".
"Scotland are a very physical side, with a lot of quality in midfield," he said. "They perfectly reflect the philosophy of Anglo-Saxon football and they never give up.
"Despite what I have seen, I will not change my strategy, in Bari we will have to impose our play from the start."
Italy currently lie in fourth place in Group B, five points behind Alex McLeish's side, but he refuses to succumb to the inevitable pressure heaped on his shoulders.
"I am calm. I don't feel particularly stressed," he said. "Ever since I joined the national team I have always felt pretty safe.
"My only concern is to put out an Italian side that is determined against Scotland. The comments about the future simply don't interest me."
Donadoni has added Udinese goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis to the squad amid concerns over the fitness of Gianluigi Buffon, who has missed two days of training with an upset stomach.
If Juventus keeper Buffon is forced to miss the game, Torino's Christian Abbiati will play with de Sanctis on the bench.
Meanwhile midfielder Simone Perrotta has been given the all-clear to resume training after having been sidelined with a thigh strain since Friday.
Scans have revealed the Roma ace's problem not to be serious, and Perrotta is in line for a starting berth in Wednesday's vital clash in Bari.
Eurosport.com
Donadoni has managed just two wins from his seven games in charge after succeeding Marcello Lippi following Italy's World Cup triumph in Germany.
Donadoni - won't change his strategy
Although they are well off the pace currently, they do have a game in hand on the French and the Scots and Donadoni is refusing to panic.
Donadoni's task against Scotland will not be helped by an injury list which contains key defenders Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Nesta, while playmaker Francesco Totti is out of contention until September due to an agreement with the Italian Football Federation.
The absences add to the tension in the Italy camp with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon admitting the pressure is on the hosts.
"We are aware that we cannot fail," said the Juventus keeper.
"It's not going to be easy against Scotland and we know we will have to give our best. Let's not forget that we are also mentally much stronger than we were in the past."
But Buffon admits the Scots will pose a greater threat at the Stadio San Nicola than they did two years ago in Milan when a pair of Andrea Pirlo free-kicks gave the Azzurri victory in a World Cup qualifier.
He added: "Scotland have grown a lot in the past two years. We did beat them in Milan, but we still suffered."
There was one piece of good news for Donadoni on Monday with English-born midfielder Simone Perrotta passed fit after overcoming a thigh injury.
Donadoni - won't change his strategy
Although they are well off the pace currently, they do have a game in hand on the French and the Scots and Donadoni is refusing to panic.
Donadoni's task against Scotland will not be helped by an injury list which contains key defenders Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Nesta, while playmaker Francesco Totti is out of contention until September due to an agreement with the Italian Football Federation.
The absences add to the tension in the Italy camp with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon admitting the pressure is on the hosts.
"We are aware that we cannot fail," said the Juventus keeper.
"It's not going to be easy against Scotland and we know we will have to give our best. Let's not forget that we are also mentally much stronger than we were in the past."
But Buffon admits the Scots will pose a greater threat at the Stadio San Nicola than they did two years ago in Milan when a pair of Andrea Pirlo free-kicks gave the Azzurri victory in a World Cup qualifier.
He added: "Scotland have grown a lot in the past two years. We did beat them in Milan, but we still suffered."
There was one piece of good news for Donadoni on Monday with English-born midfielder Simone Perrotta passed fit after overcoming a thigh injury.
"If the results don't come, it is right to criticise and draw conclusions. But only if they don't come," the former AC Milan and Italy midfielder said ahead of Wednesday's clash in Bari.
Under- fire coach says pre- Scotland gloom is premature
"I don't understand why we are already on trial before anything has happened".
Last weekend's Euro 2008 qualifiers upped the pressure on Donadoni, as Scotland and France strengthened their lead of Group B with wins over Georgia and Lithuania, while Ukraine moved passed the Azzurri by beating the Faroe Islands.
So Wednesday is very much a must-win game.
Donadoni stressed, however, that there is no reason for an Italy side that have won their last two Euro 2008 qualifiers to be pessimistic.
"Scotland won on Saturday, but it seemed as if Italy had lost," the 43-year-old said.
"If anyone did not realize, I'd like to remind them that we didn't take the field". Donadoni made a shaky start as the replacement for World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi. Italy drew 1-1 at home to Lithuania and lost 3-1 to France in their opening Euro 2008 games in September. But his side recovered in October with 2-0 and 1-3 wins over Ukraine and Georgia respectively.
The sports press have criticized the former Livorno boss for the high number of different players he has called up to the Azzurri squad since taking over - 53.
Some pundits have suggested Donadoni lacks leadership skills, which is why he had been unable to instil a distinctive identity into his national team so far.
They have also pointed out that he has never coached a top club, unlike his immediate predecessors Lippi, Giovanni Trapattoni and Dino Zoff. Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon betrayed some nostalgia for Lippi, whom he described as the best coach imaginable in an interview given at the Azzurri camp.
The Italian sports media have been tipping AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti as a possible replacement.
Ancelotti fuelled this speculation last week when he told La Gazzetta dello Sport he would like to train the Azzurri, although he stressed that this would be only after Donadoni's term in charge is over.
The Azzurri players rushed to Donadoni's defence Monday.
"Donadoni is fine where he is," said Italy captain and Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro.
"It is normal for Buffon to say that Lippi is number one, when you have won a World Cup together.
"And it is not true that Donadoni lacks personality. The truth is that you have to be a saint to coach this national team".
AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso played down the reports that Ancelotti wants Donadoni's job.
"Ancelotti has a contract with Milan that runs until 2008 and he does not want to kick Donadoni out. Besides anything else, he was his teammate at Milan and he has great respect for him.
"Donadoni knows his business. He makes us work a lot and he knows how to organize us on the field of play".
Under- fire coach says pre- Scotland gloom is premature
"I don't understand why we are already on trial before anything has happened".
Last weekend's Euro 2008 qualifiers upped the pressure on Donadoni, as Scotland and France strengthened their lead of Group B with wins over Georgia and Lithuania, while Ukraine moved passed the Azzurri by beating the Faroe Islands.
So Wednesday is very much a must-win game.
Donadoni stressed, however, that there is no reason for an Italy side that have won their last two Euro 2008 qualifiers to be pessimistic.
"Scotland won on Saturday, but it seemed as if Italy had lost," the 43-year-old said.
"If anyone did not realize, I'd like to remind them that we didn't take the field". Donadoni made a shaky start as the replacement for World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi. Italy drew 1-1 at home to Lithuania and lost 3-1 to France in their opening Euro 2008 games in September. But his side recovered in October with 2-0 and 1-3 wins over Ukraine and Georgia respectively.
The sports press have criticized the former Livorno boss for the high number of different players he has called up to the Azzurri squad since taking over - 53.
Some pundits have suggested Donadoni lacks leadership skills, which is why he had been unable to instil a distinctive identity into his national team so far.
They have also pointed out that he has never coached a top club, unlike his immediate predecessors Lippi, Giovanni Trapattoni and Dino Zoff. Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon betrayed some nostalgia for Lippi, whom he described as the best coach imaginable in an interview given at the Azzurri camp.
The Italian sports media have been tipping AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti as a possible replacement.
Ancelotti fuelled this speculation last week when he told La Gazzetta dello Sport he would like to train the Azzurri, although he stressed that this would be only after Donadoni's term in charge is over.
The Azzurri players rushed to Donadoni's defence Monday.
"Donadoni is fine where he is," said Italy captain and Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro.
"It is normal for Buffon to say that Lippi is number one, when you have won a World Cup together.
"And it is not true that Donadoni lacks personality. The truth is that you have to be a saint to coach this national team".
AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso played down the reports that Ancelotti wants Donadoni's job.
"Ancelotti has a contract with Milan that runs until 2008 and he does not want to kick Donadoni out. Besides anything else, he was his teammate at Milan and he has great respect for him.
"Donadoni knows his business. He makes us work a lot and he knows how to organize us on the field of play".
PAUL HARTLEY won his first cap in March 2005 in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to the Italians and has since established himself as an integral part of the Scotland midfield.
Paul Hartley is confident about Scotland's clash with Italy
Walter Smith guided Scotland to the top of Group B in the Euro 2008 qualifiers before leaving to take over at Rangers for the second time and his successor, Alex McLeish, began his tenure with a crucial 2-1 win over Georgia at Hampden Park on Saturday.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s game in Bari, Hartley says he and Scotland will have more to offer than on their last
trip to Italy.
He said: “It’s difficult to make your debut in the San Siro but 11 caps later, I feel I’m an improved player. I also feel we’ve improved as a team and that has been proved by the results that we’ve had over the last couple of years.
“I don’t know if it will be different this time. It was Walter Smith’s first game in charge and we tried to win it but we had made such a bad start to the group stages.
“We have made a different start this time. We’ve had four wins from five so we couldn’t have asked for much better.
“We are sitting top of the group for a change and we go into the game with a lot of confidence.
“It’s too early [to talk about qualifying]. There’s still a lot of games to be played. But we won’t fear them. We feel we can get something from the game.”
Two free-kicks from Italy’s mercurial midfielder Andrea Pirlo sunk the Scots two seasons ago.
Hartley believes the World Cup holders will carry more than just Pirlo’s threat but is hoping teamwork can help the Scots gain their first positive result on Italian soil.
He said: “I watched Pirlo against Celtic this season and he’s a quality player, but they have a lot of quality in their team. But I think the pressure’s on them.
“We keep going to the end as you noticed with Craig Beattie’s late winner on Saturday. Everybody works hard for each other, we have great energy levels and a great team spirit and that will take us far in games.”
Georgia coach Klaus Toppmoller, however, claimed the Scots would need to alter their robust style if they are to take
anything from the Italians.
Celtic midfielder Hartley acknowledged the advice, while hinting at sour grapes from the German. He said: “We might have to [show more finesse] but we deserved the victory over Georgia.
“We were the better team and created the better chances.
“But you know that when you go away from home to play teams like Italy, Ukraine and France you sometimes have to change your approach.”
The pressure is starting to tell on Italy coach Roberto Donadoni. The former AC Milan midfielder has hit out at what he calls a media campaign to stir up trouble.
The build-up to the match in Bari has been overshadowed by speculation that Donadoni’s job is under threat and claims that he has poor relationships with several players in the squad.
“In these past few days there have been so many lies written and said that they would fill an entire encyclopaedia,” said Donadoni.
“Show some respect for us, because I don’t like these games ... I don’t understand why people start holding trials before anything actually happens.”
Paul Hartley is confident about Scotland's clash with Italy
Walter Smith guided Scotland to the top of Group B in the Euro 2008 qualifiers before leaving to take over at Rangers for the second time and his successor, Alex McLeish, began his tenure with a crucial 2-1 win over Georgia at Hampden Park on Saturday.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s game in Bari, Hartley says he and Scotland will have more to offer than on their last
trip to Italy.
He said: “It’s difficult to make your debut in the San Siro but 11 caps later, I feel I’m an improved player. I also feel we’ve improved as a team and that has been proved by the results that we’ve had over the last couple of years.
“I don’t know if it will be different this time. It was Walter Smith’s first game in charge and we tried to win it but we had made such a bad start to the group stages.
“We have made a different start this time. We’ve had four wins from five so we couldn’t have asked for much better.
“We are sitting top of the group for a change and we go into the game with a lot of confidence.
“It’s too early [to talk about qualifying]. There’s still a lot of games to be played. But we won’t fear them. We feel we can get something from the game.”
Two free-kicks from Italy’s mercurial midfielder Andrea Pirlo sunk the Scots two seasons ago.
Hartley believes the World Cup holders will carry more than just Pirlo’s threat but is hoping teamwork can help the Scots gain their first positive result on Italian soil.
He said: “I watched Pirlo against Celtic this season and he’s a quality player, but they have a lot of quality in their team. But I think the pressure’s on them.
“We keep going to the end as you noticed with Craig Beattie’s late winner on Saturday. Everybody works hard for each other, we have great energy levels and a great team spirit and that will take us far in games.”
Georgia coach Klaus Toppmoller, however, claimed the Scots would need to alter their robust style if they are to take
anything from the Italians.
Celtic midfielder Hartley acknowledged the advice, while hinting at sour grapes from the German. He said: “We might have to [show more finesse] but we deserved the victory over Georgia.
“We were the better team and created the better chances.
“But you know that when you go away from home to play teams like Italy, Ukraine and France you sometimes have to change your approach.”
The pressure is starting to tell on Italy coach Roberto Donadoni. The former AC Milan midfielder has hit out at what he calls a media campaign to stir up trouble.
The build-up to the match in Bari has been overshadowed by speculation that Donadoni’s job is under threat and claims that he has poor relationships with several players in the squad.
“In these past few days there have been so many lies written and said that they would fill an entire encyclopaedia,” said Donadoni.
“Show some respect for us, because I don’t like these games ... I don’t understand why people start holding trials before anything actually happens.”
RINO GATTUSO was in bullish mood at the Italian FA's training base in Florence yesterday, despite the stomach bug which has floored Gianluigi Buffon and made the keeper a major doubt for tomorrow's Group B clash.
Not even a war of words between Italy boss Roberto Donadoni and a blood-thirsty Italian press pack could dent Gattuso's confidence as he looked ahead to the game.
And, as if to rub salt in the wound, Gattuso described Alex McLeish's group leaders as international second-raters compared to an England team in danger of elimination from Euro 2008 after Saturday's dire 0-0 draw.
Gattuso said: "I know this Scotland team very well. I know all about Barry Ferguson because of my time at Rangers.
"And I know all about the Celtic players because I have just played against them with AC Milan.
"Scotland will come here to defend. They will wait for us to make a mistake and then try to hit us on the break.
"But we have an attacking plan for them and we know how to play against them.
"Put it this way, it's better that we are up against Scotland than France or England."
The Italians trail Scotland by five points after a sluggish start to their qualifying campaign and regard the match in Bari as a must-win tie if they're to realise their goal of holding the European and world crowns at the same time.
Gattuso said: "We dropped two points against Lithuania but we were unlucky.
"We have to search for better luck against Scotland but we will win this match, of that I am sure.
"It felt good to win the World Cup and now we want to achieve a similar success in the European finals."
The Italians - who fly south to Bari this morning - have experienced a turbulent build-up to the game.
Donadoni, who only took charge of the national side after last summer's World Cup win in Germany, said: "Why can't you be more like the Scottish press who write stories every day getting behind their national team?
"I don't like these stories. Criticise me if we lose against Scotland but not before the match has even been played."
Not even a war of words between Italy boss Roberto Donadoni and a blood-thirsty Italian press pack could dent Gattuso's confidence as he looked ahead to the game.
And, as if to rub salt in the wound, Gattuso described Alex McLeish's group leaders as international second-raters compared to an England team in danger of elimination from Euro 2008 after Saturday's dire 0-0 draw.
Gattuso said: "I know this Scotland team very well. I know all about Barry Ferguson because of my time at Rangers.
"And I know all about the Celtic players because I have just played against them with AC Milan.
"Scotland will come here to defend. They will wait for us to make a mistake and then try to hit us on the break.
"But we have an attacking plan for them and we know how to play against them.
"Put it this way, it's better that we are up against Scotland than France or England."
The Italians trail Scotland by five points after a sluggish start to their qualifying campaign and regard the match in Bari as a must-win tie if they're to realise their goal of holding the European and world crowns at the same time.
Gattuso said: "We dropped two points against Lithuania but we were unlucky.
"We have to search for better luck against Scotland but we will win this match, of that I am sure.
"It felt good to win the World Cup and now we want to achieve a similar success in the European finals."
The Italians - who fly south to Bari this morning - have experienced a turbulent build-up to the game.
Donadoni, who only took charge of the national side after last summer's World Cup win in Germany, said: "Why can't you be more like the Scottish press who write stories every day getting behind their national team?
"I don't like these stories. Criticise me if we lose against Scotland but not before the match has even been played."
It was never going to be easy for Donadoni to take charge of Italy after their triumphant World Cup campaign, with expectations that were already high reaching an almost unrealistic level.
Some Italian newspapers have reported he will be sacked if the Scots win on Wednesday, but the 43-year-old Italy coach, who took over from Marcello Lippi shortly after the World Cup, feels he and his squad are being treated unfairly.
Back-to-back wins over Georgia and Ukraine kept the vultures at bay before Donadoni fell foul of the media for his handling of two national heroes - Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti.
Donadoni dropped Del Piero for the match away to Georgia, a decision met with gasps of disbelief as the veteran striker had been in sparkling form for Juventus.
When quizzed last week about Del Piero's exclusion for that match, Donadoni replied: "Del Piero is like any other player and he knows that well."
To be so flippant about a figure the media love went down like a lead ballon, and the relationship between Donadoni and the press deteriorated.
Matters worsened when Donadoni said it will be he who decided if he picks Totti once the Roma captain has returned from his international sabatical in September.
Italy would be up in arms if golden boy Totti did not walk straight back into the side, but Donadoni insisted he would not be pressured into picking his team.
"There are those who criticise me for my attitude, but this is the way I do things and I will not change," Donadoni said.
"I won't be conditioned by anybody. I will make my own decisions."
Scotland manager Alex McLeish, whose first game in charge was Saturday's last-gasp 2-1 win over Georgia, believes his side can make life uncomfortable for Donadoni and Italy.
"The pressure is all on Italy as they are behind in the group," he said.
"For us there is no pressure being top. If we get the results we want, it doesn't matter what anyone else does.
"This gives you a feeling of comfort and confidence."
Scotland midfielder Paul Hartley insisted his side were more than capable of leaving the San Nicola stadium with a positive result.
"We don't fear them and we feel we can get something from the game," he said.
Some Italian newspapers have reported he will be sacked if the Scots win on Wednesday, but the 43-year-old Italy coach, who took over from Marcello Lippi shortly after the World Cup, feels he and his squad are being treated unfairly.
Back-to-back wins over Georgia and Ukraine kept the vultures at bay before Donadoni fell foul of the media for his handling of two national heroes - Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti.
Donadoni dropped Del Piero for the match away to Georgia, a decision met with gasps of disbelief as the veteran striker had been in sparkling form for Juventus.
When quizzed last week about Del Piero's exclusion for that match, Donadoni replied: "Del Piero is like any other player and he knows that well."
To be so flippant about a figure the media love went down like a lead ballon, and the relationship between Donadoni and the press deteriorated.
Matters worsened when Donadoni said it will be he who decided if he picks Totti once the Roma captain has returned from his international sabatical in September.
Italy would be up in arms if golden boy Totti did not walk straight back into the side, but Donadoni insisted he would not be pressured into picking his team.
"There are those who criticise me for my attitude, but this is the way I do things and I will not change," Donadoni said.
"I won't be conditioned by anybody. I will make my own decisions."
Scotland manager Alex McLeish, whose first game in charge was Saturday's last-gasp 2-1 win over Georgia, believes his side can make life uncomfortable for Donadoni and Italy.
"The pressure is all on Italy as they are behind in the group," he said.
"For us there is no pressure being top. If we get the results we want, it doesn't matter what anyone else does.
"This gives you a feeling of comfort and confidence."
Scotland midfielder Paul Hartley insisted his side were more than capable of leaving the San Nicola stadium with a positive result.
"We don't fear them and we feel we can get something from the game," he said.
Why is that players who were great in their time become very annoying managers? Donadoni was a fantastic player for Milan and Italy but he has shown that as a manager he is quite ridiculous. He started the campaign with a very disastrous call up of players that should never have been there and left out players that should have been. Yes Italy's season started very late with the scandal and Italian FA just being useless when it comes to starting a season, but Italy had just won the world cup and anyone would have known that unless a world cup winner had retired from international football, you should call up all of them. Insteadof that, he drops Toni, Inzaghi and Dp and calls up the likes of Di Michele and Semioli and he is surprised they could not beat Lithuania at home, (a result that might have just knocked Italy out of the qualifiers)
Now he is calling up Tonetto and Ambrosini. I have watched both Milan and roma a lot and Tonetto gets into many quality positions but his delivery is usually abject, though he has improved a bit, he has no business in the the NT. Ambrosini is 1 player , I have never understood what any fuss is about, he does very little apart from commit stupid fouls and though he has been scoring late goals of late for Milan, thats no reason why he should be there. Unless Grosso is injured then it was a very stupid decision not to call him up and I have always liked Pasqual
Bonera's call up in the first place was just baffling but he is a Milan player so that must explain it. Rocchi is having a very good season but he is one of those players that the expression form is temporary and class is permanent is made for and he is a temp play. I fail to see why Panucci is not in the squad because in the past 2 seasons he has arguably being the best right back in serieA
I really do despair for Italy cos with Donadoni in charge and the way he is going about his business and the trash coming out of his mouth, Italy may not make it, they may not beat Scotland with these players
From what I have read , Camoranesi has been playing awfully for Juventus this season, yet, he is always in the squad
Boggles the mind, don't it?
Now he is calling up Tonetto and Ambrosini. I have watched both Milan and roma a lot and Tonetto gets into many quality positions but his delivery is usually abject, though he has improved a bit, he has no business in the the NT. Ambrosini is 1 player , I have never understood what any fuss is about, he does very little apart from commit stupid fouls and though he has been scoring late goals of late for Milan, thats no reason why he should be there. Unless Grosso is injured then it was a very stupid decision not to call him up and I have always liked Pasqual
Bonera's call up in the first place was just baffling but he is a Milan player so that must explain it. Rocchi is having a very good season but he is one of those players that the expression form is temporary and class is permanent is made for and he is a temp play. I fail to see why Panucci is not in the squad because in the past 2 seasons he has arguably being the best right back in serieA
I really do despair for Italy cos with Donadoni in charge and the way he is going about his business and the trash coming out of his mouth, Italy may not make it, they may not beat Scotland with these players
From what I have read , Camoranesi has been playing awfully for Juventus this season, yet, he is always in the squad
Boggles the mind, don't it?
couldnt agree more, i cant believe i used to like this guy! hes been crap recently aswell, bin him and play Scott Brown
Buffon beats bug to face Scotland
Tuesday 27 March, 2007
Gianluigi Buffon and Simone Perrotta resumed training today, so will be fit to start against Scotland on Wednesday.
The goalkeeper had been in doubt after skipping the sessions for a few days with a stomach bug, but his fever has passed and he took part with the rest of the squad.
Italy’s players trained under intense rain at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari this evening, watched by nearly 5,000 local fans.
Roma midfielder Perrotta also underwent all the exercises after tests gave his thigh problem the all clear.
Coach Roberto Donadoni is under immense pressure to win this Euro 2008 qualifier or risk the sack in the summer, as anything less than a victory would make it extremely difficult to reach the tournament.
Donadoni tested out two sides in a game between ranks at the San Nicola. On the one team were Buffon, Massimo Oddo, Andrea Barzagli, Massimo Ambrosini in central defence and Max Tonetto, Mauro Camoranesi, Daniele De Rossi, Antonio Di Natale, Tommaso Rocchi, Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero.
On the other were Christian Abbiati, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, assistant manager Bortolazzi, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Perrotta, Stefano Mauri, Alberto Gilardino and Fabio Quagliarella.
Tuesday 27 March, 2007
Gianluigi Buffon and Simone Perrotta resumed training today, so will be fit to start against Scotland on Wednesday.
The goalkeeper had been in doubt after skipping the sessions for a few days with a stomach bug, but his fever has passed and he took part with the rest of the squad.
Italy’s players trained under intense rain at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari this evening, watched by nearly 5,000 local fans.
Roma midfielder Perrotta also underwent all the exercises after tests gave his thigh problem the all clear.
Coach Roberto Donadoni is under immense pressure to win this Euro 2008 qualifier or risk the sack in the summer, as anything less than a victory would make it extremely difficult to reach the tournament.
Donadoni tested out two sides in a game between ranks at the San Nicola. On the one team were Buffon, Massimo Oddo, Andrea Barzagli, Massimo Ambrosini in central defence and Max Tonetto, Mauro Camoranesi, Daniele De Rossi, Antonio Di Natale, Tommaso Rocchi, Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero.
On the other were Christian Abbiati, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, assistant manager Bortolazzi, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Perrotta, Stefano Mauri, Alberto Gilardino and Fabio Quagliarella.
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