Official Azzurri (Italy) Euro 2008 Qualifier thread (7 Viewers)

[francesco]

Anybody know why the likes of Palomba, Diana and Ambrosini were picked ahead of the incredible De Rossi and Perrota? Every national manager seems to have 1 or 2 players they keep picking that makes me very suspicious as regards the true motive. Lippi kept on picking Diana and Iaquinta for reasons that have always eluded me. England managers with Downing and Phil Neville and now you have donadoni first picking Mauri and now Diana

its a friendly, he wants to give new players a run out
against France and Ukraine, im sure De Rossi and Perrotta will be selected
stress less

 

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[rounder]

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The worst 30 days of your life ?

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[denco]

its a friendly, he wants to give new players a run out
against France and Ukraine, im sure De Rossi and Perrotta will be selected
stress less

I am sorry but that excuse is very lame of thats the reason

Italy are playing catch up because of the stupid call ups he did last season as well, ignoring the likes of Toni and Dp to include the likes of Rocchi, Mauri, Bonnazolli etc

The crucial games are just weeks away so he needs all his key players, playing as many games as possible to gain match fitness.

This is not the time to experiment at all as any negative results and Italy would be in serious trouble

 

[Dragula]

I Donadoni starts Di Natale again, I think I'l have a mental breakdown.

 

[francesco]

I am sorry but that excuse is very lame of thats the reason

Italy are playing catch up because of the stupid call ups he did last season as well, ignoring the likes of Toni and Dp to include the likes of Rocchi, Mauri, Bonnazolli etc

The crucial games are just weeks away so he needs all his key players, playing as many games as possible to gain match fitness.

This is not the time to experiment at all as any negative results and Italy would be in serious trouble

they gain match fitness playing with their clubs.. International friendlies are all about experimenting with formations, new players, tactics, etc.
Players like De Rossi, Perrotta, DP, etc dont need to work on gelling as a team, they have been playing with each other for years in the NT, they understand each other already... i think its right for Donadoni to try out new players.

well thats just my opinion, im not arguing with you about yours so dont take this the wrong way mate..

 

[Tobias]

I Donadoni starts Di Natale again, I think I'l have a mental breakdown.

if he doesn't start him in this game he probably start him in the France game.
so either way your mental breakdown is ineluctable so start making reservations at your nearest mental hospital

 

[francesco]

I Donadoni starts Di Natale again, I think I'l have a mental breakdown.

whats wrong with Di Natale?

 

[francesco]

Fabio Capello was unceremoniously dumped by Real Madrid this summer despite leading Los Merengues to the title. For now, he's taken up a commentating position with Italian broadcaster RAI. Today he offered his thoughts on the tasks of a good match announcer, no to mention some aspects of Italian football...

Fabio Capello will work alongside Marco Civoli tomorrow night as the pair prepare to commentate on Italy's friendly match in Hungary - with the coach keeping one eye on the impending clash with France.

But his immediate concern is on tomorrow night. For all Don Capello's footballing expertise, he says that he understands that the role of the commentator is not simply to judge, but to enlighten.

He said, "I'll be critical only when necessary - why be so otherwise?

"But I'm mostly going to be watching the issues of the team. The just commentator is objective and doesn't hold back, but needs to specify and explain any errors that he sees, to help the spectators who cannot see it."

He admitted that he will be "supporting Italy all the way", however, even if he is to cast a discerning eye over the "many new players" that are taking the spots vacated by some of the World Champions.

On that subject, he had few words to say for Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta, both recently retired from international football.

"If any player feels that it's not good for him to wear the national team shirt, it's better that they aren't there," he concluded.

Looking ahead to the match itself, the veteran manager saw it as a stepping stone for the must-win clash against France in the European Championship - and an invaluable one since the domestic season has started so late.

Capello said, "It'll be important to us because the French players have played more than us; [Italy coach] Donadoni isn't happy about this because of the dates of our championship [which starts this weekend.]

"The French players have already had four league matches, and they have two friendly games before playing us. We have less. From experience, I know that not having 'minutes in your legs' is a real problem."

France face Italy in the European Championship qualifiers on September 8th at Capello's old stomping ground, the San Siro.

In the first qualifying meeting between the sides in Paris, France ran out 3-1 winners, just days after Italy's disastrous 1-1 home draw against Lithuania.

goal.com

 

[X Æ A-12]

Anybody know why the likes of Palomba, Diana and Ambrosini were picked ahead of the incredible De Rossi and Perrota? Every national manager seems to have 1 or 2 players they keep picking that makes me very suspicious as regards the true motive. Lippi kept on picking Diana and Iaquinta for reasons that have always eluded me. England managers with Downing and Phil Neville and now you have donadoni first picking Mauri and now Diana

i know what you mean. it drives me insane when managers pick players like iaquinta or diana! de rossi and perrota are awesome. it seems donadoni is back to his old tricks of dropping players from the lippi era and making his own team. i think hes a coward and is afraid to use our world cup squad because he doesnt want to be compared to lippi. he needs to stop butchering the squad and stick with the best players instead of trying distance himself from lippi. btw these are just the callups for our hungary friendly right? i mean we wont have to use this midfield against france i hope.

 

[Rhizoid]

I'd like to compare the previous lineup that performed disastrously in Paris vs. the probable lineup on September 8th in San Siro.

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Barzagli, Grosso; Semioli (Di Michele 54), Gattuso, Pirlo, Perrotta; Cassano (Inzaghi 73), Gilardino (De Rossi 87)

(courtesy of Channel 4 archives)

On paper, the defense looks spot-on from the World Cup winning squad minus Nesta. And yet again, Nesta is not going to feature in this match. But in practice, it took less than 3 minutes for Sidney Govou to open the scoring. Materazzi and Oddo are possible options the upcoming match, and I think featuring them should prevent any such "early leakage" of goals.

Then in midfield we have Semioli on the right wing. I clearly remember that he was absolutely useless in that match. This time around, Donadoni (again judging from his Hungary friendly convocation) is most likely going to utilise Aimo Diana on the right flank. I think he's a better option than Semioli, plus the fact that Camoranesi is unavailable, neither is Marchionni (if he was ever an 3rd or 4th choice option for the right, I guess).

Pirlo looked good in the last friendly vs. Juve. I didn't enjoy watching Gattuso in that match, but he's always useful in such a game, especially since he'll be playing on his home club soil. Other interesting options are Aquilani and perhaps Palombo, while one can always trust Ambrosini. That said, I'd like to see Di Natale playing on the left wing (he was called up for Hungary) as there are few options there. How about calling up Rosina or Montolivo?

Up front, Pippo is a must. He is on good form, and has the ability to rise to the occasion. I think alot of faith is going to be placed in him, but given his offside habits...

Del Piero has been showing off alot of class in the summer friendlies, and I think he can carry such enthusiasm for the national team as well. Luca Toni is Luca Toni...powerful, talented, and dangerous. But he has his off day, and he is "stoppable". He "only" scored 2 goals this WC when he was perhaps expected to be Italy's top scorer! Quagliarella is also full of surprises, and I think he should start along side Pippo. He's a technically gifted player, and he should be able to combine well with fellow goal-poacher Inzaghi.

I rarely do this (anticipating sarcastic comment ) but here's how I'd play it for September the 8th (given the players Donadoni chooses/likely to choose)

4-4-2

--------------------Buffon


---Oddo-----Matrix-------Cannavaro------Grosso



---Diana----Pirlo------Gattuso------Di Natale


----------------------------Quagliarella

----------------Inzaghi


Very basic...nothing too surprising. What you think? Please discuss.

 

[denco]

I like your team as it is very interesting but under no circumstance would i contemplate Diana in my thinking.
I would always play Toni with Inzaghi as his partner, other than that I would go with the rest of your team

 

[Christina]

DONADONI: "FOR ME ITALY-FRANCE HAS NOT YET BEGUN I AM THINKING ABOUT HUNGARY" Rome 21/08/2007

In the first day of training in Milan, in light of the friendly match on Wednesday against Hungary, talks are about Italy-France and the absent players. These are the two topics of discussion as the Azzurri prepare in light of the two European qualifying matches scheduled in September. Head coach Donadoni has no problems responding to the questions, clearing the field of any type of controvery, especially as far as the match against France is concerned:

"If the match has already begun, it has begun only for them, not for me. And if they are a little nervous, it is their problem. I have other things to think about, like the match against Hungary. I do not have to give any answers to Domenech. My thoughts are on the field, all the rest is choreography and business".

And with regards to the absent players:

"De Rossi played his first match yesterday, and all the other players who were not called, like Perrotta and Camoranesi, were not called because they are not yet in good athletic condition. Gilardino? He knows why he is not here, he is still recovering from an injury".

Another name, Antonio Cassano, is called to the attention of the head coach:

"I did not call Cassano, but I was happy to hear from him. This means that he wants to create a good relationship with me. I am happy that he has come to Italy and I hope that we will see the best of him. His being on the National team for the European Championships depends only on him".

The head coach opens the door to the national team for Cassano, but also gives a warning:

"I hope that this is when he finally shows what he is worth and he has realized that time is passing for him, too".

Two goals in two matches with Bayern Monaco, Luca Toni is back on the national team:

"I am happy to be back in Italy. I arrived yesterday and I went to see my parents. Now I am here and I am happy to be on the National team".

The star forward was afraid that his relationship with the national team could have been influenced by his move to Germany:

"I was not afraid because I knew the coach would be following up on me. So I will try to do my best, score goals and then we will see: there has always been competition on the team because there are a lot of good forwards in Italy. Many are forced to go abroad including a lot of young players that important clubs could have invested in".

FIGC

 

[Carlo D]

This is not the time to experiment at all as any negative results and Italy would be in serious trouble

Exactly right...

Donadoni himself said not so long ago that the time for experimenting is finished, which would lead us to believe that finally he knows his best X1. I'd love to think what he's doing here is just not giving Domenech the chance of an up to date assessment of his (Donadoni's) 1'st choice players in action.

Although he lacks Domenech's experience as a coach, Donadoni is a very street wise character & he may see this further experimentation as the best mind game with which to respond to Domenech's recent outbursts...mind games in themselves!

That's what I'd like to think...however, if at this late point Donadoni still has doubts over his best team, I don't want to think of the inevitable next!

 

[rounder]

Players like diana etc.. have actually played in the euro qualifiers so if he plays these players again in the friendlies then there's no dubt in my mind that this is his first 11 .

 

[Diego]

Rai Uno has quagliarella,di natale, del piero and toni in a very attacking lineup. Gattuso and pirlo in midfield

 

[Carlo D]

Players like diana etc.. have actually played in the euro qualifiers so if he plays these players again in the friendlies then there's no doubt in my mind that this is his first 11 .

Let's hope so...the bottom line for me is just to state the obvious that we all already know. We need the 3 points in Milan against France. Failure to win & things start to slip from our hands. We then require to rely on others to take points from the leading teams.

I don't care, for once, if the Azzurri don't impress...1-0 in our favour & a huge hurdle is crossed!

 

[Ahmed]

Rai Uno has quagliarella,di natale, del piero and toni in a very attacking lineup. Gattuso and pirlo in midfield

that would be a very +ve formation....

 

[K0STA]

Donadoni looks set to play a 4-2-3-1 formation at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium and is said to be ready to select Fabio Quagliarella in place of Alessandro Del Piero.

Italy (probable): Buffon; Oddo, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Aquilani, Pirlo, Quagliarella, Inzaghi; Toni

What a bright man Donadoni is How can he leave out Del Piero in absence of Totti. If Inzaghi and Toni play I strongly believe that Quagliarella shouldn't be with them, better to be Alex with his huge creative abilities. I guess much more can be attained.

 

[Dragula]

Rai Uno has quagliarella,di natale, del piero and toni in a very attacking lineup. Gattuso and pirlo in midfield

This would be the line up then?

-------------------Toni

--Del Piero--Quagliarella--Di Natale

------------Pirlo---------Gattuso

--Zambro---Canna---Matrix---Oddo

------------------Buffon

Damn

 

[K0STA]

WOW! Hope Alex will play

20:30 Calcio:Ungheria-Italia Rai Uno


22.08.2007 / 20:50:00 / Hungary - Italy

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