Official Azzurri (Italy) Euro 2008 Qualifier thread (20 Viewers)

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Sep 26, 2007
2,119
:agree: De Rossi would be a better option than Ambrosini. About Di Natale, I would say Quagliarella goes more MIA than he does. For the front, I would go something like this (since Donadoni always changes the formations):

Camo---Di Natale
Toni​
:agree: I am glad someone agrees that De Rossi is the best option.

That is what I would hope the formation is. I think its solid.

thats me just back from Glasgow Airport to see the players.

I tried to get the Juve guys to sign a Juventus pendant and managed to get Giorgio Chiellini, Palladino and Camoranesi. Camo was sound he was already on the bus when i asked for his autograph, he wasnt too keen to sign for anyone but then when he saw that i was a juve fan he came right out and gave me his signature! Palla was cool he was on his own and looked kinda nervous being called up for the 1st time.

Buffon went past in a blur with people surrounding him, so i could get close to him. But i showed him my Juve pendant when he was sitting on the bus and i got a thumbs up! I couldnt even see Iaquinta, i dont know where he was.
Congrats! You are so lucky. You should have taken pictures to share!
 

Buy on AliExpress.com
Sep 26, 2007
2,119
:agree: De Rossi would be a better option than Ambrosini. About Di Natale, I would say Quagliarella goes more MIA than he does. For the front, I would go something like this (since Donadoni always changes the formations):

Camo---Di Natale
Toni​
:agree: I am glad someone agrees that De Rossi is the best option.

That is what I would hope the formation is. I think its solid.
I meant to say it would be solid if we had Iaquinta instead of Camo.
 

Boksic

Senior Member
May 11, 2005
14,336
:agree: I am glad someone agrees that De Rossi is the best option.

That is what I would hope the formation is. I think its solid.



Congrats! You are so lucky. You should have taken pictures to share!
I was planning on taking lots of photos but they just go past so quickly and my camera is rubbish (it takes about 30 seconds from pressing the shoot button until the picture actually takes) so they didnt come out very well. :cry:

i agree with you about De Rossi, i think he is very close to being Italy's best midfielder and Donadoni should start him. But, as a Scotland fan, I hope he doesnt!!
 

Dostoevsky

Tzu
Administrator
May 27, 2007
89,026
Don: Italy cannot fear Scots

Roberto Donadoni is leaning towards a trident attack as Italy are going for the victory in Scotland. “We cannot be afraid of anyone.”

The Azzurri need at least a draw in Glasgow tomorrow afternoon to qualify for Euro 2008 ahead of their final game against the Faroe Islands next Wednesday, but the Scots require a victory as it is their last match.

“We have a squad that clearly we cannot be afraid of anyone,” said the Coach of the World Cup holders.

“Although we need to respect everybody, Italy have such quality that we must step on to the field against any opponent with great determination, safe in the knowledge they need to fear us.”

Massimo Oddo is a major doubt for the game after pulling out of training with a bruised foot, so Christian Panucci looks set to start at right-back.

Donadoni seems certain to field a 4-4-2 system that turns into a 4-3-3 when in possession, so Mauro Camoranesi and Antonio Di Natale support centre-forward Luca Toni.

If an even more attacking line-up is required, on-form Juventus man Vincenzo Iaquinta is on the bench ready to step in.

“It would be nice to have a little good luck, but I believe you have to make your own luck to a degree,” added Donadoni.

After Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta took early retirement from international duty, the tactician was happy to see more Azzurri eager to answer his call.

Fiorentina benchwarmer Christian Vieri also stated this week it is his aim to earn a recall to the Italy squad.

“The important thing is that everyone is in good shape. If I get more options at my disposal with many players doing well, then that is even better. I am happy to be forced with tough decisions.”

channel 4
 

Red

-------
Moderator
Nov 26, 2006
47,024
The Scotland line up seems to have leaked. Apparently we will line up

--------------------Gordon

Hutton------Weir---------McManus-----Naysmith

------------------Hartley

----------Ferguson------Fletcher
----Brown
------------------------------------McCulloch

-----------------McFadden


Seems we are, not unreasonably, afraid of being overrun by Italy's 3 players in central midfield.
 

Red

-------
Moderator
Nov 26, 2006
47,024
Right I'll be off early tomorrow so won't be posting again til after the game.

I expect a dull 0-0 draw.

Italy will keep Scotland at arms length quite comfortably, as Scotland lack the guile to break them down, but won't bother attacking much. I think Donadoni's stuff about playing to win is BS they will be trying to time waste and slow the game all the time and will generally play for the draw.


I am travelling in hope, rather than expectation, of a Scottish victory.
 
Mar 24, 2006
13,954
thats me just back from Glasgow Airport to see the players.

I tried to get the Juve guys to sign a Juventus pendant and managed to get Giorgio Chiellini, Palladino and Camoranesi. Camo was sound he was already on the bus when i asked for his autograph, he wasnt too keen to sign for anyone but then when he saw that i was a juve fan he came right out and gave me his signature! Palla was cool he was on his own and looked kinda nervous being called up for the 1st time.

Buffon went past in a blur with people surrounding him, so i could get close to him. But i showed him my Juve pendant when he was sitting on the bus and i got a thumbs up! I couldnt even see Iaquinta, i dont know where he was.
What a Cool Stuff you've got , mate :eyebrows:
Envy you :p :tup:


btw , any streams available ?
 

JCK

Biased
JCK
May 11, 2004
125,395
Ok here's the deal. I will be watching the game with an Italian and a Scot. I think I will be seated on the couch between them. If things get bad I hope I survive the consequences.
 

Dostoevsky

Tzu
Administrator
May 27, 2007
89,026
Donadoni flies flag in Scotland

Roberto Donadoni has pledged his players will “honour the Azzurri jersey” in the most decisive match of his career at Hampden Park.

“The lads know what they have to do and that means leaving an important mark in Glasgow. I know them well and how to treat them, you just have to look them in the eyes,” commented the tactician.

“Talk is useless now, it is the time for action and we must do what we know best – honour the Azzurri jersey.”

Italy need at least a draw to prevent Scotland from automatically taking one of the two qualifying spots for Euro 2008 this afternoon with kick-off at 17.00 in Glasgow.

“Is this the line in the sand for my team? We still have two games to go, whereas Scotland and France only have one,” commented Donadoni in his pre-match Press conference.

“People always assume the results are going to go as predicted, like when Scotland played Georgia and surprisingly lost. Just remember France have to go to Kiev and that won’t be a walk in the park.”

Les Bleus currently top Group B with 25 points to Scotland’s 24 and Italy on 23, but they must travel to the Ukraine for their final encounter, whereas the Azzurri close against the Faroe Islands next Wednesday.

This has prompted France boss Raymond Domenech to suggest Italy will go for the draw at Hampden Park, but it is something Donadoni rejects.

“I was talking to Gianluca Zambrotta earlier and asked him 'Do you think we’re a team made for draws?’ If we go on the pitch with that mentality, then you go out and he agreed. We have to be intelligent, have patience and basically play the game.”

Massimo Oddo was an injury doubt after he bruised his foot during training on Thursday, but the Milan right-back has now recovered, even though Christian Panucci is still the favourite to take his place in the starting XI.

It is widely reported that Mauro Camoranesi and Antonio Di Natale will support centre-forward Luca Toni in a trident attack.

“The team is ready. They know well that they have to face Scotland, not their fans, despite the fact the crowd can often be a crucial element for a home side,” continued the Coach.

“The boys will not get this wrong. They have to be aggressive and determined to ensure they are not pinned back. Scotland will do the same, so we have to answer them blow for blow with the added bonus of our quality.”

Glasgow gears up Canna

Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluigi Buffon hope the imposing atmosphere at Hampden Park can charge Italy up for a decisive victory.

“At the end of the day, a stadium like that is less frightening and more exciting,” grinned the European and World Player of the Year.

The Azzurri need at least a point to ensure Scotland do not automatically capture one of the two Euro 2008 qualifying spots available.

“Qualification is in our hands and it all depends on us, so we need to win and earn it. Exiting the tournament would be embarrassing, even if it would be very strange failing to qualify with 26 points.”

Group B has been utterly dominated by the trio of Italy, Scotland and France. This is the Scots’ final match, while Les Bleus go to the Ukraine and the Azzurri have a game in hand against the Faroe Islands on Wednesday.

“It would be a real blow to be eliminated,” agreed goalkeeper Buffon. “We’d still go out with our heads held high, because we gave it our all.”

The shot-stopper insists that Raymond Domenech’s accusation Italy are 'draw specialists’ will make the result a foregone conclusion.

“We have to be ready. Having two out of three results available is an advantage, but only if we play the way we know how.

“After winning the World Cup, we deserve to be in the European Championships and want to go all the way. We must not fall into the temptation of accepting a result.”

channel 4
 

ReMad

Senior Member
Feb 25, 2007
1,104
x


Wednesday, November 17, 2007, kick-off 17:00 GMT
Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland



[FONT=&quot]Qualification Scenarios[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]Scotland qualify if:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]1) Scotland beat Italy. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]2) Scotland draw with Italy, and France then lose to Ukraine, and/or Italy lose to the Faroe Islands. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Scotland don’t qualify if:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]1) Scotland draw with Italy, but France win or draw against Ukraine and Italy win or draw with the Faroe Islands. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]2) Scotland lose to Italy. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Italy qualify if:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]1) Italy beat Scotland [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]2) Italy draw with Scotland, and then go on to win or draw against the Faroe Islands. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]3) Italy lose to Scotland, beat the Faroe Islands, and France lose to Ukraine. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Italy don’t qualify if:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]1) Italy draw with Scotland, and then lose to the Faroe Islands. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]2) Italy lose to Scotland, and France then win or draw against Ukraine.[/FONT]



[FONT=&quot]Last Meeting: [/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]Italy-Scotland 2-0 [/FONT][FONT=&quot](Goals: 12’& ’70 Toni) [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]For Match highlights click here

[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Scotland[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Probable Starting XI: Gordon; Hutton, Weir, McManus, Naysmith; Hartley, Fletcher, Ferguson, Brown, McCulloch; Miller. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Italy[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Probable Starting XI: Buffon; Panucci, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Barzagli; Ambrosini, Gattuso, Pirlo; Camoranesi, Di Natale, Toni.
[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]skysports.com prediction: [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Scotland 1 Italy 0[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Goal.com prediction: [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Scotland 1-2 Italy

[/FONT] Check This Thread Frequently During the Match for Goals and Clips LIVE








 

Badass J Elkann

It's time to go!!
Feb 12, 2006
69,034
So basically, a draw is enough for the Azzurri?
yes, but i dont think it wins us the group, or does it? if so id settle on a draw and knock france out :D and to see england go out too, haha whos the bitch of the brits now.

edit: checking the table it doesnt win us the group unless france lose to ukraine and we beat the faroe islands, but id sooner just go for the 6 points from next 2 games and win the group so we dont have to worry about any play offs
 

Dostoevsky

Tzu
Administrator
May 27, 2007
89,026
Di Natale feels the pressure

Antonio Di Natale is set to start the showdown with Scotland and admits he’s anxious. “I know people expect a lot from me.”

The Udinese forward is almost certain to be in the starting XI when Italy run out at Hampden Park at 17.00 in a decisive Euro 2008 qualifier.

“Nowadays people expect a lot from me and I hope to repay all their faith,” said the Italian international.

“I also know that 2,500 Azzurri fans will come to Glasgow to support us and we hope to be able to celebrate all together at the final whistle.”

A victory would practically qualify Italy for Euro 2008, but a draw could well be enough ahead of Wednesday’s final match with the Faroe Islands.

If Scotland win this tie, then they will automatically enter the European Championships, leaving Italy to fight it out with France for the second place.

“I am not focused on scoring at all costs, as qualification is too important and that is our ultimate objective,” added Di Natale, who should start in a trident attack with Luca Toni and Mauro Camoranesi.

“It is going to be a very attacking line-up, but that is the right thing to do, as we need to go for the victory.”

Coach Roberto Donadoni has another option at his disposal, as Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta could replace club teammate Camoranesi on the right.

“If Iaquinta plays then we’d have to come back more to help out the defence, while Camoranesi is more accustomed to doing that himself.

“This is a game in which we’ll also have to defend. Is Donadoni gambling with his career? In a certain sense we all are. It will be a cauldron at Hampden Park, but we are not scared.”

Di Natale made his Italy debut in 2002, but has only become a regular fixture over the past year, netting in two of his last four appearances.

channel 4
 
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