The Lads Were Wonderful - Donadoni
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni heaped praise on his players after the 2-1 win in Scotland that sealed the Azzurri's qualification to Euro 2008.
Italy have qualified to Euro 2008. At the moment of triumph, coach Roberto Donadoni chose to give credit to his players rather than complimenting himself, after the incessant criticism he has received ever since coming on the Azzurri's bench, more than a year ago.
"These lads are wonderful, the merit is all theirs," Donadoni said right after the match, "we showed our strength and our heart, and ended up celebrating a completely deserved qualification.
"My best game as coach? We've been playing at very highly levels a whole year now, perhaps I have some merit as coach but tonight it's the players who deserve all the praise."
Italy went into in this highly anticipated clash knowing only a draw would be required to be practically sure of qualification (only needing to avoid defeat to the Faroe Islands in their final home match in case of a draw), while Scotland needed a win.
Luca Toni opened the score after just a minute, before Antonio Di Natale scored what appeared to be a legimitate goal, but it was called off for offside. Scotland captain Barry Ferguson then scored the equaliser around the hour mark in a dubious position, before Christian Panucci broke Scottish hearts with a late header to seal Italy's qualification and knock Scotland out.
There's A Reason Why We're World Champions - Cannavaro
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro talked about the victory over Scotland, while Luca Toni dedicated the win to Gabriele Sandri, the Lazio fan who was killed last weekend.
He's the captain of the World Champions and tonight he can say it with legitimate pride, after Italy sealed their qualification to Euro 2008 with a deserved 2-1 win in Scotland. Fabio Cannavaro gave his thuoghts after this hard-fought, epic victory.
"We are not the World Champions by chance, when there's a game that matters we always win it with class, heart, and humility. We showed it again tonight," he boasted.
He then talked about the environment the Azzurri had to play in: "It was very loud, and it was made even worse by the bad weather: when it was 1-1 I really got a bit worried for a moment."
Meanwhile, Luca Toni dedicated the victory to the Lazio fan who was shot dead last weekend by a policeman, Gabriele Sandri.
"It's a small thing, but after this tragedy I think it's right to dedicate our victory to Gabriele Sandri," the Bayern Munich striker said, "my goal was important because it silenced the crowd who were very loud from the start."
Cannavaro talked about the sportsmanship of the Scottish fans, who cheered their heroes at the end of the match despite the defeat, an attitude he hopes Italy will take over in the future.
"I hope this type of thing will happen also in Italy, it doesn't take a lot and it would be bad if it didn't: our football wins in Europe and the world, but it must also do so outside the pitch," he concluded.
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What an arrogant jerk!!
