Official Azzurri (Italy) Euro 2008 Thread (58 Viewers)
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Priceless.
Grosso was good overall. Zambro was decent going forward, but as the scoreline reflects, not much came from his crosses. He was poor in defense and spent too much time watching Dutch counter attacks going by. His ball watching was perfection. Keep Panucci on the right, he was solid and he is the only defensive minded right defender on the team. He just needs to be reminded not to lay down behind the goal anymore. Grosso on the left and Panucci on the right should provide attack and defensive balance that was needed today, as well as prevent the counters we all know Romania will be looking for. Keep Zambro on the bench and bring him on if Italy needs a late goal.
Donadoni: We weren't that bad
Roberto Donadoni insists this was not the worst match of his Italy reign and felt there was some big tournament nerves.
“I don’t want to say it was our worst performance ever. We conceded two goals by making mistakes, but I wouldn’t say Holland completely overran us,” he said after the 3-0 defeat.
“We had a tricky start and were perhaps anxious at starting the European Championship, but we fought back in the second half and did a lot better, we just failed to put the ball in the back of the net.”
The Azzurri improved considerably after Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Grosso came off the bench, moving Christian Panucci into central defence.
“When there are substitutions they are because a Coach thinks there can be an improvement, just as the starting XI is considered to be the best way to begin.
“Now we have to recover our physical and psychological energy to field a fresh side against Romania.”
Daniele De Rossi was expected to start in midfield, but was surprisingly left on the bench throughout in favour of an all-Milan midfield of Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini and Andrea Pirlo.
“I evaluated it this way, but never said otherwise. It was the media that assumed I would play De Rossi, so you’d have to ask yourselves why you were wrong about it,” mused the Coach.
There was also a great deal of controversy over the opening goal, as Ruud Van Nistelrooy was considered to be onside because Panucci was off the field injured.
However, under new laws this is only classified as an active position if the player is standing off the field of play by choice. This situation certainly did not apply to Panucci, who was on the ground in clear pain following a collision with Gigi Buffon.
“I won’t debate the incidents. Clearly we have not had a good start, as losing 3-0 on your debut cannot be considered positive.
“We have to look forward, there are another two games in this group and we’ll see what will happen.”
Italy are currently propping up Group C after France’s 0-0 draw with Romania.
channel 4
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Let's hope so.
Roberto Donadoni insists this was not the worst match of his Italy reign and felt there was some big tournament nerves.
“I don’t want to say it was our worst performance ever. We conceded two goals by making mistakes, but I wouldn’t say Holland completely overran us,” he said after the 3-0 defeat.
“We had a tricky start and were perhaps anxious at starting the European Championship, but we fought back in the second half and did a lot better, we just failed to put the ball in the back of the net.”
The Azzurri improved considerably after Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Grosso came off the bench, moving Christian Panucci into central defence.
“When there are substitutions they are because a Coach thinks there can be an improvement, just as the starting XI is considered to be the best way to begin.
“Now we have to recover our physical and psychological energy to field a fresh side against Romania.”
Daniele De Rossi was expected to start in midfield, but was surprisingly left on the bench throughout in favour of an all-Milan midfield of Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini and Andrea Pirlo.
“I evaluated it this way, but never said otherwise. It was the media that assumed I would play De Rossi, so you’d have to ask yourselves why you were wrong about it,” mused the Coach.
There was also a great deal of controversy over the opening goal, as Ruud Van Nistelrooy was considered to be onside because Panucci was off the field injured.
However, under new laws this is only classified as an active position if the player is standing off the field of play by choice. This situation certainly did not apply to Panucci, who was on the ground in clear pain following a collision with Gigi Buffon.
“I won’t debate the incidents. Clearly we have not had a good start, as losing 3-0 on your debut cannot be considered positive.
“We have to look forward, there are another two games in this group and we’ll see what will happen.”
Italy are currently propping up Group C after France’s 0-0 draw with Romania.
channel 4
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Let's hope so.
The defensive problems have been coming, but in all fairness, its not like top clubs are helping it, with constantly extending contracts with oldies like Maldini, instead of trying to find new italian prospects.
And in the modern world the nationality of the top defender for top italian club doesnt have to be italian.
Atleast we have done something for it(chiellini). But what have milan, roma or inter? 28 year or ferrari and crappy bonera is the best they have come up with.
And in the modern world the nationality of the top defender for top italian club doesnt have to be italian.
Atleast we have done something for it(chiellini). But what have milan, roma or inter? 28 year or ferrari and crappy bonera is the best they have come up with.
True he isn't better than Del Piero or Cassano. But he's good enough to play on the left. I'm not saying he's the greatest or anything like that.
Del Piero is wasted anywhere other than in a free role up top. Cassano is basically the same deal. I wouldn't want either player on the wing, not that they couldn't do the job, when they can be played up top. I guess Perotta could go on the left. That's guessing Italy will go with a 4-4-2 against Romania, but should they go 4-3-3 again Cassano or Del Piero should go in Di Natale's spot.
And Di Natale was somewhat "on form" this season which is something that can't be said for other starters today.
Del Piero is wasted anywhere other than in a free role up top. Cassano is basically the same deal. I wouldn't want either player on the wing, not that they couldn't do the job, when they can be played up top. I guess Perotta could go on the left. That's guessing Italy will go with a 4-4-2 against Romania, but should they go 4-3-3 again Cassano or Del Piero should go in Di Natale's spot.
And Di Natale was somewhat "on form" this season which is something that can't be said for other starters today.
I think Del Piero deployed on the left is where he should be, because even with Juventus he naturally favors roaming on the left flank. Many of times we've seen him take the ball along the left and own people, so it's not much different than a free role for him. He certainly will not be wasted on that left spot up top.
Now what might not work is something such as this:
Cassano - Toni - Del Piero
... as Cassano and Alex are too similar and both prefer the left side of the pitch. But who knows, perhaps it could work out.
Now what might not work is something such as this:
Cassano - Toni - Del Piero
... as Cassano and Alex are too similar and both prefer the left side of the pitch. But who knows, perhaps it could work out.
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