Official Azzurri (Italy) Euro 2008 Thread (5 Viewers)
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Donadoni to test Italy's Del Piero and Cassano together against Belgium
ROME - Alessandro Del Piero and Antonio Cassano were at risk of being left off Italy's team a few months ago. Now, coach Roberto Donadoni is trying to fit them both into the starting lineup.
Friday's European Championship warmup against Belgium in Florence is the first such opportunity.
"I haven't decided anything, but in my idea of a three-man attack, I definitely see Del Piero on the left and Cassano on the right, although Cassano can also play on the opposite side," Donadoni said. "We'll try things out against Belgium."
Luca Toni will undoubtedly be Italy's centre forward.
Del Piero and Cassano are competing with Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi for playing time.
Del Piero was left off Italy's roster for recent friendlies after issuing an ultimatum that he would not play a wing role, preferring the center. But Donadoni could not ignore it when the Juventus captain led Serie A with 21 goals, matching the best output of his career.
In March, Cassano strengthened his reputation as a troublemaker when he was banned for five Serie A matches for throwing his jersey at the referee and threatening him. The move was expected to cost Cassano a spot on Italy's squad, but Donadoni has an apparent weak spot for the Sampdoria forward and included him to the surprise of some.
Donadoni usually prefers a 4-3-3 formation, but he is also considering a 4-3-1-2, or the 4-3-2-1 "Christmas Tree" lineup.
"We're trying out different possibilities. A three-man defence, two playmakers behind one striker, one playmaker behind two strikers," Donadoni said. "What I like most is the way the guys are open to change, and their versatility. I really think this ability to use several formations could be one of our strengths."
Italy's defence seems set, with captain Fabio Cannavaro and Marco Materazzi between Christian Panucci at right back and Gianluca Zambrotta on the left flank.
Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini are the likely midfield set, with Daniele De Rossi also a possible starter.
Due to injuries and poor form, Ambrosini was not a member of Italy's squad that won the World Cup two years ago.
"Little by little my form returned and now I think I'm in top shape," Ambrosini said. "I thank Donadoni for having faith in me, and I hope I can repay him."
After the Belgium game, Italy has two days off before flying to its training base outside Vienna. The World Cup champions open against the Netherlands on June 9, face Romania four days later and conclude Group C play against France on June 17.
"It's (too) early to make evaluations," Donadoni said. "'The test with Belgium will be important most of all from a mental point of view, not physical. We can't ask for much after five days of training."
Belgium has not qualified for Euro 2008.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ROME - Alessandro Del Piero and Antonio Cassano were at risk of being left off Italy's team a few months ago. Now, coach Roberto Donadoni is trying to fit them both into the starting lineup.
Friday's European Championship warmup against Belgium in Florence is the first such opportunity.
"I haven't decided anything, but in my idea of a three-man attack, I definitely see Del Piero on the left and Cassano on the right, although Cassano can also play on the opposite side," Donadoni said. "We'll try things out against Belgium."
Luca Toni will undoubtedly be Italy's centre forward.
Del Piero and Cassano are competing with Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi for playing time.
Del Piero was left off Italy's roster for recent friendlies after issuing an ultimatum that he would not play a wing role, preferring the center. But Donadoni could not ignore it when the Juventus captain led Serie A with 21 goals, matching the best output of his career.
In March, Cassano strengthened his reputation as a troublemaker when he was banned for five Serie A matches for throwing his jersey at the referee and threatening him. The move was expected to cost Cassano a spot on Italy's squad, but Donadoni has an apparent weak spot for the Sampdoria forward and included him to the surprise of some.
Donadoni usually prefers a 4-3-3 formation, but he is also considering a 4-3-1-2, or the 4-3-2-1 "Christmas Tree" lineup.
"We're trying out different possibilities. A three-man defence, two playmakers behind one striker, one playmaker behind two strikers," Donadoni said. "What I like most is the way the guys are open to change, and their versatility. I really think this ability to use several formations could be one of our strengths."
Italy's defence seems set, with captain Fabio Cannavaro and Marco Materazzi between Christian Panucci at right back and Gianluca Zambrotta on the left flank.
Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini are the likely midfield set, with Daniele De Rossi also a possible starter.
Due to injuries and poor form, Ambrosini was not a member of Italy's squad that won the World Cup two years ago.
"Little by little my form returned and now I think I'm in top shape," Ambrosini said. "I thank Donadoni for having faith in me, and I hope I can repay him."
After the Belgium game, Italy has two days off before flying to its training base outside Vienna. The World Cup champions open against the Netherlands on June 9, face Romania four days later and conclude Group C play against France on June 17.
"It's (too) early to make evaluations," Donadoni said. "'The test with Belgium will be important most of all from a mental point of view, not physical. We can't ask for much after five days of training."
Belgium has not qualified for Euro 2008.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says the world champions are justified favourites at Euro 2008.
"We're the team to beat. We're favourites, but it's not going to be easy to repeat what we did in Germany, notably in defence with fellow World Cup winners Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso and myself. Especially as the years are passing.
"But it's obvious, everyone wants to succeed."
Italy are in Group C, the group of death, with the team they beat in the final in Berlin in 2006, France, the Netherlands and Romania.
"It's hard, but that's also because we're in the group. We're calm, and we respect our rivals - the Dutch and the French of course but also Romania who have strong players like (Adrian) Mutu (also a Juventus player)
.
"In some respects the Euro is harder than the World Cup."
AFP
"We're the team to beat. We're favourites, but it's not going to be easy to repeat what we did in Germany, notably in defence with fellow World Cup winners Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso and myself. Especially as the years are passing.
"But it's obvious, everyone wants to succeed."
Italy are in Group C, the group of death, with the team they beat in the final in Berlin in 2006, France, the Netherlands and Romania.
"It's hard, but that's also because we're in the group. We're calm, and we respect our rivals - the Dutch and the French of course but also Romania who have strong players like (Adrian) Mutu (also a Juventus player)
."In some respects the Euro is harder than the World Cup."
AFP
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