Official Azzurri (Italy) Euro 2008 Thread (27 Viewers)
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Don deals with Panucci injury
Although Christian Panucci’s knee injury is not thought to be serious, it still forces Roberto Donadoni to reshuffle for the debut against Holland.
This evening Roma defender Panucci collapsed during training and was visibly irritated at the setback, throwing an ice pack to the ground in anger.
He was helped off the field and taken for tests, but FIGC spokesman Antonello Valentini reassured the media that it was “purely a precautional measure.”
The initial diagnosis from the medical staff is a slight strain to the tendon in his right knee. Although not serious, it does leave Panucci in doubt for Monday’s opener with Holland.
Taking the situation into account, Coach Donadoni immediately reshuffled his pack in defence to prepare for that match.
He tested out a Marco Materazzi-Andrea Barzagli central defensive partnership with Fabio Grosso at left-back and Gianluca Zambrotta on the right.
Donadoni performed several experiments during the training session. Initially he used assistant manager Bortolazzi to fill in for the injured Panucci for the 'pink’ team, consisting of Gianluigi Buffon, Barzagli, Materazzi, Grosso, Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi, Massimo Ambrosini, Antonio Cassano, Luca Toni and Antonio Di Natale.
For the 'blue’ side he pushed Simone Perrotta back into defence alongside Giorgio Chiellini, Alessandro Gamberini and Zambrotta. This left space for Mauro Camoranesi, Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Aquilani to support Trequartista Alessandro Del Piero behind strikers Fabio Quagliarella and Marco Borriello.
He tried out a 4-4-2 system made up of De Sanctis; Zambrotta, Barzagli, Materazzi, Grosso; Pirlo, De Rossi, Perrotta; Camoranesi, Toni, Del Piero and a 4-2-3-1 with Buffon, Bortolazzi, Gamberini, Ambrosini, Chiellini; Gattuso, Aquilani; Quagliarella, Cassano, Di Natale; Borriello.
The game between ranks ended 1-1 with fine goals from Ambrosini and Quagliarella, both scored during the first half before the reshuffle.
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Although Christian Panucci’s knee injury is not thought to be serious, it still forces Roberto Donadoni to reshuffle for the debut against Holland.
This evening Roma defender Panucci collapsed during training and was visibly irritated at the setback, throwing an ice pack to the ground in anger.
He was helped off the field and taken for tests, but FIGC spokesman Antonello Valentini reassured the media that it was “purely a precautional measure.”
The initial diagnosis from the medical staff is a slight strain to the tendon in his right knee. Although not serious, it does leave Panucci in doubt for Monday’s opener with Holland.
Taking the situation into account, Coach Donadoni immediately reshuffled his pack in defence to prepare for that match.
He tested out a Marco Materazzi-Andrea Barzagli central defensive partnership with Fabio Grosso at left-back and Gianluca Zambrotta on the right.
Donadoni performed several experiments during the training session. Initially he used assistant manager Bortolazzi to fill in for the injured Panucci for the 'pink’ team, consisting of Gianluigi Buffon, Barzagli, Materazzi, Grosso, Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi, Massimo Ambrosini, Antonio Cassano, Luca Toni and Antonio Di Natale.
For the 'blue’ side he pushed Simone Perrotta back into defence alongside Giorgio Chiellini, Alessandro Gamberini and Zambrotta. This left space for Mauro Camoranesi, Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Aquilani to support Trequartista Alessandro Del Piero behind strikers Fabio Quagliarella and Marco Borriello.
He tried out a 4-4-2 system made up of De Sanctis; Zambrotta, Barzagli, Materazzi, Grosso; Pirlo, De Rossi, Perrotta; Camoranesi, Toni, Del Piero and a 4-2-3-1 with Buffon, Bortolazzi, Gamberini, Ambrosini, Chiellini; Gattuso, Aquilani; Quagliarella, Cassano, Di Natale; Borriello.
The game between ranks ended 1-1 with fine goals from Ambrosini and Quagliarella, both scored during the first half before the reshuffle.
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Domenech 'compliments' Italy
France boss Raymond Domenech aimed a back-handed compliment at the Azzurri, saying he is “an admirer of Italian football.”
The tactician has long criticised the peninsula’s output and even received a touchline ban during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign for unfounded allegations about an Under-21 match.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde, he changed his tune slightly, although the tone remained less than glowing.
“Italy have the capacity of stopping their opponents from playing and have players of a high quality,” said Domenech.
“They have the talent of being able to privilege efficiency over entertaining play. We should celebrate those merits.”
Effectively it was a 'nice’ way of suggesting the Azzurri play a brand of Catenaccio and will do little to smooth the disastrous relations between the two teams, even if he proclaimed himself “an admirer of Italian football.”
Italy and France will face off in the final Euro 2008 Group C match on June 17.
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what a doosh this guy is, im sure this was just sarcasm, he's just playing mind games with us. I know he is scared of facing up to us in the final game. I hope we crush them and France get sent home, where he will face the criticism from his fellow frenchies, mainly for choosing players like Cisse over the in form Trez.
France boss Raymond Domenech aimed a back-handed compliment at the Azzurri, saying he is “an admirer of Italian football.”
The tactician has long criticised the peninsula’s output and even received a touchline ban during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign for unfounded allegations about an Under-21 match.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde, he changed his tune slightly, although the tone remained less than glowing.
“Italy have the capacity of stopping their opponents from playing and have players of a high quality,” said Domenech.
“They have the talent of being able to privilege efficiency over entertaining play. We should celebrate those merits.”
Effectively it was a 'nice’ way of suggesting the Azzurri play a brand of Catenaccio and will do little to smooth the disastrous relations between the two teams, even if he proclaimed himself “an admirer of Italian football.”
Italy and France will face off in the final Euro 2008 Group C match on June 17.
channel4
what a doosh this guy is, im sure this was just sarcasm, he's just playing mind games with us. I know he is scared of facing up to us in the final game. I hope we crush them and France get sent home, where he will face the criticism from his fellow frenchies, mainly for choosing players like Cisse over the in form Trez.
Del Piero seems to be playing alongside Toni an awful lot in training.. I think he might come on halfway through the second half on Monday.
Sneijder is saying the Italians are scared of the Dutch as well. But they're not. That's the whole reason why Italians are so damn good right now. They might lose, they might play poorly, but they're never scared. And that's probably because if you want to make it as a pro in Italy you have to be so goddamn tough.
Sneijder is saying the Italians are scared of the Dutch as well. But they're not. That's the whole reason why Italians are so damn good right now. They might lose, they might play poorly, but they're never scared. And that's probably because if you want to make it as a pro in Italy you have to be so goddamn tough.
Probably formation vs Holland: 4-3-2-1
Buffon - Zambrotta, Chiellini, Barzagli, Grosso - De Rossi, Gattuso, Pirlo - Camoranesi, Di Natale - Toni
IMO:
Di Natale should play at 4-3-2-1 because: it is faster and more energetic than Del Piero and in representation and in Udinese the shooting a lot of goals, it must play in the first 11. Del Piero should be used as a joker, and then also shows its value as shows the season with Capello, or WC 2006. The 4-4-2 formation opportunities should get Alex in the same game as Juventus, and being one of two forwards do not have to run as much as the wing at 4-3-2-1.
Buffon - Zambrotta, Chiellini, Barzagli, Grosso - De Rossi, Gattuso, Pirlo - Camoranesi, Di Natale - Toni
IMO:
Di Natale should play at 4-3-2-1 because: it is faster and more energetic than Del Piero and in representation and in Udinese the shooting a lot of goals, it must play in the first 11. Del Piero should be used as a joker, and then also shows its value as shows the season with Capello, or WC 2006. The 4-4-2 formation opportunities should get Alex in the same game as Juventus, and being one of two forwards do not have to run as much as the wing at 4-3-2-1.
Del Piero revels in Italy responsibility
by Richard Aikman from Schloss Weikersdorf
Alessandro Del Piero will captain Italy following Fabio Cannavaro`s injury (©Getty Images)1 2
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As the most capped current player after Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Del Piero was the natural choice to succeed Italy's injured captain. Ahead of his side's UEFA EURO 2008™ Group C opener against the Netherlands, the 33-year-old told euro2008.com of his delight at leading his country, the desire that still drives him on and his record-breaking plans.
EURO quest
Del Piero is one of the most decorated players in world football. A UEFA Champions League and five-time Serie A winner, he also helped the Azzurri triumph at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Now, as he bids to claim one of the few trophies that has eluded him in his glittering career, the Juventus forward has also been charged with leading Italy's quest for European honours. "I'm absolutely delighted to be captain," said Del Piero. "Even though events conspired against Cannavaro, I'm absolutely delighted to have been given this role because for a footballer it's the ultimate honour to play for your country and to be made captain is even greater - it's fantastic. The build-up to every major tournament is always very different but I feel a lot more relaxed this time around."
'Hunger and motivation'
A veteran of seven major tournaments, Del Piero has played in a variety of Azzurri sides but feels this one has benefited from players, such as Luca Toni, Fabio Grosso and Gianluca Zambrotta, gaining experience with overseas clubs. "Playing in other leagues helps players mature and has given them an insight into foreign players, which is a huge plus for us," he said. "Winning the World Cup has also given us great inner strength, but success depends on the hunger and motivation you take into your matches."
Riva Record
Thirteen years after making his international debut and eight years after spurning several chances in the final defeat by France at UEFA EURO 2000™, Del Piero's hunger still drives him on. Having scored 27 goals in 86 Azzurri appearances he now lies fourth in Italy's all-time goalscorers' list, alongside Roberto Baggio and, having also top-scored in Serie A last season, now stands eight goals shy of the record held by Luigi Riva. "That's without doubt a nice landmark to aim for," he said. "That's a lot of goals but you must always set your sights high, and this could be a nice stimulus for me."
'Incredible match'
Del Piero knows Italy's standards will need to be high in their opening match against the Netherlands. As one of the only remaining survivors of Italy's last match against the Oranje, a 3-1 shoot-out win after a 0-0 draw in the UEFA EURO 2000™ semi-finals, 'Pinturicchio' knows all too well how tough playing the Dutch can be. "That was an incredible match, unreal almost. We were down to ten men and defended in numbers, with all our hearts. They hit the post a couple of times, there were great saves and last-ditch tackles, but we gave our all that day. We dug as deep as you can go, and we came through on penalties by adapting to a difficult situation against a very good host nation."
by Richard Aikman from Schloss Weikersdorf
Alessandro Del Piero will captain Italy following Fabio Cannavaro`s injury (©Getty Images)1 2
Printe-mailDiggSaveShare
As the most capped current player after Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Del Piero was the natural choice to succeed Italy's injured captain. Ahead of his side's UEFA EURO 2008™ Group C opener against the Netherlands, the 33-year-old told euro2008.com of his delight at leading his country, the desire that still drives him on and his record-breaking plans.
EURO quest
Del Piero is one of the most decorated players in world football. A UEFA Champions League and five-time Serie A winner, he also helped the Azzurri triumph at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Now, as he bids to claim one of the few trophies that has eluded him in his glittering career, the Juventus forward has also been charged with leading Italy's quest for European honours. "I'm absolutely delighted to be captain," said Del Piero. "Even though events conspired against Cannavaro, I'm absolutely delighted to have been given this role because for a footballer it's the ultimate honour to play for your country and to be made captain is even greater - it's fantastic. The build-up to every major tournament is always very different but I feel a lot more relaxed this time around."
'Hunger and motivation'
A veteran of seven major tournaments, Del Piero has played in a variety of Azzurri sides but feels this one has benefited from players, such as Luca Toni, Fabio Grosso and Gianluca Zambrotta, gaining experience with overseas clubs. "Playing in other leagues helps players mature and has given them an insight into foreign players, which is a huge plus for us," he said. "Winning the World Cup has also given us great inner strength, but success depends on the hunger and motivation you take into your matches."
Riva Record
Thirteen years after making his international debut and eight years after spurning several chances in the final defeat by France at UEFA EURO 2000™, Del Piero's hunger still drives him on. Having scored 27 goals in 86 Azzurri appearances he now lies fourth in Italy's all-time goalscorers' list, alongside Roberto Baggio and, having also top-scored in Serie A last season, now stands eight goals shy of the record held by Luigi Riva. "That's without doubt a nice landmark to aim for," he said. "That's a lot of goals but you must always set your sights high, and this could be a nice stimulus for me."
'Incredible match'
Del Piero knows Italy's standards will need to be high in their opening match against the Netherlands. As one of the only remaining survivors of Italy's last match against the Oranje, a 3-1 shoot-out win after a 0-0 draw in the UEFA EURO 2000™ semi-finals, 'Pinturicchio' knows all too well how tough playing the Dutch can be. "That was an incredible match, unreal almost. We were down to ten men and defended in numbers, with all our hearts. They hit the post a couple of times, there were great saves and last-ditch tackles, but we gave our all that day. We dug as deep as you can go, and we came through on penalties by adapting to a difficult situation against a very good host nation."
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