Official Azzurri (Italy) Euro 2008 Thread (19 Viewers)

[RavaneVialli]

The defeat was obviously caused by Donadoni'd bad players choices and inadequate tactics. He copied the midfield of the 5th Serie A's team and placed central defence consisting of a 35-year old player out of fitness and a key defender of a team that conceded during the season less goals only than Parma and Livorno, both relegated.

I'd choose a 4-3-1-2 formation against Romania:

defenders: Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso
midfielders: De Rossi, Pirlo, Aquilani
3/4: Cassano
forwards: Toni, Del Piero

 

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[.zero]

Its like we had an anal sex tonight ,and we were the only ones who couldnt keep the soap in our hands..........

interesting analogy

 

[Albertmare]

Are you happy?

I Love Italy ,
I Love Juventus ,

i have nothing againts Holland , but I hate Donadoni ,

Figure it out .
int:

 

[Stu]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and defend Di Natale. You can't compare what he did to the impact Del Piero and Cassano had because Holland completely dominated the game when Di Natale was on the pitch. I do think that DP and Cassano are more talented players than Di Natale and I said from the beginning that Di Natale, though a good player, is not a match winner on the big stage, BUT, DP and Cassano had the benefit of being on the field while Italy were on top.

That said, I'd drop Di Natale and Camoranesi for Del Piero and Cassano in the next game. Cassano looked first class when he came on.

Two other things. Materazzi's injury is a blessing in disguise and Toni really let us down today.

And Van Nistelrooy wasn't offside.

 

[zann]

i watched the game live and i was horrified when i saw materazzi pairing barzagli and ambro starting.
I agree with Andy, that maybe a centre pairing of Gamberini - Chiellini would do nice. but a Panucci - Chiellini seems more likely as i do not think Don wants to experiment with Gamberini at this stage now.
Barzagli definitely sucks, gave away needless balls and he's good only because Cannavaro is beside him!!!
I wouldn't blast Di Natale, as he didnt play that bad yesterday.
Grosso should have started the game, he gave the dutch defence problems since he came on.
Gattuso actually didnt play bad imo. he did provide some dangerous crosses, or rather, cross and in the 2nd half he was back to the gattuso in 06, fighting for everyball on the field.

the first half was crap.

Hopeful lineup against Romania
----------------------Buffon-----------------

Zambrotta---Panucci---Chiellini---Grosso

--------------------De Rossi-----------------

---------------Pirlo---------Gattuso----------

Cassano/Camo--------------Alex/Di Natale

-----------------------Toni-------------------

one of Alex or Cassano must start imo.

 

[Stu]

I can totally understand why Donadoni started Di Natale. In fact, I agree with that decision. The choices I didn't like were Ambrosini over De Rossi and Panucci over Grosso. The central defensive pairing was a disaster but I have a little more sympathy for Donadoni in that area because tbh Cannavaro is Italy's only top class defender and we were always going to struggle without him. In a way it's better that Barzagli and Materazzi played. Now Donadoni knows how much they suck and he won't persist with that pairing anymore.

It's not going to be easy but qualification is still very much in Italy's hands.

My formation for the rest of the tournament:

Buffon
Zambrotta - Panucci - Chiellini - Grosso
Gattuso - Pirlo - De Rossi
Cassano
Toni - Del Piero

It may look a tad attacking with two adventurous full backs and three frowards but let's face it, without Cannavaro Italy can't play the same way they did in the World Cup. The defence sucks and if we're going to win games we need to outscore teams.

 

[Bjerknes]

I would even drop Gattuso after what I saw today. Italy needs a revamp in midfield, something that consists of a little more technical skill. Let De Rossi take care of the defensive duties.

As Stu said, you're going to have to attack your opponents because this defense is atrocious.

 

[HelterSkelter]

I can totally understand why Donadoni started Di Natale. In fact, I agree with that decision. The choices I didn't like were Ambrosini over De Rossi and Panucci over Grosso. The central defensive pairing was a disaster but I have a little more sympathy for Donadoni in that area because tbh Cannavaro is Italy's only top class defender and we were always going to struggle without him. In a way it's better that Barzagli and Materazzi played. Now Donadoni knows how much they suck and he won't persist with that pairing anymore.

It's not going to be easy but qualification is still very much in Italy's hands.

My formation for the rest of the tournament:

Buffon
Zambrotta - Panucci - Chiellini - Grosso
Gattuso - Pirlo - De Rossi
Cassano
Toni - Del Piero
It may look a tad attacking with two adventurous full backs and three frowards but let's face it, without Cannavaro Italy can't play the same way they did in the World Cup. The defence sucks and if we're going to win games we need to outscore teams.

Thtat looks likes a very good formation,and i think Donadoni will play this back 4.I dont see him bringing in both Chiellini and Gamberini.Panucci in the centre is still a gamble,even though he did an OK job there last night.

Playing Cassano behind the front two could work as he can create as it was evident from some of his initial touches last night,but there would always be the problem of him and Del Piero drifting to the left flank,which both of them have a tendency to do.I dont think Donadoni will start with Cassano.He'd probably stick with Di Natale,or at best,move Di Natale to the right side and bring in Del Piero to replace the vacant spot on the left side.

The attack will be Ok even if only one of Cassano or Del Piero start.What's worrying is the defense.Which is why Donadoni will probably go for two DMs again.

 

[fender06]

barzagli sucks.....luckily he isn't in Juve

 

[Stu]

I would even drop Gattuso after what I saw today. Italy needs a revamp in midfield, something that consists of a little more technical skill. Let De Rossi take care of the defensive duties.

As Stu said, you're going to have to attack your opponents because this defense is atrocious.

Yup. Italy have one of the best attacking lineups in this tournament while their central defence is the weakest they've had in a long time. Hopefully Donadoni realizes this.

 

[Stu]

Did you choke on your laugh when you quoted me and laughed at Holland?

No, not nearly. My comment wasn't meant to be taken seriously, much like a lot of your posts in this section.

 

[Alfio_87]

Di Natale was not the problem. Sure he made a heap of errors but so did the whole team. You cannot play a 4-3-3 with players that lack pace through midfield and defence. Everything italy did was slow and lacked direction i mean leaving players free in the box when you have 2 and 3 players to mark him is defence of a school team.
Sometimes i wonder what they do at training marking your man even if its not your own is always what you do first. NOT MARK SPACE??? WATCHING THE BALL???
Buffon worst performance i have seen in years. First goal however you look at it is his error you never tap the ball back into hotspot.

Second goal we had gattuso and Di Natale back but ball watching.

Third goal again Zambrotta and Barzagli (i think) and Panucci again ball watching.

Mids got smashed all day it was shameful and hard to watch a team like that just get owned by a better polished team.

Buffon- First goal his error, he could not help defence clearly his talk didnt have any effect, is he a captain not on tonites performance?

Panucci- Finished product. Game has gone passed him he could hardly do anything that was right his long balls piss me off.

Materazzi- Ready for scrap heap. Slow , beaten all the time, no fitness should have been taken off at half time.

Barzagli- Wolfsburg signed who now. No wonder.

Zambrotta- Cant defend made some decent runs forward. Half the player he was at Juve.

Pirlo- Too deep, other than that he didnt have worse game out there knocked Sneijder off ball couldnt believe it.

Ambrosini- Played decent first term. But just dosent cut it at this level and never will.

Gattuso- Why did Milan finish 5th there is one of your answers. Struggled lucky not to see red.

Di Natale- Lost alot of ball, wasteful when he got it. Ran everywhere like a headless chicken.

Toni- Won many one on one's than managed to fuck wateva he was trying to do. One of those days.

Camoranesi- Bad Bad Bad. He was horrible i mean i cant remember a good thing he did all game should have been taken off right at half time.

subs-

Grosso- Played really well, got behind Holland alot couldnt finish on grand chance. juve should sign him.

Del Piero- had poise on ball could of and should of proberly scored but looked dangerous when he had it. Knew what he wanted to do when he got it all the time.

Cassano- nice through ball but fuk me should of been on earlier.

 

[Stu]

The three subs were the three best players. Pretty pathetic effort from the starters. Camo and Toni were the big disappointments for me.

 

[bianconero]

Yup. Italy have one of the best attacking lineups in this tournament while their central defence is the weakest they've had in a long time. Hopefully Donadoni realizes this.

Great piece of sarcasm: gets my vote as post of the month.

Laugh; I nearly lost my trousers.

 

[bianconero]

I would drop the lot of them, and nationalize the Dutch team.

 

[Stu]

Did I miss something? I wasn't being sarcastic at all.

 

[Maher]

Italy :rofl2:
all the players sucked except pirlo , although the first goal was offside but italy defence and midfield were out classed.

 

[Bjerknes]

 

[lavenderguy]

Is this the worst Italia team for a long long time?
how amazing just after 2 years time how things can changed so much.
Is Italia running out of new blood with the average oldest player among the 16teams? Well, the appointment of Donadoni was and will be a bold& wrong mistake. This guy just doesn';t hav the caliber and experience for big occasion. He has his own favourites e.g. Panucci who Lippi didn;t even bring to Germany. I could understand why noone wants to take over the role of NT coach since it's very hard to surpass what Lippi has achieved but then I am sure Donadoni is NOT the only option for Italia or is he??
and to extend another 2 years on his contract is a disaster. Will Italia qualify for the world cup then I may ask. Bear in mind, if not the dubious decision, can Panucci scored the winner vs Scotland away in the last qualification match?
Let's hope Don got it right and starts w DP, Cassano, Grosso. If not, Italy is gonna say Bye to Euro once again. It's about time to bring in fresh blood like Rossi, Giovinco,Chielleni(hope he starts) into the NT.
Buffon- 6.0 two brilliant saves, was not at fault with the 3 goals
Panucci-4.5 Disaster in playing RB, was OK in CB
Materazzi- 4.0 One of the worst match Materazzi played in a blue jersey. and he is the ONLY Italian player from a team that won the seria A? my gosh.Outpaced&Outclassed by RVN.
Barzagli- 3.0 My oh my...is this d replacement for Canna? He didn;t know he was doing. He is only good in FM game.
Zambrotta- 5.5 bad first half. Getting better in 2nd half after switching to right.
Pirlo- 5.0 Only one good freekick which Var Da Sar saved. Should give the set piece job to DP next time. Played too deep, doesn;t suit him
Ambrosini- 6.5 Our most efficient midfield even it shocked me he got the nod ahead of De Rossi. He got some great tackles but couldnot add flair to the team.
Gattuso- 5.0 Being in risk of getting sending off. Lost the ball easily and had a match to forget.
Camoranesi- 5.0 Haven;t see Camo played that bad for a long time. No creativity at all from the Juventus man and he just seems lost.
DiNatale-6.5 Italy most potent weapon in the first half.Had a stinging shot saved. at least he tried.
Toni-5.0 a big let down from the big man. maybe he was exhausted? anyway, he will start for sure vs Romania, let's hope he will start scoring.

sub
Del Piero-6.5 Get Italy going after coming on with some nice flicks and even 2 shots created by himself. However, it was not Italy day.
Grosso-7.0 Great play by Grosso. Should have make the LB position his. Blame Donadoni for that.
Cassano-5.5 Showed his flair in limited time. Expect great things from Bari boy in 4 days time.

Donadoni- 2.0 even he's no Lippi but certainly you can;t field all your midfield AC Milan way. and why not putting on the sub right after half time with Ita trailing 2-0? I doubt Ita wil win over Romania...this is sad.

 

[Luca]

I think it just goes to show Italy is in need of a serious revamp after the euros. Start bringing in players like
montolivo who is more hungry than pirlo who is as enthusiastic about the eiros as a wet fish.
chiellini for the mattress, enough said.
Gattuso has lost the fire and the passion, without that he is nothing. Maybe replace him with donadel or change our tactics and make use of aquilani.
We need an exititing playmaker and giovinco is our man for the job IMO.

The midfield was the worst area last night, I often think of them as the first form of our defense and we let them straight through the middle if the pitch every single time hence why I'm calling to changes there.
This should be the team for the world cup qualifiers:
--------------Buffon--------------
Zambro---canna--chiellini--grosso
----aquilani--de rossi--monolivo--
---------------giovinco-------------
------------toni--------del piero---