What a spineless performance by Italy.Im not going to put the entire blame on Donadoni.Putting Aquilani in was the right move.He got the team right,minus Camo's exclusion,which was understandable as Perrotta's box to box stamina had the potential to be very useful for Italy,but that didnt really pay off last night.In all honesty,Spain deserved to go through since they created more chances,and came closer to scoring then Italy.The Italians can take some positives from the tournament however.For starters,im confident that Chiellini has firmly established himself as a starter for the NT now.De Rossi has a good tournament,and he might well be Italy's midifield engine in 2010.On the other side,Toni needs to get the boot.Im sorry,but he isnt able to show his club form at international level.I feel sorry for Del Piero and Cannavaro though,as this would be their last Euros.Del Piero was brought on for the penalties obviously,but he didnt even get to take it.
They certainly need to inject some young blood in the team though.Players like Cannavaro,Zambrotta,Materazzi,Di Natale,Toni..and perhaps even Gattuso,should be given the boot for youngsters like Aquilani,Giovinco,Motolivo etc.Italy really really need to find a top class goal poacher for the 2010 finals.The central defence would be in good hands with a Chiellini-Gamberini pairing,but a finisher upfront is no where in sight.