Italian sides have always prided themselves on their defensive prowess. 'Primo non prenderle' - 'First, don't let them get at you' - has long been the maxim that lay at the root of a successful Italy team.
"In Italy you can see kids growing up and wanting to become defenders which isn't that normal in many other countries," said AC Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, who will line up against Italy as a member of the Denmark team in their first UEFA EURO 2004™ finals match on 14 June in Guimarães.
However, for all of the traditional strength of Italian defences, concerns have been raised about the options available to coach Giovanni Trapattoni for the trip to Portugal. Having conceded one goal in their final five qualifiers, Italy have leaked seven goals in their last six friendly games - a sure sign for many that their defence is not as water-tight as it should be.
Perhaps it was no surprise that the coach tried to persuade AC Milan's Paolo Maldini to come out of international retirement to help steady the ship at EURO 2004™. "Italy need a player like Maldini in defence," said Trapattoni last month. However, with Maldini's polite decline of the coach's offer, it seems unlikely that Italy will get what they need.
A four-man defence of Christian Panucci, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta and Gianluca Zambrotta lining up in front of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is Trapattoni's most likely selection for the finals, but even this star-studded lineup is not without its frailties.
On the positive side, Nesta may have missed eight games of Milan's scudetto-winning campaign, but there is little doubt that he will go to Portugal in perfect shape, while Zambrotta continues to thrive since switching from the right side of midfield to the left side of defence.
However, in conceding 42 goals in Serie A with Juventus FC this season, Buffon has been unusually prone to errors. Meanwhile, 30-year-old captain Cannavaro is not in peak physical condition as he struggles to shake off the ill effects of a minor fracture in his lower leg. "For it to heal perfectly, I would have to stop playing for three-and-a-half months and that is pretty unrealistic," said the FC Internazionale player.
Gianluigi Buffon has not had one of his better seasons (©empics)
Cannavaro played just 22 of his side's 34 Serie A games in 2003/04 while the 31-year-old Panucci played only two games more than him with AS Roma and often in a three-man defensive line, meaning he may be unprepared to play on the right side of the standard back four preferred by Trapattoni.
These fears over injuries and compatibility have only raised further concerns to the calibre of the players Italy have in reserve. For example, central defender Marco Materazzi, called up in preference to Nicola Legrottaglie, has missed 20 games this season through injury and suspension.
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Matteo Ferrari may be one of Italy's most promising young defenders, but he lacks experience at major tournaments. Massimo Oddo can deputise for Panucci on the right, but he is a more attack-minded player while on the left, a lack of alternatives has forced Trapattoni to name Giuseppe Favalli as cover for Zambrotta - even though he has not won a cap in five years.
With 12 goals in Serie A this season, Tomasson will get first crack at the Italian back four. If the Dane can find the cracks in what some see as a creaking defence, it could be a short and unpleasant tournament for Italy.
©uefa.com 1998-2004. All rights reserved.
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Do you agree with this article? Personally, I don't think Italy will suffer from defence. The team probably has the best defedners - even without Maldini. Teams like Holland, France, Portugal and England should worry about defenders, not Italy!! I think Italy's Achilles heel is def. midfield instead. Something like what Juve was suffering from this season due to Davids departure and Appiah's form.
"In Italy you can see kids growing up and wanting to become defenders which isn't that normal in many other countries," said AC Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, who will line up against Italy as a member of the Denmark team in their first UEFA EURO 2004™ finals match on 14 June in Guimarães.
However, for all of the traditional strength of Italian defences, concerns have been raised about the options available to coach Giovanni Trapattoni for the trip to Portugal. Having conceded one goal in their final five qualifiers, Italy have leaked seven goals in their last six friendly games - a sure sign for many that their defence is not as water-tight as it should be.
Perhaps it was no surprise that the coach tried to persuade AC Milan's Paolo Maldini to come out of international retirement to help steady the ship at EURO 2004™. "Italy need a player like Maldini in defence," said Trapattoni last month. However, with Maldini's polite decline of the coach's offer, it seems unlikely that Italy will get what they need.
A four-man defence of Christian Panucci, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta and Gianluca Zambrotta lining up in front of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is Trapattoni's most likely selection for the finals, but even this star-studded lineup is not without its frailties.
On the positive side, Nesta may have missed eight games of Milan's scudetto-winning campaign, but there is little doubt that he will go to Portugal in perfect shape, while Zambrotta continues to thrive since switching from the right side of midfield to the left side of defence.
However, in conceding 42 goals in Serie A with Juventus FC this season, Buffon has been unusually prone to errors. Meanwhile, 30-year-old captain Cannavaro is not in peak physical condition as he struggles to shake off the ill effects of a minor fracture in his lower leg. "For it to heal perfectly, I would have to stop playing for three-and-a-half months and that is pretty unrealistic," said the FC Internazionale player.
Gianluigi Buffon has not had one of his better seasons (©empics)
Cannavaro played just 22 of his side's 34 Serie A games in 2003/04 while the 31-year-old Panucci played only two games more than him with AS Roma and often in a three-man defensive line, meaning he may be unprepared to play on the right side of the standard back four preferred by Trapattoni.
These fears over injuries and compatibility have only raised further concerns to the calibre of the players Italy have in reserve. For example, central defender Marco Materazzi, called up in preference to Nicola Legrottaglie, has missed 20 games this season through injury and suspension.
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Matteo Ferrari may be one of Italy's most promising young defenders, but he lacks experience at major tournaments. Massimo Oddo can deputise for Panucci on the right, but he is a more attack-minded player while on the left, a lack of alternatives has forced Trapattoni to name Giuseppe Favalli as cover for Zambrotta - even though he has not won a cap in five years.
With 12 goals in Serie A this season, Tomasson will get first crack at the Italian back four. If the Dane can find the cracks in what some see as a creaking defence, it could be a short and unpleasant tournament for Italy.
©uefa.com 1998-2004. All rights reserved.
--------
Do you agree with this article? Personally, I don't think Italy will suffer from defence. The team probably has the best defedners - even without Maldini. Teams like Holland, France, Portugal and England should worry about defenders, not Italy!! I think Italy's Achilles heel is def. midfield instead. Something like what Juve was suffering from this season due to Davids departure and Appiah's form.
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