Azzurri thread for Euro2008

Reports: Don picks provisional 29
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There are rumours that Roberto Donadoni has picked his provisional 29-man Italy squad for Euro 2008. The 16 sides competing in Austria and Switzerland are required to announce their final selections by May 28. But most countries will choose 29 men from which the 23 final squad members will be selected.

According to Antenna 3, Donadoni has already decided upon his 29 ahead of the final week of the season. Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Christian Abbiati gets the nod over Inter reserve Francesco Toldo in Don’s alleged squad. But the major talking point is in attack where there is no place for Sampdoria’s enigmatic star Antonio Cassano or Milan’s Pippo Inzaghi as Lazio’s 13-goal marksman Tommaso Rocchi is preferred. This list is still unconfirmed and even if it should prove to be correct Don’s toughest decision will be removing six men from the list.

Donadoni’s “provisional squad”:

Goalkeepers: Abbiati, Amelia, Buffon

Defenders: Barzagli, Bonera, Cannavaro, Cassetti, Chiellini, Gamberini, Grosso, Materazzi, Oddo, Panucci, Tonetto, Zambrotta

Midfielders: Ambrosini, Aquilani, Camoranesi, De Rossi, Gattuso, Montolivo, Perrotta, Pirlo

Strikers: Del Piero, Di Natale, Borriello, Quagliarella, Toni, Rocchi

Not sure how true this is, but if it is, I am surprised that Cassano did not make it. I guess DP pipped him to it, as was expected... Cassano's form has been so good that I was hoping he makes the cut. Anyways, if this is true, I expect the following to be dropped in the final cut: Cassetti, Bonera, Gamberini, Tonetto, Montolivo, & Borriello/Rocchi... Tho I hope its Borriello who is dropped, not Rocchi.

It will be sad to see Gamberini, Tonetto, and Montolivo dropped, but they haven't played much for the Azzurri and experience is against them.

I read this last night, and I think its just rumours.

Abbiati has said he wouldn't play as a 3rd GK so I doubt he would be called up. Rocchi hasn't been called up in a year and I doubt he is Donadoni's plans. I find it hard to believe that neither Cassano nor Inzaghi wouldn't make the provisional squad.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:I read this last night, and I think its just rumours.

Abbiati has said he wouldn't play as a 3rd GK so I doubt he would be called up. Rocchi hasn't been called up in a year and I doubt he is Donadoni's plans. I find it hard to believe that neither Cassano nor Inzaghi wouldn't make the provisional squad.

I hope its just rumours.

De Sanctis >>> Abbiati

I would prefer Cassano or even Inzaghi over Borriello. But IMO Amauri would have been ideal for that spot. Rocchi I don't mind at all, really rate that guy. Donadoni had played him as a winger if I remember correctly, when ideally Rocchi should be the back up for Toni now that Iaquinta is injured and Amauri is still unavailable.

bluenine wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:I read this last night, and I think its just rumours.

Abbiati has said he wouldn't play as a 3rd GK so I doubt he would be called up. Rocchi hasn't been called up in a year and I doubt he is Donadoni's plans. I find it hard to believe that neither Cassano nor Inzaghi wouldn't make the provisional squad.

I hope its just rumours.

De Sanctis >>> Abbiati

I would prefer Cassano or even Inzaghi over Borriello. But IMO Amauri would have been ideal for that spot. Rocchi I don't mind at all, really rate that guy. Donadoni had played him as a winger if I remember correctly, when ideally Rocchi should be the back up for Toni now that Iaquinta is injured and Amauri is still unavailable.

Yeh i like De Sanctis.

Cassano I really want on this team, he can make a difference. I don't care about his temparement. No one ever questioned whether Totti should be on the team even though his temparement was questionable, and the same goes for Cassano. He is simply too talented to be left off the team IMO.

Borriello is still unproven at this level while Inzaghi definitely is proven and can probably make more impact as a sub. Amuari would've been ideal, but he's not Italian so i'd rather see an Italian in the squad, even if it was someone Cr@p like Gilardino!

I felt Rocchi underperformed a bit this season, especially in the first part. He's very quick and yes you're right, he got played on the right, probably because of his speed. Ideally it would be him and Toni upfront if you wanted to get the best out of him. However, even if he makes the final 29, i seriously doubt he'd make the final cut.

My prediction of the squad:

Buffon, Amelia, De Sanctis

Cannavaro, Materazzi, Barzagli, Chiellini, Zambrotta, Oddo, Panucci, Grosso

Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, De Rossi, Aquilani, Perrotta, Camoranesi

Del Piero, Di Natale, Toni, Borriello, Quagliarella

It seems like Donadoni will follow Lippi and not go with any surprise call ups or wild cars, and annonce a very predictable squad.

What is the situation with Nesta? I'm led to believe that he hasn't announced his retirement?

Calidad wrote:What is the situation with Nesta? I'm led to believe that he hasn't announced his retirement?

He annouced it a while back:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2007/08/01/nesta-italy.html

The Italian squad will be announced next Tuesday (May 20).

No Cassano or Maggio Donadoni really is a c**t!

The big announcement is today. I think Donadoni will announced 27-28 players today and trim the squad in the coming days.

Portieri: Buffon, Amelia, De Sanctis (in vantaggio su Roma e Curci).

Difensori: Barzagli, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso, Materazzi, Panucci e Zambrotta

Centrocampisti: Ambrosini, Gattuso, Aquilani, Camoranesi, De Rossi, Perrotta e Pirlo

Attaccanti: Toni, Borriello, Del Piero, Di Natale, Quagliarella

still room for one more?

Italy: Don chooses Cassano
Tuesday 20 May, 2008

Antonio Cassano is in Italy's provisional Euro 2008 squad along with Alessandro Del Piero, while Roberto Donadoni has agreed a new contract with the FIGC.

Donadoni has opted to pick loose cannon Cassano and Capocannoniere Del Piero alongside Marco Borriello and the expected trio of Fabio Quagliarella, Antonio Di Natale and Luca Toni.

Lazio's Tommaso Rocchi and Milan veteran Pippo Inzaghi have missed out.

Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo has made the cut, but teammate Alessandro Gamberini is not on the list.

Donadoni’s final 23-man squad for Austria and Switzerland doesn’t have to be selected until May 28, but the chosen names will come from today's list of players who will take part in the Azzurri's training camp at Coverciano from this Sunday.

During the course of the Press conference in Rome, Italian Football Federation President Giancarlo Abete also revealed that Donadoni had agreed a two-year contract extension.

Italy's provisional Euro 2008 squad:

Goalkeepers: Buffon, Amelia, De Sanctis

Defenders: Panucci, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Zambrotta, Barzagli, Chiellini, Grosso

Midfielders: Camoranesi, Pirlo, Gattuso, Ambrosini, De Rossi, Perrotta, Aquilani, Montolivo

Strikers: Toni, Di Natale, Quagliarella, Del Piero, Borriello, Cassano

Portieri: Buffon, Amelia, De Sanctis

Difensori: Barzagli, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso, Materazzi, Panucc i , Zambrotta.

Centrocampisti: Ambrosini, Gattuso, Aquilani, Camoranesi, De Rossi, Perrotta, Montolivo e Pirlo

Attaccanti: Toni, Borriello, Del Piero, Di Natale, Quagliarella, Cassano.

Donadoni made the right choice without a doubt.allthough i kind of wonder how much time Cassano will get with Del Piero,Quagliarella,Di Natale fighting for the same spot. also great that he took aquilani in the squad but again im not sure how much playing time he will get.

Good choice to pick Cassano, but what is the point of picking 24 players? Whoever is dropped will be severely pissed off, probably one of Aquilani or Montolivo.

Murray wrote:Good choice to pick Cassano, but what is the point of picking 24 players? Whoever is dropped will be severely pissed off, probably one of Aquilani or Montolivo.

I guess he's hopeful on the fitness of Aquilani.

I'm sad that Oddo didn't make it. Even though he had a mediocre season, he played well in qualifying and now it means we'll see Grosso or Panucci at fullback

Murray wrote:Good choice to pick Cassano, but what is the point of picking 24 players? Whoever is dropped will be severely pissed off, probably one of Aquilani or Montolivo.

Its coz he is not sure re the fitness of Aquilani, so he has picked one extra player. Most likely Montolivo. In any case, I am sure that the extra player knows that he is provisional. This is the best thing to do, whats the point of picking a 30 player provisional squad when you already have decided??

I am delighted by Donadoni's selection. Brilliant. One of the finest selections by an Italian coach over the last 2 decades IMO, at least for the first time in these years I have got all the players I wanted

bluenine wrote:

Murray wrote:Good choice to pick Cassano, but what is the point of picking 24 players? Whoever is dropped will be severely pissed off, probably one of Aquilani or Montolivo.

Its coz he is not sure re the fitness of Aquilani, so he has picked one extra player. Most likely Montolivo. In any case, I am sure that the extra player knows that he is provisional. This is the best thing to do, whats the point of picking a 30 player provisional squad when you already have decided??

I am delighted by Donadoni's selection. Brilliant. One of the finest selections by an Italian coach over the last 2 decades IMO, at least for the first time in these years I have got all the players I wanted

It's on the whole, very good. The only thing i'm a bit worried about is the defence. Would rather have seen Bonera and Pasqual instead of Panucci and Grosso, but that was never likely to happen. Also, Gamberini instead of Materazzi.

Really glad Cassano is in there. We have plenty of attacking options who are all in form. Also, our midfield is the strongest it's been in years.

He should have picked Inzaghi instead of Borriello.

Murray wrote:He should have picked Inzaghi instead of Borriello.

I can see why he didn't. Iaquinta's injury has complicated things for him. Now if Toni gets injured (God forbid), then the only true centre forward he has in his squad is Borriello. I agree that Inzaghi is definately a better supersub than Borriello, but as a back up to Toni in the event of an injury - to play 90 minutes every 3 days, Borriello is a safer bet.

If Iaquinta has been fit, I suspect it would have been him as a back up for both Quagliarella and Toni, and that would have given Donadoni to choose a plan B between Cassano and Inzaghi.

I would have prefered Amauri instead of both Borriello/Inzaghi, but I guess his papers haven't arrived in time. And his mercenary ways have pissed off a lot of people.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

bluenine wrote:

Murray wrote:Good choice to pick Cassano, but what is the point of picking 24 players? Whoever is dropped will be severely pissed off, probably one of Aquilani or Montolivo.

Its coz he is not sure re the fitness of Aquilani, so he has picked one extra player. Most likely Montolivo. In any case, I am sure that the extra player knows that he is provisional. This is the best thing to do, whats the point of picking a 30 player provisional squad when you already have decided??

I am delighted by Donadoni's selection. Brilliant. One of the finest selections by an Italian coach over the last 2 decades IMO, at least for the first time in these years I have got all the players I wanted

It's on the whole, very good. The only thing i'm a bit worried about is the defence. Would rather have seen Bonera and Pasqual instead of Panucci and Grosso, but that was never likely to happen. Also, Gamberini instead of Materazzi.

Really glad Cassano is in there. We have plenty of attacking options who are all in form. Also, our midfield is the strongest it's been in years.

That penalty miss apart, I must admit that Materazzi has started to come back in form in the last few weeks. I would have loved it if Donadoni had given Gamberini enough playing time in the qualifiers to gain experience, but in the absense of that, I would now prefer Materazzi. I am quite sure Matrix will start alongside Cannavaro, even tho I think barzagli or chiellini are more preferable.

Bonera, I am just not convinced. He is a half decent full back, and a half decent CB. Not Azzurri quality, in either position.

Pasqual did not have a great season, I would actually have preferred Max Tonetto over Grosso. But I guess Donadoni is going for Azzurri experience.

i just saw the italy squad and up front and in midfield it looks very strong. defence however, i am not so sure over.
Strange for italy to be top heavy.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

bluenine wrote:

Murray wrote:Good choice to pick Cassano, but what is the point of picking 24 players? Whoever is dropped will be severely pissed off, probably one of Aquilani or Montolivo.

Its coz he is not sure re the fitness of Aquilani, so he has picked one extra player. Most likely Montolivo. In any case, I am sure that the extra player knows that he is provisional. This is the best thing to do, whats the point of picking a 30 player provisional squad when you already have decided??

I am delighted by Donadoni's selection. Brilliant. One of the finest selections by an Italian coach over the last 2 decades IMO, at least for the first time in these years I have got all the players I wanted

It's on the whole, very good. The only thing i'm a bit worried about is the defence. Would rather have seen Bonera and Pasqual instead of Panucci and Grosso, but that was never likely to happen. Also, Gamberini instead of Materazzi.

Really glad Cassano is in there. We have plenty of attacking options who are all in form. Also, our midfield is the strongest it's been in years.

Only if he chooses to line it up. Ambrosini-Pirlo-Gattuso is not a great midfield and its most likely that he will choose this midfield. problem is that Donadoni cant afford to find out too late because of the though group.

Lordanger wrote:i just saw the italy squad and up front and in midfield it looks very strong. defence however, i am not so sure over.
Strange for italy to be top heavy.

Its been like that for a while now... Italy's strikers in the last 5-6 years has been of a much better quality and far better depth than the defending options. But the midfield quality improvement is much more recent, with emergence of players like De Rossi, Aquilani, Montolivo, etc.

@supermadrid, I hope Donadoni has the sense to realise that De Rossi has to start. He is the best Italian midfielder at the mo, there is no way Gattuso should start over him. And if Camoranesi starts over Quagliarella (which I suspect he will do in the first game against Holland), the midfield of Camoranesi-De Rossi-Pirlo-Ambrosini does not look too bad.

bluenine wrote:

Lordanger wrote:i just saw the italy squad and up front and in midfield it looks very strong. defence however, i am not so sure over.
Strange for italy to be top heavy.

Its been like that for a while now... Italy's strikers in the last 5-6 years has been of a much better quality and far better depth than the defending options. But the midfield quality improvement is much more recent, with emergence of players like De Rossi, Aquilani, Montolivo, etc.

@supermadrid, I hope Donadoni has the sense to realise that De Rossi has to start. He is the best Italian midfielder at the mo, there is no way Gattuso should start over him. And if Camoranesi starts over Quagliarella (which I suspect he will do in the first game against Holland), the midfield of Camoranesi-De Rossi-Pirlo-Ambrosini does not look too bad.

Maybe not for you but that midfield lacks any offensive creative players. i mean Ambronsini is nothing speciel imo and neither is Camoranesi. i would much prefer Maggio but he doesnt have the experience which is the same reason Aquilani cant start either. I think Italys downfall this cup will be that they are too carefull.

Super Madrid wrote:

bluenine wrote:

Lordanger wrote:i just saw the italy squad and up front and in midfield it looks very strong. defence however, i am not so sure over.
Strange for italy to be top heavy.

Its been like that for a while now... Italy's strikers in the last 5-6 years has been of a much better quality and far better depth than the defending options. But the midfield quality improvement is much more recent, with emergence of players like De Rossi, Aquilani, Montolivo, etc.

@supermadrid, I hope Donadoni has the sense to realise that De Rossi has to start. He is the best Italian midfielder at the mo, there is no way Gattuso should start over him. And if Camoranesi starts over Quagliarella (which I suspect he will do in the first game against Holland), the midfield of Camoranesi-De Rossi-Pirlo-Ambrosini does not look too bad.

Maybe not for you but that midfield lacks any offensive creative players. i mean Ambronsini is nothing speciel imo and neither is Camoranesi. i would much prefer Maggio but he doesnt have the experience which is the same reason Aquilani cant start either. I think Italys downfall this cup will be that they are too carefull.

Disagree re Camoranesi (considering his form this season), but I do see your point.

Donadoni's Italy play with 3 deep midfielders, and 3 strikers. Something like:

De Rossi --- Pirlo --- Ambrosini/Gattuso
Quagliarella/Camoranesi - Toni - Di Natale

Now this system has worked very well for Donadoni so far. My biggest fear is that this system may be good enough against most sides, but may not cut it against top quality opposition. Like you said, against teams like those, there easily could be a breakdown of passes between the midfield and attack. The only top team Donadoni's Italy have played in a competitive game is France, and against them this system failed.

There is no way Donadoni will have the courage to START with a different system against a top team, specially since they have 2 in their group. Ideally against Holland/France, I would like Italy to start something like:

--------De Rossi - Pirlo
Camoranesi - Aquilani - Di Natale
---------------Toni

But that was more of a Lippi formation, and Donadoni has not used that of late. So there is no chance he will start with anything like that.

The million dollar question is that will he have the courage/intelligence to change his formation midway through a game if it becomes apparent that the system is not working? Only time will tell. Lippi was a master of changing formations with each substitution. Donadoni is too raw to have that kind of intelligence under pressure of the moment.

Italy dont need a creative attacking midfielder as pirlo can spray the passes from deep and the two support strikers (2 fro delps, cassano, quag and di nat) can try to pick holes for toni to exploit.

Italy will come unstuck when matrix has his crazy moment (about ever 5 games) and gets himself send off. I wonder what the odds are of him getting a red card at the euros?? might be worth a punt

I don't like the defence either. If only we had Nesta, we could really do with him. Now we'll have to rely on an out of form Barzagli/Materazzi partnering a past his best Cannavaro plus either Panucci or Grosso at fullback, both of whom are very suspect defensively.

Midfield looks awesome and well balanced. Pirlo will be the playmaker, Gattuso/Ambrosini will be the holding player and De Rossi will play as a box to box player, playing further forward than he does for Roma.

Camoranesi will most likely play as a right sided forward, and he deserves, he's been awesome this season. Di Natale will be on the left, though I reckon Cassano could win this place during the tourmament.

Materazzi is $h!t compared to Bonera, but he can get you goals, and he has that unpredictability factor (which can be good or bad).

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:I don't like the defence either. If only we had Nesta, we could really do with him. Now we'll have to rely on an out of form Barzagli/Materazzi partnering a past his best Cannavaro plus either Panucci or Grosso at fullback, both of whom are very suspect defensively.

Midfield looks awesome and well balanced. Pirlo will be the playmaker, Gattuso/Ambrosini will be the holding player and De Rossi will play as a box to box player, playing further forward than he does for Roma.

Camoranesi will most likely play as a right sided forward, and he deserves, he's been awesome this season. Di Natale will be on the left, though I reckon Cassano could win this place during the tourmament.

True, but it will depend on if Donadoni needs the speed of Di Natale over the guile of Cassano. I think it will be hard to introduce Cassano so suddenly.