The Official Azzurri thread

[juventino_italiano]

[Italiamia]

[Bagg10]

[romawi]

[RomaShield27]

Italy don't deserve to go through the group if De Rossi doesn't start. Simple as that. I reckon Panucci will start too:

--------------------- Buffon ---------------------

Panucci --- Materazzi --- Barzagli --- Zambro

------- Gattuso ---- Pirlo ---- De Rossi --------

Camoranesi ---------------------------Di Natale

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


Chris has his full game preview up:
http://italy.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008 ... stria.html

[Bagg10]

Monday 9 June, 2008
Blog: Don's defensive dilemma
Italy could start Euro 2008 with Marco Materazzi and Andrea Barzagli as their centre-back pairing, but Richard Godden thinks a couple of full-backs might be a better option
Fabio Cannavaro's Euro 2008 ending injury has given Roberto Donadoni a major headache. The decision of who to hand The Berlin Wall's captaincy to should not be that big an issue - Gigi Buffon is the obvious choice there. But who will line up in the heart of Italy's defence? The tried and tested Cannavaro-Marco Materazzi pairing seemed a certainty, so the logical change following an injury to the Real Madrid man would be just to bring in Andrea Barzagli alongside Matrix.

Is that really what Italy need though? Materazzi has not been himself since suffering a horrendous thigh injury in the pointless friendly against Hungary last August and, quite frankly, looks like an accident waiting to happen. I'm fully aware that was also the case before Germany 2006 - and, of course, I know how that turned out. But let us not forget that all took place when Matrix was alongside a man who most considered to be the best player at the tournament. With no Canna, he would become the go-to-guy at the back, the man with all the responsibility. It's a frightening thought.

Then there's Barzagli, who has bizarrely just decided to turn his back on Champions League football with his hometown team Fiorentina in order to join Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg from Palermo. Aside from the fact that he didn't exactly have the best season with the Rosanero - although, to be fair, hardly any of the boys in pink shone last term - he hasn't always convinced in an Italy jersey. The 3-1 defeat to France in Paris 18 months ago springs to mind.

But there is a Plan B for Don to turn to. It seems strange to say it, but Italy's two best centre-backs at present could actually be a couple of players who you would more commonly associate as full-backs. The duo in question are Giorgio Chiellini and Christian Panucci, who were majestic last season for Juventus and Roma respectively. Granted the latter spent most of the campaign in his more familiar right-back role, but when asked to step into the centre he barely put a foot wrong.

However, it is Chiellini who has the biggest argument for a starting role in the middle of the defence, despite the part he played in Cannavaro's injury. The man mountain ensured that his club side were not left wanting at the back when Jorge Andrade suffered a season-ending injury, with his handling of Inter hot shot Zlatan Ibrahimovic impressing just about everyone except the sulky Swede. What better way for Chiellini to make up for ruining his captain's tournament than by filling his boots?

Considering that Donadoni seems to favour using Panucci at right-back, given that Gianluca Zambrotta plays his best football down the left, it seems unlikely he will get the nod at centre-back. But Chiellini's form warrants a starting shirt. The only question that would then need answering is at the expense of which player? I would leave Barzagli out due to Materazzi's ability on the ball at the back, an underrated quality in defenders. But what will Donadoni do?

[p_maldini_3]

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

What the shit is this shit, this better be fucking wrong:

Line-ups: Ambrosini replaces De Rossi
Football Italia – Monday 9 June, 2008

Italy may pull a surprise by starting Massimo Ambrosini against Holland, while Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt gets the Dutch nod. Roberto Donadoni was expected to pick Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso, but chose an all-Milan midfield instead. This is possibly due to Ambrosini’s power in the air, needed to fight off Holland’s domination in this area.

Christian Panucci has recovered from a knee twinge during training to start at right-back, leaving Gianluca Zambrotta at left-back with Marco Materazzi and Andrea Barzagli in the centre. As expected, the forward trident consists of Mauro Camoranesi, Luca Toni and Antonio Di Natale.

Dutch boss Marco Van Basten is without Ryan Babel and Arjen Robben, while Robin Van Persie is not fit enough to start. Liverfekkin'wankscum star Kuyt looks set to get the nod to start on the wing, beating out pre-match favourite Ibrahim Afellay.

Italy (probable): Buffon; Panucci, Materazzi, Barzagli, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Camoranesi, Toni, Di Natale

[stefano]

What the fuck. Old habits die hard I see.

[Bagg10]

Fucking fuck fuck fuck

[Zoff82]

Bye bye Don. He wants to throw this one away with Ambrosini.

[RomaShield27]

[maro]

[RomaShield27]

[maro]

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

[maro]

[aba_bab]