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Brief Thoughts Before Movin’ On

June 23rd, 2008 | By: chris | 137 Comments »

I wonder why real life doesn’t translate to the world of football. Would a person with Donadoni’s qualifications, or lack thereof, have been shepherded to their career summit so readily in another profession? Highly doubtful. Show me a kid with a B average in pre-med classes offered a position as chief neurosurgeon after their sophomore year. Find me a head chef at a four star restaurant who was handed his big fluffy hat directly after working the frialator at McDonalds. Or let’s see a CEO plucked fresh off a lemonade stand.

I thought the Azzurri post was the highest of the high, reserved for those who’d truly accomplished something and with the foresight to accomplish more. Certainly not a place for an untested young coach whose main qualifications going in hovered around nepotism. Most have been saying this from the beginning, and it took only the first game to realize it was time to focus on 2010. There was so much wrong with this tournament on so many levels, including the game against Spain, and he is the prime reason.

The problems with the Spain game began during callups. If you can foresee a game where you’ll have to tie the back four together with a rope, which you should because it is a major tournament and these things happen, then perhaps an alternative to Grosso would’ve been a smart idea. Fabio was hardly at fault, but hardly the best option, either (as evidenced by the 17,000 times they attacked his side). I love Fabio, but a world class vacuum of a defender he ain’t. Again…foresight.

And why call up SIX forwards if you’re not going to use them? Quagliarella enjoyed his cup o’joe against the Romanians, and I hope Borriello enjoys the chapped ass he got from the bench. Good call ups there; as opposed to, say, some more defensive cover. Cassano wasn’t in sync the way we all had hoped, but he’s certainly a talent worthy of a spot, for this tournament and the future. Di Natale was fine in his short spell against Spain and obviously a victim of the scrapped tridente. Del Piero? Start was mediocre, substitutions were closer to what we’d expect from the supersub. But I have one major gripe with his substitution in the Spain game. I’d like to have seen him on for Cassano and Di Natale a bit later – though certainly not 110th minute – but that’s neither here nor there. Logic would dictate he was brought in at the very least to take a pk unless he could Houdini a rabbit out of his arse. So where was he during pks? Where was the freshest set of legs? Fifth? If that? Are you shitting me? Are you really that arrogant/stupid as to think #5 is a sure thing? Yeah, Buffon is Buffon, but Casillas is no slouch. Hardly a time for anything but winning the one in front of you. This, to me, provided Donadoni made the list (was told he did), is a clear indication of what we were up against all tournament: the coach.

As for Luca Toni, I don’t know what to say. Not deserving of the hate he’s suffered – he was, after all, the only avenue of the offense for most of this tournament and thus the main target of the opposing defenses – but he was far, far away from his Bavarian form. At some point, somebody (that’d be you, Don) needs to either change the guard or formulate a Plan B. But until the very end, it was hoofing it to Toni. Still with the whole of Italia, down on its knees praying he’d find that spark. Didn’t happen. Hello, goodbye.

The rest of the team performed admirably on the defensive end, and put on a clinic for the Spaniards. The midfield and fullbacks each quite clearly had a leash, the resulting gameplan to defend defend defend and hope for three attackers to find some chances. The backline became almost a back seven and defensive shape was the phrase of the day – something they kept very, very well. Chiellini was MOTM and Zambrotta was pretty impressive himself, considering he actually got up the pitch once or twice to throw in some brilliant crosses. No qualms whatsoever up against a wildly gifted Spanish attack.

The problem, of course, is that to win games you must score. Playing English longball has not worked for the duration of the tournament and yet that was always the first option (Panucci is enjoys the long balls a bit too much at Roma, so as much was to be expected from him – pining for an EPL return, methinks). Yeah, Toni went down easily, but sometimes I wondered whether or not that was a tactical ploy on his part. I mean, nothing else was working. Hoping for free kicks in the Spanish half was the best thing the attack had going. And with that, we saw a frustrated, ill-supported key component of the squad unable to fully exploit his talents. Theme of the tournament.

I’m not sure there’s much else to say, or that there’s much more I want to say. Now’s the time to focus on the future. Yes, we all believed because it’s either in our blood or because those four stars indicate something – usually both – but this always appeared to be the inevitable outcome. Maybe Donadoni will become a good coach someday (doubtful) but at the very least he was not suited for this job at this time. We can only hope this squad learned invaluable lessons as they head towards the one that really matters: defending the World Cup. With the sheer volume of grossly talented youngsters coming through, one that we may never see repeated in our lifetimes, the future is mighty bright and optimism is not encouraged, it’s expected.

Now bring back Marcello and let’s do this right.

Tags: Euro 2008, Roberto Donadoni

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 137 comments.

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By vigliotti | June 25th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

2 fluke goals lol. ok buddy its the goals that go in that count not the what ifs. if that was the case spain portugal turket etc ets would have won at least one world cup. grossos goal was beauty.

By Ben | June 25th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

All we need is a few token Brazilians and we’ll be just like Spain. Italy will qualify for 2010 and so will Spain. However Spain will continue to be drawn into easy groups and than choke against the harder teams. Remember 1998 Spain..wah happened? Schooled by Nigeria, best moment in football! I’d like to see what would happen to Spain if they were drawn into the group of death, I’ll tell you, early flight home.

Posted from Canada

By Ben | June 25th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

Russia MUST teach Spain a lesson in humility, for the ggod of the game.

Posted from Canada

By Rob(ben :D) | June 25th, 2008 at 4:37 pm

de Galicia, i dont particularly like italy’s style of play either…but u have to give them the credit they deserve. lets just take your case in saying that the italian team does not have talent: well then…winning the world cup with a talentless team must have been the work of a genius (not saying lippi isnt a genius). i think youre off your rocker. sure, their style is not as enjoyable as that of spain, russia or holland but they play to their strengths, which is defense.
But your case of italy having a talentless team is wrong. how can u say players like cannavaro, pirlo, de rossi, nesta(in 06), totti(in 06), zambrotta, del piero, grosso, buffon and, this year, chiellini do not have talent?
As for the future of italy…youre wrong again. they have one of the brightest futures ahead of them. from my limited knowledge of their youngsters i know that chiellini, giovinco, marchisio, de ceglie, montolivo and lanzafame are all set to become great players. the only question mark is a solid goalie to replace buffon.
as for labelling them as cheats…fine they cheat. but who doesnt nowadays? all players seem to fall over at the slightest tug on their shirts.
their downfall this year was donadoni and bad luck, which turned in the france game and became bad luck again in the spain game. a penalty shootout could have gone either way.
Btw im a holland fan, and i dont like italy much (even though im a fan of juve). so u cant say that “there is anger in me”.

By sam | June 25th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

hey, that duque guy was here as well? was just about to start rowing with him on the semi final live blog – cant we just ban some of these guys off the site completely?

Posted from Switzerland

By Apocalypso | June 25th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

Italy is in for a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooong trail of sorrows.

The world knows their tactics, their stratagems, and above all their weaknesses.

The world has come to be heavily unimpressed by Italians.

They are overhyped due to their undeserved WC win (remember Materazzi’s Mafia trick) and they continue to envisage themselves as football Armanis. Well, Armani is also no longer what it used to be.

TIME is a cruel judge, mind you..

By lamagica | June 25th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

oh yeah, the “world knows their tactics”. that is why it took spain 88 years to solve them. and it took PENALTIES to do so. hahaha.

keep the boneheaded comments flowing.

Posted from Canada

By lamagica | June 25th, 2008 at 6:53 pm

i guess you were refering to the strategy of “converting spot kicks / saving spot kicks”. what would you suggest as an appropriate formation for that “strategy”?

Posted from Canada

By mike de robbio | June 25th, 2008 at 7:21 pm

it’s sad to see this blog has resorted to italian fans telling idiots to bugger off. Ignore the fools guys. It makes no difference what they say. We’re never going to stop supporting Italy no matter what, so let’s get back to what’s important and continue discussing our team, our players and our future prospects.
Our next big event is the olympics in August, so let’s start there. We’re allowed to keep 4 experienced players in the under-21 team. I’d go for Buffon, De Rossi, Pirlo and Grosso. What do you guys think?

Posted from Australia

By Konter | June 25th, 2008 at 7:44 pm

Now Germany is in the final. And where is Italy ? Holidays. Good for them.

Watch, Italy. Football is about scoring at least one goal more than the opponent.

No dives, no screamning “they hurt me”, no senseless defending as a purpose in itself.

See you in Brasil 2014 (?) – anyway, not in South Africa.
After all, you truly need a rest.

Eat more pasta – that creates energy.

By lamagica | June 25th, 2008 at 7:48 pm

hmmm, brilliant insight there, konter. “senseless defending”. i gather there is not much sense in preventing a lethal attack from scoring. you know, the lethal spanish attack that managed one scoring chance all game with a 30 yard shot and managed to score just as many goals as italy. eat more sauerkraut – that might give you some much needed brain cells.

Posted from Canada

By Don Matteo | June 25th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

Why is everybody fretting. Italy has done what it always does, play defensive football if any football at all. In 2006 they were fortunate in penalty kicks this time they were not. In fact the only true bright spot in 2006 was without a doubt their game against Germany. Apart from that game, they did not exactly turn the world cup tournament on its ears under Lippi. In fact they tied the U.S.A.,they needed a last minute penalty, albeit controversial, to beat Australia and needed penalty kicks to defeat an aging french team whose only claim to glory was Zidane. There are those who believe that Donadoni was totally responsible for Italy”s debacle. Yet,we tend to overlook the fact that the Italian soccer federation gave him the nod knowning full well that his experience was limited to that of coaching Livorno. Donadoni is being scape goated for his inexperience which was not hidden when he was given the post. Despite this inexperience he did his best. I cannot say as much for those who granted him the position. The worrisome aspect of all this is that these people are still in place. In the post Donadoni era everybody is ready to hail the return of Lippi who after attaining world glory decided that he no longer fancied the Italian National team despite being asked repeatedly to stay on. Now that”s Patriotism! After he failed in his bid to land a managing postion with a big team in Seria A he decided that the national team was now platable. After all it is better then nothing! With no managing positions on the horizon Lippi came to desir the national team to such a degree that he began to consipire against Donadoni even before the Tournament was over for Italy. Imagine that for someone who brazenly walked away from the team two years ago. Lippi had his team of coaches formed and was ready to move into the vacancy. Is this the person we want to bring back? You got to love his opportunism. “Eh tu Brute!”

By Ben | June 25th, 2008 at 8:28 pm

Hey Konter, Germany should heed your advise because before Italy, Germany were the masters of dives and deceit and they still are. Germans suck up to anyone who will listen just to become media darlings. Just watch a film on the 1994 World Cup and count how many times Klinsman flops in the 18-yard box. Germany barely beat a Turkish side with half their starters on the sidelines, Germany were humiliated by Croatia and Turkey in my opinion, they were basically handed the final and they almost screwed it up. Germany is pathetic and highly over-rated. If it wasn’t for their luck on penalties over the years Germany would be nowhere. It should be Croatia or Turkey in the final as they showed more heart and skill. Germany were worse than Italy in this tournament but were more lucky on the set-peices [with a little push and tug in the box of course]. If there is any justice than Russia or Spain should win this thing. Germans mostly win cheap, I am referring to the 1990 World Cup Title and the 1996 Euro. Cheap penalty and an even cheaper golden goal. I think I’ve stated the general thinking about German football, you’re so called flair isn’t fooling anybody, intelligent people will see right through this facade. People hate Italy for various reasons and I don’t blame them but Germany are worse but somehow they have fooled us all, Germany in the final? The joke is on all of us.

Posted from Canada

By JP | June 25th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

I think anyone who actually watched the 06 World Cup saw how differently Italy approached each game. There was desire, attacking creativity, and tenacity. Lippi did to Italy what Klinsman/Loewe have done with Germany: tweak the traditional style and make the team more aggresive and protaganistic. That’s why I would like to see Lippi back, I think he never got to finish his work.

Italy still played great defense, but there was another element to their game, the likes of which we did not see in the Trappatoni era nor this present Donadoni era. After such a disappointing showing at the Euros, it’s even more obvious that it would do little harm to see Italy become a bit more aggressive/attacking. I mean, Italy beat Georgia by an aggregate score of 5-2 during qualifiers. I’m not saying Italy needs to be arrogant and run up the scoreboard ala Germany v San Marino. But it wouldn’t hurt to see Italy unleash the attacking talent we all know it possesses. I think when Lippi was at the helm, Italy realized that and we won a World Cup.

By OMY | June 25th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

Ben don’t hate Italy and Germany because they are successful whereas Canada is well Canada in football. Who did you want to win Holland Portugal? They lost as always. They lack determination and strength.

As for a fan it takes intelligence to support a team who does not play attractive pretty football all the time. Results mater, that is life, and pretty things fade fast.

Posted from United States

By mike de robbio | June 25th, 2008 at 11:35 pm

hey guys…anyone know where we can watch the italians play olympic football? I don’t think Rai international are showing it. Are there streaming sites for it?

Posted from Australia

By Gabriella (ASR) | June 26th, 2008 at 2:07 am

mike > these are websites for streams:

http://www1.myp2p.eu/competition.php?competitionid=&part=sports&discipline=football

http://www.rojadirecta.com/

By moka (ACM) | June 26th, 2008 at 4:39 am

realistically, a nice world cup squad would be;

Buffon; Motta, Canna, Chielini, Grosso; De Rossi, Pirlo; Montolivo, Aquilani; Totti, Gilardino

and the bench:

Amelia/Curci, Bonera, Nesta, Cigarini, Giovinco, Quagliarella, Rosina, Borriello, Rossi

*assuming Gila will find his form again, which I really believe he will*

Posted from Kuwait

By Stasio | June 26th, 2008 at 8:26 am

I like what you have there, I would think Zambrotta would still have enough left in him in 2 years to make the azzuri as well..he would be a nice sub./versitile back to keep on the squad. Also Iquanta and possibly Camronessi..Im sure someone else will emerge with a hugh year befor ‘10 also.

By Marco | June 26th, 2008 at 8:27 am

Some interesting people writing interesting things on this board.

On the Donadoni Era: Since day one this edition of the Azzurri has looked disorganized, confused and a bit out of shape. They arrived at these championships ill prepared and out of shape. I know that they just finished a long season, but to be in shape like that was really disappointing. The team was sluggish during the championships, their tactics were very easy to read (long crossed to luca toni). Overall, when you look at everything there are a handfull of people to blame. Donadoni and the people that hired him (ie Albertini) should be removed from this team, not one or the other. The team was old, slow, and looked tired half the time, meanwhile other lesser european powers out showed us based on the fact of the poor qualities I listed earlier.

Marcello Lippi: I wonder if he will actually become the manager. However, just a couple of things on his part. 1) He quit the national team in 2006 because his son was being flamed by the press for being entangled in Calcio scandolo – he subsiquently quit the national team and soccer until this scandle was over. Let’s also not forget he was offered many posts in international and european football – ie: england, spain, real madrid, manchester united, chelsea, juventus, etc all proclaimed interest at one point or another for one Mr. Marcello Lippi.

World Cup 2006: Let’s not forget a couple of instances in the world cup. Italy only allowed an own goal and penalty in the entire tournament. Sure they tied the united states, but they handidly beat the czech and ghana. A lot of people don’t seem to give italy the credit they deserve for that world cup. This team showed some of the best offensive and defensive abilities ever seen in the tournament. They went into every game did what they had to do, no more and no less. They stuck together like a brotherhood and worked for each other to progress. They got scoring from everywhere on the field, not just the nimble Luca Toni. While other teams relied on one centre piece, that version of the azzurri made each player a centre piece. to discredit them because they were awarded a penalty, or because zidane lacked better judgement is a poor excuse to discredit greatness.

The Future:
Hopefully Lippi is named coach today or tomorrow. Hopefully we can put this nasty disorganized blip on our history behind us. However, one thins is certain. Europe was very lucky as a whole this time around. I am astonished by the weakness of these teams at this euro 2008. Had all things remained consistant (ie coaching, tactics) Italy, even with this senior edition of the azzurri could have caked walked their way to the euro 2008 trophy, but not to worry best of luck to those teams remaining. Cause in 2010 it will be resorgamento!

By ursus arctos | June 26th, 2008 at 9:06 am

It’s finally official. The FIGC has just announced that Donadoni is no longer under contract.

Lippi should be introduced as the new CT tomorrow or Monday.

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Europei/2008/Primo_Piano/2008/06_Giugno/26/abete.shtml

Posted from Italy

By Gabriella (ASR) | June 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am

great news!

By Marco | June 26th, 2008 at 9:20 am

Now we’re back in business!

By Gabriella (ASR) | June 26th, 2008 at 10:33 am

The king is dead! Long live the king!

The Don is done! Long live Lippi!

By Antonito | July 7th, 2008 at 6:26 am

Lippi is in for some delusions. The coach is not everything pupa. The Don was criticised. Whatever decisions he took he based them on the players he had available – who would be better if they took on modelling or acting. They would excel at them. After all they had already excelled in them in the past WC. I guess the WC they won were substituting the Cinema Oscars. Yes Lippi will pass from the same sur experiences as the DON. The king is dead. Death is awaiting the new one. And his ballerinas;))))))))))) LOFL

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