Getting in the Azzurri Mood with Pavarotti

Forgive me for continuing a discussion started on the previous blogpost, but this really has to enter some people’s heads:

AQUILANI IS NOT AN OFFENSIVE CHOICE!!!

He has offensive skills which are lightyears beyond those of Gattuso or Ambrosini, but his defensive set of skills are every bit as superb – not quite at the level of Ringhio’s, maybe, but definitely on par with (if not better than) Ambrosini’s.

AQUILANI IS AN ALL-ROUND CHOICE. THIS IS WHY SOME PEOPLE THINK HIM TO BRING BETTER BALANCE TO A TEAM WHICH ALREADY HAS A DEFENSIVE MID (DE ROSSI) AND A PLAYMAKER (PIRLO) THAN GATTUSO, WHO IS INSTEAD PURELY DEFENSIVE.

Sorry for the shouting, but ignoring Aquilani’s defensive skills is just incredible. Might as well say Zambrotta has only defensive skills.

i want aquilani to start definitely but my reason is because he is offensively better than the rest. defensive skills are a bonus for me.
i wasnt satisfied with de rossi in the spain game. i would go with the experienced rino

rino- pirlo- aquilani. this would be great.

di natale will start against the dutch. but there is a good chance that cassano might eventually break into the line-up

Sushan – I’m afraid that’s not a realistic thing to be wishing for. De Rossi is as much of an untouchable on this team as Pirlo or Toni are. And he’s one of the best players we’ve got. It would be folly to waste him on the bench.

Also, I disagree about the Spain game – I thought he did pretty well on it. Having De Rossi is like having a fifth defender at the back – and god knows we need one now.

But club form has no bearing with ur performances on italia. ask Del piero. there is a huge difference IMO in his performances for juve and italia. so i dont think de rossi’s form with roma will have any bearing on me. he is not untouchable until he does something. we can give him the opportunities, if he does well fine by me. good for him.

The thing is that people are writing him off and he isn’t even getting opportunities.. Everyone keeps saying he doesn’t play well for Italy and not with Pirlo but it doesn’t show in his performances and stats. He wasn’t even tested with Pirlo against Belgium…

And who the hell plays only one friendly?

The Gatusso and Pirlo pairing has earned 3 Champions League finals with 2 victories, a World Club Cup and a World Cup. I mean, forgive me if I’m wrong here but in just over one calender year, Pirlo and Gattuso as Milan’s midfield engine have won 2 international trophies, right?

I don’t think De Rossi did too much in the 2006 World Cup … in fact, I think he was sent off with a straight red pretty early on against the USA- am I remembering this right? Did he make another start? Did he play after that? I can’t remember off the top of my head, so I’m going to go with- he didn’t do too much, although apparently “official records” indicate that he picked up another yellow card someplace, in addition to the red.

In any event, in his recent 2 Champions League appearances his team was knocked out convincingly- and again this is off the top of my head- but I don’t recall him setting the world on fire in any of those four games.

The point here is that Gattuso and Pirlo together work well together and have the hardware to back it up. In his international appearances, De Rossi hasn’t proven anything. Why are we debating changing this, again?

MAD > I suggest you read the previous blog entry, even Gattusso says that DDR is the onne of the mids in the world right now and the difference between 2006 and 2008 is the level of maturity. We are talking about a young player, it is not like he was 27-28 in Berlin and now 29-30.

As per your argument we should play an all Milan midfield together with Gilardino and Inzaghi upfront.

Time to put the tired arguments aside and get behind our team – whoever starts. Forza ragazzi!

@ Mad

De Rossi is THE midfielder of Serie A 07-08.
Where is Milan? Champions league? No. Great Gattuso? No.
De Rossi is better then Gattuso, you cant blame DDR for a red card 2 years ago? I mean wtf. The guy has improved, he is insane as a defenisve midfielder.

Gattuso is a fighter and i respect him, but I rather want a De Rossi on my team then a Gattuso. Both of them are even better.

I dont understand why you can’t see (or willing to see) that DDR is the next thing for the Azzurri. This guy is insane.
Where was milan in the chamipns league? Where did Roam finish?
oh yeah, Roma had to play the TWO STRONGEST teams in a row.. Real madrid and Man UTD.
“You” lost against Arsenal, who were in crisis mode.

This aside, we need to support the Azzurri now.

how much worth is a world club cup worth.. i mean for real.. how much is it worth? You gotta play some asian or south american team, peace of cake.
Milan better focused on Champions league spot.

De Rossi ain’t just a Defensive Midfielder, John Silver. DDR and Aquilani are the very definition of a box-to-box midfielder. But DDR can also play DM of course..

this is the spirit people! http://www.sportmediaset.it/euro2008/video/video1454.shtml

where was de rossi against manU, ronaldo and company ran amock made a JOKE out of roma. where was de rossi’s defensive skills then??? we all know what gatusso did to ronaldo . de rossi is good only good against small teams. he seems like a “god” to roma fans. rino has done it at the world cup, and yup he has class teams like manU in the bag as well.

very nice jasperaldo, u conviniently ignored the 3 ucl finals appearances with 2 victories , world cup and chose the club world cup to pick on..

Ronaldo was neutralized by De Rossi(Except for Ronaldo’s goal of course). But Gattuso couldn’t have prevented that.

goddammit, watch the video i posted, it’s funny.

kinda scary though. im not accustomed to such a cheerful cassano. eek.

Besides, where has Gattuso been this season. I think De Rossi dominated him a few times

Haha. Nice vid, Sally

i was talking about 7-1 match. even though the 3-0 aggr this yr had nothing much to speak of either.

caroe

form is temporary , class is permanent

John Silver…when I suggested that Aquilani is the attacking option i wasn’t playing down his defensive abilities I was just stating his RELATIVE STRENGTH compared to the other midfielders. If you had Aquilani,Gattuso,Ambrosini and Perotta fighting out for the third spot who would you chose for the attacking option? Obviously Aquilani. If you wanted a lot more defensive and someone to get the ball for you in the midfield then you would obviously go for Gattuso.

Robben is out for the first match. Injured his groin today.

@jasperaldo:

No surprise that Roma fans missed the point of a neutral post.
No surprise that they instead took it personally and without actually reading what I wrote.

“De Rossi is THE midfielder of Serie A 07-08.
Where is Milan? Champions league? No. Great Gattuso? No.”

I understand that for whatever reason Roma fans think that De Rossi is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but gain some perspective, please. Serie A League is one thing and international play is something different. He has proven nothing.

“De Rossi is better then Gattuso, you cant blame DDR for a red card 2 years ago? I mean wtf. The guy has improved, he is insane as a defenisve midfielder.”

First of all, the only blame I have towards the guy is that in his first and as far as I know most extensive play in an INTERNATIONAL GAME, a big one, he blew it. If you think De Rossi is better than Gattuso, that your opinion and that’s great, but he hasn’t proven it to me, yet. If he is “insane as a defensive midfielder” than proving it on an… oh I don’t know… INTERNATIONAL stage such as the Champions League would be a great place to prove it, yes?

“Gattuso is a fighter and i respect him, but I rather want a De Rossi on my team then a Gattuso. Both of them are even better.
I dont understand why you can’t see (or willing to see) that DDR is the next thing for the Azzurri. This guy is insane.”

You want De Rossi rather than Gattuso. Great. I really don’t care. I do not share the opinion and I can show WHY I don’t. I am still waiting for a better reason to play him over Gattuso that doesn’t amount to, “HE RULZ!!!!111″. I am also searching my post… every one of my posts, ever actually that says that I don’t think that, “…DDR is the next thing for the Azzurri”. I think he’s a fine player. But not in international play so far, and not to the extent that you like him, obviously.

“Where was milan in the chamipns league? Where did Roam finish?
oh yeah, Roma had to play the TWO STRONGEST teams in a row.. Real madrid and Man UTD.
“You” lost against Arsenal, who were in crisis mode.”

First of all, I don’t support Milan. You need to get a clue. Milan has played in more international games than Roma has, played better in those games and actually won SOMETHING in international play let alone won it recently. By the way nice glossing over the Champions league finals and world cup, I can see you learned your lessons well.

By the way. The Club World Cup is probably worth about as much as a Coppa Italia. Or a Super Coppa, which is basically played with many second stringers.

So, even if no one cares, or it’s not really important, it’s something for a team to hang their hat on, I guess.

And more to the point, it’s actually INTERNATIONAL PLAY which was and is the whole point.

“than proving it on an… oh I don’t know… INTERNATIONAL stage such as the Champions League would be a great place to prove it, yes?”

wow. Watch some soccer. He DID prove himself in CL.

Don’t be surprised if we see the catenaccio vs Holland. (as much as I don’t want to see it).

predictions.

Buffon
Grosso-Matrix-Barza-Zamb
Camo-Pirlo-Gattuso-DeRossi
Dinatale-Toni

Subs (Camo-ADP, DInatale-Cassano)

They will play for the tie, beat Romania and tie or beat france.
Holland France will not tie, that will be Italy’s bet.

Trust me, don’t expect offense vs holland. They will defend and counter.

Funnily enough, a football show today stated that Italy and Holland WON’T play their traditional games, seeing how Don likes to opt for 4-3-3 now and Van Bastens Holland plays a more reserved game for their standards – kinda like switching tactics this time around

I don’t expect us to play a 4-4-2 against Holland. we’re going to come out and attack

MAD, you really need to follow Caroe’s advice and watch some football. While Gattuso & Pirlo were getting pounded by Arsenal, De Rossi was taking down Real Madrid like Godzilla. His first game against ManU was also excellent, but there’s only so much a single man can do – if Doni lets the ball slip out of his hands onto the feet of Rooney, what the fuck is DDR supposed to do?

Caroe (you a guy or a gal btw?), I know DDR has excellent offensive qualities as well, but I’m inclined to think his role (at least in recent years and in Don’s organisation) is a more defensive one. Look what happens when the adversary descends down the wings, the guy is right in the box between the two central defenders. Normally he defers most of the offensive job to Aquilani (which is a shame, since a few years ago he used to gift us with some fabulous long-range goals… haven’t seen one of those in a while). But yeah, I agree he’s got all the characteristics of a great all-round midfielder.

Greece Vs Turkey?

wrong blog…

Well, Holland are falling apart. Babel was known to be out for the tournament, Van Persie out, Robben now out, and Melchiot is out too against us Monday. Of course they’re still deadly, but this is our chance to capitalize!
Need 3 points vs. Holland. We get those 3, and we SHOULD be through I hope…

Last time we played agianst Holland, we beat 3 – 1 playing attacking football. this was in 2005

What?
De Rossi is better than Gattuso?
What have you been smoking buddy?
Just because Milan lost champions league this year, mostly due to PIRLO, doesn’t mean Gattuso is worse than De Rossi.
Gattuso is the fastest, strongest, most experienced CDM after Ambrosini right now for Italy, and deserves to start.

Dont think Azzurri will have trouble with Holland and should be able to walk away with 3 points.
3-0 Final

“wow. Watch some soccer. He DID prove himself in CL.”

Oh, okay. Yeah. Good tip. I should do that.

Wait, isn’t the Champions League soccer? I thought I saw, or heard every knockout stage game this year and last… hmm. I wonder what team it was I was watching where this supposedly great international midfielder… offensive and defensive mind you… accumulate (I am not looking this stuff up so if I am wrong feel free to remind me correctly…) an aggregate 3 goals for and 8 goals against in 2006-2007 and 0 goals for and 3 goals against in 2007-2008. So two years against the same team, you really can’t ask for a better comparison: four games total…. the first man in the Roma defense allowed 11 goals (almost 3 per game), in four CL games in the quarterfinals. Not even the finals.

This is proving yourself?

Gattuso as I, many others and a history book might help you to understand, have proven himself in 3 CL finals (with 2 wins), a World Cup (in which I think he played almost continuously and was key part in a record breaking defense) and a Club World Cup (which you and I may scoff at but still required him to play it and not mess up).

“MAD, you really need to follow Caroe’s advice and watch some football. While Gattuso & Pirlo were getting pounded by Arsenal, De Rossi was taking down Real Madrid like Godzilla. His first game against ManU was also excellent, but there’s only so much a single man can do – if Doni lets the ball slip out of his hands onto the feet of Rooney, what the fuck is DDR supposed to do?

Roma beat Real Madrid 4-2 am I getting this right? If I remember correctly De Rossi played ok. I don’t recall him scoring, but, whatever, he may have made an assist that I forgot.

Against ManU De Rossi didn’t do a whole lot. And that was just in the quarter’s.

And since you asked, he should have made a fucking difference. Like Gattuso did against Ronaldo in 06-07. Or like he did against Liverpool in the Finals. Or like Gattuso did against anyone he played against in the record breaking defense he was a part of in the World Cup.

And please both of you feel free to insult me again whenever you feel you need more help with your arguments…

Also feel free to remind yourself that I never said De Rossi was a poor player. Just that he shouldn’t get a start over Gattuso, since Gattuso should have earned some loyalty by now and that he has also proven himself in international games and De Rossi hasn’t. Not even close.

If you want to complain about De Rossi vs. Man Utd all I have to say is the following:

1. De Rossi was the best player on Roma in the 7-1 loss to United. The fact that Mancini, Taddei, Chivu, Mexes, Doni, Panucci, Tonetto, Pizarro, etc… did not show up does not mean the loss was his fault. I want to see Gattuso line up alone against United.

2. Where was Gattuso against Milan this year? At least when we lost to Man Utd we lost to a good attacking team with lots of quality.. Arsenal are nowhere near as good as United.

3. Where was Gattuso all freaking year!!! You want to point to one game and hold De Rossi accountable for the failings of a whole team but you don’t want to hold Gattusso accountable for his own poor form??

Vince- don’t EVEN try to say Ambrosini is better than De Rossi. I feel that De Rossi is better than Gattuso and Ambrosini, but then again, Gattuso is a great, talented player. There’s definitely an argument about whether DDR or Gattuso is better. But dont even bring Ambro into this…

Whatever.. whoever starts is going to be quality.. We should be happy that we have 4 quality CMs/DMs. But if Donadoni plays the wrong guy ultimately he will be blamed. So let’s hope he makes the best choice for the game.

While I think the arguments you make against DDR are complete nonsense and shows that you really don’t know what you’re capable of. You’re blaming him on his WC sending off and Roma’s worst games of the season. It’s obvious nobody even knows how he played in those games because he was the best Roma player against Man Utd, scored a brilliant goal last year and was the only one trying. If the other 10 matched his effort that game we would’ve left Old Trafford with a win.

I’m surprised that nobody has mentioned one argument.. When he plays for Roma he puts his heart and soul into his performances.. He steps up because he’s playing for the shirt.. I don’t know if he will play with as much intensity in an Italy shirt (similar to Totti). That still remains to be seen. But it’s all speculation right now.

Looking at the video I’m reminded of one thing: Sepp Blatter is a classless dickhead for not presenting the trophy.

gattuso vs ddr:

ball-winning capabilities = a wash

technical abilities = ddr landslide

offensive contribution = ddr landslide

general athleticism = ddr

international experience = rino landslide

cureent form = ddr landslide

best starting option = DDR

some of you guys are blindly favoring gattuso over ddr simply on the premise that he has more experience. yes, inzaghi and vieri also have more experience than borrielo and di natale. guess which two made it on the team.

also, have any of you considered the subtlety of tactics and what formation you’d place gattuso in the lineup? if you want a conservative, defensive shell, then by all means, field two dm’s alongside pirlo. you want balance in the lineup that can both absorb opposing pressure with the ability to blindside your opponents with a surging counter-attack, then that is not the type of midfield you want to field imo. ddr epitomises this balance as a player. anyone notice what arsenal did to milan in the cl this year? they clamped down space and time each time pirlo touched the ball over both legs and neutralised any creative offensive foray emanating from the midfield. why? because guys like ambrosini and gattuso do not offer similar options in the midfield. kaka and seedorf were being dragged back to retrieve the ball which then isolated their striker and really hampered their link-up play. the milanese dm’s are very good dm’s but that is it. one dimension. if some of you guys watched ddr play along pizarro this season, you would have noticed how much support pizarro got because he afforded him an option to pass the ball to when pizarro was being stifled with little time on the ball. having extra bodies on pizarro freed up space for ddr and enabled him to do the distribution on pizarro’s behalf and did so quite compitently. this is where ddr has a significant edge over guys like gattuso and ambrosini. any opposing tactician worth their salt would know that putting ball pressure on pirlo will cause him grief and often results in giveaways or bad judgement. having ddr there gives us the alternate offensive outlet from the midfield that is otherwise negated when pirlo is either marked and under pressure. also, let’s not forget that italy often adopt a counter-attack gameplan and having another compitent offensive contributor like ddr in the midfield helps us move the ball a lot quicker forward when transitioning from defensive shell to offensive surge. guys like gattuso or ambrosini are more deficient in that aspect.

De Rossi should be a permanent starter.. FULL STOP!

Gattuso either a starter or comes off the bench, depending what the team needs..

quality post lamagica. ppl tend to get very one sided on things like this and say “oh well you need that extra steel for teams like this, bring in Gattuso or Ambrosini”. In my opinion that is the wrong thing to do. you are basically just going to let the other team have possession and pass around you all day in midfield. Gattuso is at his best shadowing pirlo and freeing up space for him but on the other side of the coin, you basically cannot even pass him the ball. He gives up possession so easily and his passing is of very low completion rate. You wanna put 5 in the midfield, that’s fine – one of them SHOULD be gattuso. A central 3 man midfield is a different animal and you need mobile players who can pass and move, otherwise your wing forwards will be dropping back to help, chase the ball, get tired and be ineffective. it’s basically putting 10 men behind the ball and hoping Pirlo can drop a long pass onto a dime on Luca Toni’s head/chest/foot so he can score a goal. I’m not saying throw De Rossi in there immediately, I actually think Aquilani needs to start (LCM), and depending on who is playing on the wings your choice is between Gattuso and De Rossi. If Camoranesi is on the right forward, feel free to start Rino. If it’s Del Piero I think De Rossi needs to start because he adds that accurate passer you lose with Gattuso, and Del Piero will basically drift in to the center leaving that right side completely vacant.

Gianluigi Buffon
Given an intensive workout and looked particularly shattered after his second stint of goalkeeping exercises.

Christian Panucci
Took a knock to the right knee in training and left early as a precaution. Is awaiting scan results.

Fabio Grosso
Very good in training, is a strong contender for the left-back berth ahead of Gianluca Zambrotta.

Giorgio Chiellini
Solid in training, albeit physical again. Gattuso was left reeling after another hard challenge from the Juventus defender.

Alessandro Gamberini
Integrated very well with the side, played well in the practice match.

Andrea Barzagli
Looks certain to start and played with the pink first-team bibs in both halves of the practice match.

Alessandro Del Piero
Has been made captain in the absence of Fabio Cannavaro but may have to settle for a cameo role against the Netherland

Gennaro Gattuso
Usual committed self in training but yet to show his best form.

Luca Toni
Will be a certain starter regardless of the formation. Gave a decent showing in training.

Daniele De Rossi
Yet to shine in the Azzurri camp. Played the second half of the practice match with the first team.

Antonio Di Natale
Lively and bright. Looks likely to start on the current run of things.

Marco Borriello
Scored a fine goal in the practice match and his finishing could find him a substitute’s role if Italy are in trouble in their opening match.

Massimo Ambrosini
Like yesterday, scored another fine goal in the practice match. Could well displace Andrea Pirlo on current form.

Marco Amelia
Played in the practice match. Did little wrong.

Fabio Quagliarella
Not as strong a performance as yesterday but set up several chances for his team-mates in training.

Mauro Camoranesi
Off key at present, looks lethargic in training and may lose his place to Cassano.

Morgan De Sanctis
Was given one-on-one training with his coaches, didn’t play in the practice match.

Antonio Cassano
Played very well and is looking as though he may be winning over Donadoni for a place in a 4-3-3 against the Netherlands.

Gianluca Zambrotta
Battled hard in training but Cassano outshone AC Milan’s new signing. May play if Panucci fails to recover from his knee injury.

Simone Perrotta
Is trying hard but looks likely to miss out on the opening day as he didn’t start with the first team.

Andrea Pirlo
Not playing at his best and was relegated to the second team in the practice match. May lose out to Ambrosini against the Netherlands.

Alberto Aquilani
Playing well enough but not in the first-team reckoning it seems.

Marco Materazzi
Looks as though he has won the race for Cannavaro’s place at centre-back alongside Barzagli

source: euro2008.com

P.S. God help us all if Del Piero starts over Camoranesi on the right hand side.

I think I’ve been saying exactly what both of you (ricci and lamagica) have said for eons now, that De Rossi becomes on the field cover for Pirlo in the event that he’s ineffective, closed down, whatever, but the leadership aspect of Gattuso I think is more important that anything right now. It’s a veteran team, but they aren’t exactly a fiery, vocal bunch.

Donadoni has never shied away from a defensive shell. The man is certainly not auditioning for Dunga’s job. I’m starting to think it may be both, however we may feel about that.

Ambrosini to replace Pirlo in the starting line-up? Who made this commentary, Bert and Ernie?

Wow, that’s laughable.

Actually, this whole thing is a joke. As it stands, Pirlo, Camo and Zambro are out, Cassano, Grosso and Ambro are in?

Chris, I can understand starting Gattuso. What I can’t understand is if Ambrosini comes out in place of either Aquilani or De Rossi in the 3 man central midfield. Not only would I pick up my chair and throw it through my window, I wouldn’t even be able to watch the games with all of the constant pressure we are going to have to absorb since we will get little possession.

I can’t understand Ambro being selected either. In fact, if he does, I think Platini should stop the game and force them to take off blue and don red & black.

Yeah Chris, he really has broken out that defensive shell for the big games. I’m starting to dread Monday. The more and more I think about it, Ambrosini could very well be given the start. Gross.

“And please both of you feel free to insult me again whenever you feel you need more help with your arguments…”
I never insulted you.”

Didn’t you say this:

“wow. Watch some soccer. He DID prove himself in CL.”?

I don’t need you patronizing me. You got a point, then make it. You have that right and the opportunity. Just like I do. You want to act condescending to me than I have a problem. I have watched plenty of soccer, both this season and in my life. Enough to form MY OWN opinions thanks very much. If you don’t like my opinions then I guess you are going to have to deal with it.

“Sometimes you gotta choose for the players who are in shape, on lethal form (for his position)”

Sometimes, sure. The game is fluid. But is Gattuso out of shape or not in form for Euro 2008? I don’t know since he hasn’t played yet. He was off form for the League this season, but the League is over. Gattuso had been playing a crazy schedule nonstop since the World Cup. Maybe he needed a couple weeks rest. Again, I don’t think he should sit on the bench for being a winner in international play over someone who has not been nearly the player in similar circumstances.

And now for the other fellow, who also suggested that I am somehow not worthy to have my own opinion…

“If you want to complain about De Rossi vs. Man Utd all I have to say is the following:”

And here is part of the problem. I am not complaining about him for anything. Would it help if I used all caps? I am just reporting the news. If you don’t like it I suggest you talk to the people in charge of linear causality. He played like shit for four games in an international tournament in the middling rounds. Full stop. End of story.

“De Rossi was the best player on Roma in the 7-1 loss to United…”

Thats great. I happen not to agree with you. I saw the game as I suspect you did. I saw that De Rossi was the first line of defense for his goal. He did a poor job of keeping ManU from running roughshod all over the field. The fact that you think that there was a “best player” in that debacle… well let’s just say many members of my family had a chuckle about that line. The bottom line in all of this is that De Rossi did not elevate his game in any international game I have seen. Gattuso has.

“Where was Gattuso against Milan this year?”

Well, Gattuso plays for Milan not against them. But, assuming this is a typo I am going to say that he hasn’t had a great season in the League this year. But the season is over. He has had a rest and he has proven that he can play big and win in international play.

“You want to point to one game and hold De Rossi accountable for the failings of a whole team but you don’t want to hold Gattusso accountable for his own poor form??”

Gattuso has been playing World Class level competition almost nonstop since Serie A 2006. Heres a peek: Serie A, World Cup, Champions League Qualifying, Serie A, Champions League Final, World Club Cup, Serie A, Champions League. It has finally caught up with him. That’s where he’s been.

And I’ll say it again: I AM NOT HOLDING DE ROSSI ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANYTHING. De Rossi failed to make the most of his opportunities. There are players who do not do well in international play. In my opinion, he has, so far, not played well. It doesn’t mean that he may never, but if given a choice, Gattuso should not be behind him on the bench.

“While I think the arguments you make against DDR are complete nonsense and shows that you really don’t know what you’re capable of.”

Well, I know what I am capable of, but you’re right that I don’t know what De Rossi capable of. You don’t either actually. Not unless you can tell the future. You think, or hope that he is a great player. I don’t know why it’s so important to you, but there you are (actually I have a pretty good idea why). I think that Gattuso playing is best for the team. As I said I am not a Milan fan and I have no special love for him personally either. But he plays well and he succeeds.

“You’re blaming him on his WC sending off and Roma’s worst games of the season.”

Well, who else do I blame for his idiocy? He deserved to get sent off. And unless I am very much mistaken he plays for Roma, therefore any good OR BAD game they play will be in some measure his fault. It certainly will be his fault, if he is great player you think he is, if he doesn’t make a difference, like all great players should.

“When he plays for Roma he puts his heart and soul into his performances. I don’t know if he will play with as much intensity in an Italy shirt (similar to Totti)”

That’s great. Too bad it’s not near enough, for me. I require results. Well, this is probably going to be another can of worms, but comparing him to Totti doesn’t help your argument with me. I don’t think Totti’s that great in international matches either.

hahaha, It actually wouldn’t surprise me at all if Donadoni called up that cartoon Devil that roams around the San Siro to replace Panucci if he can’t go.

Forget big games, he started the Milan midfield against Georgia for fuck’s sake.

I think this lineup is going to be very conservative, though I can’t say I think Ambro will start – no matter how many goals he scores in practice.

let’s take a step back a second here:

Whether Daniele De Rossi or Rino Gattuso starts is a pretty great problem to have, isn’t it? Two of the very best in the business!

The last thing this team needs is to be divided in the way its fans are. This kind of sentiment wasn’t around before the world cup, and the unified feeling that the players and fans all shared really contributed to their victory

Well I don’t know how accurate those facts are from euro2008.com but what the hell

I disagree though, I don’t think Don will be conservative in this game.

First of all MAD.. my comments were directed toward Sushan.. not you.. I had a few typos in my comments which you misunderstood and went off on useless rants.. Not your problem though..

I mean to say.. “where was Gattuso against Arsenal”, and “you don’t know what De Rossi is capable” of not what you are capable of.. I don’t need a crystal ball to see what De Rossi is capable of now. I’ve seen him play in 33 games this season… I know what he can do.

My point about you guys judging De Rossi on his WC sending off is that he needs to be judged on all his performances not on 1 or 2 of his worst performances. If he has 30 good ones and 3 poor ones he needs to be judged on all 33. Not on the 3. Yes he was an idiot to get sent off two years ago, but he came back and scored a penalty in the final and has just grown in every way.

And my argument comparing De Rossi to Totti is not me defending De Rossi.. I was being objective. Totti has not played well for Italy often and it could be the same for De Rossi.. Who knows..

It’s funny.. People want to see Chiellini, Del Piero and Cassano based on current form… But when it comes to Materazzi nobody wants him because of his poor form.

But these things don’t apply to Gattuso apparently.

Sally, funny you should say that. I was reading an interview with Donadoni last night. Here’s what he said:

“What type of fireworks will we see at the finals?”

If there are going to be any fireworks, I suspect we’ll see them only when the football is over, at the medals ceremony.

I think that’s a pretty clear indication of what we’re going to see. It’s going to be steady, hard, defensive and efficient. The lineup will most likely be conservative.

Just for the record.. I think Gatusso is a quality player.. I am not arguing against Gatusso but I am defending De Rossi who none of you seem to rate. And while I feel that DDR should start because his season was much better than Gatusso’s, I wouldn’t be uncomfortable seeing Gatusso in the lineup.

De Rossi should start. I like his ability to be able to shut down and use skill.

Sally thanks for the run down.

Italy is a conservative society by nature, so I think Bashar is closer on the mark. Donadoni will probably start prudently and see what the results are and move from there. I guess it all depends how the defense reacts and how it holds up without Canna.