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.

“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.

But these things don’t apply to Gattuso apparently.

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..

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

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

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.

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.