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Poll: Number 24

May 22nd, 2008 | By: chris | 35 Comments »

I love that Donadoni called up 24 men for an eventual 23 man roster. Really stick it to the one guy who isn’t quite good enough, doesn’t quite fit in, sleeps with The Don’s wife during training camp, etc. Then when they have to go home, they’ll be ushered away all by their lonesome without a couple other guys to know their pain, like nearly every other squad in the world. Atta boy, Don.

My personal thought is that Antonio Cassano is on something of a probationary period to see how well he plays with others, even if he is a charismatic and affable, albeit pazzo, guy. Perhaps the others being the coaching staff? Who knows. Let’s just say I wouldn’t be shocked to see his name off the list.

But for now we can speculate as to who that +1 will be. We all have our ideas, and there will be no real way of telling unless someone goes down (perhaps The Don decided to have an extra body in tow for such a case…), but it’s fun to speculate. So let’s attempt to break this down, then take a little poll.

The Untouchables

Goalkeepers: Called up 3, simple as that.

The Entire Back Line: Called up 7 for 4 positions without a tweener guy in the midfield. I’m pretty sure Donadoni would have to lose his mind to show up in Swissaustria with 6 defenders, most of whom are already scouting nursing homes.

Andrea Pirlo: Italia wouldn’t even be in Swissaustria without him and he’s the best playmaker in the world. Duh.

Luca @#$%ing Toni: 44 goals or something like that?

Mauro Camoranesi: Key component in the squad.

Daniele De Rossi: Best midfielder in Serie A, Number 10, etc etc etc.

Gennaro Gattuso: Even if he doesn’t start/play, his leadership and locker room experience are invaluable.

Simone Perrotta: Coaches absolutely love his stamina, workrate, touch and ability to track back while still attacking. So much so that Spalletti worked his 4-2-3-1 around him, not Totti. Praise doesn’t come much higher than that. Last member on this list, but there’s no way he stays home.

Antonio Di Natale: A very good, and very consistent, year and The Don clearly rates him highly. Not so much “untouchable” as “no fucking way”.

The Rest

Antonio Cassano: I don’t see him going back unless he pulls a Cassanata. Problem is, that’s not out of the question. Talent-wise he’s the best player on the team, maybe the best player in the world, so pulling a stunt or being difficult is really the only way he can get sent home.

Fabio Quagliarella: Good, not great, this year but he has that one special quality everybody knows about: pulling bullshit goals from his ass. He’s the human equalizer. But is he that invaluable in the event that someone like Montolivo shows up and blows The Don away? Can’t say so.

Massimo Ambrosini: The Don loves a Milanista; so much so that Ambro could be a starter despite being less than stellar this year if he goes with the Milan midfield again (which would be, for lack of a better term, fucking stupid). It comes down to a question of tactics and cover. Is he going to sit two out and out DMs next to Pirlo - such as two of De Rossi, Gattuso, and Ambro - in a 4-3-3 or is he going to drop a treq/attacking mid behind Toni - such as Aquilani, Perrotta or Cassano - and only one covering Pirlo? More likely is Perrotta or Aquilani will be in the mix with DDR/Gattuso and Pirlo as guys who can go both ways unless he wants to sit Cassano in the middle. I’m fairly sure the 24th man will come from the midfield, don’t think it’s Ambro, even if his role might be limited.

Alberto Aquilani: I think The Don might rate him higher than Spalletti, so that will help. But Donadoni has given him playing time when he’s healthy, which he is now, and he’s a true complete package centrocampista who allows for a little bit of versatility. His issue has never been form or quality, it’s simply his health. Alberto’s healthy now, and it’s hard to imagine Donadoni leaving him at home.

Alessandro Del Piero: After all the bullshit in the media about Del Piero and the Euros, how funny would it be if he was called up only to be dropped again?

Obviously he’s in form, has experience, yadda yadda yadda, but everyone knows: He just does not fit into Donadoni’s tactics. If someone’s coming in behind Toni as an attacker, it’s Cassano. ADP may have had the goals, but he’s no Talentino. He’ll be utterly useless on the wing and he isn’t capable of playing vice-Toni here. Most likely he’ll be sat on the bench for much of the tournament and see some late game subs. With so many ahead of him a better fit in the team, is it impossible to think Donadoni could see him struggle during the original camp and send him home? Not really. It’s about forming the best team, not the best collection of players.

Riccardo Montolivo: Somewhat of a surprise inclusion in that he has one cap, and that was the B squad friendly against South Africa. His form is what undoubtedly got him the call, and his talent is what will see him a mainstay in the starting XI for a long, long time. The question is whether or not his Azzurri run will start during or after the Euros.

His game is offense, passing and creating, and he can be stacked a few places depending on the formation, which is always a nice option to have. But over whom? His form was good, but good enough to get over the likes of Cassano, Del Piero, Perrotta and Aquilani in the center of the pitch? The difference with the latter two being they also play some solid defense. Play the wins perhaps? Dunno. More questions than answers.

I honestly think it’ll be Montolivo, simply due to numbers, options, and, most importantly, the fact that he is the only person on this list eligible for the U23 team and the Olympics. Perhaps being called up with the idea that he’s getting an introduction to his eventual landing spot, much like The Don did with Gianluca Curci, despite the fact that, barring emergency, he was never going to play. Riccardo is a future stud, but maybe his summer can be better spent leading the Azzurrini than watching the Euros from the stands.

But that’s just me. There are a lot of good theories and options. So who ya got?

Who will be the 24th man?
( surveys)

Tags: Euro 2008, Roberto Donadoni, squad

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 35 comments.

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By Alessio | May 23rd, 2008 at 2:04 pm

ah……missed it. good, i was beginning to think the giallarossi in your blood was tainting the azzurri. i think it’s down to Aquilani or Montolivo, unless of course Cassano pulls one of his famous storms. say de rossi gives him a rough tackle.

you think ddr is gonna be wearing the #10?

Posted from United States

By Bashar | May 23rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm

He has been since the world cup when Totti left the team.

Posted from United States

By Alessio | May 23rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm

Cassano should get it. Him and Del Piero are the only real #10s and Del Piero said he doesn’t want it anymore. DDR would be interesting as a trequartista but neither Spaletti or Donadoni seem interested.

Posted from United States

By moka | May 23rd, 2008 at 4:01 pm

hmm.. Personally, I’d rather have Montolivio over Aquilani, just for form’s sake.. Aquilani is fantastic, but had a bad end to the season.. Actually now that i think of it, I want both, even if they don’t play much.. Just for experience.. And I’d drop umm.. Borriello or Quagliarella.. :S

By moka | May 23rd, 2008 at 4:03 pm

oo I thought Montolivo was older than Aquilani.. mm.. so Aquilani is not legible for Olympics.. then it’s gonna be Monty out for sure.. Let him go to China!!!

By Bashar | May 23rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm

You can’t give the number 10 jersey to a guy who is barely in the squad.. It needs to go to a starter.. If anyone should get it I think Pirlo should since he’s the main creative outlet in the team.. DDR just got it because he’s just like Totti.. Roman forever..

Posted from United States

By Sally | May 24th, 2008 at 12:23 am

surprisingly i think its borriello thats going to be dropped - i assume it should be a striker because we simply have too many strikers in the current squad.

if not borriello ( i still think its him, and not cassano ), probably montolivo

Posted from Australia

By Steven | May 24th, 2008 at 4:24 am

I’m going for Ambrosini. Easily the worst player in the squad. Would be nice to see him get dropped.

Posted from Belgium

By Bashar | May 24th, 2008 at 8:30 am

Borriello has been dreadful in the few appearances he’s had for Italy. Absolutely invisible. The front line is built around Toni and Borriello cannot do with Toni can.

Posted from United States

By Caroe | May 24th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

Plus Borriello hasn’t scored much lately.

Posted from Denmark

By Alessio | May 24th, 2008 at 2:34 pm

I’m not sure why Borriello was called up, no uefa experience, no international experience.

Steven, I have to disagree. Ambrosini has been one of the few Milan midfielders who’s been consistent this season. Honestly, if it came down to his vs. Gattuso’s form, I’d pick Ambrosini.

Posted from United States

By moka | May 24th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

DROP BORRIELLO!!

Great season, very well done.. and congratulations.. But this is your only good season yet, and are you even gonna play??

Toni seems like he’ll play for 90 minutes, alongside Di Natale, who will then by substitued by DelPi or Cassano..

Not that Aquilani and Montolivo will play, but I’d still be happy seeing them there..

By Il Divin Codino | May 24th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

Borrielo was called up as a sub for Toni, once italy would not have to change it´s main tactics. But i agree it is dreadful to call him once he has no uefa experience, no international experience and did not play well for the azurri in his few appearances.
As for the one who should be dropped i would say Ambrosini, cause he is clearly the worst player in this outstanding list.
About Del Piero he must go, he has been on fire in this season, being able to decide one game with a moment of magic, although it´s true he does not fit in Don´s tactics but the inclusion of Cassano in the squad point to the possibity of playing with him as playmaker and Del Piero as second striker, position that he masters. Of course this is a long shot. Anyway the Golden Boy stays.

Posted from Brazil

By sushan[ACM} | May 25th, 2008 at 12:54 am

why is an utterly useless player like perrotta untouchable??? i dont know why he gets these call ups. he is the luckiest player on earth. i feel ambro is way better than simone “useless shit” perrotta

By moka | May 25th, 2008 at 1:25 am

Ambro and Perotta are the same type of player; defensive-mids that attack.. Both should stay..

Again, if Borriello is not gonna play much, I’d drop him.. If not, then Montolivo or Aquilani..

Ambro and Perotta are both great..

By Gabriella (ASR) | May 25th, 2008 at 5:21 am

I voted Montolivo because he is the likely one to be dropped.

By Bashar | May 25th, 2008 at 8:17 am

Perrotta has the experience of the world cup under his belt and has been with this squad for a few years now.. His work rate in up front and all over midfield is amongst the highest in Italy.. Perrotta has more Serie A experience than Ambro as well. Actually, the only midfielders with more NT experience than him are Gattuso and Pirlo. And not a single one has played more league games in Italy than Simo.

And Perrotta’s scoring is much better. 21 goals in 128 games for Roma.. Ambrosini has 21 goals in his entire career!! That’s 278 appearances. Plus Perrotta has 2 goals for Italy which Ambro doesn’t.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I take offense to you calling him a “useless shit”.. If he is an integral part of the Roma team that took Serie A and Europe by storm, why is he not good enough to go on the squad.

If Ambrosini goes then Perrotta definitely has to.. I’m not saying he should be a starter.. I don’t like where Lippi played Perrotta (on the left) though.. that’s a bad position for him.. He’s better suited playing behind Toni.

Posted from United States

By Bashar | May 25th, 2008 at 8:18 am

In any case he picked up a slight injury and might not go anyway.. which would be a shame..

Posted from United States

By Sally | May 25th, 2008 at 10:09 am

i still wonder why donadoni is going to cut just ONE player. thats rather harsh

Posted from Australia

By moka | May 25th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Bashar; Perotta has more experience, but it’s not like you’re comparing him with someone like Montolivo or Aquilani who don’t have much experience.. Ambrosini has 30 caps, Perotta has 40.. Not a huge difference.. and plus, Ambro is the vice-captain of Milan and he’s done a pretty good job at it..

Perotta might be a doubt.. Do you think he won’t drop anyone now? :O

By John Silver | May 25th, 2008 at 2:16 pm

Ambrosini and Perrotta are both two turds with the appearance of football players. Ambrosini’s greatest aim in life is to touch the ball every now and then, and he makes his greatest contribution to the team by standing in the wall. Perrotta is excellent in running, work-rate and positioning, but couldn’t hit the net if you wrapped the ball inside it.

As far as I’m concerned they’re both disposable. Perrotta could come in useful as a vice-Camoranesi, given the former’s inconsistency and the fact that we don’t really have anybody else for that position. Ambrosini I have no idea what the fuck he’s doing there given that we’ve got more central mids than half of Europe put together.

I like neither. Useful as benchers at most.

Posted from United Kingdom

By moka | May 25th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

John that’s wayy too harsh on Ambro.. If you ever watched him with Milan, you’ll know that a lot of his effort is difficult to notice, but it’s there.. He’s a really good, underrated midfielder.. He wins battles.. He has the heart to win.. He won’t be a starter, but he should def. go as a backup for De Rossi or Gattuso, perhaps..

I don’t make judegements on players I haven’t watched play.. and I hate it when ppl make unfair judegements about players they haven’t seen play.. Sure it’s an opinion, but there’s I don’t know how you can justify ‘greatest contribution is standing on the wall.’

Unless you’re an Inter fan, and hate anything related to Milan..

By Bashar | May 30th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Montolivo got exactly 50% of the votes. 65 votes for him, 65 for everyone else combined.

Posted from United States

By Bashar | May 30th, 2008 at 12:58 pm

I think John Silver’s judgment of both Perrotta and Amborsini is harsh. Neither should be starters but they are both quality players and deserve to be there. I’ve been critical about Perrotta’s finishing and went on a rant about how he should not be playing as an attacking mid, so I’m not defending him because of a bias towards Roma.

If both Perrotta and Ambrosini are disposable leave them home.. We can go to the euros with just 3 midfielders (plus Camo and Quags).. Let’s call in Inzaghi and Lucarelli.. There are no Italian midfielders (not called up) better than those two in terms of the total package. Experience, quality, hard work, etc…

And moka.. On the international stage, a difference of 10 caps is quite a bit. Especially if you consider that 7 of those 10 were Perrotta playing in every World Cup game as they went on to win it. Cassano’s entire Italy career is 10 games!! That difference is more than the Azzurri careers of Amelia, De Sanctis, Aquilani, Montolivo Quagliarella, Montolivo and Chiellini.

Posted from United States

By Bashar | May 30th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

oops.. put Montolivo twice.

Posted from United States

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