World

Europe

Italy

Warming Up, Cooling Down v Belgium

May 30th, 2008 | By: Chris | 54 Comments »

Italia v Belgium

Today, in Firenze, the Azzurri will take on their one and only friendly opponent before embarking on their attempt at European glory. The game will be a friendly friendly, with the most important outcome being the number of dudes stretchered off the pitch (target number: 0), but there will be a few guys with a lot to play for. This game will be a chance for the team to work together as a unit one time before the games begin and for the fringe players to prove themselves worthy to The Don. And chances are each and every outfield player will get the chance to play.

There’s really little to preview, although Donaoni did give us one little nugget to chew on:

“I haven’t decided anything, but in my idea of a three-man attack, I definitely see Del Piero on the left and Cassano on the right, although Cassano can also play on the opposite side,” Donadoni said. “We’ll try things out against Belgium.”

Listen, if he throws Del Piero into the starting XI, and on the wing for fuck’s sake, he’s going to need a security detail that would make the Pope blush. How many times does ADP have to prove himself useless in the Azzurri, on the flanks, for Donadoni to get a clue? They can’t really afford to go down this road again. Let’s just hope he was just referring to the starting lineup for Belgium, not the tournament. If that’s the case, there’s no question Cassano will be the one playing himself into the starting XI (probably on the left opposite Camo). If my memory serves correctly, Talentino scored a quad in the practice game the other day.

I’ve still got my hesitations about Antonio, but none of it has anything to do with his talent. Quite simply, a Talentino playing even close to his peak makes this the best team in the world, hands down.

As for the rest of them, a take at the sure starters and the positions left to win:

Keeper: Duh.

Backline: Canna and Zambro, as long as he doesn’t sneeze too hard and shred his knee (is it me or does he seem to get injured every time Azzurri-time comes rolling around these days?), are sure starters. The questions are Fabio’s partner and what’s going to happen on the wing. In the middle it’s a question of Chiellini’s season long form, Barzagli’s history of quality in azzurro, and picking The Matrix because Donadoni is a fucking idiot. Injuries or not, he was exposed more often than Paris Hilton’s tender parts this season. Logic throws him out the window. Barzagli or Chiellini? Safe pick is, as good as The Schnoz has been (Giorgio’s official nickname from here on out), Barzagli. But only time will tell.

Then there’s the Grosso v Panucci debate. Fabio has done wondrous things for Italia, but his surging runs can leave the flanks exposed at times, especially if Donadoni is going to go with a three-pronged attack. Panucci is solid, dependable and has a fricken’ golden noggin’ in or near the penalty box. Like an extra Luca Toni on set pieces. But he’s hardly as sexy a pick as Fabio can be. Both have their qualities, so it may come down to opponent matchups.

(Or even Chiellini on the left, another possible, if less likely, possibility.)

Midfield: Take Pirlo to the bank, and Daniele De Rossi is approaching that level after the season he just had. That leaves the other midfieler. The grit and heart of Gattuso? The workrate and off the ball brilliance from Perrotta? The complete package in Aquilani? Who plays themself into this position over the next week or so?

This seems like a battle which will be won on the practice field and on the chalkboard. Kind of doubt, unless Aquilani unleashes seven 30 yard screamers into the back of the net or Gattuso tackles every ball from box to box for 90 minutes, this one will be decided versus Belgium.

Tridente: Camo and Lucagol seem absolute locks, which leaves the one position open on the left. Guess who will win that one? Cassano.

Other than that? Sit back and enjoy the last Azzurri game you’ll be able to watch without a racing heartbeat, bleeding fingernails and moist adult diapers for the next six weeks.

(Streaming is here)

Tags: Euro 2008

Italy World Cup RSS Feed

del.icio.us:Warming Up, Cooling Down v Belgium

newsvine:Warming Up, Cooling Down v Belgium

reddit:Warming Up, Cooling Down v Belgium

stumbleupon:Warming Up, Cooling Down v Belgium

Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 54 comments.

Read the rest of the comments

By Bashar | May 31st, 2008 at 9:54 am

Del Piero can’t play up front with another striker? David Trezeguet ring a bell?

I think you do have a point and it could work but I just don’t see it happening with regards to the rest of the team and the opposition. Putting 3 guys up front in the center of the field will give 3 midfielders. Not enough. If a team had 12 players or Italy want to go with 3 at the back you formation looks really good but it’s not gonna happen. In the 4-3-3, Di Natale and Camo can come back giving you 5 midfielders and 2 wingers.

I would love to see him in the team (as a sub) but he would need to be in some sort of 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. Or maybe in the midfield of a 4-5-1 but I doubt he will do much back tracking.

Posted from United States

By sushan[ACM} | May 31st, 2008 at 1:38 pm

Thats right remove the guys who won italy the world cup pirlo , gatu and put a player who was acted like a numbskull in the WC

By TIM | May 31st, 2008 at 1:55 pm

Some people on here are so sensitive! OR should I say self conscious.

Just because alot of Italians are less then attractive people does not mean they all are. UNfortunetely it just seems they have a higher population of disgusting looking people.

However this does not look affect thir soccer abilities. IT should just give them more confidence to go in for a tough tackle. WHo cares if their face gets cut up from a cleet, it wont hurt their image.

Posted from Canada

By Caroe | May 31st, 2008 at 2:11 pm

sushan: So you din’t think De Rossi should start? Now that would be REALLY dumb. How about starting Amelia and not Buffon ?

Posted from Denmark

By Frank | May 31st, 2008 at 3:05 pm

“Italians are less then attractive people ” You must be kidding me,Italian men are known for their good looks and looks have nothing to do with this sport,this is soccer and not a model search.

Anyhow,I was really impressed with the match against Belgium and cant wait for the Euros to start ! Toni, Pirlo and Di Natale are going to send a lot of teams packing !

Posted from Canada

By Michel-Olivier | May 31st, 2008 at 3:59 pm

italians unattractive people, look at the french especially gomis and diarra

Posted from United States

By Il Divin Codino | May 31st, 2008 at 4:19 pm

Italy team is really strong but ithink the main formation should be - buffon zambrotta cannavaro barzagli panucci - de rossi( best midfielder serie A this year) pirlo aquilani - cassano( del piero or di natale) camoranesi toni 4-3-3.
Forza Azurra

Posted from Brazil

By stony | May 31st, 2008 at 6:19 pm

italians unatractive…i guess that explains the naked women streaking their practices. be real, its pretty amazing how hot they are…must be the olive oil, or tomato sauce.

Posted from Canada

By Bashar | May 31st, 2008 at 6:23 pm

Sushan.. it’s obvious you didn’t watch this Serie A season. De Rossi has been arguably the best player in Italy over the course of a year. Pirlo and Gattusso have struggled terribly.

De Rossi acted like a numbskull in one game, came back, scored a penalty in the final and has had an amazing 2 seasons and established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in Italy and Europe.

Posted from United States

By Bashar | May 31st, 2008 at 6:28 pm

That’s for Caroe too.. De Rossi starting over Gattusso would be like Lev Yashin starting over Buffon.. He’s been much better this year.. Watch a Roma game before you make judgments about De Rossi.

Posted from United States

By Bashar | May 31st, 2008 at 6:30 pm

Sorry Caroe.. I misunderstood what you meant.. I didn’t see the din’t.

Posted from United States

By Daniele | May 31st, 2008 at 7:08 pm

If Dona doesn’t pick De Rossi and Aqui, then he is a bumbling idioto.

Oh wait…

By warning | May 31st, 2008 at 7:21 pm

WARNING! I am italian and I have long greasy hair. I am ugly.

Posted from Canada

By warning | May 31st, 2008 at 7:24 pm

I am from the make believe fantasyland called ITALIA. Where we act like we are atttractive and pretend our boring style of play is how soccer is really meant to be played.

Posted from Canada

By warning | May 31st, 2008 at 10:07 pm

An Italian slept with my wife so I am bitter, hostile and racist towards them now… Also because my parents didn’t raise me right.. or at all for that matter..

Posted from United States

By sushan[ACM] | May 31st, 2008 at 10:22 pm

Ya i have no problem with de rossi. But some Roma fans speak as if gatu and pirlo are shit and de rossi is the next maradona or something

By sushan[ACM] | May 31st, 2008 at 10:24 pm

De rossi is not an untouchable in the team. the only untouchable is Pirlo and if he combines better with Gatu(which he does) , then de rossi shouldnt play

By warning | May 31st, 2008 at 10:40 pm

Hey, there is more to life then being attractive. Im sure alot of italians have good personalities. HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAH

Posted from Canada

By Caroe | June 1st, 2008 at 4:35 am

someone ban that dude, please..

sushan: No he isn’t because The Don is an idiot. Watch a Roma game once in a while and you’ll say he should be untouchable.

Posted from Denmark

By julian | June 1st, 2008 at 7:40 am

and warning, there’s also more to life than randomly spamming this site. Or maybe for you, there isn’t. Who knows

Anyway, all I know is that Christmas needs to start. The only guarantees I see in the starting lineup are Buffon, Canna, Pirlo, Toni, and now Christmas too. DDR and Aqui should start but I don’t think that both of them will.

By mele419 | June 1st, 2008 at 9:32 am

Italian’s are just the best at everything.
Football
Food
Language
Culture
Looks.

What AREN’T Italian’s best at? Shorter list..

Posted from United States

By mele419 | June 1st, 2008 at 12:49 pm

looking through pictures of training, this has to be my favorite, due to the caption
“Cassano Canguro”
http://www.corriere.it/gallery/Sport/vuoto.shtml?2008/05_Maggio/coverciano/4&12

Posted from United States

By kari | June 1st, 2008 at 2:14 pm

I find Italian so attractive that no words can describe their attractiveness . BTW, I’m kinda pleased with the result of this match .Forza Italia.

Posted from Viet Nam

By go italy.. | June 1st, 2008 at 10:35 pm

looks vs soccer prowess…i would much rather have the latter for my italy. looks fade, winning WCs and ECs last forever. What im really hoping for is that delpiero shines and a chance to see some cassano brilliance.

Posted from Canada

By Fred | June 2nd, 2008 at 6:54 pm

this warning character used to post as chico last year i’d recognise the horrible jokes anywhere. I mean I love the stereotypes but at least be clever about it. It’s been a year and you still don’t have any new material! Time to take up a new hobby chico.

Posted from Canada

Comments are closed