Comments on: 5 Things we learned from the Dutch Debacle

By: sofia

sofia — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:11:50 +0000

materazzi only looked good in the WC because he had canna behind him to clean up his mess

By: Franco

Franco — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:39:53 +0000

The match with Romania will be a very tense affair for me. i mean, it is no secret that Romania will defend with all they have and rely on fast counter attacks..Bringing on de rossi will give us a great option when another team is on counter attack because of his great ability to get back along the center. We must must play both Cassano and Aquilani from the start and take risks because we need to score first and then we might sneak in another one or two when Romania opens up a bit. It will be nerve wracking, Donadoni must and should realise that a draw will also definately put us out of the tournament( we have the worst goal difference, so even if we win against France in the last match, it might not be enugh)…
The three creative players, Grosso(left back), Cassano8 forward or a trequarterista in the hole behind strikers) and aquilani as the left winged midfielde must be played from the start..

By: Jb

Jb — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:51:31 +0000

I have to agree with you Marco on #3 & #4. Being a Scotland fan I wasn’t sure whether to be jealous because ‘that could have been my team’ or whether to worry about playing Holland in the next WC qualifiers… Anyway, back to *now*:

From the Scottish experience of the Euro Qualifiers I would say that Di Natale was ‘alright’ but not much more. During the Euro Qs I would look at him and think “We can definitely beat the likes of him” (same went for Cameronesi)- but would look at Del Piero and think “We’ll be really lucky to beat him”. I also think that Luca Toni is definitely a strikers’ striker. By that I mean he has a knack of getting into positions to score. Sometimes he finishes, sometimes he doesn’t – but he does get into the positions. I wonder how significant the unavailability of Cannavarro was?

I’m very much looking forward to the France v Italy game; I expect Italy to impose themselves on France.

By: Franco

Franco — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:14:51 +0000

BTW franknelson(Ghana), Spain at the most will reach quarterfinals where they will meet Italia or Holland and will be blown off ..Holland will never win like they they did against Italia the other day on counter attacks..Fluke happens..

By: Franco

Franco — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:04:05 +0000

Guys, as far as iam concerned this is a forum for Italian fans to discuss what went wrong the other day, i see that penal landers and jealous assswipes like Dean and others are spoiling the ambience..so my request for others is just to ignore Dean..Poor thing , he has had nothing to cheer for in his life and he is pissed off with that fact..Regarding the australia match,in the first place, Italia dominated in the first half and it was a matter of time before a goal was due until that joke of a red card to Materrazzi..Also, aussies played rugby instead of football and it was pathetic to see the technical inferiority of aussies..

By: Franco

Franco — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:59:39 +0000

BTW, the latest rumours is that Donadoni is going to opt for a 4-3-1-2 with Del Piro or Cassano in that hole behind the strikers. Yesterday, the whole team went to Vienna with their family except for Talentino Cassano who opted to sleep in his room, iam sure now is the time for the greatest natural talent to showcase his skills to the world. expect Cassano to do something incredible Friday..The squad starting for the match for me should be…..
BrickWall GIGI

Mr.Como( Zambrotta) Chiellini Barzagli Grosso

Pirlo

de Rossi Ambrosini

Cassano

Toni DiNatale

Del Piero to come in for DiNatale in the 50th minute…

By: Franco

Franco — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:54:49 +0000

Guys, ignore penal landers like Dean. he doesnt seem to have history or culture t he ape he is..

By: frank nelson

frank nelson — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:48:47 +0000

hollandians are showing they are true
european champion that`s what they are
made of. spain and holland will go places.

watch out

fm; nelson
Ghana

By: GPas

GPas — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:57:20 +0000

“You’d think that Donadoni would know his players by now after qualification and friendlies but thats obviously not the case. He has no idea who to pair with who or who to play on the pitch period.”

Indeed. It’s a bit like taking a burger flipper and making him CEO of a billion dollar coorporation. The Italian FA should never have appointed him, he was clearly far too inexperienced, he’s a baby in management terms. Lippi – the best Italian manager of the modern era IMO – must be persuaded back to the bench after this competition whatever the cost.

By: GPas

GPas — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:43:26 +0000

I can’t believe Donandoughnut left out De Rossi for this game, what was he thinking. The Roma midfielder was the form player in midfield in Serie A this year, and he would’ve added some much needed life to a midfield that was utterly dead. Gatusso was running around like a headless chicken, he looked like a red card waiting to happen. I’m a fan of his approach to the game, but he needs to cool it down, we don’t need to go down to 10 men in this group. Pirlo was below par but still the best of the starting bunch. Grosso too should never have been on the bench, Materazzi was terrible, ditto Barzagli, Chiellini should get his chance next time. The whole defence needs a shake up because it was like watching a team of 8-year olds at the back. Up front I agree Di Natale proved he can’t hack it at this level again, Camoranesi as ever lively but lacking a cutting edge that Cassano showed when he replaced him, Toni fluffed a good chance but he’s the best we’ve got in that position. Del Piero is due a big tournament and after his goal 2 years ago in Germany and slotting in a pen against Fr*nce I have a feeling now is the time. My line-up would be Buffon, Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso, Pirlo, Gatusso, De Rossi, Cassano, Toni, Del Piero. Shame we can’t substitute the coach too!