End of the Year Report Card

2008 is drawing to a close, and it was a hell of the year for the Azzurri. 12 months ago we were looking forward to the Euros and to being crowned European, as well as World, Champions. Luca Toni was on fire in the Bundesliga and in the national team, and we finished top of our qualifying group after fending off opposition from a surprisingly tough Scotland side (Keep an eye on them- they’re going places). Giovinco and Rossi were just starting to establish themselves, and guys like De Ceglie and Marchisio were relatively unknown. Oh, and some guy named Donadoni was our coach.

But a lot has happened in this year. Looking back now, a few things stand out. We crashed out of the Euros. Lippi returned. Rossi and Giovinco are well known- at least to Juve/Villareal fans and readers of this blog- and Luca Toni is well, in a poor run of form. And some guy named Julian took over the Italy World Cup Blog.

Overall it was a poor year for the Azzurri. I think when we look back on 2008, more than anything we’ll remember it as a transition year. The Euros showed us that our squad is just too old, and we need to get younger guys into the mix. Donadoni showed us that he really wasn’t ready to coach the national team, or any team that has any ambition to achieve anything. But more than that, we saw hope. A poor Euro showing is nothing if it means we can use the experience to defend our title in 2010.

So for the year in review, I’m using a report card format. And because I’m lazy, I’m only doing a few key players. Feel free to argue about this in the comments section:

Lippi: B This squad under Lippi has been an interesting one. The united, defense-first squad that was in Germany isn’t there. But neither is the ball out attack and scrappy play Donadoni went for. It’s somewhere in the middle. We don’t look quite as disjointed as we did a year ago, but we’re nowhere near looking like the squad that overcame all in 2006. Our play is rather predictable, as our attack is still mostly based on the fullbacks crossing the ball to a big target man. And with defense looking weak, we need to change it up. Lippi so far has shown a calculated, careful method. He’s slowly integrating youth and new guys into the team. So while it hasn’t been eye dropping joga bonito, we are getting results. Numbers don’t lie and we haven’t lost under Lippi since what, 2005? We’ve had close calls- see his first game when he took charge for a second time- but a combination of luck and skill keep us going.

He needs to introduce a trequartista/ attacking CM asap. We need to play more up the middle, and we are in desperate need of guys who can dribble. Cassano’s exclusion remains a mystery, and why he sticks with Toni while shunning explosive bombs like Quags is unkown. But he’s doing what Donadoni couldn’t- winning, and winning consistently.

Chiellini: A+ I feel like I talk about him all the time on the blog, but 2008 should go down as the Year of the Giorgio. How important was he?

Game 1 of the Euros: Chiellini doesn’t play, Italy concedes 3.

Games 2, 3 and 4: Chiellini plays, Italy concedes one, and only due to a poor decision by Zambrotta.

And he’s only 24. It’s all too common to hear people complain that Italy isn’t turning out world class Nestas and Maldinis anymore. But Chiellini and Santacroce could be the two to prove those people wrong. Watch him.

Toni: C Earlier in this year, he was unstoppable, and it’s easy to forget that. From June onwards, he was as useful on the field as a baby hippo, only with less pace. He’s on the wrong side of 30 and it really seems like Lippi should drop him. But how? He’s still great in the Bundesliga, and we really don’t have any other target men to replace him. Until Balotelli or Acquafresca explodes (or Gila fulfills his destiny), I don’t think Lippi will drop him.

But just because it’s from the Jefferson’s don’t mean it ain’t true Lippi won’t drop him, doesn’t mean that he gets off the hook. I realize he’s never been a pacey player, but he has to start scoring again. If he could recapture his form from earlier in the year, I’d be thrilled. He could potentially earn a higher grade for next year, but for this year he was average- his first six months were great and the last 6 sucked. Like the rest of the team, he just needs some consistency.

Amauri: F After all that hoopla, he finally comes out and says:

“I know that Italy are considering me, but I am Brazilian. It’s an honor to know that both teams want me, but if the Seleçao’s call up came I would realise a dream. Since I heard Dunga’s words about me, I’m the happiest person in the world.”

And you know what? I agree and I’ve been saying the same thing the whole time. The man is Brazilian. He’s not Italian, and no piece of paper can make him Italian. But he gets an F for dragging out this whole affair. This was quickly becoming the Christiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid or Man U? of national teams. I wish him the best on Brazil- just not against us in January.

Me: ? While watching the Euros over the summer, I first found theoffside.com and I quickly fell in love with it. When I found out that they had openings to post, I was thrilled. I applied for the job here, and I was ecstatic when I got it. I still feel the same way now as when I did when I first started blogging- I love it. How have I done so far? What would you grade me?

Let’s end this on an uber cheesy cheer!

2008 wasn’t so great.

2009 could be fine.

And in 2010, let’s do it [win the world cup] again!

No more cheers like that from me- I promise.