Chiellini: Humble pie for me on this one. I thought he was a liability until I saw him in the qualifying game against the Scots. Stepping into Euro after the Cannavaro accident shows character aplenty, in my view.

Toni: Even a baby hippo could have tapped a ball in at Euro – and stayed on its feet more. I do not yet know enough about the game tactially to know if we need a big front man all the time. Whether it is the Vieri/Toni mould or another type, I hope this role on the team is sorted out soon.

Amauri: I do not recall Camoranesi elaborating as much as he is about his selction of teams. Granted, Camo has familial ties to Italy – but Amauri seems to be saying alot of the same thing. Done and done.

Lippi: Brings me a sense of security. I must admit I am worried about him not selecting “enough” of the younger players, but I think time will tell on this one. If Lippi and Pozzo become synonymous in the history books of soccer, then we can look back on this blog in sheer amazement of how much things can change in two years.

Julian: Excellent topics with clear and concise writing in a congenial tone make this blog a dream for Azzurri fans from around the globe.

we almost did win the Euro’s … we conceded far fewer than most other teams (hence the A’s for most of the defense) and lost only to the winners of the tournament … on penalties.

if we had played a better front line with Quagliarella, Iaquinta and more DelPiero than ‘lardino and Toni, not used Camoranesi as a forward, not played a 4-3-3 with the players Donandoni chose, we couldd have won.

in short … the players like ‘lardino and Toni brought us down and if we replaced the ‘B’ players with ‘A’ players, we would have won. Spain had a couple more ‘A’ players up front than we did, though our back line was actually better.

Gilardino D+
DiNatale A
Quagliarella A-
Pepe B
Camoranesi B- (no way he should be used as a forward in a 4-3-3)
Del Piero B+ but can do better

Chiellini A+
Cannavarro A-
Zambrotta A-
Grosso A

De Rossi A
Pirlo B+ but can certainly do better
Aquilani B+ can do better if played in the right place and in the right formation (4-3-3 with De Rossi in the centre does not suit Aquilani)
Perrotta B+ also not suited for a 4-3-3 because he plays much better wide

excellent blogs all year long – grade: A

looking forward to more. many thanks for all the work

For playing mind games just to get on Brazil, he gets an F from me.

nevertheless, he has dominated Serie A despite all of his critics