Monday Azzurri News Bits

Julian,

i can almost agree with you about Di Natale being a ADP-lite, but …

that is what ADP was. DelP+histoy > DiNat+history … i will give you that. but DelP;now < DiNat;now.

ADP was great, and even still is great, but do you think he has the pace, stamina and hustle to go up against teams with the likes of Ribery, Abidal, Evra and Gallas? as far as the now and future goes, i think DiNat is a better striker to have on the field

By John | September 9th, 2008 at 9:01 am

“Oh, and he did the one thing Roberto Baggio couldn’t do. Score from 12 yards in the biggest game on the planet.”
Say what???????????????????????????

I think the thing to remember is that players like Di Natale and Nocerino are the Azzurri for 2010. They need experience playing at the national level and the safest place to get that experience is at these early stage qualifying games. It is always nice to win the group, but I think the top 4 go through. Given that, wouldnt make more sense to play the younger players now when a win is not essential rather than throw them in at the last minute (so to speak)?

Posted from  United States

Anyone know how our U-21s did today?

Posted from  United States

they tied croatia 1-1 (motta) but still advanced to the euro.

Posted from  Canada

I’m not too sure about Di Natale. I say this not as a Juventino, but as a genuine observer when I say Del Piero is a greater asset to the squad than ADN. Granted, they are both great to have in the squad but as we knew there can only be one, and for me it is Del Piero. As Alessio pointed out, ADN was nowhere to be seen for 70 minutes vs Holland, Del Piero came on and created more in 20 minutes than ADN did the whole match. What I’d like to see is

ADP

ADN Gilla

Its no secret that Di Natale or Del Piero hate playing on the left, the trequartista is the best place for Del Piero in my view, that way he can create and capitalize. Yet in his 13 years playing for italy he has constantly been put on the left flank. I hope Lippi uses him as either an Attacking mid or even a centre forward. Lets face it, Gilla and Toni probably isn’t gunna work is it? They just don’t suit each other. With ADP and ADN, Gilla has someone like Mutu (early days but I think it could be a great partnership), not an out and out centre forward, but someone who is as creative as he is prolific.

_________________________________________________________________________
“i do not know who even introduced the idea, but anyone who supports the Italian national team, no matter who they are or where they come from, is embraced by me. i think it is fantastic that others love the Italian style.
it should not matter your background … and yes, i am 100% Italian (Napolitano & Siciliano)”

Thats the right attitude

Posted from  United Kingdom

By Nina | September 9th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

By John | September 9th, 2008 at 9:01 am
“Oh, and he did the one thing Roberto Baggio couldn’t do. Score from 12 yards in the biggest game on the planet.”
Say what???????????????????????????
________

What I was getting at was the fact alot of people bang on about ADP playing for the national side, and compare him to Baggio. Baggio won nothing with Italy, and missed a penalty in the world cup final. Del Piero won the world cup with Italy and scored a penalty in the world cup final. Take it whichever way you want.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Yes, but will ADP still be around in 2010? Seriously… Not what anyone hopes or wished, but do you think he will be able to compete in the world forum in 2010?

Posted from  United States

Playing Di Natale and ADP side by side isn’t such good idea since their radii of action tend to overlap a lot, particulary on the left flank – see Italy-Austria.

John,

i said the same thing about DelP regarding his positioning in the Azzurri squad, but can you tell me, even though i have seen them play often, where is DelP fielded when he is in the Juve line-up?

Yeah, that Roberto Baggio was like a turd on legs…

John, true the likes of Maldini,Baresi,and Baggio have not won a world cup with Italy, and true Baggio missed a penalty in the final against Brazil(two other players missed too if you recall, Baresi being one of them), yet they will go down as 3 of the best Italy has ever produced. Can you honestly say that about Del Piero? In the end, no one will remember Del Piero’s WC medal as much as Baggio heroics when dragged us to final and despite being injured had the courage to step up and take that penalty. Del Piero is a great player, but Baggio is in an another universe, and it is totally unfair to use his penalty miss to make Del piero something he isn’t.Yes,he did convert his penalty,but so did everyone else! I’m sure we have all seen 31 year Baggio come in as a sub for 24 year Del Piero and making him look below average.Let’s not get carried away!

also, John,

you have to take into account that when DelP came into the game for 20 min., the other side had already been worn down by DiNat & co. and he had fresh legs. i do think DelP offers a lot to the Azzurri, but i question whether he has the pace to keep up with the rest of Europe now in his twilight years.

at some point we have to recognise that our heroes cannot compete and we need to find new ones.

i think the whole argument of playing the ‘future generation’ or younger players has a lot of merit

furthermore, i do not know how Lippi can play players like Gilardino and say that Balotelli needs to be proven. i am sorry, but because of one season a couple of years ago Gilardino is ‘proven’? he looked like crap against Cyprus and got a goal against Austria because he was a bumper, not a shooter.

if you watch Balotelli on the pitch, there is no doubt he is faster, more talented, and has more pace than Gilardino. this just honest appraisal coming from someone who is far from being an Inter fan.

i say Di Natale, Cassano & Balotelli with Del Piero coming off the bench to light it up in the second half.

and i am sorry, but Camoranesi, while great in some formations, was horrid in Cyprus.

I cant justify getting Balotelli into this squad right now, it is to early, but 2009 sure. Let him be a regular at Inter first, but his time will come and his talent will allow that for sure. As for ADP, as I mentioned a few comments up, the system has never fit him, and sadly much like many Milanista before his ship has sailed. He can come off the bench, I welcome it, but a starter is to much to ask. Toto and Gila would be a good mix IMO, but they need someone to work between them and distribute but still score, Cassano anyone?

Posted from  United States

You guys are not understanding ADP. He doesn’t rely on his pace or physical strength, which, like Pippo Inzaghi, is why he will be able to continue on. I think he’s a great sub for the Azzurri and we should keep him around for sure. He’s never been played in his preferred formation (except briefly in WC06) with the Azzurri, maybe Lippi will. There’s no coach in the world who knows ADP better…he’s coached ADP every year for the last 15 years except 1993, and 1999-2001.

Posted from  United States

ADP, btw, plays slightly behind the strikers. Not up top by himself (not in a 4-5-1, Donadoni) and not on the left. (Again, not as a wide midfielder, Donadoni) Trequartista, slightly advanced.

Camoranesi was great agaisnt Cyprus, I’m going to disagree with you there Gio. He is one of the few members in the Azzurri who can beat a man and his passes and crosses are very important, especially when we have 2 prima punta’s up top. (Gilardino+Toni_

Posted from  United States

gianfranco,

i actually agree with you (and Lippi) about Balotelli. i do think he is physically ready and i would have no reservation about the performance he is capable of, though i think that mentally he needs to advance/develop more slowly. trying to push things can disturb the confidence a player has and throw things off dramatically and result in long term problems.

i was simply saying that there is an inconsistency, IMO, in regards to Lippi’s position on Balotelli vs. players like Gilardino.

or even, i do not know why he has this unreserved faith in Toni. the guy has performed well, but in a different environment with a different team behind him. he hasn’t had any consistency on the international level nor with finding his stride in the Azzurri formation. i love Toni, but he needs to be reconsidered

Alessio, you raise another very important issue. Should Lippi rely on target men, and then subsequently on players like Camo, or does he scrap that and play with true strikers who can hold and work the ball in around the PK box. I think we lack a real indentity. I thought the Don’s foray into a 4-3-3 was interesting but he lacked the personnel to make it work but maybe we can move away from the single target man and move more towards a 2 pronged attack when a guy like ADP can be used centrally even if it is a sub, but who starts in that spot or who spells ADP in that spot if he runs himself ragged, which I am sure he will…

Posted from  United States

the bottom line really for me at least is that we seem to be disorganized and lack any real sense of tactics anymore to get the job done. In 06 the roles seemed to be clearly defined and everyone worked to their full potential, it now seems like we are playing a “get out there and see what happens” type system, which is plain stupid for a country who has always both technically and tactically sound.

Posted from  United States

By Johonna | September 9th, 2008 at 3:15 pm

Yes, but will ADP still be around in 2010? Seriously… Not what anyone hopes or wished, but do you think he will be able to compete in the world forum in 2010?

Not as a starter no. Super sub role of course. As Alessio has said, ADP has never really relied on pace or physical strength. I’ve never been a fan of this ‘too old’ nonsence. I’d gladly welcome back Maldini to the national squad for Wednesday actually. Some may say Inzaghi is too old, but how we could have used someone like him this past summer eh? Someone who knows what to do when things are going against them (in this case the lack of goals at Euro 2008) ADP was used to great effect as a supersub in Germany at the age of 31, he is hardly going to have lost much pace by the age of 35 is he? I think its no secret that Del Piero’s pace was lost ten years ago next month in Udinie. This, of course, depends on Alex’ form in the run up to SA2010, if he is rubbish, inconsitant and no-use then no. If he is getting into double-figures in the goals tally chart and performing at a consistant level then age is no barrier.

Nina, I love Baggio really

Posted from  United Kingdom

By Johonna | September 9th, 2008 at 3:15 pm

Yes, but will ADP still be around in 2010? Seriously… Not what anyone hopes or wished, but do you think he will be able to compete in the world forum in 2010?

Not as a starter no. Super sub role of course. As Alessio has said, ADP has never really relied on pace or physical strength. I’ve never been a fan of this ‘too old’ nonsence. I’d gladly welcome back Maldini to the national squad for Wednesday actually. Some may say Inzaghi is too old, but how we could have used someone like him this past summer eh? Someone who knows what to do when things are going against them (in this case the lack of goals at Euro 2008) ADP was used to great effect as a supersub in Germany at the age of 31, he is hardly going to have lost much pace by the age of 35 is he? I think its no secret that Del Piero’s pace was lost ten years ago next month in Udinie. This, of course, depends on Alex’ form in the run up to SA2010, if he is rubbish, inconsitant and no-use then no. If he is getting into double-figures in the goals tally chart and performing at a consistant level then age is no barrier.

I’m all in favour of promoting the youth too, and would love to see Mario and Seba etc at South africa 2010, but thats not to say you cant have ADP there too (form permiting).

Johonna, Gio & Gianfranco….

…If ADP hits 18 goals this year and 13 the year after, plus plays an important role in WCQ, would you really hold his age against him if you were the Italy boss?

Nina, I love Baggio really

Posted from  United Kingdom

MOre ADP hate, so it goes.

Baggio was dumped in his prime by Juve for ADP. ‘Nuff said.

Gianfranco: the bottom line really for me at least is that we seem to be disorganized and lack any real sense of tactics anymore to get the job done. In 06 the roles seemed to be clearly defined and everyone worked to their full potential, it now seems like we are playing a “get out there and see what happens” type system, which is plain stupid for a country who has always both technically and tactically sound.

Sounds creepily accurate.

Posted from  United States

Last year if Juve had not extended Del Pier´s contract, iam sure he would have ended up in probably in Empoli or Messina, no BIG guns would have paid what he would have demanded

Haha, are you serious? Did you pay attention? He finished capocannoniere and had 9 assists.

Posted from  United States

How Del Piero can be compared to R.Baggio may be beyond some people, thats alright, fair enough. But how some people can say that last seasons Capocannonieri is ‘finished’ is beyond me. Although to bitter Inter/Roma fans 21 goals and 9 assists from a Juve player will never mean anything.

Posted from  United Kingdom

It is a joke to see people comparing del piero , an international flop with Baggio,.baggio was from another planet, del piero cant even be 60% of Baggio..i mean, even a 32 year old Baggio would have been more effective than Del piero at any stage of his career..Del Piero does not even make an impact while playing big teams like France when he gets shutt out by big defenders..when italia play big guns with del piero, it is as if we r playing with 10 men, del piero is ineffective while he can score or assist against the likes of slovenia, maldova, belarus..lol…