Oh @#$%, Canna Out

dio. so i guess it’s official now huh? so who would be the starting central defenders now?

yap his out
i hope nic legrottaglie get a call

The Don should be crawling on his knees to Nesta’s door as we speak.

http://www.petitiononline.com/nesta/petition.html

lol

legrottaglie or gamberini shoulda gone instead of the matrix.

nesta would be amazing, even if he quit, we need him badly. but if he’s not coming, i nominate one of the above two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNEJjq2TkCA
Don’t cruxify Giorgio yet….doesn’t look like an especially fierce tackle.

Legrottaglie won’t be in the running, it’ll be Bonera or Gamberini, rumor is Gamberini is already on the way.

And I’d already posted the video, thank you very much, alessio.

Nice to see Gamberini make the squad in place of Canna (obviously, we’d all prefer Canna). He’s had an EXCELLENT year and deserves a spot on the squad…I would’ve preferred the injury to have happened to Matrix, but what can you do…

Chris, there is a clearer video on the Gazzetta site now (though one still can’t see the actual contact).

It’s got to be killing you to have a “cuoreinter.com” plug up anyway.

Fuck this is the worst possible news! i was really hoping that the injury wasn’t as serious as they thought and by say Friday he would be all better. Well…theres always Euro 2010….

Think of it this way, we get to see how we will do when Canna retires…fuuuuuuuck!

i would like to thank however did this.
italians are now injuring italians
have fun with a crappy defense now u divers

to correct myself – Euro 2012 not 2010 sorry i am soo shocked by this…

“i would like to thank however did this.”

Glad to know your ignorance extends beyond your bigotry.

Is it official? I’m trying to find a 100% source, I hope it’s day to day.
It’s people like Benjamin that make me hate football fans at times.

Sadly, it is.

http://www.figc.it/it/204/18887/2008/06/News.shtml

Jesus! NOOOOO! Is there any chance in hell that Nesta changes his mind?

Oh bother… ((((((((((((((((

Yeah, Berlusconi has a link to the video here.
http://www.sportmediaset.it/euro2008/video/video1440.shtml

DAMN. IT.

That is all.

Hey Benjamin,

I couldn’t care less about the diver comment because it’s as used and gay as you are but when you take pleasure in someone getting injured well your just a pathetic scumbag. What’s it like being dispicable pig?

@ Benjamin
remember the semi against Portugal in WC06 when henry dive for the penalty?

To all the Matrix sucks/Chiellini is shit people:
Panucci could play CB, he has for Roma this season, and he’s done OK. But I feel that Materazzi is gonna be the top choice despite his shitty-ness this year.

There are 2 possible reasons why Nesta hasn’t already offered to come out of retirement or already thought of coming out..

1) He’s selfish..
2) He has faith in the other Italian defenders..

He should know that he’s the 2nd most experienced and probably the 2nd best defender in Italy.. and that when the KING gets injured, he needs to step in..

I don’t get it.. WHY wouldn’t he??

I know there’s little hope, but we lose nothing.. Please sign the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/nesta/petition.html ..

He *is* selfish and *we* should have faith in the other defenders. People are carrying on like Italy lacks a defense… this is ridiculous.

The Barzagli-Chiellini defense didn’t look so hot against Belgium. Gamberini should be getting the start with the season that he’s had (with Cannavaro absent) but we all know that the Azzurri can’t get enough of Marco Materazzi. This really blows.

This is, on paper, the weakest Italian defense I’ve seen in a long time. We’re expecting an awful lot of players to have the tournaments of their lives! And none of our in-form defensive midfielders are actually pure defensive midfielders! I guess Pirlo will have to tone down the creativity in order to prevent a lot of turnovers. And God, we play Holland first! All those guys CAN do is attack…

I was so looking forward to this Euro. I’ll be honest, I’m not so sure that Italy will triumph anymore. All we can do is hope that the players respond to the extra pressure by winning. And even if we do end up winning, Cannavaro should be the one lifting the trophy. He would have been only the 3rd captain in history to lift consecutive World and European cups. I feel so bad for Chiellini — his challenge was reckless, but he will literally be crucified if Italy get knocked out of the group stages.

P.S. Everybody knows that Nesta only quit when Materazzi mowed his way to a starting position. That was probably the penultimate insult in an Azzurri career plagued by injury.

My stomach turned over when I heard this news earlier today. Not because we don’t have other capable defenders, but because any last-minute changes like this are bound to have an odd effect on how the team works together… These guys are all professionals, though, and hopefully they’ll have enough time this week to gel properly as a team before Monday’s game.

I hope for a speedy recovery for Canna, too… Do you think he’ll stay on at the tourney to cheer on the team?

I doubt Cannavaro will stay there. Didn’t he say he was going home (or was that metaphorical)? In any case, it would be great if he were there to watch from the sidelines. It might give the players some extra motivation ’cause he’s a great locker-room presence. And maybe he’ll be around for the trophy presentation after all

Yes, he’s going home and most likely to have surgery. Will know within a couple days.

But like Bobo said – if they hoist the trophy, he’ll be back.

Yeah, that’s what I meant – after surgery (if that is really necessary) that he’d come back. I just think it’d be great for the morale of the team.

Not to be a dick, but do any of you guys seriously entertain the conviction that we’re going to win this tournament? Do you really believe there’s something like predictions which can take into account the unpredictable?

(This time to be a dick): Frankly, I was fully expecting something like this to happen at some stage. I even predicted it on another forum six days ago. It’s a big blow, but if it had to come, it’s good that at least it’s come now, when we have the time to bandage ourselves and walk into the games with a decent approach.

I’ll post four predictions on the euros in the next few days. I know no-one gives a shit, but I’m ready to bet you three of them will come true. Who’s up for the bet? (well, once you’ve seen them of course).

Hey John Silver, I have a bet for you: England will not advance out of the group stages! Oh….wait a minute. They didn’t make the Europei! THAT’s being a dick.

I have faith in Gamberini and Barzagli (for Barzagli, only because he’s not wearing rosanero…he ALWAYS plays well for the Azzurri…). We have no reason to fear anyone. France isn’t even in top form right now. A crisis always sees Italy rise to the occasion. I have no doubt they can do it again.

I’m not trying to be a pessimist but this is our captain and our best defender, he’s a freaking great wall of china, nobody presently reads the game better than he does. Our defenders are good but Canna’s the best. I’m very sad for this loss, and can only hope the rest will step up their game. I won’t say the lads can’t do it without Canna because that would be underestimating them when we haven’t seen anything yet, what I can only do now is hope.

Feel very sorry for Canna though, there’s a picture where it looked like he was crying. damn.

who’s captain ? Buffon ?

Jesus f#@%ing Christ! I still don’t believe in this. The worst disaster that could happen except maybe for losing our No.1. I have no words to say.
But still there’s some hope the guys manage to overcome this shit and play like they did two years ago. Remember – we’ve lost Nesta during the USA game, stupid moron got a red with Australia – but Azzurri still’ve won.
I have faith in Andrea and Sandro (and Chiellini also – but fuck him for what he did).
We’ll win, I believe in this.
Let this crysis stick us, stick the team together.
Forza Azzurri.

The latest says that while Cannavaro will need to be operated, he still would like to remain with the group to offer support during the tournament. Don’t leave us Capitano! :’(

i’m a die hard italian fan but seriously, the defence is looking very shaky now – i dont know how many of you saw the game against belgium but zambro and canna were the only good defenders…barzagli was too shaky…and gamberini hasnt played in the squad at all…this is too late…we really need nesta to reconsider his retirement for the sake of the team!

i don’t think chiellini should be blamed. it was an unfortunate thing.

eugene – did nesta get red carded vs US ? wasn’t that de rossi ? can’t really remember

guys the defense is a okay we still have matrix, buffon, and gattuso. remember when nesta got injured in WC 06 did it effect the azzurri, NO. one man doesn’t make a team.

Sally, I meant Nesta got injured with the USA, and the Matrix’s got a red with the Aussies. So for a quaterfinal we had minus 2 but still survived the battle))

I was just thinking about other teams’ defense and frankly speaking ours is not that bad without Canna compairing it to them so I am still an optimist.

This is Italy and Italians know how to defend.
Now we are going to have a little taste of WC 2010 in the CB positions

Chiellini, who was unwittingly responsible for Cannavaro’s injury, was reportedly devastated by events and broke down in tears last night.

“I comforted Chiellini,” Canna said. “He was in pieces, but it was important not to lose two players instead of one.

“I am a footballer and I know that these things happen and they must be taken as challenges.

“The thing that relaxes me is knowing that my colleagues are great professionals who are attached to the shirt.”

“I still have such a strong desire to play and I haven’t thought about quitting. I’m hoping to return in two months.”

Grazie Juventino.

Gamberini vs Canna.

Mamma Mia.

Chiellini, Cannavaro, Zambrotta all formed at Juve. Daniele, you’re welcome.

What are you guys bringing to the defensive table? Panucci? I’ll take the Matrix over him, and he’s a walking time bomb.

alessio, spare us the childish yacking. What are you guys bringing to the midfield table? Camoranesi? Be thankful there’s De Rossi, Aquilani and Perrotta.

Oh yeah, and I was forgetting the zeitgeist, taking credit for a player’s “formation”. As if Cannavaro and Zambrotta were Juve’s contribution to Italy in 2008. In that case we Romanisti would like to take credit for whatever good things Cassano does this year, I mean, he was formed at Roma goddamit!

John Silver. Always has my back.

Ale. What the fuck is Cheillini thinking going in like that?

Why tthe fuck do Italians get hurt in training matches. Injuries seeing their captain go home.

I understand it happens, and your god damn right I would rather see Panucci over there as opposed to Juventini.

Midfield will make Italia European Champions.

alessio, get off your Juve high horse. Canna spent two tainted years in stripes and Juve “formed” him? How about Parma? Forget them? Or Zambro, who was so unpolished Juve paid 16m for him. And I suppose Fiorentina and Livorno had nothing to do with Chiellini’s ascension, now to one good year in Serie A. Yes, now is a good time to coronate him. One day after he took out the Azzurri’s best defender.

I’ll give you Zambro, but it’s a wash when we consider you guys “gave us” Del Piero. Thanks for nothin’.

HEY!!!!

Instead of all the Italians fighting it out in this blog because of your loyalties to various clubs why don’t you just put the club rivalries on hold for one month damnit!!!! Its the EURO Championship!! All of Italy and the fans of the Azzurri should be united for at least one month. The leader of the Azzurri has fallen and people are arguing who gets credit for which player!!! Who gives a shit??? Theyre all world class players and they all deserve our united support especially now. Lets have a constructive discussion about how they should play tactically and who should play now that Canna is out.

I’m thinking Gattuso is now a necessity in midfield. Despite Matrix’s bad form this season what they need is experience so I think he should play. I know he’s a liability (a penalty or red-card for sure) but he also has a way of doing good in big games. He’s also a potential asset when it comes to corners. Rino will at least make it feel like theyre are 5 defenders out there (to compensate for Canna we need like 8 but this will do). Also, Di Natale and Camo and always come back and make the midfield stronger. So I think we can still pull through if they play like a team and focus on the strengths.

I think the formation should be,

Buffon
Zambrotta Barzagli Matrix Grosso/Panucci
De Rossi Pirlo Gattuso
Camo Toni Di Natale

Cassano and DP can come on for Camo and Di Natale…Borrielo for Toni..

mido is definitely right. it’s ridiculous to sit here and claim that Chiellini’s challenge was reckless. Stuff like this happens, it’s a part of football. Unfortunately, our best defender and captain got hurt. Yet, there’s no point in arguing about this stuff after the fact. This month we are all AZZURRI supporters…clubs are non-existent. This is about ITALIAN football and nothing else. Let’s all remember that when it comes to Italian football, defense is not just a strongpoint, it’s THE foremost example of defending for the rest of the world. There’s no country that does it better than us and even our supposedly “shakiest” defenders are still better than 80% of the defenders that make up the other squad’s lineups. Gamberini had a he!! of a year. Barzagli plays sick for the national team, Matrix can step it up in the tourney and Chiellini has been solid all year. Remember, we play best when our backs are against the wall.

Don’t blame Chiellini.. It’s an unfortunate thing.. It didn’t even look like a nasty tackle.. Stupid tackle maybe, but these things happen.. Let’s move on. The problem is all these defenders do well when they have somebody solid and experienced next to them. They’ve all been tried with Cannavaro and succeeded. Now for them to step it up and play well together without him.

Re: Michel-Olivier’s comment @ Benjamin

Not only the France dive vs. Portugal. How about Henry’s vs. Spain for the 2nd goal, Malouda’s vs. Italy for the penalty. Portugal were all over the place. van Bommel head butted Figo (or vice versa.. I forget).. Frei spitting at an opponent.. It’s not just Italy who do dirty things. It’s just everybody loves to hate Italy and anything coming out of them is magnified. We had a whole saga about Totti spitting and Grosso diving that have been going on for 4 and 2 years respectively. Nobody mentions Frei or Malouda.

If it was Chiellini injuring Materazzi everyone will be praising him right now..

mido.. I actually disagree with you on Gatusso being a necessity. If anything De Rossi is a necessity right now because of his defensive abilities. Roma has Juan, Mexes, Ferrari and Panucci and De Rossi was our best line of defense. Plus he’s young and energetic. Gatusso would be a lot more useful coming off the bench to provide further grit when everyone else is tired.

Then again I’ve watched De Rossi play over 30 games this season but only saw Gatusso in 10 or so. While Gatusso has never been sent off and has filled me with confidence playing for Italy, he always picks up ridiculous yellow really early in the game and barely makes it through. If a card happy ref like Ivanov shows up he would be sent off really fast.

Aside from Cannavaro, the biggest loser from this ordeal is Grosso. If Don wants more defensive cover Chiellini, Zambrotta and Panucci are the best options on the wings. Chiellini and Panucci are good on the wing and in the center of defense for extra cover while Zambrotta is well rounded.. great in attack, good in defense.

I think Bashar makes excellent points!

De Rossi is a necessity no matter what!! And I actually agree Gattuso would be perfect off the bench. He can bring a lot of energy and defensive cover late in the game. The yellow card point is true. Rino has a habit of getting yellow cards early because of his intensity early on and when he does plays a lot less aggressive. If he comes off the bench he could be more of an asset.

I also agree with the Grosso point. I think Chiellini will have an important role to play no to back up Zamb Matrix Barz and Panucci.

Cassano and DP could be very usefull of the bench too. And I think its important to give Acquilani enough playing time too..he could be great with De Rossi and Pirlo in the Middle.

as long as we dont see the all Milan midfield

http://images.gazzetta.it/Hermes%20Foto/2008/06/03/0K1WEYFG–346×212.jpg

Chi’ makin friends.

De Rossi excluded?

Donadoni needs to open up his eyes when he coaches.

I love how Cazzano was the one who went over to speak to Canna after Mr. X and Simo went over.

I wonder what he said to Canna.

And as an Italiano, and avid lover of all things calcio, Barzagli scares the shit out of me.

I never rated him, and after seeing him against the big boys of Serie A I was confirmed in my thinking.

He can’t get up for the big ones, and isn’t talented enough IMO.

Barzagli plays well for the Azzurri…Daniele if you were just watching Palermo, Id agree with you though

Yeah I guess because he has a great supporting cast?

But without Canna next to him, he still scares me.

Come on you lot, you all make valid points. I have to say 1st and foremost the club thing has to stop. This is Italia we’re talking about, Campioni Del Mondo!!
Anyway, after the embarrassing showing of Italian club sides in Europe this year the Euros are a welcome distraction. Milan V Arsenal. Roma v Man Utd. Fiorentina v Rangers. And i won’t mention Inter as they’re NOT an Italian team.
But we’ve lost IL MURO, IL CAPITANO and if he can put a brave face on things (not that he has much choice) then maybe we should all rally round the other players and give them our faith and support. Remember Euro 2000 when Buffon broke his hand before that tournament, Toldo came in and got us to the final with about 15 penalty saves against Holland in the semi. Obviously we were robbed in the final, but remember again, how Barzagli was thrown in at the deep end in 06 and looked accomplished at the back.
The major thing i have noticed this year more than ever, is how poorly the italians have played a club level. when they wear the Azzurro and those 4 stars on their chest, something happens, a flame is lit and the desire to succeed is there for all to see. I think there’s a new hero waiting to emerge.
Don’t get me wrong, Canna’s injury is a massive loss, bigger than probably Torres for Spain or Ronaldo for Portugal would be, but we know now that the other 23 have to stand up and be counted.
I just hope that Cassano emerges as the hero along with 22 others on June 29.
Canna, you’ll always be a hero and a legend, and i look forward to seeing you in 2010!!!!
Forza Italia!!!!

John Silver, Aquilani and De Rossi, as we have seen, are hardly starters.

And Perrotta…I cannot begin to describe how unbelievably mediocre he is. Camoranesi is the only true winger Italy has.

Chris, I didn’t bring it up. Your boy Daniele did.

I almost wished no Juventini played at the Euros. I remember a few years ago, a few Juventini played their hearts out (Buffon, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Del Piero, Cannavaro) and the entire country said thank you very much, now go fuck yourself.

That said, I think optimally we should either partner Barzagli with Materazzi or Barzagli with Chiellini in the center. None of them are ideal candidates, but Barzagli plays decently for the Azzurri and sometimes so does Marco. I’m betting it comes down to how the Don sees the last two in training.

Gamberini is good, but I’d take Chiellini over him in center.

“I almost wished no Juventini played at the Euros. I remember a few years ago, a few Juventini played their hearts out (Buffon, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Del Piero, Cannavaro) and the entire country said thank you very much, now go fuck yourself.”

Well cheating,stealing trophies, after teams work their asses off the right way and basically defacing the name of image of Italian Calcio to the ENTIRE WORLD, probably didn’t help.

And winning a World Cup/Euro won’t ever change that.

Love them or hate them, De Rossi and Pirlo have to be starters.. Their contributions to the team will be massive, so there shouldn’t be any arguing about that..

It’s the third place in the midfield thats up for grabs between Gattuso, Aquilani, Perotta, and possibly Ambrosini, each of which can contriubte in different ways..

If the team needs more support up in front, then Aquilani or Perotta would do the job.. If the game is being won or lost in the midfield, then Gattuso is the man for the job.. Ambrosini can be vital in set pieces..

In defence, I’d go with Grosso – Barzagli – Materazzi – Zambrotta..

I don’t hear Inter fans talking..

Surprise surprise..

Moka, I disagree. De Rossi and Pirlo are top-shelf midfielders, but as someone (I don’t remember who, so feel free to take credit) mentioned, they don’t play well together. Kinda like Gerrard+Lampard if you will.

Of the two, De Rossi I’d say is in better form, but Pirlo is more indispensible to the Nazionale.

Funny how Viola, Milan, and Lazio fans never get shit for Calciopoli isn’t it?

I can’t believe you lot are embroilig yourselves with talk of club football and who did what when and why. The bottom line is that in 82 Italy were ridiculed because of the betting scandal, Rossi emerged as the hero. In 1990 we had Toto Schillaci and Baggio. In 1994 we had Baggio / Baresi / Maldini. In Euro 96 we had Zola and in 1998 it should have been Baggio / Del Piero / Vieri / Zola. In Euro 2000 it was Del Piero / Totti and the same again in 2002 and 2004. Then comes the debacle of the Calciopoli scandal so we go and win the thing in 2006. I don’t really care which football player plays well for whatever club, as long as when they pull on the Azzurro of Italia that’s all that matters. You’re starting to sound like English football fans who can’t understand why second rate english footballers can’t play as well as they do for England as they do for their club. With Italia (by and large) it’s the other way around. They pull the shirt on and it means everything. For me there was only 1 disappointment at 2006 WC and that was only conceding 1 goal from open play and even that was an o.g. from a second rate player, who if memory serves me correctly has not played for Italy since. Whoever comes in will be no Muro Di Berlino but believe me they will give their all for the cause and just remember ITALIANS ALWAYS DO IT BETTER

Loving the unity all of us calcio fans are showing here. Quite admirable. (sarcasm)

Honestly, what on earth are you people going to do? Only cheer on the players from your own club? Last time I checked, the Azzurri were a unit…A TEAM. I’m not going to sit back and hope Pirlo scores beautiful free kick one second (which he will, because he is just that bad ass), and tackles the hell out of Materazzi the next, even if I’m a Rossonera for life and detest Matrix. We all want the whole team to do well.

Blaming one team for calciopoli, or for cheating, diving…whatever. It has no place here and it’s only tarnishing the name of Italian football further.

*Steps down from her pedestal*

Righto, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way…whoever we end up pairing together in CB, I sure as hell know that I’m happy we have one Gigi Buffon in back, yessir-ee. As long as we don’t score another own goal like WC ‘06, I have faith in our defensive unit.

PS – Alessio, remember, as much as you may like Camoranesi, HE CAN’T SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM and this upsets me greatly.
AS for being a true winger, the last Italian winger was our dear old manager Mr Donadoni and before him you have to go back to Bruno Conti.
I’m afraid Camo is anything but a winger, more of a Di Livio i’d say. A worker, but not much else and this also saddens me as i believe there must be far more potential than Camo.

I’m sure the anther goes something like…..
Fratelli d’Italia. This all sounds really brotherly. All we need now are some Lupare and it could almost be like a scene from the godfather.

Hana, you should get up on that soapbox more often. Amen, sistah.

I can’t believe Camoranesi doesn’t know the NATIONAL ANTHEM. Fuck I live in Canada I sing it all the time. I don’t care for him, I know he a good season but whatever.

I don’t buy that De Rossi and Pirlo can’t play together.. What is the basis of this argument? They played together in 5 qualifiers.. 1-1 with Lithuania, 2-0 win over Ukraine, 3-1 win over Georgia, 2-0 win over Lithuania and the 0-0 draw with France. 2 goals conceded in 5 games.

For the friendlies they played together in the Portugal game and Spain game. De Rossi was taken off when Italy were up 2-0 against Portugal. That’s another 1 goal conceded.. 3 goals conceded in 7 games.

Ooh.. more reasons why I think they can work together.. De Rossi plays with Pizarro who is a poor man’s Pirlo. They both have a similar role for their respective clubs and have the same style. Pirlo on the other hand plays with Gatusso who has the same characteristics as De Rossi.

Who the falk cares if Cam doesnt sing the anthem,hes a great player and glad he will be a starter.

Re: Camoranesi and the anthem — maybe not singing it is his way of proclaiming to the world that he’s still an Argentine. I’m pretty sure he knows the words, because I saw him singing part of it during the celebration in Rome. I don’t like it, and any Italian worth his red blood does not like it, but Italia does not produce great wingers (as somebody mentioned, Donadoni was the last great Italian winger) although Alessandro Rosina of Torino gives me a lot of hope that the situation will be rectified as soon as he leaves that blackhole of a club. We need Camoranesi, if it means making a deal with the devil to have him.

Besides, it’s not as if many Italians living across the world actually know the anthem anyways despite being 100% Italian. I remember seeing a ton of World Cup celebration videos and few, if any at all, showed anybody singing or even playing the Italian national anthem while supporting the Italian national team. And when it WAS played, people just stood around awkwardly and breathed a sigh of relief when the “ordeal” was over. I know some of you must have attended World Cup celebrations… did anybody bother to sing our beautiful Inno di Mameli?

So let’s not all jump up on Camoranesi just yet. He’s a valuable addition to the team, and I for one am glad to have him.

why did it have to be canna and not matrix …
(okay sorry bad joke. though i secretly enjoy it)
anyhoots! read that in todays training don tried
zambro matrix barzagli grosso
lost 3-1 to camo dp quagriella did they? anyone can confirm this

Does this mean that Italy no longer have the oldest average age in the Euro?