Knight in Shining Armor on the Way?

Hail Marcello, indeed. I just hope this news doesn’t distract our ragazzi in SwissAustria, as there’s a jackass French coach there that needs tending to at the moment.

Still though… I’d welcome Lippi with open arms. In fact, we should pool some $ together and send a box of cigars to Coverciano if he comes back.

At least Italy has won one thing in this tournament: a ticket home!!!

Bring back Lippi!!!!

the guy is a guarantee that the tactics are sound and flexible!

I think he would love to build a new team full of youngsters

Meaning of Euro is so small before WC, but in our particular case… PRIDE suffered so badly, this is important too I think.

God bless signor Lippi, really good news after all!

Glad to see the master Lippi is back! Another WC win coming soon !

Jojo do yourself a favor and go buy a rope.

too late.
Why did they have to piss the euro2008 away
b4 realizing that they need a coach with a bigger and more impressive CV to lead the azzurri???!!!
I don’t mean to give up on hope. we’re not out yet, however
the defeats we’ve suffered will forever leave a scar.
Lippi being back is gr8 but the italian federation can’t save itself by pulling lippi out of the hat. They have very bad management and Albertini
put personal interest over the team’s. it shouldn’t pass unpunished!

what a good day!

chris, have you sourced this beyond the gazzetta?

donadoni needs to do some sort of penance for putting us through all this. just firing his ass seems too little.

I hope for an Italian victory simply because I also want Domenech fired. I like the French but ray has certainly soured that for me over the past few years. Bring in some real class like Dechamps than Les Bleus will have my vote. Italy will always have my vote and with Lippi at the helm we will all finally see what this team can do. I think the World Cup victory was just a stepping stone to something greater. I think deep down most Azzurri fans wanted this run in the euros to fail just to get rid of the coach. I respect Donadoni as a player not a coach.

Donadoni just needs to teach the players to dive better like at the world cup.

i am happy whatever we win or we lose

win and i can keep my italian flag on my car

lose and donadoni is out

we need a new team put together for the next world cup for sure…a complete overhaul…get those young ones in. What do you guys think? who might, or should we see playing for Italia in 2010?

mike…we need Giovinco in 2010 who in my opinion with the right nurturing at Juventus can be greater than R. Baggio one day..

Neo, absolutely correct. This tournament, while prestigious in its own right, should have been a prep for 2010, and not a squad for a bunch of 30 something has beens. Chiellini, Aquilani, De Rossi should have had regular minutes from the beginning. Heck, I would have chosen Gamberini outright over Materazzi, and included Motolivio over Ambrosini, and even given strong consideration to Dessena and Giovinco. If Boriello won’t see 1 minute of playing time, then it may as well be Aquafresca, Rossi or Palladino getting the experience. Other nations are not afraid to play their young, talented, and up-and-coming players. The Azzurri shouldn’t be either.

i totally agree guys. I can’t wait till Giovinco et al join the team. The kid’s a genius. He’ll be 23 in 2010…Perfect. I also like Motta, Rossi, Lupoli, Montolivo and one day when he’s ready, boy wonder Russotta!

This news is the best news I’ve heard all day. Being a Juventino, I have always had a soft spot for Marcello Lippi. IMO the best coach on the planet. Watch him work wonders with a younger, quicker, more eager squad. I still believe, to this very day, he won the world cup with the weakest Italian team in the last couple decades. Compared with 90, 94, 96, 98, 2000, 2002, and 2004 his world cup champions pailed in comparison, yet he did it.

Even though he is hurt, how many people honestly believe Totti would have quit had Lippi not left? Donadoni, although a good player, never had a chance, and its a pitty we had to sit through the last two years.

Better question than would Totti have quit: Will he now come back…

Di Silvestri, Criscito, Santacroce, Nocerino, Montolivo, Rossi, Gila..

Some names for the future.. (not including the ones on the team now)

De Silvestre is an absolute stud. This is one of the brightest groups out of any country I can ever remember. Donadoni better not be around to screw it up.

Donadoni won’t have the chance to screw it up.

I feel as if all the hope is gone for the Euro’s with this group right now…lets take care of our business and restore pride by beating France on Tuesday –I have a strong feeling Romania will tie.

We should be thanking Buffon that we even have a slim chance of making it out.If it wasnt for him we would have been done like dinner last friday.

What about Rosina for the future? Not heard much about him of late? Future squad for 2010 should include: buffon, cerci, amelia, grosso, santacroce, chiellini, gamberini, pirlo, montolivo, nocerino, de rossi, aquilani, rosina, dessena, cassano, pazzini, Rossi and Aquafesca to name a few..

yay? nay?

and GIOVINCO of course

well among the MANY mistakes that we’re made are

1. 433 formation…it should never have been used!!

2. Ambrosini, Perotta, Quags, Di Natale should NOT have come!! Instead it should have been Montolivo, Giovinco, Rossi and Rosina.

Um… Mido I agree that Ambrosini was questionable, but I will not argue with Quags or Di Natale… or even Perotta.

@ mido
the funny thing is in WC 06 italy used 4-2-3-1 and the dutch used 4-3-3 formation, now in Euro 08 the dutch are now using 4-2-3-1 and italy 4-3-3.

when lippi comes back! expect the UNEXPECTEED:D!

Wonder if it’s too late to get him in before the France game!

All nice news, but seriously, Lippi isn’t here now. Not a fan of Bobby Just-For-Men (the Don) but, we gotta be behind the squad now. Donadoni is the skip and we need to rally behind him and the squad. Granted, I agree the Azzurri should be younger. But they are not. That said, these 23 guys should still be the best in Europe right now. Let’s just beat the piss out of that dirty frenchy team and worry about the WC ‘10 next year. Forza Azzurri!

fair point Muddia and i’m sure we’ll all be cheering on the azzurri against France, but when i turn on my telly on the day and see Donadoni’s done something mental like put Ambrosini in goal and force the guys to play in a 1-1-1-2-1-2-2 line up, then i’ll sigh a sad little sigh, curl up on the sofa and pray i fall asleep and wake up in 2010.

Gazzetta translated Chris’s article into English, by the way. Here it is:
http://english.gazzetta.it/More_sports/Primo_Piano/2008/06_Giugno/15/lippi.shtml

My guess however is that it’s complete speculation.

arent u guys forgetting bobby aquafresca. he might be our first striker in WC10

I’m with Marco, I think it’s pure speculation. Donadoni won’t be our coach in 2010, but I doubt Lippi will be either.

Then again Berlusconi has been PM what, 3 times now? Never say never in Italy.

The Corriere dello Sport thinks this may be line line-up on Tuesday:

Buffon in porta; Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini e Grosso in difesa; Gattuso, De Rossi, Ambrosini a centrocampo; Cassano, Toni e Di Natale in attacco.

What is this obsession with Ambrosini? Is it just a AC Milan loyalty thing or what?

Why wouldnt Pirlo start?

If that’s the lineup I’m not watching. Simple as that.

What is this, musical chairs? How about some continuity.

Ambrosini can’t even tie the shoes of Aquilani.

I forgot the link for the above quote. Here it is:
http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Notizie/Euro2008/33423/Italia%2C+allenamento+segreto%3A+esce+Pirlo

Anyone like this line-up???
A 4-3-2-1 formation….
Buffon

Zambrotta Panucci Chiellini Grosso

De Rossi Pirlo Aquilani

Cassano Perrotta

Toni

Is Pirlo injured or Don thinks we dont need a creative midfielder at all

I do Matteo, although I would push Cassano higher … that was my line up for the Romania match originally

ohhh and that line up only works if Aquilani starts, without him Perrotta shouldnt be in that position tactically

This is really good news. I like your line-up, Matteo. Aquilani should start.

Allez les Blus ! Le jour de gloir est arrivé ! Good luck from Germany !

Horst… I think you are on the wrong blog, this is Italy not France

Nevertheless thanks!

if that’s the line up, we’re surely fucked….why wouldn’t he put Pirlo in? There’s not a manager in the world that would choose ambrosini over Pirlo

What no pirlo?? ambro over him. is donadoni mad??

I would love to see more of Quagliarella, but I’m afraid that we won’t, unless we advance. He needs more than 20 minutes to make his mark on a match, and I think that Donadoni will bring on Del P. or Borriello over Quagliarella now that he has tried Quags, and Quags was (as some people said) “invisible.”

No Pirlo? you got to be kidding me,looks like its going to be crash and burn for azzurri.Its bad enough that they wont advance,at least let them finish the tourny with their heads up. don you are top of the line.

word has it that Alex and Pirlo will be dropped.

yeah… new tactics: let’s not have any primarily creative midfielders but all mainly defensive ones!
Cannot wait to see Gattuso – DDR – Ambro.

I think we should also start Matrix too

So a sicilian immigrant is less then you Dominic?

Dominic..you are a joke

Dom,

Aho, io sonno Calebrese e Napolese.

I am not Italiano?

Basta.

Don is conceeding. Which is comeplete bullshit.

If he wants to advance he needs a DDR Pirlo Aqui middle, and Cassano playing behind Toni.

Its not rocket science. A blind man could see it.

the don must just be intentionally trying to infuriate us now. i hate him so much!

These reports of him not starting Pirlo must be false, I dont beleive it… i bet he pits ddr-pirlo-gattuso i would play Aqualinai

He will put cassano-toni-Del Piero I think

If so have a felling we will win, the french have looked pathetic..Romania will tie.

How about this?

Buffon
Zambrotta Chiellini Panucci Grosso
Pirlo
Di Natale Toni Cassano Del Piero Quaglierella

Can anyone believe we couldn’t score on Holland and we grabbed one crappy goal against Romania? Considering ADN, Toni, Cassano, Borriello, and ADP’s form coming into the game, what the hell happened to our “vaunted attack?”

our forward line had the most goals in the past season combined than any other team in the competition.

where the fuck did we go wrong??

She – Toni gol dried up, and Camo worked too hard.

When the midfield doesn’t support the upfield players, fatigue sets in, bad moods, and horrible play.

See Dona inserting the Milan midfield, and making the guys scared shitless.

Per Goal.com : Probable line up. Not sure historically of that website is accurate. I am a newbie to this blog and goal.com.

Love the interaction here.

Probable XI: Buffon; Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, Pirlo, De Rossi, Aquilani; Cassano, Toni

Big Frank, Goal.com is extremely unreliable. Their XI’s are not that bad though, they are usually pretty accurate, it’s the transfer speculation they are crazy on. Although to be fair to them, usually they are citing the Gazzetta dello Sport or Tuttosport.

Alessio, thanks for the response. I would be more than fine with that line up. Tomorrow is too far away! The Don brought Cassano as a WildCard, what better time to put him to use to see what he creates.

The lack of scoring bewilders me right now

I think Italy’s biggest problem at this tournament wasn’t the coach, but that they didn’t resort to diving like they usually do. Diving is dirty. but so is Italy, and that would have probably saved their asses.

Yeah, I’m not sure what the scoring problem is. I personally feel it’s the formation, Toni/ADP/ADN/Camo are not used to that kind of formation, but of course the midfield weakness plays a role in it too.

Yomama, nice troll. The 3 biggest Italian divers are not at the tournament so quit your bitchin.

Yomama, I mean Yoloser…I love all the Azzurri haters. Its easy to squash all your rubbish by throwing out ” 4 Stars”.

Alesio, I really dont agree with the Don, but if he resorts with Gat and Ambro, he will make things worse. But on the flip side, no matter what he did, he wouldnt live up to the Lippi standard set 2 years ago.

Your formation concept is spot on…couldny agree more.

¨¨Per Goal.com : Probable line up. Not sure historically of that website is accurate. I am a newbie to this blog and goal.com.

Love the interaction here.

Probable XI: Buffon; Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, Pirlo, De Rossi, Aquilani; Cassano, Toni¨¨

Someone posted this squad, it looks the best of all combinations, a right mix of defensive mind and flair in the midfield, we need it definately but i doubt whether we will get it

Just play it in a fackin 4-4-2.

welcome Big Frank, what Serie A team do you support?

that line up would be great! 4-4-2 is somewhat traditional but I guess with the guys in the line up that can transform into 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-1-2 easily giving more options if the Don actually realizes what needs to be tweaked

it could also go to 4-2-3-1 like Roma as Aquilani played higher up at the end of the season and he was a bit out of place at the beginning but improved greatly by the end

Gabriella,

I am a Palermo supporter. The constant coaching changes the last few years drives me nuts But I am extremely happy that they have been part of Series A. beaths the alternative. I love De Rossi for AS Roma and despise Inter and their anti Italian Line up.

Sorry for the mispelling.

Gabriella,
I am a Palermo supporter. The constant coaching changes the last few years drives me nuts But I am extremely happy that they have been part of Serie A… beats the alternative. I love De Rossi for AS Roma and despise Inter and their anti Italian Line up

Hay Guys:

Italy team sucks now I was so hopeful of this team but man all those hope is going to go away this week. Even I change my damn car plate to Italian flag I guess I still have 2 days before I return and get my money back

I’d go with :

Zambrotta, Chiellini, Panucci, Grosso; Pirlo, DDR, Aquilani; Cassano, Di Natale; Toni

Big Frank,

you may appreciate this blog

http://palermo.theoffside.com/

I can see it happening but i really don’t think the dutch are gonna lose this game. Lets hope so anyway…In any event I am one of the biggest fans of the azzurri and i sincerely hope they take down the french because domenech is a big loser. Italians have class because when we lost to the dutch we got mad at the referree for that offside goal and not at the dutch. This is because the dutch gave no reason to anger. They played a solid game and have class of there own and i actually like them. My opinion will change of course if they fail to smash romania like they should but for now congrats to the netherlands. Even their fans that come on this blog do not tease or aggrevate the italians in the ways that Portugal and England etc do. Any of you contemplating these formations need to understand that it needs to be a 4-3-1-2 not a 4-3-2-1. Luca Toni is overrated and does nothing for this italian team. You cannot rely on feeding him you need to feed another striker as well. The french are going down tommorow and i hope the same for the Romanians. Whatever happens in this euro tournament and whoever you cheer for you must all bow down to Gigi Buffon…THE BEST IN THE WORLD! What a save and definitely a moment in this tournament that will live forever in Italian hearts regardless of this group of death! FORZA AZZURRI CAMPIONE DEL MONDO * * * *

Yomama, dove into a wall last night.

Idioto e frocio.

looking at poor Don´s dilemna, i was reminded of an old saying from my village near Frisinone.
¨If you would have your work ill done, pay beforehand.¨¨
Probably, that is the story of Donadoni. He did a great blunder in opting for Mad Max in the first place. Agreed that mad max had an execptional world cup but since that mid season injury, he has looked very ordinary for Inter making mistakes after mistakes. also add to it, he has lost a few paces, he is slow!!Cristian maggio, the mercurial full back must and should have been selected ahead of Mad Max. Also, i definately did not understand the point in bringing Borriello, after all he is a non-entity in International football, he has no exposure. Scoring against Livorno, Seina and parma must not be a criteria for wearing the Blue jersey. Donadoni belied all the logic when he selected two physical minded/non technical Milan based midfielders for the opener against a technical Dutch team. He was a bit sensible against Romania but still committed a big blunder by playing perrotta instead of the creative aquilani in a must win match. Definately, Aquilani is as good at defending and is more of a technical player at dribbling/ball possession/shooting long rangers than perrotta. Now , the fate of Azzurri is in the hands of Holland and also we should get a win instead of bitching about the happenings of the Holland-Romania match.
4-3-1-2 is the only solution.
Attack is the best form of defense .we cant hope to score 1 goal and close the shop or play defensively and wait France to make mistakes. france will be definately playing the game of their lives.
4-3-1-2 with Cassano behind Toni and di natale with pirlo, De Rossi and aquilani in the midfield is the ONLY solution.
If pride were an art, how many doctors we should have

Corriere says the don is dropping pirlo and perrotta for gatu and ambro, its retarded really!!!!

Big Frank come join us other palermo fans at palermo.theoffside.com welcome to the blog. Goal.com is also stating that Donadoni is preparing to put Ambrosini in over Pirlo. Lets hope this is unreliable and usual!

Pirlo out is BS.. If you wanna take out Pirlo, you need a creative midfielder to replace him and Ambro/Gattuso are NOT creative.. BRING IN AQUILANI.. but wait, you drop Pirlo, why should we expect you to do such a thing?!

I guess De Rossi will attack more now..

buffon
zambro panucci chiellini grosso
de rossi pirlo aquilani camo
cassano toni

according to goal.com

and THEN there’s the news that pirlo might be dropped

nothing surprises me anymore from DONOdoni

perrotta has zero offensive talent he should be dropped but why Prilo?? we need him out there to create some plays and two defensive minded meds coming in???. I cannot believe the Corriere reports these must be false Donadoni is dumb but cant be the that dumb..

I think Perrotta was amazing vs. Romania we need some one who can run all over the field and not get tired. Something like Gattuso 2 years ago.

Perrotta has done absolutely nothing except take up space in the line-up.We need Aquilani.

“perrotta has zero offensive talent he should be dropped but why Prilo??”

He has zero finishing skills but he’s good in attack. He does a lot of deep runs and that creates space for Toni etc. That has actually been a big problem for Italy. When Toni gets a high ball, no one runs for him. All he can do is to head the ball back and that doesn’t create anything. Perrottas passing is also way better than Gattuso’s and Ambrosini’s.
Great stamina, too.

Simo isn’t there to finish.

He is there to open play and create goals for others.

But when he has the chance to score, lord he sucks.

Allez les Bleus !
Allez les Bleus !
Allez les Bleus !

Arrivederci Italia …

See you in 2014 in Brazil …

Guys, I think Donadoni should be sacked and I would welcome Lippi back but as many here have stated, Italia needs to bring up its younger players. I also believe that it’s time to begin seeing a multi-cultural Azzurri team. The fastest athletes in the world are of African descent( look at their domination as track and field sprinters) and I’d like to see a more “colorful” and faster Italian team. Balotelli will be a great addition if he is ever able to get citizenship. I realize that Italia was never a colonial power like Holland and France, but there need to be naturalized citizens that can help achieve this end. Speed (combined with skill)is where it’s at. That said, Forza Azzurri!

I’m just afraid that Holland my throw the game. But we must keep the faith. Forza Italia!

fuck the ‘colourful’ crap. first of all, the comment is wee bit racist. second, have you looked at holland? i’m pretty sure sneijder, robben, van persie, vdv, rvn are not of african descent.

italy should be a national team of ITALIANS…not africans, asians, south americans, or martians. balotelli was born and raised in italy and is a candidate but not because of the colour of his skin. giovinco and abate are fast as hell and that has little to do with african lineage.

Netherlands 2 – Romania 1
Italy 2 – France 0

How about this?

Zambrotta-Barzagli-Chiellini-Grosso

Camoranesi-De Rossi-Pirlo-Aquilani

Cassano-Del Piero

i can see it now…let’s just set up academies in eritrea and somalia. i mean after all, they were under italian occupation for almost a decade. clearly they are italian. jeeezus.

LMAO More colorfull team? You cant be serious.

also, calafuria, if you are even remotely familiar with the ethnic origins of italians, you might have been aware that we are already inherently ‘colourful’…if it means that much to you, that is.

I want us to do good in the tournament, but at the same time I want us to crash and burn to Donadoni gets fired. Well, even if we don’t make it out of the group, we need to beat France. Especially since 4 or 5 of my idiot friends love France and constantly bicker with me about them, and I’d never be able to live down a loss.

Allright lamagica, I grant that italians are “colourful” enough. I am a son of a Livornese born in the states, and I have great pride in my ancestors. My point is that gli azzurri have looked slow, in the last few international clashes and I believe they need younger players. Also, it is not racist to point out that black people are faster runners than white people; it is simply true. Over the long run I’d like to see a more multi-racial italian team, I’d also like to see racism in all of it’s ugly manifestations die away from Seria A, and all European football leagues.

And @ Adrianna:
I agree, except take off Aqui and put in Toni, so we’ve got a 4-3-3, in most cases i think we can play that offensively.

calafuria, i am pretty certain that italy’s ’slowness’ has little to do with ethnicity. it might have a bit more to do with the age of the players and they posession game that italy try to play so they can control the tempo.

as previously mentioned, look at holland. fast, YOUNG and predominantly ‘white’. also, name me the last time italy lost to an african nation. personally, i cant think of any such occurance. however, according to the logic you propose, we should be dominated because “black people are faster runners than white people’.

as for your comment on blacks being faster than whites, i can only assume you are refering to world class sprinters. i find it to be a racist comment because that is a hyperbolic generalisation. i know for a fact that i am faster than both black players who play on my team (toungue and cheek but true)….could it be the inherent moorish blood from half a millinea ago?

regardless, a good footballer does not have to be black to be fast and does not have to be a world class sprinter to be a footballer. it takes a bit more to be a good player, inlcuding technical skill, have a good shot, have stamina, being tactically smart, etc.

I’m siding with Lamagica here. I actually just wrote a post about this topic, who should play for the Azzurri right here with the prospect of now-Bianconero Amauri deciding to play for Italy. (NO)

I have no problem with black Italians playing for the Azzurri, but this isn’t, to dispute my 2nd or 3rd favorite footballer, merely a “footballing matter.” Foreigners are not welcome though. To play for the Azzurri, you need to have a strong connection to the Boot, close family (not just ancestry) are Italian, grew up there, something like that, where you’d have national pride.

Fuck Giuseppe Rossi.

Tuta, I disagree. If you look, most of the French players, like Makelele and Vieira, may be from colonies but they did grow up in France, I think Makelele moved when he was 4. He’s as French as can be. Zidane and Henry were both born and raised in France.

I agreed with you until a helpful French fan pointed out that most of their “colonial imports” moved at an extremely young age. Cool with me.

Color has nothing to do with nationality.

lamagica, you make good points and I need to go, italy looked slow playing holland (a multi-racial team) and I fear they will be slow against France (another mixed team)…they did last time they played the french. Then again, the french looked slow against the dutch. I realize that there is more to soccer than fast running. I’ve enjoyed the exchange and I back our team no matter what. Also, I am a Chicago Cubs fan, and so I know what it means to lose, we have a hundred year record of “almost”. –Auguri

In Beppe Rossi’s defense, he had no choice where he was born and has said many times he is Italian, not American. Many many times.

And I don’t even really feel for the kid one way or the other.

I know, and I have no problem with him playing for Italy, he has every right to. I’m just disappointed that he’s not playing for us Yanks. I may be Italian-American (my dad emigrated) but I pull for America whenever we play, however lopsided it may be.

I’m still waiting for Italian-Brazilian-American Gabriel Ferrari to break through at Sampdoria, but I’m not holding my breath.

consistent with rossi, if i had a choice to play for either canada or italy, it is a no-brainer: italy. the whole ‘nationality’ issue is so complex which is why there is no cut and dried way to determine who is legitimately eligible.

some interesting and very valid points on both sides of the fence in the post and comments alessio initiated at the juve blog. i only want to add that i think there needs to be a distinction (and definition) of what ‘italian’ is. is it merely defined by lines on a map who’s land shares a common govt? is it an ‘ethnic’ definition based on the italic people that have occupied the penninsula for millinea? is it a manefestation of cultural traits, values, historcal/traditional identity, etc. that have been passed on even when emigrating from the ‘la patria’? it’s likely a balance of all these but i see that some form their opinion based only on one (for convenience). i certainly dont proport to know an answer but regardless, i dont agree with a guy like amauri being eligible. i simply see that as an opportunity for amauri to use the azzurri situation as a way to promote himself and increase his value for club football purposes since brazil couldnt be that ‘vehicle’ for him. he clearly stated his desire to play for brazil first and foremost so why would anyone be interested in brazil’s table scraps?

cheers, calafuria.

*not proport. i meant purport

Tuta, as far as I’ve read, Zidane was born and raised in France, he’s of Algerian origin but I think he spent his childhood in France. And yes, that was a tough game. If it’s a friendly, USA v. Italy, I go with USA. Always. If it matters like in the WC, it’s shadier, but in 2006 I was with the Stars and Stripes.

I basically define nationality as a culture, I don’t think blood has anything to do with it anymore. Besides, 1/2 of Sicily has Greek or Spanish or African origins at one point. With the evolution of modern borders, culture now is basically synonymous with the nation. If you were raised in an Italian-American family, and they didn’t tell you that you were actually German or something, how would that make you less of an Italian? It wouldn’t.

Tom Hagen had every right to become the Godfather.

Guys i like the convo here but WTF. ITALIA FRANCIA tommorow! I just also heard a rumour that the netherlands will rest van der sar…if this is the case we’re fucked!! Stupid fuckin Italians always gotta stress me the fuck out for these games they can’t just get it done a la holland. Makes me angry! In any event Forza Azzurri!

Tuta i’m not debating resting players i would encourage any team to do so. The goalkeeper is one that i don’t think should be rested but hey who am i. I think it’s important that even if we do go home early we beat the french. I really dunno how good id feel seeing Italy go through with a tie. BTW here’s my formation

zambrotta chiellni gamberini grosso

de rossi pirlo aquilani

del piero

cassano toni

4-3-1-2…..we need to feed another striker other than toni!

Not stressed about tomorrow at all. I gave up on Donadoni’s edition of the Azzuri.

As long as France doesn’t go through. It’s all fine.

it’s over guys. Donadoni has totally destroyed our beloved Azzurri. He’s even smashed a few records in the process…worst result in 25 years against Holland for example. 25 years?! Quarter of a century of dignity trashed in 90 shit minutes.
I almost know im going to gasp in shock when i see the line up against France. He’ll probably play himself, De Rossi off, him on…why not eh?
‘Screw it’ he’ll say..’we don’t need 11 guys against france…me and ambrosini can sort them out’.
And that will be that…Buona notte Italia. Until 2010.

Don’t worry guys everythings going to be fine and im confident that Holland will pull off a win and not hand us a biscotti.Why would they worry about us advancing when they gave both italy and france a thrashing? They have every right to do what they like and hats off to them for an explosive start.We just have to think about beating france.

Romania only managed to score thanks to Zambrotta..

I don’t see them scoring against Holland..

holland should win, if they are indeed the better team. these are competative athletes who want to win at all costs. Its in there blood. unless its in their blood to cheat. then they will lay down, cause the italians wont be the team they played in the groups if they meet in the semis. ya..they will lay down to romainians. see you in 2010.

PETITION FOR INSTANT REPLAY IN SOCCER! to challange offside and onside goals and fouls in the box.

Heh. I’m not even going to be able to watch tomorrow’s games, my boss is taking me out golfing tomorrow afternoon with a couple clients. I can’t decide if this is good or bad.

Predictions on tomorrow? Whenever big teams “go for the win” it ends in a draw, but I’ll remain optimistically pessimistic.
Italy wins, Romania wins, Romania+Holland progress.

if donadoni puts on his ambrosini centred midfield, we’re gonna get beat. If pirlo plays and cassano plays, we’ll beat them. Romania may draw with holland

Agreed,we cant win this game without Pirlo starting and most importantly we need the gypsies to lose!

i do think we need to stop relying on luca toni to score so much…everyone crossing balls for him to head…bring boriello on in the 2nd half

judging by the posts here, we’ve alreay moved on to 2010.

who’s the bigger threat to the azzuri’s tourmanent life? the laying down dutchman or the not so fantstic frenchman

drunvalo, the answer is neither…it’s donadoni

I dont even care about Holland Romania, I just want Italy to goddamn win against France because it’s France and if we bow out at least do it with a win damn it.

It’s a case of dumb vs dumber – Donodoni vs Domenech.

And yes SCREW THE 433 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi there, just read a report

Holland will be resting 9 players – the 3 best players will however play
vd Sar Robben vPersie.
It’s still a very strong side as Huntelaar will be upfront.
In fact the side which looks like this
Sar
Melchiot Heitinga Bouma deCler
de Zeeuw Engelaar
Robben Affelay vPersie
Huntelaar

has actually 7 players that were vBasten’s first choice.

at least pirlo thinks he should be playing:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun16p.html

hey porchetta don’t be such a dick. It is people like you who are not ‘true’ Italians. I’m 16, I was born in Napoli and came over to England when I was 14 due to my father’s job. I was quickly welcomed into the local Italian neigbourhood with Calabrians, Neapolitani, and Tuscans all together.
And because I live in the UK makes me less Italian? Please, tell that to my family.
Maybe you should begin to support Spain if you have a problem with other Italians.
la squadra di Donadoni? Fanno schifo :p

my parents were born in italy and moved to canada when they were in their 20s along with my fathers parents. My mother speaks to me in italian and so do my grandparents, as far as im concerned. I AM ITALIAN. been there 3 times

Same here, grandparents are italian, mother is italian, lots of italian relatives living in Avellino near Napoli. I have supported the Azzurri since I care to remember. It has been a long hard slog sometimes but always worth it in the end. Hell been to Italia 6 times or more!

Anyway this is the squad I woild like to see against France.

Buffon
Zambrotta Panucci Chiellini Grosso
Camo DDR Pirlo
Cassano
Toni De Natale

In a 4-3-1-2 formation also.

OK, would just like to wish everybody good luck for the france game, we can do it! and I want to be on here tomorrow discussing tactics for the next match against Spain!!

Just leaves me one thing to say…..In bocca al lupo!!

FORZA ITALIA PER SEMPRE!!!
bocca al lupo!

@PORCHETTA

So I take it you dont consider Canna a true Italian??
Enough with the BS north south divide, I am only glad the Azzurri do not share your sentiments!

Porchetta, I don’t even know where to start. I’m not a “4th generation” Italian, my dad was born and raised in Foggia and moved over when he was 25. But yeah, you know what, I was born and raised in America. I’m proud of my Italian ancestry and I have Italian citizenship as well, but I’m an American. And yes, it’s possible to support two teams. What I hate more are Italian-Americans like me, born and raised negli Stati Uniti who pull for Italy over America. And yes, I speak Italian near-fluent but I’m more comfortable with English and that’s not why I’m wasting my time on pointless gossip websites like Tuttosport. The question is why are you here?

The regional divide argument is really tired. Anyone familiar with Italy is well aware of it. Northern Italians hate Southern Italians, us Foggiani are “northern Italians” (according to several Sicilians) and several Southern Italians hate Sicilians. Get the fuck over yourself. Siamo un paese, siamo una nazione. Every country has regional biases but there’s no reason why intelligent people should troll about them, but I may be taking a bit of liberty in assuming you are one.

I think France will go through. I love the Italian players. But France defense is a bit better than te Italians. I hope that i´m wrong. And the dutch team is very talented even the ones that didn´t play yet. They r going for a win.

French defense is certainly not better than the Italians. Thuram? Sagnol is kinda off, and Gallas has never impressed me.

guys, this is rediculous. none of you need to justify your ‘italian-ness’ to this guy. for starters, he doesnt even know how to spell his so-called city of birth and has mis-spelled it each time he states it. it’s “frosinone”, not fr(I)sinone. however, being that i’m a transplanted italian, i’m sure i’m not qualified to correct any ‘real’ italians around here, am i, porchetta?

being of roman origins, i have a few not-so-kind words to share about you burrini to the south. yes, to THE SOUTH. given that you claim people from south of rome are not ‘italian’, i guess that includes you too. do you see how rediculous you sound…not to mention contradictory??

anyway, gentlemen, for whatever its worth today, FORZA ITALIA!

they are totally different coaches.Donadoni has done what he could through these three matches.Italian defender are becoming better and better,Though there still be a lot of problems.

We are looking forward to play with Italian bambini. Uno, due, tre …

Cordialmente de la GERMANIA !

Yes, the Germans certainly look strong, especially Ballack….but oh well, the Azzurri will put up a tough fight now that we are picking up steam….