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The Del Piero Debate

November 6th, 2008 | By: Julian | 50 Comments »

Alessandro Del Piero is like The Office. That show became famous after a hilarious first couple of seasons. Recently, though, it’s been arguably wearing the same formula thin and some people even argue it should be canceled. Yet every once in a while, there’ll be a hilarious episode that reminds us of why we loved it in the first place.

That’s kinda what Del Piero is like, pardon the crappy analogy. He’ll disappoint for long stretches at a time, leaving fans and pundits alike to wonder if he’s finally lost his touch. Maye, just maybe, he’s finally too old and maybe it’s time to usher in a new era, and let go of Del Piero. Then with his back against the wall, he comes out roaring and proves nearly everyone wrong.

Last year, Del Piero was written off early into the Serie A campaign. He looked slow, lethargic, and maybe even a little chubby. He was dropped from Raineri’s starting XI, and again we all wondered whether the legendary career of the fantastic captain was finally over. How did he respond? In the typical manner that’s made him so legendary- he forced his way back into the starting 11 looking leaner and fitter than ever. He finished top goalscorer last year, earning himself Capoconnaire with 21 goals.

As a reward for his fantastic campaign, he was taken by Donadoni into the Euros. Truth be told, he didn’t play fantastically, but no one did besides Buffon and GC. He’s continued his stunning club form into the new campaign, as evidenced by 3 goals against Real Madrid over the course of 2 legs. That’s all the more impressive when you consider that they’ve got the second best goalie in the world defending their net.

Which brings us to our current dilemma- what is Del Piero’s role in the national team? Based on club form alone, it seems like he should be a starter. However, like fellow club icon Francesco Totti, he has a reputation for not playing as well on the national team as he does for his club. Age may be another factor against allowing Del Peiro to start- he turns 34 this weekend, and by the time the world cup rolls around, he’ll be pushing 36.

So where should he play? As a substitute? Should we drop him altogether to make room for new young strikers, like Guiseppe Rossi?

Whatever you may think, let’s not forget all that Del Piero has contributed to the etam. One image in particular-his finish against Germany in the World Cup which just screamed “class”- will stick in my mind forever.

I still get chills when watching that today.

Tags: Alessandro Del Piero, Donadoni, Italy, Lippi, World Cup 2010

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 50 comments.

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By Sasha | November 7th, 2008 at 6:07 pm

Everyone talks about how great Del Piero was against Real, but nobody talks about how awful Cannavaro was for Real. I think that’s a troubling issue we might need to discuss. If he continues playing for this, there is no way we can use him for 2010, especially if Panucci is still available.

Posted from United States

By alessio | November 7th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

Yeah, Cannavaro has had the excuse (in my book) of playing in a crappy (defensive-wise) league, but ADP schooled him in both matches. I’m been saying this for about 6 months…..Legro+Chiellini for the Nazionale. They have great chemistry together, they complement each other nicely, and both are in solid, solid form right now.

I don’t think a 2 year contract offer was a low blow from Juve management – Arsene Wenger only gives out one year contracts to players 30 and over, and nobody accuses him of a lack of faith.

Well yeah, and look what happens to his players. Do any of them stay more than a few years?

Posted from United States

By Vincent | November 8th, 2008 at 12:09 am

The rest of Real’s defence sucks, and they get no cover from the mid. Notice how much better Canna looks for Italy with DDR helping out the D and Chiellini or Leggro beside him.

Pepe is overated, Heinze and Marcelo suck, and Real midfield does not come back to help out

By Marco Pantanella | November 8th, 2008 at 3:02 am

Canna should never have left Serie A. Then again, had he gone to a rival club after Calciopoli, I’d have never forgiven him.

By Caroe | November 8th, 2008 at 10:12 am

I agree with you, alessio. Chiellini is Italy’s best CB right now. Legro is probably not the 2nd best but he and Chiellini have the all-important understanding of each other.

Vincent is also right but I’m not sure whether to build the team around a 35-year-old player.

Posted from Denmark

By MAD | November 9th, 2008 at 11:52 am

My vote is to put Santacroce in the back of the National Team. That guy is tough, vicious and he can play. My estimation of him went way up after the Milan-Napoli game. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a blue shirt with fashionable and slimming back stripes…

By alessio | November 9th, 2008 at 6:57 pm

Not yet, his discipline is horrible. I’ve been extremely impressed by him every game Juve’s played against Napoli as well though.

Posted from United States

By Samson | November 9th, 2008 at 11:27 pm

I remember when i saw that goal with a firend of mine who is half german. Started running around spinning my azzurri shirt over my head. Man the memories of that 2006 world cup will forever live in me.

Hope we can get a back to back. I think we have the good youth and rising 24+ coming inL Super Mario, Giovinco, Rossina, Okaka etc.

We still need to keep that experience in the squad. ADP… i dont see him playing in 2010, not even as an 80th’ sub

I agree, Legro+Chie should be starting come 2010.

By asem | November 10th, 2008 at 12:13 am

How old is Legro?

By Sushan[ACM] | November 10th, 2008 at 4:10 am

samson

okaka??? he is crap. dont put him in the same bracket as balotelli who is ten times the player he is . okaka isnt good enough for italy. period.

By Marco Pantanella | November 10th, 2008 at 4:24 am

Legro’s 32 asem. Not exactly Primavera material, but defenders can stretch the age factor pretty far out. Cannavaro’s 35.

By wjwjwj | November 10th, 2008 at 7:59 am

Santacorse of Napoli……………….He is Canna’s replacemnet………

By John Silver | November 10th, 2008 at 8:00 am

Actually, Sushan, Okaka is a very valid player. Fast runner, extremely strong physically, good shot, passable technique and good tactical awareness. The fact he’s still 19 or so makes him a very interesting prospect.

He’s certainly not in the league of Balotelli, but frankly Supermario is a monster and I don’t know of anyone in EUROPE who shows the promise that he does.

Posted from Germany

By evaldo | November 10th, 2008 at 10:18 am

i say substitute. italy needs to build for the future and i don’t think he has enough in the tank to do anything particularly meaningful in two years. aren’t most of his goals free kicks anyways?

that said he has been absolutely fantastic so far this season and if italy’s strikers aren’t scoring and qualifying is in jeopardy, why not?

Posted from United States

By alessio | November 10th, 2008 at 11:29 am

aren’t most of his goals free kicks anyways?

That’s like saying Frank Lampard only scores on deflections. Popular for haters to say, but not true.

Posted from United States

By evaldo | November 10th, 2008 at 1:03 pm

im not a hater. honestly alessio. i was going to pop over to your blog and compliment the man. his goal during open play against madrid was pretty. i just dont think the azzuri future is well served by playing him from the start. i dont think its smart to rely on a guy who is going to be 36 when the next major tourny rolls around. he is only going to get less mobile in that time unless he starts doing steroids again (with an some added hgh).

he is just like beckham: fantastic dead baller and good for the last half hour when other teams are tired. if i can bring myself to do it maybe i’ll watch a little more juve and i reserve the right to change my mind. until then my vote is for gila/crazy cassano/ and rossi

ps- frank lampard scores all kinds of goals including some with his head which i thought was impossible until recently

Posted from United States

By asem | November 10th, 2008 at 3:17 pm

Do any of you guys think Matteo Brighi has a shot?
He’s been playing very well over the last few weeks and I think he is the perfect person to slot in for Simone Perrotta once he is off the National Team (which should be right about now)

Posted from United States

By alessio | November 10th, 2008 at 5:35 pm

3-4 weeks won’t do it, particularly the Italy midfield. Maybe after half a season.

Posted from United States

By asem | November 10th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

Let’s look at the Italia Midfield (from the most recent game), though:

- Daniele De Rossi
- Alberto Aquilani
- Simone Perrotta
- Gennaro Gattuso
- Riccardo Montolivo

I’d say DDR is a certainty, and Monto & Aqui are at least on the bench, I’d hope. Gattuso has proved why he was so highly rated 2 years ago, though will he last in that form ’til WC10? We’ll see. I’d say Perrotta should be cut, though I do like the guy. I think Brighi could slot into this role, at least on the bench. He is like Perrotta in that he helps out a lot on D, and also runs endlessly. Though I think there are others that can take the spot vacated by Perrotta. Palombo comes to mind. Cassano definitely deserves a spot, but I think that should come at the expense of Luca Toni.

Posted from United States

By asem | November 10th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

Let’s not forget, b/c I obviously did, that Andrea Pirlo will be back sooner or later.

Posted from United States

By John Silver | November 11th, 2008 at 8:13 am

Early to call for Brighi. He’s in good form, but I never thought much of the man. And yes, I do think Palombo can do much better, provided he is given the Azzurri experience soon enough.

Still, take away Perrotta for Pirlo in the above list, and we’ve got pretty much all the central midfielders we could possibly want. We don’t need six people for two roles – that’s what Donadoni did.

Posted from Germany

By asem | November 11th, 2008 at 3:31 pm

True, John – Good point.
Just thinkin’ maybe he should get a shot in a friendly or two or as a sub. Maybe that’s just the Giallorossi-tinted glasses … Hahah.

Posted from United States

By asem | November 11th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

WHOA WHOA WHOA…

There’s a friendly in a week?!?!
How did this escape my knowledge??? haha

Any word on squad-lists?

Posted from United States

By Julian | November 11th, 2008 at 7:44 pm

No news on squad lists yet. I’ll post it as soon as I see it

Posted from United States

By nikolas | November 20th, 2008 at 5:44 am

when i watch that video i think of 3 things…cannavaro:simply amazing..look how he makes a sprint and gets the second header..gilardino:i gr8 assist..it shows that he too,is a gr8 player…and ofcourse del piero..it was an amazing finish..i mean look where he sends the ball!!!!it was outstanding really!

Posted from Greece