Albania
Austria
Belgium
Bosnia
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Scotland
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
Wales
World
Italy
The Del Piero Debate
Comments(50)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.
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 50 comments.
Read the rest of the comments
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
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
Canna should never have left Serie A. Then again, had he gone to a rival club after Calciopoli, I’d have never forgiven him.
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
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…
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
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.
How old is Legro?
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.
Legro’s 32 asem. Not exactly Primavera material, but defenders can stretch the age factor pretty far out. Cannavaro’s 35.
Santacorse of Napoli……………….He is Canna’s replacemnet………
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
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
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
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
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
3-4 weeks won’t do it, particularly the Italy midfield. Maybe after half a season.
Posted from United States
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
Let’s not forget, b/c I obviously did, that Andrea Pirlo will be back sooner or later.
Posted from United States
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
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
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
No news on squad lists yet. I’ll post it as soon as I see it
Posted from United States
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
Comments are closed
MORE EUROPE BLOGS
CATEGORIES & ARCHIVES
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