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EURO 2008 Qualifiers: Is the Ukraine - Italy Match the Last Call for the Italians?
By Anna Italia
Is Italian head Coach Roberto Donadoni conscious about Italy latest bad performance as 2006 World Cup Champion?
I must confess that when I read Donadoni's comments on the official website of the Federazione Italiana Giouco Calcio I was upset.
This is what Donadoni commented during the press conference -- just the day before the EURO 2008 Qualifier match Ukraine - Italy.
"We want to win, we do not feel under pressure even if we know that we will be playing against a team that wants points for the standings."
What it upsets me was his response when the Ukraine-Italy match was considered fundamental for Italy's qualification to the EURO 2008. This is what Donadoni responded:
"It makes me smile. - We keep repeating the same things….All the matches are important".
This is not the last call for Italy: "I repeat, we want to win - but this is not our last stand. Even a tie would be ok."
Well, I do not know about you, but for me as an Italian fan cheering for my AZZURRI, it was disappointed.
The face of the roaring lion Gennaro Gattuso came to my mind.
A single player roaring like crazy to lift the morale of the team on campus. All his efforts, la sua grinta, (his drive) to transmit energy, and the coach thinking that "even a tie would be ok"
Hey, I hope Gattuso (although, he is not playing today) and none of the players get into this move of "let's not force ourselves, we can manage with a tie."
To make matters worst, Donadoni lost his temper at the press conference. With all respect, but, is not that Italy after winning the 2006 World Cup Champion has played as convincing champions.
On the contrary, Italy seems to have lost the drive, la grinta to fight for a convincing victory. This point is being discussed in different media, including in the Italian TV show "La Domenica Sportiva."
When I heard Donadoni saying --at this point -- that "even a tie would be ok," it just makes me mad.
What kind of message is Donadoni sending to the team, to the fans, to the world?
The match with France was a total disappointment. There was not a strong leadership, France played like being the home team. Despite having a full stadium supporting the Italian team, no signs of seeing the 2006 World Cup Champions on the field.
Thus, I do hope Italian Head coach Roberto Donadoni considers what he says and have a more motivated attitude to inject that "missing energy" to the team. Italians and fans of the Italian National team want to see a strong and convincing national team.
Forza Italia!
Photo credit: Gattuso (acmilan.com) Donadoni (figc.it)
Related Story
EURO 2008 Qualifiers Result: Italy 0 - 0 France A Disappointed Draw
Euro 2008 Qualifiers Match Group B
Ukraine - Italy 
WHEN: Wednesday, September 12, 2007
WHO: Ukraine - Italy
WHERE: "NSC Olimpiyskiy" Stadium
Kiev, Ukraine
21:45 (Italian time)
This is the standing of EURO 2008 Qualifiers Group B - Italy Group
France 19
Scotland 18
Italy 17
Ukraine 13 (one game in had)
Lithuania 7
Georgia 7
Faroe Islands 0
Do you agree with Italian Head Coach mentality that "even a draw will be ok?"
- Yes
- No
- And why?
Is Italian head Coach Roberto Donadoni conscious about Italy latest bad performance as 2006 World Cup Champion?
I must confess that when I read Donadoni's comments on the official website of the Federazione Italiana Giouco Calcio I was upset.This is what Donadoni commented during the press conference -- just the day before the EURO 2008 Qualifier match Ukraine - Italy.
"We want to win, we do not feel under pressure even if we know that we will be playing against a team that wants points for the standings."
What it upsets me was his response when the Ukraine-Italy match was considered fundamental for Italy's qualification to the EURO 2008. This is what Donadoni responded:
"It makes me smile. - We keep repeating the same things….All the matches are important".
This is not the last call for Italy: "I repeat, we want to win - but this is not our last stand. Even a tie would be ok."
Well, I do not know about you, but for me as an Italian fan cheering for my AZZURRI, it was disappointed. The face of the roaring lion Gennaro Gattuso came to my mind.
A single player roaring like crazy to lift the morale of the team on campus. All his efforts, la sua grinta, (his drive) to transmit energy, and the coach thinking that "even a tie would be ok"
Hey, I hope Gattuso (although, he is not playing today) and none of the players get into this move of "let's not force ourselves, we can manage with a tie."
To make matters worst, Donadoni lost his temper at the press conference. With all respect, but, is not that Italy after winning the 2006 World Cup Champion has played as convincing champions.
On the contrary, Italy seems to have lost the drive, la grinta to fight for a convincing victory. This point is being discussed in different media, including in the Italian TV show "La Domenica Sportiva."
When I heard Donadoni saying --at this point -- that "even a tie would be ok," it just makes me mad.
What kind of message is Donadoni sending to the team, to the fans, to the world?
The match with France was a total disappointment. There was not a strong leadership, France played like being the home team. Despite having a full stadium supporting the Italian team, no signs of seeing the 2006 World Cup Champions on the field.
Thus, I do hope Italian Head coach Roberto Donadoni considers what he says and have a more motivated attitude to inject that "missing energy" to the team. Italians and fans of the Italian National team want to see a strong and convincing national team.
Forza Italia!
Photo credit: Gattuso (acmilan.com) Donadoni (figc.it)
Related Story
EURO 2008 Qualifiers Ukraine - Italy Prompt Recovery from De Rossi, Pirlo, Zambrotta and Panucci
EURO 2008 Qualifiers Ukraine - Italy: Andrea Pirlo Might Be OutEURO 2008 Qualifiers Result: Italy 0 - 0 France A Disappointed Draw
Euro 2008 Qualifiers Match Group B
Ukraine - Italy WHEN: Wednesday, September 12, 2007
WHO: Ukraine - Italy
WHERE: "NSC Olimpiyskiy" Stadium
Kiev, Ukraine
21:45 (Italian time)
This is the standing of EURO 2008 Qualifiers Group B - Italy Group
France 19
Scotland 18
Italy 17
Ukraine 13 (one game in had)
Lithuania 7
Georgia 7
Faroe Islands 0
Do you agree with Italian Head Coach mentality that "even a draw will be ok?" - Yes
- No
- And why?
I do not agree with that mentality. It seems like he lacks confidence in winning, so if he says a draw is ok, and they do not win, he does not look that bad. At this point, he realizes that his days may be numbered.
I doubt he is saying that a draw is acceptable as a means of trying to keep the spirits of the team up in case a draw occurs. This is a team of veterans, and such methods are ineffectual.
Reply to this
I agree Kenntak. It seems Donadoni lacks confidence. I don't see him energizing the team neither the public. It is terrible that Italy the 2006 World Cup Champions have been playing terrible. I really hope Donadoni finds a magical touch to change Italy's trend for a winning mentality. A draw against a big team like Brazil or Argentina could be understandable, BUT NOT EVEN SO as WORLD CHAMPIONS. Yet, with all respect to Ukraine, a draw with Ukraine is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Contrary to Donadoni, Andriy Shevchenko strongly believes that Ukraine can beat Italy. Even, if it doesn't, it is his determination, confidence that counts. Hello Donadoni... are you listening?
Reply to this
No. Scolari & Domenech, (coaches of top teams) haven't said a tie will be ok for their next 2 qualifying matches. I wonder what experienced players like Gattuso & zambrotta think when their coach says something like that.
Reply to this