By Anna Italia
Covering the UEFA EURO 2008 from an Italian Perspective
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Was there a rebirth of the Italian National Team as predicted by Italian and Bayern Munich Luca Toni?  Is Italy still in labor?  Will it be a Cesarean?  Well, it can't be a natural childbirth because it is a "Rebirth / rinascimento." 

What went wrong with this so-called rebirth of the 2006 World Champions, ufffa, faccio anche fatica a dirlo perche' non l'hanno dimostrato ancora! Translation: I even struggle to say they are the  2006 World Champions because they have not demonstrated it yet.  We are at the very rock bottom and showing a bad football. 

UEFA EURO 2008 Group C	Pld	+/-	Pts
Netherlands	2	6	6
Romania	2	0	2
France	2	-3	1
Italy	2	-3	1

Let me try to understand what went wrong from an Italian fan perspective. I love my 23 Azzurri and support them 100% even if they do bad. Though, I have to give my views as a fan even if judging my favorite players with harsh criticism.


FORMATION

After the failing 4-3-3 formation which caused us so many problems in the midfield to the point of tiring Midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso, Donadoni opted the 4-4-2 modifying to a 4-3-1-2.  Here  are the starting eleven for the Euro 2008  Match  Italy 1 - 1 Romania :

ITALY (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Gigi Buffon
Defenders: Christian Panucci, Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Grosso, Giorgio Chiellini
Miedfielders: Andrea Pirlo, Simone Perrotta (58' Antonio Cassano), Mauro Camoranesi (85' Massimo Ambrosini), Daniele De Rossi,
Forwards: Alessandro Del Piero (77' Fabio Quagliarella), Luca Toni

Let's break it down and see where was the problem.

Goalkeeper:

I won't even dare to question "Saint Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon."  He is a saint, veramente e' un santo! No blame at all but my respect to the one keeping us alive, especially after deflecting the penalty kick from Romania striker Adrian Mutu in the 80th minute! Mamma mia!

                 
       Buffon, don't worry. You have all the support from Italian fans and our deepest gratitude. Photo figc

Defenders:

Here is the big problem for Donadoni.  No substitutions at all during the match in this department?  Was Donadoni watching newly signed Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta?  He was the first one to be substituted after crucial mistakes like giving the "assist to the opposite player Romania and Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu in the 55th minute." Plus, Zambrotta had other mistakes and is not at his best.

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Why on earth not giving the chance to Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini who could have helped more for knowing his teammate Adrian Mutu skills, style????  

It's ok, not to have Gamberini since the beginning, but come on, if Donadoni was watching how dangerous Mutu was... then, hello, knock, knock .... bring Gamberini!

Donadoni waited  until the 85th minute to make the last substitution in the midfield not in the defense?   Mutu even getting a penalty conceded by Roman defender Christian Panucci, whom I would not have substituted either. 

Panucci after equalizing the score in the 56th minute showed a tough lesson.  Despite his over 30 years old, he still has the heart, passion for wearing the Italian jersey when touching his heart trying to lift the morale of the team to give everything they had to win this match. I salute you Panucci.

An applause for Lyon defender Fabio Grosso showing great technique.



Midfielders:

My respect also for Juventus midfielder Mauro Camoranesi.  Sad evaluation for one of my favorite guys Roman gladiator Simone Perrotta.  It was obvious he was not at his top shape.  How could Donadoni made him play? He was the first substitution in the 57th minute for Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano.   Here is my question for Donadoni.... Doni, did you know you had on the bench the young Roman midfielder Alberto Aquilani who is fresh and fit as a fresh lettuce iceberg?  Hello, knock, knock..... Why not make him play? Instead of having changed until the 85th minute the last substitution by bringing Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini for Mauro Camoranesi, why you did not make the change earlier when we much needed it?  Only 5 minutes for Ambrosini?  Are we kidding?  Thanks God Donadoni  choose Roman gladiator  Daniele De Rossi in the starting line up! Bravo De Rossi.

                       

I would opt for the Roman midfielders duo for the next match EURO 2008 match France - Italy  DE ROSSI - AQUILANI....  and Panucci in defense again.

                                               

Forwards:

The 2 strikers selected were Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero, sacrificing Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale to the bench after failing in the first match against Netherlands. 

Here is the question, did the duo Del Piero - Toni worked? NO!  Ouch! 

It pains me to admit it but simply it did not work.   Del Piero was a good choice as Captain and striker.  Though, how many chances did Luca Toni have to score and failing at the very last moment?  Why Donadoni keep seeing Luca as the "untouchable."? I am not saying Luca is no good. For heaven sake, no. Luca and Del Piero are the top scorers in their respective teams.  Point is that "the final killing touch of Toni is not sharp."  How I miss Milan striker Super Pippo Inzaghi!  His killing instinct, the smell of the goal,  a player growing big in the international arena ... that's what Italy is missing.  The final killer.

                                    

Cassano was the first substitution in the 57th minute. He got a chance to become the much acclaimed duo Del Piero - Cassano who seem to understand each other better than the duo Del Piero - Toni.  At that moment, after seeing the so many wasted occasions of goals from my beloved Luca Toni, why on earth not changing the strategy?  Substituting Luca Toni for Cassano?  It sounds like an abomination, but, hey, I am talking as a fan who suffers for seeing my Italy ridiculed with a poor football and in the rock bottom of the table not even the shadow of the 2006 World Champions.

Donadi substitutes Del Piero in the 77th minute by Udinese striker Fabio Quagliarella.  Here I question Donadoni. why?  Would not have been better to bring back Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale with more experience and that added motivation. 

Excuse me, but Quagliarella did not make it.  Simply, he was not ready for this match. Then, why not substituting Luca Toni?  Since Del Piero was already out, there were no goals and up to that point Donadoni had 1 more substitution because he made the third one until the 85th minute when substituting Camoranesi for Ambrosini.            

Bottom line, What went wrong with the Italian National team?  NO POINT OF REFERENCE,  untimely substitutions, and not a clear group understanding on the field. Oh... last one.... Coach's strategy.


Related Stories:

-  Were you one of the many disappointed Italian fans watching the EURO 2008 Match Italy 1 - 1 Romania?

-  How would you rate the players from the Italian National team on the EURO 2008 Match Italy - Romania?

-  Should Italian Head Coach Roberto Donadoni Be Sacked if Italy is eliminated from the EURO 2008?



Whether you agree or disagree with me, let me hear your views.  Let's keep the ball rolling, will you?