Euro Qualifier: Lithuania - Italia [06-06-07]

[D-Kin]

Lets avoid a repeat of what happened at the start of the season.

If Inzaghi plays, we'll win.

[dukeofdavinci]

Lets avoid a repeat of what happened at the start of the season.

If Inzaghi plays, we'll win.

or what happened last night, we can just trow away chances.but we won last night.it will tougher on this game.we really need to step up our game the stakes are getting higher and one little mistake could prove costly

[Forza_Roma]

I think Inzaghi has the hot foot at the moment for Italy and he MUST start. I don't want to see three strikers up front. Sit Rocchi and play a 4-4-2. We need more support in the midfield for Pirlo and Guttuso. Pirlo gave away many balls in the mid field due to lack of options. I would like to see Perrotta and De Rossi in for Diana.
ADP and Izaghi up front. Tonetto did a splendid job on the left flank. He made some nice cut ins, nice passes, and not bad crosses. VERY happy with his performance. I think he can earn the starting position for LB? What do you guys think?

Grosso or Tonetto?

[Forza_Roma]

Zambrotta back, Tonetto may miss out. De Rossi and Perrotta should return as well.

Italy are set to make changes for Wednesday's UEFA EURO 2008 Group B qualifier in Lithuania, with fullback Gianluca Zambrotta expected to return after recovering from a knee problem.

Coach Roberto Donadoni could also bring in several other players after many of his side underperformed in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Faroe Islands. Sampdoria's Fabio Quagliarella, Udinese's Antonio Di Natale and Livorno's Cristiano Lucarelli are all pushing for starts in the forward line alongside Filippo Inzaghi, who netted both goals in the Faroes.

Midfield enforcer Gennaro Gattuso had a difficult game on Saturday and picked up a yellow card, which may lead Donadoni to leave him out of the match in Kaunas given Italy's next match is September's home qualifier against group leaders France.

"I hope that the victory in the Faroes is a stimulus and gives us another of push," Donadoni told reporters. "But we can not underestimate Lithaunia, even if in September we face France in the next game," he added, suggesting he has not yet decided whether to rest Gattuso.

The world champions are second in the pool, two points behind France, having recovered from a shaky start to qualification which began with an embarrassing 1-1 home draw with Lithuania.

Donadoni is desperate to avoid a repeat and may pack his midfield in a bid to stop his side conceding. AS Roma duo Simone Perrotta and Daniele De Rossi, both unfortunate to miss out against the Faroes, could come into the starting lineup, with Palermo's Aimo Diana probably having done enough on the right to keep his place. Barcelona defender Zambrotta is likely to return at left-back in place of Max Tonetto.

Lithuania, fifth in the group with seven points from six games, will be boosted by Saturday's 1-0 win over Georgia, when substitute Saulius Mikoliunas struck 12 minutes from time with a clever finish.

However, the home side will be without goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas against Italy after he was booked on Saturday.

Source(text): Reuters

[dukeofdavinci]

Zxambrotta back, Tonetto may miss out. De Rossi and Perrotta should return as well.

after the last game scare, to have them back its welcomed return for us.again we need to be solid at the same time making sure we get the goals to win the game.

[Forza_Roma]

Ya, Italy feel asleep on that goal as they never expected it. But things like that can happen in a game and totally change the complexity of things. Luckily Italy were up 2-0 at the time and could afford the goal to go in.

[Jager]

A must win. They willl play better I feel, I'm not sure on who should start along side Pippo, but I wouldn't mind seeing Fabio Quagliarella along side him.

[Forza_Roma]

Quagliarella came on for the final few minutes against Faroe Islands. Lucarelli may of lost his opportunity with his two shots that went well wide. Rocchi, failed to impress as well. Quagliarella should get some playing time, he deserves a change. He looks very confident in himself.

[dukeofdavinci]

Quagliarella came on for the final few minutes against Faroe Islands. Lucarelli may of lost his opportunity with his two shots that went well wide. Rocchi, failed to impress as well. Quagliarella should get some playing time, he deserves a change. He looks very confident in himself.

don might let them play in each half depending how the match progresses.with no gila and toni they are the other forwards that we need to rely on and lets hope we dont see more lame misses

[Diabolico]

Originally Posted by Joel

Lets avoid a repeat of what happened at the start of the season.

If Inzaghi plays, we'll win.

Amen.

As to who should start alongside Pippo, I don't think there's a clear top choice. If I were Don I'd wait until the last minute and pick whoever seems to have the highest level of drive at the time.

[dukeofdavinci]

If I were Don I'd wait until the last minute and pick whoever seems to have the highest level of drive at the time.

and fitness

[Forza_Roma]

I like ADP to play a deeper role. He received countless passes from the midfield just outside the area and made plays happen. Will Italy go with another trident or use 2 forwards?

[D-Kin]

I prefer the trident, we have the players for it.

[Forza_Roma]

Don't you think Italy lacked a bit in the Faroe Game in the mid field? I felt Pirlo and Guttuso were lacking options when they had the ball and cause many errors.

[D-Kin]

That's expected though, the Faroe Islands played to contain us.

I expect Lithuania to be slightly more forward thinking.