Euro 2008 Draw - Italian Perspective - Page 3 - TalkSoccer

**Jager** · 02-12-2007, 08:47 PM

LOL, the french coach is a number jerk. I hope Matrix says something to him, as he walks on buy...waving the win sign.

**jec1** · 02-12-2007, 08:50 PM

Everyone hates the frenchies!

I'm rooting for italy but it won't be easy facing france. Redemption, I'll tell you!

**D-Kin** · 02-12-2007, 08:53 PM

Some revenge for what happened at Euro 2000 would be nice.

**Jager** · 02-12-2007, 08:59 PM

Italia will be ready. If Don gets some of the kids in the lineup, just in case, we'll be fine.

Pirlo, Gattuso, Buffon. These are the three that will decide how we play.

I will say this, Matrix needs to be there, as opposing forwards are not afraid of Matrix, but they have to know where he is, but Matrix will clobber you when your not looking.

Henry is afraid of him, and I think RVN will not be happy to face him.

**jec1** · 02-12-2007, 09:00 PM

Haha, the instigator....Should be a great euros!

I hope it doesn't turn out to be a bloodfest. Holland are snooty, they like to rub it in.

**D-Kin** · 02-12-2007, 09:08 PM

I love the Dutch.

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**Jager** · 02-12-2007, 09:15 PM

Though we won, that Italian team was flawed, and playing Holland with ten men, really fuked us up there.

And that first PK, was NOT a pk.

However this is all water under the bridge. In Italy we like to remember the positive tournaments. That Euro ended very ugly.

**Jager** · 02-12-2007, 10:27 PM

Here are the Group Fixtures

Monday 9th June 2008:

Romania - France (18:00) Zurich
Holland - Italy (20:45) Bern

Friday 13th June 2008:

Italy - Romania (18:00) Zurich
Holland - France (20:45) Bern

Tuesday 17th June 2008:

Holland - Romania (20:45) Bern
Italy - France (20:45) Zurich

llewelyn · 03-12-2007, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jager

Italia will be ready. If Don gets some of the kids in the lineup, just in case, we'll be fine.

Pirlo, Gattuso, Buffon. These are the three that will decide how we play.

I will say this, Matrix needs to be there, as opposing forwards are not afraid of Matrix, but they have to know where he is, but Matrix will clobber you when your not looking.

Henry is afraid of him, and I think RVN will not be happy to face him.

I feel Gattuso is going through a rough stretch right now. He's not at his best. But I agree that he is vital to the team. To this list I'd add Luca Toni. He draws so much attention; we're a different team when he's in the lineup.

Also, Zambrotta seems to have fallen out of favor at Barca. He didn't start yesterday and has been seeing less time as of late. Maybe a Barca fan can give more information on the subject, but I hope that his lack of playing time doesn't become a trend.

I think the order of games is interesting as well.

**Jager** · 03-12-2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llewelyn

I feel Gattuso is going through a rough stretch right now. He's not at his best. But I agree that he is vital to the team. To this list I'd add Luca Toni. He draws so much attention; we're a different team when he's in the lineup.

Also, Zambrotta seems to have fallen out of favor at Barca. He didn't start yesterday and has been seeing less time as of late. Maybe a Barca fan can give more information on the subject, but I hope that his lack of playing time doesn't become a trend.

I think the order of games is interesting as well.

Prior to the world cup, they said the same of Pirlo. But I'm confident he'll fight like a pit bull, helping out his CBs. That is why he is there to help them out.

Toni is incredible, I just view the Italian attack as a "unit", as opposed to one person. And I feel no nation can match us there, only Argentina, but we don't have to worry about them.

**D-Kin** · 03-12-2007, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llewelyn

Also, Zambrotta seems to have fallen out of favor at Barca. He didn't start yesterday and has been seeing less time as of late. Maybe a Barca fan can give more information on the subject, but I hope that his lack of playing time doesn't become a trend.

If he's really that out of form then I'd like to see Chiellini at LB and Oddo at RB.

However, this is Zambrotta we're talking about.

**D-Kin** · 03-12-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jager

Toni is incredible, I just view the Italian attack as a "unit", as opposed to one person. And I feel no nation can match us there, only Argentina, but we don't have to worry about them.

Agreed.

Just look at the WC, all six of our forwards scored at least one goal.

**Jager** · 03-12-2007, 01:15 AM

Chiellini must turn into a CB if anything. I don't feel he can add what is needed as a wing back.

However his height and mean streak is perfect for CB. I'm sure he'll look to Marco for inspiration. Both have the same physique.

**D-Kin** · 03-12-2007, 01:18 AM

I disagree that he must turn into a CB.

Yes, he's done well for us there this season but he's still a quality LB.

I'm not too fussed though, he'd do well where ever he plays.

llewelyn · 03-12-2007, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jager

Prior to the world cup, they said the same of Pirlo. But I'm confident he'll fight like a pit bull, helping out his CBs. That is why he is there to help them out.

Toni is incredible, I just view the Italian attack as a "unit", as opposed to one person. And I feel no nation can match us there, only Argentina, but we don't have to worry about them.

It's funny you mention that. Before the world cup I remember thinking that Nesta, among others of course, was one of the few players that Italy couldn't afford to lose. We all know how that turned out (I was obviously wrong). Just goes to show the depth and strength of Italy's squad.

This Italy squad plays as a unit and they'll need that unity in order to not only survive the group, but progress further as well. I feel that there may be some fatigue setting in and I'm sure other groups are hoping that all of the teams in this group beat each other up. That's where our depth is essential. Like you said, if Donadoni brings the right mix of players Italy will be tough to beat.