Euro 2008 Draw - Italian Perspective - Page 4 - TalkSoccer

llewelyn · 03-12-2007, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

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.

That's what I was thinking, which is why it's so surprising.

It's a shame that Aquilani got hurt. I feel Chiellini is the only youngster who's really played himself into this squad. His versatilty certainly helps. As to where he'll be more useful I don't know.

Oddo was a mainstay during the entire qualification process until Panucci came out of nowhere. The fullback positions are very much in the air (in terms of who to start, not the specific players), but I have no doubt that by the time the tournament rolls around it'll work itself out.

llewelyn · 03-12-2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

Agreed.

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

Again, another indication of the depth. And of those six only Inzaghi didn't really play that important of a role.

**Jager** · 03-12-2007, 01:28 AM

The main reason why I want him there is for CB cover, not as a wingback.

I just feel how the Azzurri play, with their formation, we need fast, creative wingbacks, not tough bruisers. This is not to disrespect him at all, but I feel his future is in the middle.

**D-Kin** · 03-12-2007, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llewelyn

Oddo was a mainstay during the entire qualification process until Panucci came out of nowhere. The fullback positions are very much in the air (in terms of who to start, not the specific players), but I have no doubt that by the time the tournament rolls around it'll work itself out.

Panucci is on fire right now but Oddo remains the best RB in the league for me. However, the fact that Panucci can play CB as well may just get him into the squad the way things are going.

But of all the WC winning defenders I think Grosso has the least chance of going, which again is a surprise.

**D-Kin** · 03-12-2007, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jager

I just feel how the Azzurri play, with their formation, we need fast, creative wingbacks, not tough bruisers. This is not to disrespect him at all, but I feel his future is in the middle.

Pasqual?

**Jager** · 03-12-2007, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

Pasqual?

Exactly, that is the direction we must go, but wingbacks are not a problem.

With Zambrotta, Grosso, Pannucci, Zaccardo and Chiellini....brining in Pasqual is not necessary, but he will be in due time.

These things work their way out sooner or later.

llewelyn · 03-12-2007, 01:34 AM

Apparently Grosso did a decent job against Messi when Lyon met Barca in the champions league, or so I read. If both Panucci and Oddo are there I'll be surprised if Grosso is left out because then that'd mean Chiellini, assuming he makes the squad, would be the only back-up for Zambro. Unless Pasqual enters the picture.

**D-Kin** · 03-12-2007, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jager

With Zambrotta, Grosso, Pannucci, Zaccardo and Chiellini....brining in Pasqual is not necessary, but he will be in due time.

It might be time to drop Grosso for Pasqual, especially given the fact that the Fiorentina man is playing in a better league and Grosso's loss of form etc.

As an attacking wingback I would take Pasqual over Chiellini but you can't beat Chiellini defensively.

**D-Kin** · 03-12-2007, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llewelyn

Apparently Grosso did a decent job against Messi when Lyon met Barca in the champions league, or so I read. If both Panucci and Oddo are there I'll be surprised if Grosso is left out because then that'd mean Chiellini, assuming he makes the squad, would be the only back-up for Zambro. Unless Pasqual enters the picture.

Zambrotta and Chiellini for LB would be fine, we only had two at the WC.

llewelyn · 03-12-2007, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

Zambrotta and Chiellini for LB would be fine, we only had two at the WC.

so Zambrotta and Oddo as fullbacks, Panucci and Chiellini as both fbs and cbs, and Cannavaro, Materazzi, Barzagli, and one more? Or would you just take seven defenders? Considering Panucci, Chiellini, and Zambrotta being able to play more than one position.

**D-Kin** · 03-12-2007, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llewelyn

so Zambrotta and Oddo as fullbacks, Panucci and Chiellini as both fbs and cbs, and Cannavaro, Materazzi, Barzagli, and one more? Or would you just take seven defenders? Considering Panucci, Chiellini, and Zambrotta being able to play more than one position.

I would take seven:

Cannavaro, Materazzi, Barzagli, Panucci, Zambrotta, Oddo and Chiellini

I can't see us needing more than that although others such as Zaccardo, Grosso, Pasqual and Gamberini should also be considered in my opinion.

llewelyn · 03-12-2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

I would take seven:

Cannavaro, Materazzi, Barzagli, Panucci, Zambrotta, Oddo and Chiellini

I can't see us needing more than that although others such as Zaccardo, Grosso, Pasqual and Gamberini should also be considered in my opinion.

I would agree. The only way that changes imo is if one of the aforementioned players really steps it up over the next 6 months, or if one of Panucci, Chiellini, and Zambrotta somehow don't make the squad, be it through injury, loss of form, etc. Their versatility would allow Donadoni to be comfortable with only seven defenders, but if one of them is out you may need eight defenders. Somehow though, I doubt it'll happen and Donadoni will choose eight, which may end being the better choice.

With so much talent in the midfield, dropping a defender would allow one more spot for a midfielder. Again, all this is speculation and depends on what happens over the next six months.

**D-Kin** · 03-12-2007, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llewelyn

With so much talent in the midfield, dropping a defender would allow one more spot for a midfielder. Again, all this is speculation and depends on what happens over the next six months.

Or a forward, there's so many to choose from at the moment.

Toni, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Rosina, Di Natale, Quagliarella, Lucarelli, Del Piero, Cassano, Pazzini, Palladino, Iaquinta.....

We're going to need to be versatile enough to play 4-3-3 etc so if it was me I'd take at least 5 or 6 forwards. With the seven defenders that leaves 7 or 8 spaces left for the midfielders which is plenty.

llewelyn · 03-12-2007, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel

Or a forward, there's so many to choose from at the moment.

Toni, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Rosina, Di Natale, Quagliarella, Lucarelli, Del Piero, Cassano, Pazzini, Palladino, Iaquinta.....

We're going to need to be versatile enough to play 4-3-3 etc so if it was me I'd take at least 5 or 6 forwards. With the seven defenders that leaves 7 or 8 spaces left for the midfielders which is plenty.

Very true. At the world cup it was 8 defenders, 6 midfielders, and 6 forwards respectively. I'm not so sure that's the way to go this time around, as you mentioned, because of the versatility needed to play a 4-3-3.

I'm really hoping Rosina makes the team, but the last few times I've seen him, including today, he hasn't been at his best. Also, I think it was LAF who mentioned it, Fiorentina really missed Montolio today against Inter. Quagliarella scored again today, a nice one at that. I'm not convinced on Palladino, but Donadoni's seemingly preferred 4-3-3 gives him a chance of making the squad.

**D-Kin** · 03-12-2007, 02:09 AM

Yeah, at Del Piero's expense.

I like Palladino but I think this is one tournament too soon for him, if Del Piero is up to it I'd take his experience over the youth of Palladino. Rosina is worth taking no matter what because he's got something that the team as a whole lacks - pace.

I'm not sold on Quagliarella yet, he doesn't score enough 'simple' goals. With him it's either spectacular or nothing at all.

Montolivo is ready to make the step up, he just needs a couple of friendlies under his belt. Pazzini probably needs a bit more time but I'd like to see him go regardless, he could do with the experience before the next WC.