Friendly: Portugal - Italy [06-02-08]

[Jager]

I don't think donadoni likes pairing de rossi with pirlo and gattuso, but realizes that against such technically gifted teams like a portugal or a france, it really helps playing de rossi in that holding midfield role. if he goes with the traditional 4-3-3 then the lineup is more likely to resemble the one against scotland in november (with ambrosini instead of de rossi).

If Gattuso is available, I don't think De Rossi starts. He loves Ambrosini, and I can see Gattuso, Pirlo and Ambrosini playing, with three strikers up front. I don't see him deviating from this.

[llewelyn]

Originally Posted by Jager

If Gattuso is available, I don't think De Rossi starts. He loves Ambrosini, and I can see Gattuso, Pirlo and Ambrosini playing, with three strikers up front. I don't see him deviating from this.

even against a team like france?

who would you play alongside toni and di natale?

[azzurri]

I guess this means 1 striker? Italy have so much depth upfront it seems wrong to only play with 1 striker.

Also, shouldering all the creativity in midfield on 1 player (Pirlo) makes us easy to defend against. Just cut off Pirlo, and our passing is much simpler. With players like Camo, Rosina, Montolivo as midfield options, Donadoni should try to incorporate at least 1 of them into the midfield.

[Jager]

I don't understand where this one striker comment is coming from? Who said that?

If we were going to use Rosina or Montolivo, we would of done so by now.

FIGC will use the same formula.

Take a look who starts against Spain, and you will get your answer.

I think we could play with three strikers at times, then get rid of one, and play with a DM or Aquilani.

I'm not giving Don a vote confidence, just what I see and what he sees.

We know that he likes Ambrosiini,Pirlo and Di Natale...I see thse players starting for us..no doubt about that.

I really can't call our formation or what it is, other than a simple 4-3-3....I don't know why or what it is.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by llewelyn

even against a team like france?

who would you play alongside toni and di natale?

As long as Pirlo and Gattuso play, I don't think it matters who he plays along side them. This is no slight towards De Rossi, but his play has not been stellar of late. His time to shine will come. I think Don is worried about the defensive side of things, as I don't know if you noticed, but we seem to be getting chances, no matter who we've played or when we've played.

As for up front, I really like Palladino. I think he's the real deal, his work ethic was great, he was coming back and helping out.

[llewelyn]

Originally Posted by Jager

As long as Pirlo and Gattuso play, I don't think it matters who he plays along side them. This is no slight towards De Rossi, but his play has not been stellar of late. His time to shine will come. I think Don is worried about the defensive side of things, as I don't know if you noticed, but we seem to be getting chances, no matter who we've played or when we've played.
As for up front, I really like Palladino. I think he's the real deal, his work ethic was great, he was coming back and helping out.

I completely agree. During is tenure as coach I don't remember him starting De Rossi with Pirlo and Gattuso other than the France game in Milan. And France's chances in that game were few and far between. Today was meant to be a 4-1-4-1 similar to the France game, but with all the substitutions it probably was more like a 4-3-3. I bring up the France game because I feel Donadoni doesn't want to completely abandon the 4-1-4-1, be it with De Rossi as the holding midfielder or someone else. In the France game Del Piero had a poor showing out on the wing and there was no link-up between the midfield and Inzaghi up front. With Toni and with Di Natale and someone like Palladino, Donadoni may choose to go with the 4-1-4-1 because he is worried about the defensive side of things.

He said himself that this would be the last time he would really experiment with the squad and with the formation. Come March against Spain I think you will see the 4-3-3 with the all Milan midfield, but like you said, I think he is worried about the defensive implications of that formation.

[llewelyn]

I also want to add that Palladino became more involved once De Rossi went off for Perrotta. In a 4-3-3 Palladino is a good option up top, but I personally thought, other than defensively, he struggled much like at Juve when he was on the wing in the first half. I think that was what Azzurri was referring to when he mentioned the wrong players for the formation. The 4-2-3-1 against the Faroes brought out the best in Palladino much like the 4-3-3 in the second half today. If Camoranesi can come on strong, Donadoni may be compelled to play something like this...

Buffon
Oddo Canna Matrix Zambro
De Rossi
Camo Pirlo Gattuso Di Natale
Toni

I just don't think Palladino can fill that role. That's why Donadoni called up Semioli. I think he is considering the 4-1-4-1. Why else call Semioli? If he had the 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 set in stone, Semioli would be a meaningless call-up. I'm just speculating really, but if Don was completely confident in the 4-3-3 I don't think Semioli or Palladino would've been called up.

[Jager]

You make really good points, and I see where your going with this. I'm not really sure what will happen, I just no the absolutes...

They are this.....

Buffon in goal..hope to god he isn't out long.

Matrix and Canna in the middle..though Gamberini or Barzagli are good cover. Not too worried there.

Fullbacks are interchangeable as far as I'm concerned...but Oddo, Zambrotta and Grosso.


Midfield....Pirlo and Gattuso.
Depending on formation, they could go with Ambrosini. We lose a lot in creativity, but we gain leadership and experience.

De Rossi..if its the one prior to the world cup, then he must play. If its the lates guy, then I rather have Perrotta to be honest or Aquilani would be ideal.

Up front, Toni and Di Natale are set. Di Natale has been the only guy that has really linked up well with Toni.

If they go with 4-3-3, then I think Palladino or Qaud will be there.

Cassano is wishful thinking, he hasn't played for the Azzurri since the last Euro. That is a long time to go.

Pippo will be on the team, but I don't think he'll start though.

[jec1]

My dad watched the game the re-run and he said, italia is almost unstoppable.

He said, you can't teach defense, a hard position to fill. Pirlo impressed him.... too bad he didn't have anything good to say about portugal.... he misses luis figo and thinks he's the greatest!

[D-Kin]

International friendly - February 6, 2008
Italy 3 - 1 Portugal
Toni 45 (I), Cannavaro 49 (I), Quaresma 77 (P), Quagliarella 78 (I)
Letzigrund Stadion, Zurich

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Luca Toni, Fabio Cannavaro and Fabio Quagliarella secured a confident 3-1 friendly victory over Portugal on Marco Borriello's Italy debut.

This warm-up friendly for two teams competing in Euro 2008 was played in one of the stadiums that will be used in the tournament in Zurich. Gigi Buffon, Gennaro Gattuso and Marco Materazzi were injured, while Raffaele Palladino was tested in wide midfield. Italy debuted their new jersey for the competition.

Portugal had the first chance, a relatively harmless looping header from Inter signing Nuno Maniche plucked by Marco Amelia.

The Azzurri hit the back of the net after five minutes with Andrea Pirlo's rising strike from just inside the area, but the referee controversially disallowed it, claiming he had handled Gianluca Zambrotta's cross from the left. Replays suggest the ball bounced off his chest.

Massimo Ambrosini's glancing header from a Pirlo free kick was well held by Ricardo, but Antonio Di Natale was inches away from tapping in Massimo Oddo's cross.

The Portuguese fought back and Bruno Alves was allowed a free header at the near post, nodding the corner over the bar. Ricardo Quaresma set up Deco to fire wide, though in this case there did appear to be a handling offence.

A splendid team move almost gave Italy the advantage on 27 minutes. Raffaele Palladino cut in from the right and Toni's dummy left it for Di Natale, whose right-foot first-time strike was fingertipped round the post. From the resulting corner Daniele De Rossi nodded wide.

Zambrotta limped off with an upper thigh problem soon after and made way for fellow 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Grosso. An Oddo sliding tackle closed down Ronaldo in the box, then launched a Di Natale counter that bounced awkwardly for Toni clear on goal.

A Makukula snapshot skimmed the far post in their best chance of the game so far, but on 41 minutes Amelia got down well to parry a fierce Ronaldo free kick.

Italy threatened with a fine move between Di Natale, Toni, Palladino and Pirlo, but Quaresma was one-on-one on the counter and his pass to an unmarked Ronaldo was too long.

In first half stoppages the deadlock was finally broken. Grosso got down the left flank and his cross found Toni to slide in the finish from six yards. The goalkeeper, Ricardo Carvalho and Bruno Alves all failed to cut out the danger and Toni was alert at the back post.

Manchester United man Nani was introduced in the second half, but Italy had another good chance with Toni's header well over.

There was a fantastic opportunity as a Pirlo pass over the top found Di Natale, closed down for Toni and a deflection stopped him tipping it over the line. From the resulting corner kick Pirlo thought he had his name on the scoresheet after all, a right-foot volley deflected off Fabio Cannavaro to bounce past Ricardo at the near post. However, the goal was later credited to Cannavaro, so another disappointment for Pirlo.

Roberto Donadoni made his first tactical changes, throwing on Alessandro Gamberini of Fiorentina in place of Andrea Barzagli and Simone Perrotta for Roma teammate De Rossi.

It was a very open and entertaining game now as Ricardo performed a brilliant reaction save on Di Natale, who ran on to Palladino's pass with a smart diagonal run.

Bosingwa required a splendid challenge to stop Di Natale completing his combination with Toni and on the counter Cannavaro cut short Ronaldo's progress.

More magnificent Di Natale-Grosso interplay got the crowd on their feet and Portugal scrambled it out for a corner, from which Cannavaro crossed to the unmarked Palladino at the back post. The Juventus youngster chested and volleyed on to the bar thanks to Ricardo's fingertip save! Had it not been for Ricardo, that would've been one of the goals of the season.

Nani went on a slalom in the Azzurri area, but Oddo's muscle and a sliding Cannavaro tackle managed to close him down without conceding a penalty.

Marco Borriello made his senior Italy debut, the 20th player to get his first cap under Donadoni, earning the call after netting 12 goals for Genoa this season.

Oddo charged down a Cristiano Ronaldo attempt and Amelia smothered the Ribeiro follow-up. Hugo Almeida just failed to make contact with a diving header on Jorge Ribeiro's cross, while Bruno Alves dived in to stop Perrotta from netting.

Borriello had a great chance to make his debut with a goal, but when he chested down a corner kick he didn't react quick enough and the defence was able to clear.

Portugal were threatening a goal and broke through with their best performer on the night, Quaresma. A free kick was taken quickly and Nani's low pass across the box was dummied to reach Quaresma's strike under the bar.

Less than 60 seconds later - and with his first touch! - Italy restored their two-goal cushion with Fabio Quagliarella. Ambrosini chopped a cross to the back post for Di Natale's volley backwards, Perrotta headed it on for Quagliarella to volley under the bar from five yards.

Marco Cassetti replaced the impressive Oddo for the final 10 minutes and almost immediately created another goal for Quagliarella that some desperate defending denied.

Amelia dived to his right to palm away a fantastic Ronaldo free kick from 25 metres, but the Azzurri notched up a sixth consecutive victory.

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Italy Amelia; Oddo (Cassetti 81), Cannavaro, Barzagli (Gamberini 53), Zambrotta (Grosso 29); De Rossi (Perrotta 53), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Palladino (Quagliarella 78), Toni (Borriello 71), Di Natale
Portugal: Ricardo; Bosingwa (J Ribeiro 69), Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Caneira (P Ferreira 46); Maniche (Raul Meireles 61), Petit (F Meira 46), Deco (Nani 46); Cristiano Ronaldo, Makukula (Hugo Almeida 57), Quaresma
Ref: Kever (Swi)

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[D-Kin]

Canna eyes back-to-back gold Wednesday 6 February, 2008

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Fabio Cannavaro wants a Euro 2008 title to follow the World Cup and explains why Italy now take friendlies seriously.

The captain got a touch to Andrea Pirlo’s strike in the 3-1 victory over Portugal and the goal has now been credited to him, only his second international success.

“My deflection was incredibly important and I practised it in training! At least it proves Naples doesn’t just create rubbish,” joked Cannavaro.

It was a confident and energetic performance, particularly in the second half, as Luca Toni and Fabio Quagliarella also hit the target.

“I don’t think we used to snub friendlies in other years either, such as when we beat Holland and Germany. The Nazionale has grown so much in recent years, fighting for every game, entertaining, winning and scoring goals.

“The secret is that the new faces come into a group that is already solid and tries to improve with each day. The newcomers see that and settle in to the mentality.

“Victories like this certainly bring confidence and help you to prepare for the tournament. However, we must put the World Cup behind us and not think about it anymore, as this is a different competition with other teams.

“I’d like to follow France in winning the World Cup and European Championship back to back.”

Roberto Donadoni notched up his sixth consecutive win with the Azzurri as the warm-up for Euro 2008 continued.

“Donadoni replaced a World Cup winner and did brilliantly to reinvigorate and motivate players who risked falling by the wayside. He has earned all of our respect and admiration,” said Cannavaro.

The tactician’s contract expires in the summer and he is in negotiations with the Federation over a new deal that may or may not be tied to results in Switzerland and Austria.

“It’s only normal that the Coach would want a safe contract so that everyone can work in a relaxed atmosphere. It is something the FIGC has already discussed and I’m sure they will come to an agreement.”

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[D-Kin]

Quagliarella thanks Donadoni Wednesday 6 February, 2008

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Fabio Quagliarella has thanked Roberto Donadoni for launching his Azzurri career after netting his third goal in eight caps.

“To score with the Nazionale jersey is always a wonderful feeling. The important thing was to do well and I was fortunate to be at the right spot to turn it in.”

The Udinese striker netted just 40 seconds after stepping on to the field in the 3-1 friendly victory over Portugal in Zurich.

The confident performance was a good sign that the Azzurri are taking friendly games a little more seriously than in the past.

“It is always Italy stepping on to the field and we have learned from the leaders like Fabio Cannavaro that one must always give 100 per cent and avoid embarrassing the country.”

Donadoni gave Quagliarella his senior Azzurri debut against Scotland on March 28, 2007, but the Coach is in negotiations to extend his contract.

“I can only thank Donadoni for the faith he has always put in me from the first moment. He has done brilliantly for this team and deserves to be confirmed in his position.”

This match was played at the Letzigrund Stadion in Zurich, one of the stadiums that will host the Euro 2008 tournament this summer, and there was a spectacular fireworks display before and after the football.

Switzerland has a huge Italian population and they were out in force for this friendly test. The Azzurri also unveiled their new team strip for Euro 2008, with gold piping on the v-neck collar and sleeves.

“It is wonderful to have the crowd cheering you on and Italians all over the world never fail to give us their affection and enthusiasm. It’ll be great to see them here again in the summer.”

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[D-Kin]

Don: I can't complain... Wednesday 6 February, 2008

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Roberto Donadoni had to admit he was content with the 3-1 win over Portugal, his sixth on the trot.

“One really cannot complain at the end of this match, even if I am a very demanding Coach. If these are the responses, then I am happy.”

The Italy boss is known for never being entirely happy with his side’s performance, but enjoyed the friendly victory in Zurich.

He had told the squad this week that they risked “humiliation” against Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco and Ricardo Quaresma.

“Considering some of the friendly games we have played in the past, it was good to warn them against stepping off the gas, but this group proved it is a real team and gave a fine performance.”

Donadoni’s contract expires in the summer and he will now enter into negotiations with the FIGC over an extension.

However, this week Federation President Giancarlo Abete hinted it might depend on the Euro 2008 results and that until those are certain, there will only be a handshake deal.

“The contract is the last thing on my mind and there is nothing to worry about,” assured Donadoni.

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[D-Kin]

Portugal rues Italian lesson Thursday 7 February, 2008

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The Portuguese Press have hit out at Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side after last night’s 3-1 friendly defeat against Italy. “It was a football lesson.”

Roberto Donadoni’s world champions impressively swept aside a young Portugal side in Zurich with goals from Luca Toni, Fabio Cannavaro and Fabio Quagliarella.

While Scolari’s side were by no means embarrassed by their Italian counterparts, the media have savaged the defeated 11.

“Only Ricardo Quaresma saved our honour,” read the headline in A Bola. “A poor performance and another defeat against Italy.”

Midfield wizard Cristiano Ronaldo described the defeat as an “important lesson for us all” – sentiments that Record echoed this morning.

“Italy exposed Portugal’s fragility,” the paper lamented. “The world champions gave a lesson in maturity to Scolari’s side. With less possession they dominated, scored three times and missed other chances.”

It has now been 32 years since Portugal beat Italy and the Selecção das Quinas have triumphed in just four of the nations’ 24 meetings.

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