Del Piero or Cassano for Euro 2008/Possible Formations

[D-Kin]

Alex makes Euro appeal Friday 22 February, 2008

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Alessandro Del Piero has made a Euro 2008 selection plea to Roberto Donadoni and analysed Italian chances in the Champions League.

The Juventus captain is by no means guaranteed to travel to Austria and Switzerland this summer after being left out of Italy’s recent squad to play Portugal.

While a poll in the peninsula suggests that the Italian public would rather see Del Piero than Antonio Cassano in the squad, the final decision will be with Donadoni.

“Dear Roberto I ask you to think carefully about me,” Alex said on Sky Sport Italia.

“You have seen many times what I can do and if you need some good wine I can send it to you!”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Cassano's Azzurri dreams Friday 22 February, 2008

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Antonio Cassano reveals his Euro 2008 ambitions and his admiration for Inter star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.


The Sampdoria wild card proved inspirational in the 1-0 victory over Genoa and that derby performance boosted his chances of getting back into the Azzurri squad.


“Alessandro Del Piero and myself in the Nazionale – absolutely! Del Piero is proving with his season that he deserves to be at the European Championships, hopefully along with me.”


It is believed Roberto Donadoni will only call up one of the two players for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland this summer.


There are other rumours emerging that both could be left behind if Palermo’s Brazilian hitman Amauri takes Italian citizenship.


Cassano’s problem has always been his fiery character and lack of reliability, but he hopes to show he has changed with a big performance against leaders Inter on Sunday.


“In my view Ibrahimovic is the best in the world after Leo Messi. It would be great to play alongside him. If the club listened to my suggestions and signed Ibra, we could aim for the Scudetto!”


The comment was a cheeky reference to the summer transfer stories linking him with the Nerazzurri before he opted to join Samp on loan from Real Madrid.


The two clubs met for negotiations this week and it is believed talks to make the move permanent are at an advanced stage.


“My dream is to stay with Sampdoria,” he told Sky Italia television.

and cassano's following suit of alex

[Jager]

He has always given a great interview. I hope he continues to get his game back, and he's ready for the World cup, if not this one.

I think he might be a late bloomer. Toni was, why not Cassano?

[azzurri]

He will start Di Natale over both, so it doesn't matter which one he selects.

[sinoy1]

its a trident.Who will take the 3rd spot?Camronesi?Palladino?Quag?Cassano can link the midfield better then most if not all.

[dukeofdavinci]

from the way both of them been talking to the press it seems like they think that don has chosen the squad and only 1 place is remaining.

funny stuff coz these are the only 2 players who are soo concerned about a place in the team.

[D-Kin]

Schillaci: Azzurri need Del Piero Saturday 23 February, 2008

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Italia ’90 hero Toto Schillaci has backed Alessandro Del Piero for a starring role in the European Championships this summer.

There has been much debate in the peninsula over whether Del Piero or Sampdoria firebrand Antonio Cassano should be included in Roberto Donadoni’s squad.

“Del Piero is a great player,” Schillaci told Radio Kiss Kiss. “It is right that the Nazionale calls those who are in good shape and at the moment that is Del Piero.”

The Sicilian striker was a late inclusion in the 1990 World Cup side and from a reserve role ended up as top scorer with six goals, taking Italy to third place.

After the competition Schillaci played for both Juventus and Inter, two clubs that have gone through differing fortunes in recent times.

“I wish Juventus the absolute best of luck. They have just come back into the top flight after Calciopoli and are already doing very well.

“In my view, Inter can manage to overturn the 2-0 first leg defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League.”

However, he also had criticism for the Nerazzurri, who rarely have a single Italian player in their starting XI.

“I agree with FIFA President Sepp Blatter that there should be limits of five foreigners in every club side.

“Youngsters are currently blocked off by the arrival of overseas players and the effect is also felt within the national team.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LAF]

Everybody goes on about Cassano being great at Euro 2004 (which he was) but from what I've read he was quite a disruptive element in the camp. Italy did not play well, remember.

IMO Cassano is a risk to the famous Azzurri team spirit, Ale is the safe option.

Ale's form has been good this year, he's atleast good enough for the squad.

[Oliver_Kahn]

I don't know how Cassano has been playing for Sampodoria, I honestly don't follow them so I can't comment on him, so I'll just talk about Del Piero.

I think Del Piero is always a good player to have on the squad, his class and experience make him a valuable option for any team.

He plays the number 10 role really well, at least I thought he did against Roma and he play on the left wing as last resort as well. Plus, he is that kind of player that can create something out of nowhere and also always a great option in set pieces.

I'd bring Del Piero, would be his last tournament as well.

[Jager]

The thing is that Del Piero has "vetoed' The idea of playing any wing play, and I think he is right in his thinking. I don't think he has the speed to play there.

[dukeofdavinci]

yep, no point putting a player who cant speed up in the flanks coz speed is crucial for a winger, n if alex performs better in other position then the wings he is right not to play there.

[LAF]

Not really. If that was the case would Giggs be a United regular?

If you don't have pace you can make up for it by being good at finding space with your movement, something Ale does have.

[sinoy1]

Cassano scores again.This time against Inter.Read he had a good game.Played the full 90.

Would you go for the safe bet or go for the wild card and try and win it all with technique and brilliance?Would prefer Rosina on the Right or left wing to be honest.But what can I say.I hate Cassano as a person but as a football player...you gotta have at least 1 of these guys on your team.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by LAF

Not really. If that was the case would Giggs be a United regular?

If you don't have pace you can make up for it by being good at finding space with your movement, something Ale does have.

Though Alex himself, has vetoed this idea. So this is not the coach.

So that leaves him as a number two, or a punta. We have better options there at the moment. I have nothing but respect for him, but I think we have some young guns who have to play now.