Del Piero or Cassano for Euro 2008/Possible Formations

[Forza_Roma]

Del Piero wants Euro...

Alex: I deserve Euro spot
Friday 2 May, 2008

Alessandro Del Piero is targeting a spectacular end to this season. “I want the Capocannoniere crown and Euro 2008.”

The Juventus captain has been on sparkling form over the past few months and is now just one goal off the top tally of David Trezeguet and Marco Borriello.

“I have scored a lot this season, but goals are not my main objectives,” he insisted in an interview with Juventus Channel.

“I am not a ‘fox in the box’ and have other duties too. I would like to win the Capocannoniere crown, as I have never done than in Serie A. We’ll see how it goes in these remaining three games, but for my style of play it is not indispensable.”

Alex was also top scorer in Serie B last term when he took the Bianconeri to promotion in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal.

His stunning form could well be enough to earn Del Piero a recall for the Azzurri in the European Championship.

“I have never disguised my great desire to take part in this new adventure. I think I deserve my place at Euro 2008 and at the end of the day Roberto Donadoni will make his decisions based on merit.

“It is all going well and I think the form of a player depends on many different factors. You have to try to be at your best in every element – private life, family, physical fitness, psychological state of mind, healthy diet, and so on.”

Del Piero credits wife Sonia and their baby son Tobias for at least part of his career rejuvenation.

“Fatherhood is an incredible experience. Everyone had described it to me, but actually living through it is extraordinary. I must thank my son and my wife, who are both exceptional. My boy helps fire me up when I’m on the field.

“I started in football with three crucial building blocks – passion, respect for others and the willingness to work hard. I still hold them dear today.

“Will there be a new Del Piero? I hope Juve can soon find someone who’ll be able to play for this club for 15 years and win practically everything.”

[azzurri]

I think it's a crime Italy are only playing with 1 upfront, given the amount of quality striker's they possess, each with their own unique strength's.

Donadoni is letting his formation choose the players, not the player's choose the formation. His 3 dm's in midfield is boring and relies heavily on player (Pirlo), who when pressured, gives the ball away alot.

Ambrosini, Pirlo and Gattuso are having a shit season with Milan, yet they will be picked. Not to mention a midfield with those 3 is to defensive. We need some1 more dynamic in the midfield. Lippi was smart enough to realize this, and Perrotta or Camo got the start.

Or keeping Donadoni's formation, replace Ambrosini with Montolivo. He play's a similar position with the viola. He plays on the left side of a 3 man mid, with Liverani in the middle, and a battler on the right in Donadel. He would fit in naturally with Pirlo and Gattuso. It fucking pisses me off watching the shit were currently fielding. I gave up on Donadoni after the home tie vs France.

[dukeofdavinci]

good point my men, im ok wth dons tactics as long as he doesnt do what trap did.that was the worst style we can have played and i despise that men till today for what he turned our squad in to.

[Forza_Roma]

I would like to see Di Natale, Camo, Qualiarella and Toni up front. Playing the Roma formation utilizes the strength of Italy offensive players.

[D-Kin]

For me, Quagliarella isn't ready yet. Not as a starter anyway.

I'm all for Roma's formation/playing style though, it does seem to suit a lot of our players.

[Forza_Roma]

Who would you put on the right wing? Iaquinta...Del Piero??

[D-Kin]

Out of those two, probably Iaquinta.

I'd prefer Camo though.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I wouldn't take any of them. Italy have better strikers.

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

I wouldn't take any of them. Italy have better strikers.

Borriello is the only Italian striker to have scored more than Del Piero this season, I think that says a lot.

[sinoy1]

Playing the Roma style means you'd have to drop Pirlo.He isnt strong enough and im glad somebody else see's pirlo can be a weak at times.

I truly believe De Rossi adds more to a midfield then Gattuso.Dont get me wrong I like Gatts.But he's too limited in that seek and destroy type.Adds nothing going forward.While DDR can actually hold the midfield yet attack.IM not trying to sound biased but I truly believe with a midfielder like De Rossi he can add more.

Why not do what Holland has done and go young?Throw in Montolivo (only problem with him he disappears at times.) De Rossi Aquilani Boriello etc etc. Try something new.I feel like its time for a change.The older players arent on form.They arent producing.Ofcourse Don doesnt have the balls to do something as radical as this and most likely it will never happen but I think the younger guys can do alot more.

EDIT: I would just like to say...Perrotta is shit.Dont let him anywhere near the field please!

[Jager]

Dropping Pirlo??????? Are you people mad?

If anyone needs to be dropped, its DeRossi who has had some horrific games in the middle of the pitch.

So far the player has not lived up to the hype.

Aquilani should play more, and I have more hope for him at this stage.

Dropping Pirlo???!?!?!? That one confuses me.

Pirlo is the best holding midfielder in the game, he must start. And when he plays well, we rarely if ever lose.

[D-Kin]

I hope Aquilani does play this summer, not at the expense of Pirlo though.

If only for set pieces, he's worth playing.

[sinoy1]

Originally Posted by Jager

Dropping Pirlo??????? Are you people mad?

If anyone needs to be dropped, its DeRossi who has had some horrific games in the middle of the pitch.

So far the player has not lived up to the hype.

Aquilani should play more, and I have more hope for him at this stage.

Dropping Pirlo???!?!?!? That one confuses me.

Pirlo is the best holding midfielder in the game, he must start. And when he plays well, we rarely if ever lose.

You misunderstood me.In a 4-2-3-1 Pirlo would become a massive liability on the defensive end.he gives up alot of fouls and is silly at times with the ball when pressured.Sure the good out weighs the bad but if Don can protect Pirlo like Lippi did in WC 2006 then by all means play him.

DDR hasnt found his grove with Donadoni yet.Are you forgetting that thrashing Italy gave to Germany before the world cup.Lippi had it all figured out on how to play De Rossi and where to play him.Right now Pirlo Gattuso and De Rossi seem to bump into each other and at times he doesnt know where he fits on the team.Its not the individual whom we know can play and destroy and aslo shut down a midfield,ffs the midfield now is being dubbed the de rossi zone when opposing teams face us,But he knows how to play with a less then physical player beside him,a la Pizarro,so he has no problem with that.Its Gattuso he keeps bumping into.Again neither of them are at fault but the tactics are.

We know the players are world class we just need to find a system where everybody flourishes.Like Azzuri said its the System/Formation that are picking the players not the players themselves that are picking the formation.

Dropping Pirlo when he is the team is suicide.But if you are going to play a 4-2-3-1 then someone has to be dropped.Hell Id play him behind the strikers.Let his superior passing abilities hone on the defence and break them down.Or instead of giving De Rossi or Gattuso or a Perrotta a free role,Give Pirlo a free role.

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

Right now it seems like Pirlo is playing behind De Rossi and Gattuso.In the middle with Di Natale and Camo tracking back and Oddo ( who cant cross for shite might i add ) and Zamrbotta (although on the decline still a good player to have).

Surely this will work.Im a bit scared at Gattuso's form but he is a beast and Pirlo needs to be protected with big people behind them.Aquilani can hold his own in a midfield as well so if around 70th minute or so and Italy is losing I wouldnt mind seeing him in for Gattuso to generate more play.Montolivo even.

I still feel Rosina would be suitable for this formation and would take the work load away from Pirlo but he wont be called up...

its a matter of opinion really.If people think that theres another formation suitable for the Azzuri then please post them.Id add Cassano in the squad but i dont know where with this formation.

[Jager]

Fair enough, and excellent post.

However I'm not in favour of any lineup change that excludes him off the pitch.

I'm sure Don and the rest of Italy feels this way.

I think Rosina should be considered, but its hard to critique until after the tournament is over.

[tonykart]

Well, there are a few things to consider.

Del Piero has earned it.
Del Piero would be a backup.
Cassano is more influencial.
Cassano would be a starter.

Cassano, at this point in their careers, is the better player. And, would surely start over Di Natale, who I don't think is good enough to fill the trequarista role. However, Donadoni needs to determine if he wants to take