Del Piero or Cassano for Euro 2008/Possible Formations

[Forza_Roma]

Isn't there some doubt over Iaquinta.....i read recently that he has some sort of muscle injury that he may miss Euro?

@ Sinoy...I agree about Perrotta...i don't know what's been his problem this year. But, i would still call him to the Azzurri for experience and be a backup in the midfield. He's got a strong presence in the midfield...even if he's not in form.

[dukeofdavinci]

yep, it seems he has some what 30-70 of making it and not.so i guess cassano might just be the wild card entry due to injury to iaquinta.

[dukeofdavinci]

Pippo replaces Iaquinta for Italy?
Saturday 10 May, 2008

Vincenzo Iaquinta’s injury has opened up a spot in the Euro 2008 squad and there are reports Pippo Inzaghi could fill the void.

Juventus hitman Iaquinta has effectively been ruled out of the competition after the club confirmed tests showed he can only return to training with the Turin giants in July after a thigh strain.

This makes it extremely unlikely the 2006 World Cup winner will be able to push for a place in Roberto Donadoni’s Azzurri squad.

Alessandro Del Piero has done enough to earn his recall to international duty with his most prolific campaign since 1998, an 18-goal haul that puts him in the race for the Capocannoniere crown.

The other likely beneficiary from Iaquinta’s absence is current Serie A top scorer Marco Borriello, who has bagged 19 this term.

However, there are concerns over his form at this level, as the Genoa forward has not hit the back of the net since a 3-0 victory over Torino on April 13.

With this in mind, it is rumoured Donadoni is considering a change to his approach for Euro 2008 that would allow the inclusion of veteran Inzaghi.

The Milan man turns 35 in August, but is on blistering form right now with nine goals in his last five Serie A games.

Inzaghi is happy to take a back seat and only made one appearance in the 2006 World Cup, scoring one goal.

The only way Donadoni could accommodate him would be to leave behind a defender, which he is said to be seriously considering ahead of the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

or maybe not, i take back my above post a bit.

but then again why the hell leave a defender out???just freakin take 28/29 players.

[sinoy1]

I think its got to be 3 keepers.7 defenders.6 midfielders. and 5 strikers.You can only bring 21 players to the competition...or was it 23....cant remember .With a few sidelined players for the just in case players get injured people as well.

I think you've got to call Cassano now.Then again...Inzaghi is on deadly form.

[jec1]

Cassano is a bit of a hothead, Would you take that chance?

[azzurri]

Sinoy, Inzaghi has 10 goals this season, 5 of them from the last 3 match day's. He is in deadly form atm, but he should be way down the list.

Jec1, yes, because he is still talented.

Also, in Donadoni's useless formation, its best to play a big target man. Toni and Boriello should be those 2 players.

As for Del Piero, 18 league goals this season says it all really. However, Donadoni and his shit formation doesn't suit him. Di Natale is inferior to Del Piero on just about everything except for speed, and even than, he is hardly that fast.

Lippi's WC formation is the best and should have never been changed.

Gattuso Pirlo De Rossi
Cassano/Di Natale
Toni Del Piero

Montolivo in for De Rossi if we need a goal, Camo in for Gattuso if we want to hold possession (although based on the amount of tracking back/tackling Camo does, starting him isn't such a bad idea, but Gattuso is such a unique talent and thorn for the opposition that he must start), Di Natale or Cassano to start, Quagliarella for Del Piero, Borriello for Toni.

[skeeta]

Quagliarella is even more inconsistent than Di Natale and strikes me as likely to be known as the Gilardino of 2007-08. I would definitely take Iaquinta over Mr. Quagliarella, if only because provides the only serious backup for Toni if the unthinkable happens.

Milan's apparent disdain for Borriello is one of the many enduring mysteries of the current state of affairs at Milanello.

It's a very open tournament, about half the teams can rationally believe that they could win it.

[Forza_Roma]

It's been a while since Borriello has scored...anyone think he may of lost his place for Euro to Inzaghi?

*I think this thread should be renamed to Italy Euro 2008 possible lineup thread*

[dukeofdavinci]

done.and its about time to

[azzurri]

Whether Donadoni takes Del Piero has partly to do with the formation. Del Piero has said he wont play out of position.

As for Boriello vs Inzaghi. 5 of Inzaghi's 10 goals have come from the last 4 match day's. He has been on fire for the last month, but no way should he be ahead of Boriello, who besides scoring almost twice as many goals, also is a more natural sub for Toni.

[Forza_Roma]

I think Del Piero will ultimately give in with the out of position rule he has. Toni is the main target man and i think Don will speak with Del Piero prior to adding him. Italy needs Del Piero for experience and talent.

[Forza_Roma]

This is a rumour of who might be selected...

Donadoni’s “provisional squad”:

Goalkeepers: Abbiati, Amelia, Buffon

Defenders: Barzagli, Bonera, Cannavaro, Cassetti, Chiellini, Gamberini, Grosso, Materazzi, Oddo, Panucci, Tonetto, Zambrotta

Midfielders: Ambrosini, Aquilani, Camoranesi, De Rossi, Gattuso, Montolivo, Perrotta, Pirlo

Strikers: Del Piero, Di Natale, Borriello, Quagliarella, Toni, Rocchi

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Seedorf withdraws from Holland.....this is REALLY good news for Italy

channel4.com - Football Italia

[azzurri]

I'm surprised. That's actually a good set of call up's. However, given the midfield he has played in the last few games, Aquilani and Montolivo probably wont get much playing time.

[Forza_Roma]

Rocchi, Cassetti, Gamberini, Bonera, Tonetto would be the first few i would drop.