Del Piero or Cassano for Euro 2008/Possible Formations

[Forza_Roma]

It will be scandalous if Del Piero doesn't get selected...either that or Ale and Don discussed that ADP will not play as a FW and rejects the call.. Which i don't see happening.

I think if they sacrifice a midfielder and bring Cassano, it wouldn't be that bad i guess. It will either be Aquilani or Montolivio.

How much time did Barone play in the WC...not much.

[sinoy1]

Toni, Di natale, Boriello, Del Piero, Cassano.

we dont have to drop anybody.

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by sinoy1

Toni, Di natale, Boriello, Del Piero, Cassano.

we dont have to drop anybody.

Only two out-and-out strikers? Risky to say the least.

We could do with someone like Inzaghi or Gilardino going as well.

[D-Kin]

Btw the squad is due to be announced this afternoon, so could be anytime now.

[Forza_Roma]

Originally Posted by D-Kin

Only two out-and-out strikers? Risky to say the least.

We could do with someone like Inzaghi or Gilardino going as well.

I would be really shocked and disappointed if Gilardino went. Inzaghi is on much better form and he deserves it more then Gilardino.

But, having two out and strikers isn't necessarily that bad of an idea...all depends on the formation. If they play a 4-2-3-1, then Toni would get the start for all matches.

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by Forza_Roma

I would be really shocked and disappointed if Gilardino went. Inzaghi is on much better form and he deserves it more then Gilardino.

Inzaghi turns it on when it really matters, Gilardino appears to be the complete opposite. I've never got the impression that he's a big game player.

Originally Posted by Forza_Roma

But, having two out and strikers isn't necessarily that bad of an idea...all depends on the formation. If they play a 4-2-3-1, then Toni would get the start for all matches.

So if Toni got injured in the opening game you'd be happy with Borriello as the only true striker in the squad for the rest of the tournament?

[Forza_Roma]

CASSANO GOING TO EURO 2008!!!!!!!!!!!

Italy: Don chooses Cassano
Tuesday 20 May, 2008

Antonio Cassano is in Italy's provisional Euro 2008 squad along with Alessandro Del Piero, while Roberto Donadoni has agreed a new contract with the FIGC.

Donadoni has opted to pick loose cannon Cassano and Capocannoniere Del Piero alongside Marco Borriello and the expected trio of Fabio Quagliarella, Antonio Di Natale and Luca Toni.

Lazio's Tommaso Rocchi and Milan veteran Pippo Inzaghi have missed out.

Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo has made the cut, but teammate Alessandro Gamberini is not on the list.

Donadoni’s final 23-man squad for Austria and Switzerland doesn’t have to be selected until May 28, but the chosen names will come from today's list of players who will take part in the Azzurri's training camp at Coverciano from this Sunday.

During the course of the Press conference in Rome, Italian Football Federation President Giancarlo Abete also revealed that Donadoni had agreed a two-year contract extension.

Italy's provisional Euro 2008 squad:

Goalkeepers: Buffon, Amelia, De Sanctis

Defenders: Panucci, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Zambrotta, Barzagli, Chiellini, Grosso

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

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

[D-Kin]

Very interesting.

Almost everyone that was expected to make it did, including both Aquilani and Montolivo.

No real complaints from me.

[Forza_Roma]

Originally Posted by D-Kin

So if Toni got injured in the opening game you'd be happy with Borriello as the only true striker in the squad for the rest of the tournament?

No, but that's where the formation can switch to a having Del Piero or Di Natale play as strikers. They won't be as effective as Toni, but there's a lot of depth in attacking options for Don.

[Forza_Roma]

Italy's provisional Euro 2008 squad:

Goalkeepers: Buffon, Amelia, De Sanctis

Defenders: Panucci, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Zambrotta, Barzagli, Chiellini, Grosso

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

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

How many players get dropped from the final squad? I counted 24 players?

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by Forza_Roma

No, but that's where the formation can switch to a having Del Piero or Di Natale play as strikers. They won't be as effective as Toni, but there's a lot of depth in attacking options for Don.

Well, that's what it looks like given the provisional squad.

I think we're strongest in midfield, it's well balanced.

Personally though, I would have maybe taken Inzaghi/Gila. As a gamble anyway.

[Forza_Roma]

I guess Don will have to decide whether taking Cassano ahead of Inzaghi was the right decision. But, i'm glad Cassano was selected. Despite his few outbursts this season, he's really back to the old Cassano in terms of playing ability.

I think being surrounded by all the players at training, Cassano shouldn't be a problems.

[D-Kin]

Well it's his big chance, or his biggest chance since Euro 2004 anyway.

Potentially he could be the star of the tournament, if he holds his nerve.

[Forza_Roma]

i don't think he will play much. He will come off the bench as Di Natale and probably Quagiarella will likely be ahead of him.

So, i guess Montolivo will probably be dropped from the squad. 8 MF is too much.

[D-Kin]

Ah yeah, 24 players. One has to be dropped then I guess, probably a midfielder as you say.

Cassano will play.