Del Piero or Cassano for Euro 2008/Possible Formations

[sinoy1]

I would drop Ambrosini to be honest.I rate DDR Aquilani and Montolivo higher imo and can influence a game better.Something tells me Cassano will be dropped though.

Gamberini not in...not bad but Matrix isnt 100% in his form and if Matrix isnt 100% then we might be in trouble.Other then that Im pretty happy.Disappointed that Rosina isnt in but was expecting that.We'll see him in Beijing I hope.

[llewelyn]

I'm pretty sure the one that is dropped will be either Aquilani or Montolivo. If Donadoni goes by recent form then Montolivo should stay, but as of right now I'd give the edge to Aquilani.

[Forza_Roma]

Aquilani has a bit more experience internationally, so that's why i think Montolivio will get dropped.

[Forza_Roma]

Inzaghi upset that he didn't receive a call...literally.

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[Forza_Roma]

Don explains the Cassano and Del Piero inclusion to the roster.

Don: Cassano's not a gamble
Tuesday 20 May, 2008

Roberto Donadoni has explained his decision to pick Antonio Cassano and Alessandro Del Piero in Italy's provisional Euro 2008 squad.

Despite not playing in the Azzurri’s recent friendlies, Del Piero was always expected to get the nod after finishing as Serie A Capocannoniere with 21 goals.

However, Cassano’s selection was much more debatable after a season that has seen the tempestuous hitman show his inspirational best, but also his hot-headed worst.

“Antonio isn’t a gamble,” Donadoni insisted. “Enough with the talk of a gamble. That was maybe the case at 16,17 or 18-years-old, but that period is over.

“He has a great chance. He knows what it means to be in this group and he will adjust to that.

“I don’t want to talk about the past now. I don’t care much about what Cassano was yesterday - he needs to start with a clean slate, like everyone else.”

Don also discussed Del Piero, whose devastating form this term surprised many critics.

“Alex didn’t shock me,” the former Livorno man claimed. “He had some physical problems but he overcame them and now he is back to show his quality.”

Donadoni concluded by looking ahead to the summer’s challenge in Austria and Switzerland.

“We are looking towards a great objective and we must concentrate on that,” he said.

“If you live on your memories then negative things happen. There is no minimum acceptable outcome.

“When we go out on the pitch for our first game we will look to win and the same goes for each match after that.”

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by Forza_Roma

Inzaghi upset that he didn't receive a call...literally.

He's got a decent case but in a way you can understand his omission.

Fair play to Borriello though, he's earned the right to be included this season....most likely to the disgust of Milan.

[Forza_Roma]

Cassano delighted with the call up...as am i.

Cassano thanks Don and Samp
Tuesday 20 May, 2008

Antonio Cassano has expressed his gratitude to Roberto Donadoni and Sampdoria after his selection for Italy’s Euro 2008 training camp.

The Bari native has re-invented himself at Marassi this term after joining on loan from Real Madrid, where he endured a frustrating period.

While many though Donadoni would pass over Cassano and choose Lazio’s Tommaso Rocchi or Milan veteran Pippo Inzaghi, the former Roma firebrand is in the 24-man provisional squad.

“This call-up is a great satisfaction,” he enthused.

“Last August on the day that I was presented as a Sampdoria player, I set selection for the European Championship as one of my objectives.

“In the end I got there after a great season when it has made me proud to be a Blucerchiato.

“At this amazing moment I would obviously like to thank Samp – the club, the President, the sporting director, the staff, the Coach, my teammates and the fans who have made me feel really at home from my first day.

“I also have to say thanks to Donadoni. I have said more than once that relations between us wouldn’t change whether I was selected or not.

“I have always had a relationship with him based on respect and courtesy and I really hope that I will be useful to his cause, which is that of the national side and all Italians.”

Cassano will still have to prove himself at Donadoni’s Coverciano training camp because one of his 24 men named today will be a stand-by and won’t travel to Austria and Switzerland unless there is an injury.

[Forza_Roma]

Montolivo happy as well with being selected.

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[sinoy1]

Originally Posted by llewelyn

I'm pretty sure the one that is dropped will be either Aquilani or Montolivo. If Donadoni goes by recent form then Montolivo should stay, but as of right now I'd give the edge to Aquilani.

Definately agree.Aquilani is too fragile.Personally I would love for him to go but if he gets the summer off ( no olympics included) then the man needs to rest up and start working out.He plays in a position which requires more physical play then most.Look at De Rossi.he use to be agile quick and pretty damn neat with the ball.But as Emerson left and Perrotta was a dud as a DM he beefed up.Bulked up and most noticeably mentally trained his mind to get ready for a long hard fought season.

If Aquilani can become consistent.Still keep his passing vision but also keep his CM position and not DM like De Rossi (which I thought the CM position best suited him,ie-box to box not baby sitting pizarro) then the sky is the limit.

one thing Ive noticed though.Montolivo can actually beat defenders on the dribble...Pirlo can not.Something Im sure Don will take notes about.

[dukeofdavinci]

No real complaints from me.

same here, but i still doubt cassano will even feature.why 1st of all we are in the group of death, so my take is don will go out wth the ones wom he ave tried and tested instead of cassano.

the only way he would be starting if we are to face some complication wch i would rather not taboo us by saying it

on a side note i see del piero fired up to make amends for his major blunder in 00' by scoring this time around

[D-Kin]

Oddo not happy, I think he has a case.
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[Jager]

His exclusion is a little strange, but the fact of the matter is that Panucci is playing great, and he is not.

Simple as that.

[Forza_Roma]

Tough break for Oddo...ever since moving to Milan he's been a regular for the Azzurri. But, with Panucci's play lately and being versatile as he is...Panucci deserved the call.

[dukeofdavinci]

mm oddo, panucci.well both isnt much to far apart but i agree on dave.he proved to be the better and maybe dons looking to over to some older players to seep that experience trough.

[D-Kin]

As we all kind of expected it's Montolivo that misses out, unlucky.
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