Team: ITALY

[hanuma]

Originally Posted by Jager

The side is younger now overall and more creative. But more importantly, they have the experience and the ability to go all the way.

They had amazing experience last time out but they also had Totti, Iaquinta and the ever reliable Inzaghi. It's no worse now, but not any better either. Motivation and fitness are the key.

[Forza_Roma]

A preview of Italy...

Azzurri hope to follow World Cup win with Euro glory

[Forza_Roma]

Great clip...

TalkSoccer Media Player

[Jager]

I'm not sure if that is a great clip? Actually its not very flattering compared to the German one I saw.

[Forza_Roma]

I like it.....shows a bit of arrogance and illustrates the hardships that Italy has gone through prior to the WC06. The refs were never on their side....

I'm just glad they didn't show the Euro 04 Totti incident.

[Jager]

Without those incidents, I don't think Italy becomes WC Champions. I really believe that.

All those things made the club a force to be reckon with.

Having said that, I don't like the fact that the German one has nice goals and such, and while ours shows us fouling and shit.

Mind you, that Euro was dominated by our defense and Toldo, and not much of anything else.

We will put teams on their heels now.

[Forza_Roma]

Lippi made a complete 180 of Italia. Turning the defensive minded team, into a complete package. I don't think in history Italy has ever field 4 attacking players like they did against Germany in the extra time...that was unbelievable.

Donadoni has essentially the same players to as Lippi, but has brought Di Natale, Quagliarella, Cassano to provide more offensive depth.

I really think Don will use the 4-2-3-1 formation:

Toni
Di Natale, Camoranesi, Quagliarella
Pirlo, Gutusso
Panucci, Matrix, Cannavaro, Zambrotta

[acitalianman13]

i hope cassano plays

[stickyfingers]

He's awesome. Im glad in gets his chance to prove himself once more. Does anybody know which number he'll be wearing for Italy? cheers sticky

[Forza_Roma]

Welcome Sticky.....

It's either 18 or 10 i believe. De Rossi has been using the #10 as of late, but i think Cassano used #10 in this first two qualifying matches for Euro back in September. It would be a big statement if he selects #10 ahead of De Rossi.

[Forza_Roma]

Perrotta may miss Euro...let's hope if not that serious.

Perrotta could miss Euro
Sunday 25 May, 2008

Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta is a doubt for Euro 2008 after picking up a calf injury in the Coppa Italia Final last night.

Perrotta was included in Roberto Donadoni’s provisional 24-man squad and had been told that he would definitely be going to Austria and Switzerland.

But last night turned from pleasure into pain for the former Chievo man who injured his calf after scoring the Giallorossi’s winning goal against Inter in the Cup Final.

The 30-year-old limped off to be replaced by Matteo Brighi and there are concerns that he may not be fit for Euro 2008.

Donadoni has to remove one man from his squad by Thursday at midday – this player will be a stand-by and won’t travel to the European Championship unless there is an injury.

Fiorentina’s Riccardo Montolivo had been widely seen as the favourite to miss the cut, but Perrotta must now nervously await test results.

The gifted midfielder, who has 41 Azzurri caps to his name, will see Dr Brozzi tonight to discover more about the extent of his problem.

[Forza_Roma]

Don addresses Cassano and Inzaghi

Don addresses striking questions
Sunday 25 May, 2008

Roberto Donadoni stresses his faith in Antonio Cassano and responds to Pippo Inzaghi’s anger as Italy’s Euro 2008 squad get down to work.

The 24-men provisionally selected to travel to Austria and Switzerland will be training in Coverciano ahead of flying to the European Championship.

Inter’s players arrived later and Roma’s representatives are due to join the group at 11pm this evening after yesterday’s Coppa Italia Final.

But all eyes were on Cassano, who was the wild card in Donadoni’s selection and is battling to avoid being relegated to stand-by when one man has to leave on Thursday.

“Cassano has told me that he won’t disappoint,” Don revealed at today’s Press conference.

“The decision to choose him came after a long discussion with my staff. I listened to my advisors and in the end I opted to bring him.

“I also did it because I believe in my own abilities and that I can help him on a personal level.

“However, the relationship that I have with Antonio is the same as the one I have with the rest of the players.

“Cassano is not an extraterrestrial, but we want the right behaviour from him on and off the pitch and especially in training.

“Can he play alongside Alessandro Del Piero? I can tell you that everything is possible, it’s just about balance and the belief of the players. I say that Del Piero and Cassano can play together.”

Donadoni had to snub Milan veteran Inzaghi in spite of his phenomenal end to the season in order to pick Cassano and the Diavolo marksman hit out angrily at the decision.

“I respect him and he must respect me,” the Azzurri boss explained.

“He has an enthusiasm that belies his years and that’s how he lives his football – it’s a strength.

“But what happened between us stays between us and the discussion is closed.

“I never said that he wasn’t on form because that would have been stupid on my part given his recent performances, but I have no reason to apologise for my choices.”

[jec1]

It looks like their was a problemo at their training field.... Non uno buon tempo avere un azionamento del sesso!

[dukeofdavinci]

ok now the little devil is picked, well lets hope he puts every pride in wearing and caring for the azzurri kit he will don.we are in the group of death and the least we need is another thick headed player who thinks he is superman.

lets hope don can find some thing good in cassano.and i hope the don does get it right since its more then his job in the line here.i really want to see us lift this trophy.

[Jager]

Thanks for those pics Jec, that doesn't surprise me at all.

I remember during the Asian world cup, many Asian ladies camped out outside the Azzurri hotel, waiting to see Canna, Totti and Zambrotta.....crazy bitches.

Women at my work, don't know football, but they know the Italian football team. Many women mags cover them, and other supposedly hot Italian footballers.