C1: Netherlands 3 - 0 Italy - 09/06/08

[D-Kin]

Yeah, the only question is who will partner him.

Probably Barzagli but I hope Chiellini gets the nod.

[Forza_Roma]

I'm thinking Barzagli as well...but, i wouldn't mind if Chiellini starts. Either way, Matrix will have to lead that line...how nice would it of been if Nesta was still around.

[D-Kin]

I've stopped thinking about Nesta.

He's far too injury prone now, you just can't rely on him. We'll be fine without him.

[Forza_Roma]

I'm actually really worried about the central defence now. But, hopefully with the veterans like Panucci, Zambrotta and Matrix they can build a solid back line. Maybe it will be good to play the 4-2-3-1 formation.. Give more support with 2 DM.

[Forza_Roma]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Hope he can recover in time........talk about bad luck man.

Panucci knee injury scare
Friday 6 June, 2008

After losing Fabio Cannavaro, now Christian Panucci is a major injury doubt for the opener with Holland as he damaged his knee during training today.

Italy’s Euro 2008 campaign is getting off to the worst possible start, as following captain Cannavaro’s exit from the tournament due to torn ankle ligaments, Panucci collapsed during today’s session in Baden.

The Roma defender fell to the ground during a series of sprints and was helped off the field after miming a strain to the right knee ligaments.

He has been taken to undergo further tests and identify the exact nature of the injury, but his presence against Holland on Monday is now in serious doubt.

It is a bitter blow for Roberto Donadoni’s squad, who are already missing Cannavaro for the rest of the competition.

Should Panucci fail to recover in time for that opener, we could see Gianluca Zambrotta switched to right-back with Fabio Grosso on the left.

Giorgio Chiellini and Marco Materazzi may then forge the central defensive partnership to ensure Panucci’s power in the air is not missed.

[dukeofdavinci]

ok this euro is getting ridicules.not just for us but every one.

seriously if u take look at other teams, every single news coming out from their team is they got some one injured not just us

in all my life seeing countless wc and euro this is the first time im hearing every day there is some one in doubt/injured for a team when not even the first ball is kicked yet.

i think austria-swiss is voodooed

[Forza_Roma]

It comes from a long, long season and the players haven't had time for their bodies to heal properly. That's why there's so many injuries. Injuries are a part of the sport, but losing 2 starting defenders is too much.

[dukeofdavinci]

It comes from a long, long season and the players haven't had time for their bodies to heal properly. That's why there's so many injuries. Injuries are a part of the sport, but losing 2 starting defenders is too much.

but every team losing some one in training every day is way tooo weird.its time to review the scheduling of tourneys by uefa.

injuries are every where but not at a rate like this.if it continues by the time euro starts we might see all the team fielding their reserves instead of first teams

[Forza_Roma]

There's no winning in terms of the schedule Duke...if they do it in July instead of June, then the players will only have a few weeks to prepare for the season.

It's just really bad luck....would be nice if they could bring a larger squad in case of injuries.

[dukeofdavinci]

There's no winning in terms of the schedule Duke...if they do it in July instead of June, then the players will only have a few weeks to prepare for the season.

It's just really bad luck....would be nice if they could bring a larger squad in case of injuries.

if its not the domestic, cl uefa cup its wc qualy or euro.it never stops.well one of the rigors of being a footballer i guess

[Forza_Roma]

Yea...i just hope that Panucci can recover and hope it's not that serious. If he has ligaments damage as well...then Italy are going to be trouble.

Zambrotta will play RB and Grosso for LB. Having two key injuries this early isn't good at all.

[Forza_Roma]

Panucci suffering from a slight strain to the tendon on the right knee...i don't think we'll see Panucci Monday

Don deals with Panucci injury
Friday 6 June, 2008

Although Christian Panucci’s knee injury is not thought to be serious, it still forces Roberto Donadoni to reshuffle for the debut against Holland.

This evening Roma defender Panucci collapsed during training and was visibly irritated at the setback, throwing an ice pack to the ground in anger.

He was helped off the field and taken for tests, but FIGC spokesman Antonello Valentini reassured the media that it was “purely a precautional measure.”

The initial diagnosis from the medical staff is a slight strain to the tendon in his right knee. Although not serious, it does leave Panucci in doubt for Monday’s opener with Holland.

Taking the situation into account, Coach Donadoni immediately reshuffled his pack in defence to prepare for that match.

He tested out a Marco Materazzi-Andrea Barzagli central defensive partnership with Fabio Grosso at left-back and Gianluca Zambrotta on the right.

Donadoni performed several experiments during the training session. Initially he used assistant manager Bortolazzi to fill in for the injured Panucci for the ‘pink’ team, consisting of Gianluigi Buffon, Barzagli, Materazzi, Grosso, Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi, Massimo Ambrosini, Antonio Cassano, Luca Toni and Antonio Di Natale.

For the ‘blue’ side he pushed Simone Perrotta back into defence alongside Giorgio Chiellini, Alessandro Gamberini and Zambrotta. This left space for Mauro Camoranesi, Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Aquilani to support Trequartista Alessandro Del Piero behind strikers Fabio Quagliarella and Marco Borriello.

He tried out a 4-4-2 system made up of De Sanctis; Zambrotta, Barzagli, Materazzi, Grosso; Pirlo, De Rossi, Perrotta; Camoranesi, Toni, Del Piero and a 4-2-3-1 with Buffon, Bortolazzi, Gamberini, Ambrosini, Chiellini; Gattuso, Aquilani; Quagliarella, Cassano, Di Natale; Borriello.

The game between ranks ended 1-1 with fine goals from Ambrosini and Quagliarella, both scored during the first half before the reshuffle.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Zambrotta at RB then.

Losing Panucci isn't a huge deal (unlike Cannavaro) but it's a pain to have to shuffle the defence this close to our opening game.

[D-Kin]

Panucci may play after all, his injury doesn't appear to be that bad.
channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Van Basten tees up Italy test Saturday 7 June, 2008

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Marco Van Basten puts emotions aside when his Holland face former Milan teammate – and golf partner – Roberto Donadoni’s Italy.

“We have some contact every now and then,” the Dutchman told uefa.com ahead of Monday’s Group C clash.

They were colleagues in the Grande Milan run by Arrigo Sacchi in the late 1980s and early 90s, sharing the field with other stars turned tacticians like Carlo Ancelotti and Frank Rijkaard.

“We played football together, but also played a lot of golf together, and he really is a true sportsman and also a real winner.

“He did not accept the easiest job by taking over the Italy team as reigning world champions, but he took on the challenge and has done it very well so far – and I think he is a good Coach for this team in the position Italy are in right now.”

Donadoni has the pressure on his shoulders to live up to Marcello Lippi’s 2006 World Cup winning squad.

“Italy are a good footballing side. They are the world champions for a good reason,” continued Van Basten.

“They have made few changes from two years ago, so we can expect a very tough match, as they are a strong team, who play good football and have a lot of experience. It is going to be a huge challenge.”

Group C has been called the Group of Death after pitting together Italy, Holland, France and Romania, so there is no room for slip-ups.

“The advantage is that from the start you are straight into the tournament, from the first moment you realise it is super important.

“We only play three matches in the group, and one is against the world champions and one against the world's second's best team, so you have to have focus from the start or you will immediately get knocked out.”

The Azzurri may be dealing with injury woes for Fabio Cannavaro and Christian Panucci, but the Dutch camp is also struggling.

Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder were major doubts to feature, but the fact they played with the squad in training today suggests they’ll be at least fit for the bench.

Wigan’s Mario Melchiot skipped the session due to an inflamed pelvis, but is expected to recover before Monday’s game.

channel4.com - Football Italia