C2: Italy 1 - 1 Romania - 13/06/08

[Jager]

Originally Posted by sinoy1

I dont think a 4-3-3 is possible here without a Perrotta on the squad as one of the wing forward who knows how to track back and defend and always hits those random runs in the box.In terms of Balance I think he's needed to be honest.Lippi had the formation and squad all figured out.

Aquilani would be my first choice.

The problem is very simple really. I think the side needs to see Pirlo play deep, that means we need a guy who can run with the forwards as you say.

De Rossi to me will not work, regardless what people on here or Pirlo or anybody says.

They just can't play together.

However if you drop Pirlo, OH MY. I love Andrea, but if he would accept a more DM type of role. Then you could play.......a four man midfield.


Aquilani..De Rossi...Pirlo....Montolivo


As much as I love Gattuso, his forward runs leave a lot to be desired. He doesn't do this much Milan, but for Italy he seems obligated too.

[Trim]

Originally Posted by sinoy1

Also if Toni doesnt score put in Boriello.At least then Toni can be pissed off and start banging in those shots in the france game.

You guys don't know how to use Toni.. such a shame!

[D-Kin]

Reports: Don to shuffle deck Wednesday 11 June, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are reports in Italy that Roberto Donadoni is ready to ring the changes for Friday’s must-win Group C match against Romania.

The world champions are already under pressure after losing their opener 3-0 to Holland and know that nothing less than a win will do in their second game.

The Press have been quick to criticise Donadoni for his decision to leave out Roma star Daniele De Rossi and field Marco Materazzi in the place of Giorgio Chiellini against Holland.

And now it has been reported that the former Livorno man is set to insert Chiellini for Materazzi, who is suffering with a calf injury, and De Rossi in Gennaro Gattuso’s position.

Lyon stopper Fabio Grosso also made a good case for a start after coming on as a substitute in Berne and could have earned Don’s trust.

It has also been suggested that Alessandro Del Piero and Antonio Cassano could start with one alongside Luca Toni and the other as a trequartista in a 4-3-1-2 formation.

Yesterday the Azzurri squad went into the city of Vienna with their families, except for Cassano, who chose to sleep instead.

channel4.com - Football Italia



As for the changes, Chiellini for Materazzi, De Rossi for Gattuso and Grosso to start it's all sounding more promising.

They also mentioned playing with a trequartista:

Del Piero

Toni - Cassano

That looks tastey.

...although slightly unlikely.

[sinoy1]

Id rather Cassano play in the deeper position and track back.

Im going to say this once more.Play Aquilani and it frees up Pirlo.Play De Rossi and you get an upgrade to Gattuso.

Matrix is injured so Chiellini slots in.Hopefully Gamberini beats Barzagli for the starting shirt.

DDR---Pirlo---Alberto
--------Cass
--Toni-------ADP

they will destroy teams I feel.When will Boriello play? Hopefully he gets a run out.I think he's class.

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by sinoy1

Id rather Cassano play in the deeper position and track back.

So would I, but then we'd have no real pace up front.

That seems to be the problem with us lately, we're so one dimentional at times.

[sinoy1]

Too true.Im at a loss at to what to do upfront.But as long as we figure out the defence and midfield I think we'll do fine to be honest.

[NJ10]

I think the main thing is to ensure that Toni isnt left as isolated as he was against Holland. The only couple of times they got real support up to him, it was dangerous. One when he should have headed down for Di Natale, and one where Ambrosini had a shot deflected wide. Too often it was a ball up to him, with three or four defenders around him, and Di Natale also marked. I dont recall seeing Camoranesi or Gattuso getting up in support, and Ambrosini only managed it once or twice. It was left to the full backs to get into the box, which is fine but simply cant happen every time- especially when facing quality wingers.

[Forza_Roma]

Italy need other options up front then Toni. He' struggling alone. Italy didn't generate enough crosses, didn't get defenders get down the flanks...major changes are needed.

I think i would drop Gutusso...If Romania play similar to the way they played against France, then they will sit back and play on the counter. They will study that Holland-Italy match and see tons of space for the counter.

Yesterday the Azzurri squad went into the city of Vienna with their families, except for Cassano, who chose to sleep instead.

He's probably not attracted to the women there...or he would be touring the city. Cassano loves the ladies.

[azzurri]

Jager, Chiellini isn't slow. He was a lb up until last yr.

[Forza_Roma]

Mutu wants Romania to attack...

Mutu set to attack Azzurri
Wednesday 11 June, 2008

Adrian Mutu has warned that Romania will take a much more attacking approach to their game with Italy on Friday.

The eastern Europeans played something akin to Catenaccio in their 0-0 draw with France on Monday and aim to stay in Group C contention.

“We will need a more offensive and risk-taking approach, because Italy are the strongest opponent and different from France,” said the Fiorentina hitman in newspaper Evenimentul Zilei.

“I would like to see us attack the Azzurri, especially as the fans expect more from me.”

The so-called Group of Death is shaping up to be wide open right to the end, as Italy trail behind Romania and France on one point apiece and Holland with three.

There are injury doubts over Ciprian Marica for Friday’s encounter, but reports suggest the Romanian will recover in time to start against Italy.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LaVecchiaSignora]

italy needs to win this game and win big...by 2 or 3 goals if possible..if we win this game im farily confident that we will advance outta the group round

[dukeofdavinci]

Mutu wants Romania to attack...

and they will, if we have the same players again.

now its cemented that cassano, di natale and lets say other then toni is up front.

what looks to our troubles or niggles to eb specific is mid-field.we need a creative player too string out the passes, the delivery and pirlo at this moment seems to be on pole though some would question is he up to the whole 90++.

then we need a a man to link up between defending and going on and releasing the ball forward and back track well enough.this should now be solely handed to de rossi as other options right now isnt that assuring.gattuso might do the clean up but de rossi provides another dimension in attack as well as running down at the opponents.

now the tricky one.3rd member of field, who??some say aquilani some say perotta.both offer some thing different.and now imo is the time to be bold.start aquilani and he can do well along side pirlo.both of them have good feet and if pirlo cant happen to squzee that cretivity out aquilani certainly can and has decent long range. and then maybe intro gattuso for defense solidarity.

perotta is a bit of 50-50 now.he might click but he misses the play more often then doing better.

but we can go on and on debating and it all will be pointless if don fields the same crappy players like ambro etc etc and again repeating that his tactics was bloody right.

[jec1]

Aquilani must start. Italy needs an offensive approach and I think you have a good player who can produce. Maybe I'm biased cause he reminds me of my cousin

[Jager]

Originally Posted by Forza_Roma

Italy need other options up front then Toni. He' struggling alone. Italy didn't generate enough crosses, didn't get defenders get down the flanks...major changes are needed.

I think i would drop Gutusso...If Romania play similar to the way they played against France, then they will sit back and play on the counter. They will study that Holland-Italy match and see tons of space for the counter.


He's probably not attracted to the women there...or he would be touring the city. Cassano loves the ladies.

They went out with their families. Cassano is single. Have you ever hung out with dudes and their wifes??? Boring!

If I was Cassano, I would sleep also.

[dukeofdavinci]

Maybe I'm biased cause he reminds me of my cousin

Have you ever hung out with dudes and their wifes??? Boring!

hey!!im offended..jk..jk