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

[Forza_Roma]

Originally Posted by Jager

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.

I don't think it has to do with that...not everyone travelled together to sight see with their families. Either Cassano cares less about the city and doesn't want to sight see or simply wants his rest. Sometimes it's good to remove yourself from the environment and get your head out of the game...especially after a 3-0 loss.

Cassano probably likes the night life better. As you say, he's single.

[Jager]

No, I believe that many people, including Cassano, that hanging out with young children and couples is not his cup of tea.

As for sight seeing or not, you could be correct. However Austria is very nice. Beautiful country from my limited viewings.

[Forza_Roma]

Who cares...at least he's not showing up late for practise or doing anything stupid ...yet.

Anyone know the progress of Matrix calf??? Will he miss the Romania match?

[Jager]

He'll miss no doubt.

Defensively, they will be better FR, regardless who starts or not. Trust me.

They have pride. Some say that Italia can't recover from that, but I disagree somewhat.

Part of me said that there was no trophy in our future here, however the fact that they really played like shit.
Gave up two goals on counters, and one strange goal to start off....and the fact that we played like shit, yet still had chances, tells me not too worry too much.

Unlike that last Euro, where we just got the bare minimum results, then got booted because of goal difference, that is in our minds.

Cassano will start, regardless of anybody else. I also think De Rossi is going into the midfield.

This should appease the players and fans alike. So hang on, have faith, and remember.

I have seen this side play more than all of you. This is the nation that lost both to North and South Korea.

Didn't manage a win in any of its games in WC 82 group.

And played a real stinker to start of WC 94. So you see, all you young lads. This is a fairly typical thing. The difference between the Euro and WC, is that the competition in this is fiercer to start off with, and we are still thinking about women, wine and other shit.

Will we pack up and leave early?? Maybe.

Will come back with two great games?? Likely.

History doesn't lie.

[Forza_Roma]

Italy has to be better...i don't think they can be any worse then they were in the Holland match. All the pressure was on Italy to double as WC champs and Euro champs. Even the players bought into the hype before the tourny...they had big heads coming into the tourny...and in a matter of 10 minutes...Holland deflated them. In a way...Italy needed a good kick in the ass.

Italy will rebound bc they are professionals and experienced. No one can take that away from them. This is the time where the ADP, Pirlo, Zambrotta, Panucci...take this team by the throat and lead by example.

Italy's destiny is in their own hands...unlike 2004...win two matches and you're in.

I just pray that the curse has not returned...3 yellows, an offside goal, and a Zambrotta "own goal" all in one game....this has me worried.

[Jager]

I just pray that the curse has not returned...3 yellows, an offside goal, and a Zambrotta "own goal" all in one game.


Good, we got it all out of system.

One side note, I would like to see us be more physical in the midfield. That is part of our game. Tactical fouling is what we are known for, and we might as well use it.

[dukeofdavinci]

So hang on, have faith, and remember.

ohh we are hanging on alright.35 years on cheering for the azzurri is not going to waste.the one we dont have faith is don.first time i ever felt that.

usually it comes to the players but this time its the coach.

we didnt get here convincingly, so don the benefit of the doubt is yours.who knows we might turn this around as how we had done qualifying here.

and we are still thinking about women, wine and other shit.

sole reason why keane was angry back then for ireland.

[D-Kin]

Look back over the years, Italy are always slow starters to tournaments....

Why? I have no idea.

But in reality we couldn't have played any worse against the Dutch so it can only get better as far as I'm concerned.

[Football Fetish]

I would love to have been a fly on the shoulder of Buffon during the exchange he had with Toni in the tunnel during half time. Hopefully they will take their frustrations out on Romania.

[D-Kin]

Reports suggest that Del Piero will start against Romania and that he could be made captain as well after Buffon's comments after the game against Holland. Perrotta and De Rossi are favourites to start over Gattuso and Ambrosini.
channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

I don't like the fact of changing the captain after one match...stripping Buffon of the captaincy after a comment isn't the right decision by Don. But, maybe that will add inspiration to the squad...but it looks more like grasping at straws to me.

At least with ADP, you know what you will get. Having him beside Toni, gives Toni some support.

Adding Perrotta??? i dunno about that one...he's been poor with Roma. But, maybe Don wants to inject some pace into the lineup.

[sinoy1]

Completely ridiculous to play Perrotta as a CM/DM type.I love the older players but the team is so much more fluid with Aquilani.

DDR----Pirlo----Aquilani
-------Perrotta
--Toni---------Cassano

is one to consider and would make Perrotta play his best.Also would be great for Balance.

[azzurri]

Switching captains is fucking stupid. The most irrelevant change he could make.

With the media and fans united in their criticism's, I can see Donadoni being a stubborn dick just to prove he isn't a pushover and not make all the neccessary changes. We will be lucky if 2 changes r made to the team, even though at least 4 are needed.

[Forza_Roma]

Juve's ADP and Chiellini to get the start...

Don calls on Juve duo
Thursday 12 June, 2008

Italy boss Roberto Donadoni has indicated that Alessandro Del Piero and Giorgio Chiellini will play against Romania tomorrow.

It’s already do or die for the world champions after they lost their opening game 3-0 to Holland.

With pressure mounting on Donadoni, the Azzurri know that anything less than a win against a tenacious Romania side that held France would be a disaster.

The Press have called for changes to be made in the Italy line-up and it seems that they will be appeased.

“I will make three or four changes to the team that I picked to face Holland,” Donadoni revealed.

“Along with Alex, I will hand a chance to Chiellini and I will rest some of the players who have played most.

“I see Del Piero playing further behind the striker and more in the middle. Tomorrow we need the best from him and everyone else.”

Despite a demoralising start to the week, Don seemed eerily calm ahead of his D-day.

“How do I feel about things? Today in traing I saw a side full of life, desire and charge,” he said.

“But I mustn’t give any guarantees because it was the same of the eve of the Holland game.

“Romania are a well organised and close-knit unit, but we will have 90 minutes to score.

“We must be patient and control our opponents and try to find the energy because we will have lots of running to do.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[azzurri]

Rest players? So he is only making changes to rest players that he plans on playing again?