Euro 2008 winner candidate: Italy
Table of Contents
FIFA Ranking (as of May 2008): 3
Schedule:
09/06/2008 v Netherlands
13/06/2008 v Romania
17/06/2008 v France
World champions Italy are one of the tournament's main favorites.
They are in quite excellent form lately and eager to collect their second European Championship title.
In the first place, perhaps this is the best team that coach Roberto Donadoni could have picked from the available resources for him.
But a serious problem came to them only days before the tournament start, after the injury of their inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro.
The 34-year-old's absence is a major blow to the Azzurri, who are in the "Group of Death" along with France, Netherlands and dark horses Romania.
Italy has won the European Championship only once, it was back in 1968.
The team actually did much better in the world stage than the continental stage, which they failed to qualify from the group phase twice in last three occasions.
Though they came close to winning the trophy in 2000, but they were denied by David Trezeguet's golden goal in the final against France.
Donadoni was hired when Marcello Lippi resigned after the World Cup 2006 victory.
He was seen as a clean break from the old era after the Calciopoli scandal.
However, his job security is still uncertain because of the pressure from the fans who still unsated with the team.
Another group phase loss will never be accepted and that would probably signal the dismissal for Donadoni.
Italy is a team that filled with a great quantity of world class players - or you can say they’re all "key players."
Their defense has always been Italy’s stronghold and it looks as secure as ever with their famous catenaccio.
They have Gianluigi Buffon, who will replace Cannavaro as the team captain, arguably the best goalkeeper in the world.
Gianluca Zambrotta is an untouchable player in the backline, despite he was out of form with Barcelona. Andrea Pirlo is the deep-lying playmaker with his top class footballing intelligence.
Then there’s Luca Toni, a pure goal machine who is a threat for rival defenders - scored 44 goals this season for his club and the Azzurri.
Antonio Cassano is a surprise inclusion in the squad.
He convinced Donadoni to pick him rather than more experienced Filippo Inzaghi.
To be sure, he is the most talented player on the squad, but his temperament might be questioned. His volatile temper makes him a risky selection.
With Cassano and Marco Materazzi on the pitch, Azzurri's fans have the reason to worry about.
Traditionally, Italy have been slow starters in major competitions but they have to make a bright start performing fast, if they want to qualify for the later stages.
Despite has been drawn in the "Group of Death," the Azzurri are out to bring home their second European Championship trophy.
Italy Squad
Goalkeepers: Marco Amelia (Livorno), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Sevilla)
Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Fabio Grosso (Olympique Lyonnais), Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan), Christian Panucci (AS Roma), Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina)
Midfielders: Massimo Ambrosini (AC Milan), Alberto Aquilani (AS Roma), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Simone Perrotta (AS Roma), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
Forwards: Marco Borriello (Genoa), Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria), Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese), Luca Toni (Bayern Munich)
Related links:
Team
Also see:
Schedule:
09/06/2008 v Netherlands
13/06/2008 v Romania
17/06/2008 v France
World champions Italy are one of the tournament's main favorites.
They are in quite excellent form lately and eager to collect their second European Championship title.
In the first place, perhaps this is the best team that coach Roberto Donadoni could have picked from the available resources for him.
But a serious problem came to them only days before the tournament start, after the injury of their inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro.
The 34-year-old's absence is a major blow to the Azzurri, who are in the "Group of Death" along with France, Netherlands and dark horses Romania.
Italy has won the European Championship only once, it was back in 1968.
The team actually did much better in the world stage than the continental stage, which they failed to qualify from the group phase twice in last three occasions.
Though they came close to winning the trophy in 2000, but they were denied by David Trezeguet's golden goal in the final against France.
Donadoni was hired when Marcello Lippi resigned after the World Cup 2006 victory.
He was seen as a clean break from the old era after the Calciopoli scandal.
However, his job security is still uncertain because of the pressure from the fans who still unsated with the team.
Another group phase loss will never be accepted and that would probably signal the dismissal for Donadoni.
Italy is a team that filled with a great quantity of world class players - or you can say they’re all "key players."
Their defense has always been Italy’s stronghold and it looks as secure as ever with their famous catenaccio.
They have Gianluigi Buffon, who will replace Cannavaro as the team captain, arguably the best goalkeeper in the world.
Gianluca Zambrotta is an untouchable player in the backline, despite he was out of form with Barcelona. Andrea Pirlo is the deep-lying playmaker with his top class footballing intelligence.
Then there’s Luca Toni, a pure goal machine who is a threat for rival defenders - scored 44 goals this season for his club and the Azzurri.
Antonio Cassano is a surprise inclusion in the squad.
He convinced Donadoni to pick him rather than more experienced Filippo Inzaghi.
To be sure, he is the most talented player on the squad, but his temperament might be questioned. His volatile temper makes him a risky selection.
With Cassano and Marco Materazzi on the pitch, Azzurri's fans have the reason to worry about.
Traditionally, Italy have been slow starters in major competitions but they have to make a bright start performing fast, if they want to qualify for the later stages.
Despite has been drawn in the "Group of Death," the Azzurri are out to bring home their second European Championship trophy.
Italy Squad
Goalkeepers: Marco Amelia (Livorno), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Sevilla)
Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Fabio Grosso (Olympique Lyonnais), Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan), Christian Panucci (AS Roma), Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina)
Midfielders: Massimo Ambrosini (AC Milan), Alberto Aquilani (AS Roma), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Simone Perrotta (AS Roma), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
Forwards: Marco Borriello (Genoa), Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria), Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese), Luca Toni (Bayern Munich)
Please subscribe to our RSS feed to receive more updates. You can also subscribe by Email and enjoy our latest posts sent directly to your inbox.
Related links:
Team
Also see:
hey, i never forget the proj.. BTW, do u have any idea how to fix a link? I have a current problem with my links in the blog.. Thanks..
http://abc-bloglearning.blogspot.com