Italy squad named

[SueB]

Portieri: Buffon, Peruzzi, Toldo
Difensori: F. Cannavaro, Favalli, Ferrari, Materazzi, Nesta, Oddo, Panucci, Zambrotta.
Centrocampisti: Camoranesi, Fiore, Gattuso, Perrotta, Pirlo, C. Zanetti
Attaccanti: Cassano, Corradi, Del Piero, Di vaio, Totti, Vieri.

[nicephoras]

Fiore made it, so I'm happy. But Favalli?? I hope he isn't on the pitch for too long. Camoranesi doesn't inspire much faith in me after this year either. As for Right back - yuck. Panucci or Oddo? I guess I'd give it to Oddo based on youth, and Panucci's habit of screwing up royally. I wonder what the midfield will look like...........

[SueB]

I was also surprised by the inclusion of Favalli. I guess he took what would've been Maldini's spot. Some trade-off. I'm surprised by no Miccoli. He's such an energetic super-sub. I would've preferred him to Di Vaio. And Gilardino, of course, would've been nice. But who needs the highest scoring Italian player in Serie A with that "rock-solid" defense. *sigh*

[nicephoras]

Yeah, I already saw that Trap said Gilardino wasn't going, so I wasn't holding out hope. Italy have the horses to score - its the defense I'm more worried about. With a midfield of Fiore, Gattuso and Pirlo behind Totti, Vieri and probably Del Piero (ugh) the front 6 look good, but Cannavaro and Panucci/Oddo? Oh boy.......... This team could do very well, but if Trap plays catenaccio with a team so badly suited for it, I fear the same thing will happen as what happened against Korea. Although, hopefully Nesta will be healthy, which should help.

[sardus_pater]

No please... This del piero (not the one he was 10 years ago) must stay out of the field.

To prefer him to Cassano in the starting list would be outrageous given the season.

As i said in the italy forum, the only Juve players who deserved the call were Buffon, zambrotta and Miccoli. I wouldn't have picked Di vaio but he could be useful.

Gilardino was needed because Italy lacks that kind of attacker (Inzaghi out, poor season by Montella)

Bazzani is better than Corradi.
Marchionni is better than camoranesi.

This is my starting 11 (4-3-2-1)

.................Buffon

Panucci Cannavaro Nesta Zambrotta

.....Fiore .....Pirlo..... Zanetti (Perrotta)

........Totti........ Cassano

..................Vieri

[fischetts]

Camoranesi has had an anonymous season. Di Viao, while he might not deserve the selection, has been effective (somewhat) as a sub. And Trap chooses Del Piero again??? Doesn't he realize Del Piero is great for the qualifiers... but that's it.

Hopefully Totti's and Cassano's form continues. I'd put Gilardino over Vieri in the starting lineup based on form this year alone, but then Vieri might throw a tantrum and refuse to play as a sub for la Nazionale.

I think I'd start Perrotta as the main central mid ballwinner...dunno just like him and most national managers probably have not seen him in action being that he plays for the Flying Donkeys.

[el pinto]

I don't understand the constant Del Piero call-ups. He has not done anything to deserve a call-up in a very long time. This is very similar to the Raul situation with Spain. I think in the end these countries will be hurt by their constant need to put "name" players on the field. I could see Gilardino on the bench, but the fact that he didn't get called up at all is a travesty.

[canzano55]

I don't understand the constant Del Piero call-ups. He has not done anything to deserve a call-up in a very long time. This is very similar to the Raul situation with Spain. I think in the end these countries will be hurt by their constant need to put "name" players on the field. I could see Gilardino on the bench, but the fact that he didn't get called up at all is a travesty.

Addidas pays the Italian federation millions so Del Piero can play in order for them to endorse their crappy gear. It is the most purist form of hypocrisy imaginable when you have an incredible talent like Miccoli who wasn't picked WHICH IS FUKIN LUDICROUS!!!

TRAP I HOPE YOU READ THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE THE MOST IDIOTIC SH!T-HEADED COACH TO EVER WALK THE EARTH!!!!

My God! Del Piero of all people! That idiot will break a leg gettin his sh!t out of the plane before ever laying foot on Portuguese soil! And finally that moronic fool of a coach realizes his mega mistake in not bringing Fiore to Japan/Korea who is probably one of the best talents our country has (not to mention he's a bloody good midfielder, something Italy can't produce for its life!) so naturally to protect his own solemn dignity he includes Fiore on the team without a fuss, thank God!

Of course this team doesn't have a tear of hope because that simpleton will neglect his best midies i.e. Pirlo + Gattu by not starting them and therefore our performances will inevitably be weaker. Perotta and Zanetti? YUK!

CHECK PLEASE!

[retnicf]

Well, by the looks of this thread Italy will be lucky to even win one match! We must be on the verge of a major competition as all us Azzurri fans are already in full fledge pessimism mode. :p

[ttrevett]

I back Totti to win the Golden Boot (or Euro equivalent). I think he is going to have a real breakout tournament and the Azzuri will go on to beat Holland in the finals.

Good luck, I can't wait for it to start!

[Spartak]

Well, by the looks of this thread Italy will be lucky to even win one match! We must be on the verge of a major competition as all us Azzurri fans are already in full fledge pessimism mode. :p
I think most Azzurri faithful are very superstitious. During WC 2002 everybody was optimistc that the squad could actually be winners. Look what happended. During Euro 2004 everybody said they had virtually no chance of doing anything. Look what happended. People are acting like they did before Euro 2000, hoping the same type of performance will happend in Euro 2004, with a different ending of course ;)