Is Trappatoni still Italy's manager ?

[Doctor Stamen]

I've lost track a bit, but he still is isn't he ?. And wasn't he manager in the WC, as Zoff resigned after Euro 2000 ?.

[SueB]

Yes, despite some calls for his ouster after the WC and again after a slow start to Euro 2004 qualifying, he is still firmly in charge. Italy has won five games without a loss this year (or a tie for that matter), so there have been no recent calls for him to step down.

The home stretch to Euro 2004 this fall is critical to his future of course with Wales at home, away at Serbia-Montenegro, and (potentially) a playoff looming.

[Doctor Stamen]

I think the next Wales match will be a draw (unless Bellamy is in prison at that time), and the mighty Cymru will get the automatic spot. I hope they win the group anyway, they have been playing brilliantly.

I don't understand why they didn't ditch the Trap, and hired Lippi, Capello or another decent manager either after the WC, or the defeat to Wales. It is also odd that a nation with a lot of good strikers and attacking players end up playing defensively.

[SueB]

Well, I think the main reason they kept Trap a while longer is that there was no suitable replacement available at that time. Lippi and Capello were/are both gainfully employed and not interested in the post.

Since then, things have turned around with several attractive and successful performances, especially since Trap introduced his 4-2-3-1 formation. To the surprise of you (and many others to be sure!), it's actually an attacking formation.

Results since the loss in Cardiff:

Italy 1 Turkey 1 (friendly - experimental lineup)
Italy 1 Portugal 0 (friendly - first use of 4-2-3-1)
Italy 2 Finland 0 (qualifier)
Switzerland 1 Italy 2 (friendly - experimental lineup)
Italy 2 N. Ireland 0 (friendly - some marginal players given a run)
Finland 0 Italy 2 (qualifier)

When Italy needs to win, they can certainly attack. Though they always seem to have a hard time with early-season matches, I think Italy will be able to defeat Wales at home, mostly because they feel they MUST win it - nobody in Italy is prepared to settle for the playoff just yet. And nobody has forgotten the loss in Wales. The San Siro should be packed, and we will see what happens!

[Doctor Stamen]

Originally posted by SueB
The San Siro should be packed, and we will see what happens!

The crowd not be such a factor, as a lot of Welsh players have experience of hostile crowds. Hartson plays in the Old Firm Derby, Bellamy plays against Man Utd and has been in the Champions league, Giggs has done it all, and Mark Hughes has probably played in an away match or 2 at Galatasaray.

The only real affect the crowd would have is to make sure Italy try their best, as they won't want to fail at home.

I think the match will be very tense, with shots hitting the crossbar in the 88th minute etc, and Wales will get a draw, just. Whatever happens, I think Wales will probably win the rest of the games and just get the automatic spot.

[SueB]

In the other thread (about friendlies), I predicted 2-0 for Italy with the second coming late as Wales presses to equalize. So it's a similar scenario to yours, and, as often is the case, the result could be determined by a chance or two going in the corner or just wide.

(argh, reminds me of the game I played last night - I had four or five good shots and they either just went over the bar or got saved by a fingertip - and we lost 2-1. grrr. but i digress... ).

As for the packed stadium, I also don't expect the Welsh to be intimidated, but I do expect the Italians to be inspired. Obviously, if Wales can score early, it would silence the atmosphere.

[Parmigiano]

This is a classic Italy dilemma, backs against the wall against a lesser side late in qualifying. They usually pull it out, and they will do so again. I say 2-1, goals by Vieri and Totti and a Welsh player but not Giggs; he will be marked too closely.

[Doctor Stamen]

Whatever happens, it'll be incontinent pants time for both sets of supporters.