Things are finally looking up for the Azzurri.
We’re the only nation that’s qualified for Euro2008 where a unicorn has recently been found.
This has got to be a good sign.
Maybe there’s something in this and Donadoni should play a solitary striker upfront.
Italia’s unique unicorn formation: 4-3-2-1
The thinking and analysis behind the game has begun.
It seems Donadoni is keen on 4-3-1-2.
Italy does well when they use a trequartista (that is attacking midfielder that sits behind the front pairing).
We can also expect a change of personnel.
Predictions suggest:
Buffon
Zambrotta, Chiellini, Pannucci, Grosso
De Rossi, Pirlo, Camoranesi
Cassano
Del Piero, Toni
I like the formation. I have hesitation with the following players.
Panucci
I felt Christain looked cumbersome against the Dutch. He looked slow and laboured on the ball. I can’t recollect him making any telling tackles. He also was the unfortunate player that got injured behind the goal line and played Van Nistelrooy onside. Don’t forget the Italian defence needs to nullify Adrian Mutu. Forget Panucci.
Camoranesi
Did nothing. Did not create any chances. Lacked any courage or conviction to stop the Dutch midfield’s domaniation of the game. The only thing good about his performance against the Oranje was watching him get subbed. I’d rather have the guts and conviction that Rino Gattusso offers. Forget Camoranesi.
Del Piero
Impact player at best (use him off the bench). Does not have pace or strength on the ball to cause alarm. Di Natale should be allowed another opportunity. If not ADN then lets try Quagliarella or Boriello. These guys were selected as our strikers, lets give them game time.
I’ve just checked the history books to see what’s become of teams that lose 3-0 in the first round of a Euro tournament. It does not look that flash.
Portugal 2004
Bulgaria lost 5-0 to Sweden. They ended up finishing bottom of their group with no points. In total Bulgaria conceded 9 goals and scored only the one. That goal was against Italy and cost the Azzurri progression to the next round (due to infrerior goal difference).
Belgium/Holland 2000
Denmark lost 3-0 to France. It turned out to be a dreadful tournament for the Danes. They scored no goals in their three games and lost by three to the Dutch and a brace to the Czechs.
England 96
The biggest loss in the first round was experienced by the Czechs losing 2-0 to the Germans. Both teams would meet again in the finals.
Sweden 92
No big losses in the first round of games. The only hammering in group play was dealt to the Russians by the Scots, CIS lost 3-0. Neither team progressed to the next round.
Germany 88
No real thrashings in the whole tournament. A few 3-1 and 2-0 results throughout group plays. Italy lost 2-0 to the Soviets in one of the semis. The Dutch went on to match this by beating the Soviets 2-0 in the final.
France 84
No thrashing in the first round. Group A was interesting (one for the trainspotters). A case of what you can do, I can do better. In the second round France beat Belgium and Denmark bet Yugoslavia both games ending 5-0. In the second round France bet Yugosalvia and Denmark beat Belgium both games ending 3-2. Both semis went to extra time. France won theirs against Portugal. Denmark lost to Spain on penalties.
Italy 80
No thrashings. No goals really. In group play, Italy went through unbeaten. Which sounds good, but in three games they only scored the one goal. They beat England 1-0 (Marco Tardelli scored the goal) and drew 0-0 with both Spain and Belgium.
