(Azzurri Called for Scotland)

Condolences

Before we talk Azzurri, my condolences go to the family and friends of Gabriele Sandri, a Lazio supporter and Rome-based DJ who was killed today by Italian police following a scuffle at a highway rest stop in Tuscany. Details of the events leading up to Sandri’s tragic death are unclear, but there have been reports of protests, brawls, and even riots springing up across Italy as news of the killing spread. Additionally, three Serie A matches were postponed, either minutes after kickoff, or beforehand, as a proactive measure.

The Don: No to Del Piero, Yes to Palladino

With the exception of Alex Del Piero’s omission and Raffaele Palladino’s inclusion, there really weren’t any changes in The Don’s selections for crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Scotland and the subsequent engagement with Faroe Islands. (I guess The Don realizes that this is no time for experimentation.)

Here are our 24 Azzurri:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Marco Amelia (AS Livorno Calcio), Gianluca Curci (AS Roma).

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (US Città di Palermo), Daniele Bonera (AC Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid CF), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Fabio Grosso (Olympique Lyonnais), Massimo Oddo (AC Milan), Christian Panucci (AS Roma), Gianluca Zambrotta (FC Barcelona).

Midfielders: Massimo Ambrosini (AC Milan), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Simone Perrotta (AS Roma), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan).

Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese Calcio), Alberto Gilardino (AC Milan), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Cristiano Lucarelli (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Raffaele Palladino (Juventus), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese Calcio), Luca Toni (FC Bayern München).

Actually (and I can’t believe I’m saying this), all of The Don’s selections make sense. For instance, with enough central attackers to field a formation resembling Macy’s New York Thanksgiving Day Parade, we needed someone (besides Camoranesi - who is present, thankfully) capable of playing on the wings. Enter Palladino.

In regards to Del Piero’s absence, I’m not going to cry about it, as he’s sounded like a 6th-grader as of late (”I don’t wanna play that deep! Put me in as a striker! Waaaaahhhh!”).

The defense and midfield look pretty solidly staffed, and outside of The Don’s formation-of-the-week tendencies, I can’t see where he can really mess things up there. In the front of the house however, the one real question mark will be who - if anyone - The Don will choose to play alongside (or behind?) Luca Toni. He certainly has no shortage of weapons at his disposal, but it wouldn’t be beyond The Don to place someone in a position/formation that’s totally unsuited to the player’s abilities/experience.

It probably won’t be until just before the match that the formation / starting lineup is announced, but as soon as I’m aware of it, I’ll post it here.

Forza Azzurri!

Categories: Azzurri, Euro 2008