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Italy qualified for the Euro 2008 finishing on top of Group B, which also included teams like Scotland, Ukraine and France, among the 7 teams.
During the qualifying campaign Italy scored 22 goals and allowed 8 in the 9 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat.
Although they started slow, with one point in two games, the 2006 World Champions secured their place at the tournament dropping only 2 points in the following 10 games.
For the tournament, Italy was drawn in Group C, possibly the toughest group at Euro 2008, alongside France, Netherlands and Romania.
They will open their campaign against the Netherlands on June 9 in Berne, Switzerland.
The team:
The most comfortable formation for Roberto Donadoni seems to be 4-3-3, with Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) the most preferable option on goal. In front of him, Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid) and Marco Materazzi (Inter) are certain to take their place in the central defence. Christian Panucci (Roma) will be at right back, while Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona) and Fabio Grosso (Lyon) will look for a place on the left. Andrea Barzagli (Palermo), and Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) will also get a place in the defence.
Giorgio Chiellini has also been tipped to get the nod as a utility player, who can play at centre back, full back, or even in an emergency midfield role.
For the midfield positions the front runners are Milan trio Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini, Roma's trio Daniele De Rossi, Simone Perrotta and Alberto Aquilani and Juventus' Mauro Camoranesi.
Luca Toni (Bayern Munich) has left no doubt whether he will make it in the Italy's line up for the Euro 2008, and Marco Borriello (Genoa) also found his place in Donadoni’s preliminary line-up.
The injury of Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus) opened a place for the leading scorer in Serie A this season Alessandro Del Piero. Possibly the biggest surprise was the inclusion of Antonio Cassano (On loan at Sampdoria from Real Madrid), not because of his undisputed striking abilities, but due to his temper.
Udinese duo Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella also got a call from Donadoni.
Midfielder Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina) has been removed from the final line up after the May 28 deadline.
Coach’s profile:
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni started his career in Atalanta before his transfer to AC Milan in 1986, where he was crucial part of the team that won five Serie A titles, three European Cups (later renamed as the Champions League), three European Super Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups. Donadoni had 63 caps for the Italian national team as a player and helped his team to the third place at the 1990 World Cup in Italy and the second place at the 1994 World Cup in the USA. He continued his career with a one-year spell in the MLS, playing for the New York Metro Stars, before returning to AC Milan and finishing his career at Saudi Arabian Al Ittihad in 2000.
Donadoni’s coaching career started at third division Lecco, before his transfers to Livorno and Genoa.
He took over the Italian national team in 2006 after the departure of Marcello Lippi, a position that brings upon him a huge burden of expectations.
On May 20th this year, Donadoni accepted the latest proposal by the Italian soccer federation for a 2 year contract extension that also includes an escape clause in case Italy fails to shine at the tournament.
Team record:
This will be Italy’s 13th appearance at the European Championships.
Italy’s sole title came in 1968, the only time that the final of the tournament has featured a return leg. After a 1-1 draw in Rome, Italy beat Yugoslavia 2-0 in the second leg.
On the world stage, Italy has 4 titles from the World Cups in 1934, 1938, 1982, and most recently, the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The last European Championship, the Euro 2004 in Portugal, was disappointing one for Italy as they didn’t make it past the group stage, finishing third in their group, behind Sweden and Denmark. |
