By Mike Martin ⋅ June 1, 2008 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Euro 2008

Coach
Roberto DONADONI: A surprise appointment following the 2006 World Cup win, Donadoni negotiated an awkward qualifying group alongside beaten finalists France and an improving Scotland. Has coaching experience from Lecco, Livorno and Genoa. Less mercurial as a boss than in his midfield days.

Goalkeepers
Marco AMELIA (Livorno): Promising 26-year old who is included despite finishing bottom of Serie A with Livorno. An unused squad member two years ago, he has a World Cup winner’s medal nonetheless.

Gianluigi BUFFON (Juventus): Stayed with the Turin giants despite their judicial relegation in 2006 after the Moggiopoli scandal. Now in his 30s, still one of the best in the world and is as certain a starter as anybody in the tournament.

Morgan DE SANCTIS (Sevilla): Is a reserve to Andrés Palop for his club and will fulfil a similar rôle in Euro 2008. At 31, he has a good future behind him.

Defenders
Andrea BARZAGLI (Palermo): Filled in in the World Cup when Materazzi was sent off against Australia, playing the quarter final against Ukraine in Hamburg and has already filled in for the injured Cannavaro, in qualifying last autumn, as he surely will this time around. A capable central defender, he will play for Wolfsburg next season.

Giorgio CHIELLINI (Juventus): Agricultural left-sided defender most likely to appear as a left-back but can cover if Italy suffer their usual injury crisis at centre-back, especially as the international retirement of Alessandro Nesta leaves them with only three central defenders.

Alessandro GAMBERINI (Fiorentina): Late replacement for the injured captain Cannavaro. Gamberini is a good player but has the biggest possible shoes to fill in Italian football. Has just two caps with no warm-up matches left.

Fabio GROSSO (Lyon): A crucial figure at the World Cup, the left back won the last-minute penalty against Australia in Round 2, scored a dramatic late winner in their epic semi with Germany and the final penalty in their shoot-out triumph in Berlin. Nevertheless, was offloaded by Inter last year and is not likely to start.

Marco MATERAZZI (Internazionale): Everton fans will note his iconic status with a raised eyebrow; he was less than memorable in his spell at Goodison Park in the late 90s. Scores regularly from headers and set-pieces alike but is no spring chicken at 34.

Christian PANUCCI (Roma): Lethal in the air, as Scotland found out to their cost as he scored the goal that sealed qualification at Hampden Park in November. Returns to international football after missing the World Cup, may start at right-back with Zambrotta likely to play on the other side of the back four.

Gianluca ZAMBROTTA (Barcelona): Another player exiled from Juventus in 2006, can play as a wing-back on either side. Likes to attack and scored an early goal in the World Cup quarter final against Ukraine two years ago.

Midfielders
Massimo AMBROSINI (Milan): Threatening in the air, the central midfielder scored the goal in Eindhoven that took Milan to the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final. Has never scored for Italy but returns for his first tournament since Euro 2000.

Alberto AQUILANI (Roma): Talented 23-year-old central midfield prospect may not be a first time player yet but has great belief and a deadly long-range shot. Nearly 24 but the youngest player in the ever-experienced Italian squad.

Mauro CAMORANESI (Juventus): Argentine-born right-winger who is a fine crosser and may take on of the two attacking positions either side of Toni. Was loyal to Juventus during their year in Serie B.

Daniele DE ROSSI (Roma): All-round midfielder likely to start alongside Pirlo and Gattuso. Disgraced himself when sent off for violent conduct against the United States in the 2006 World Cup but returned from the bench in the Berlin final.

Gennaro GATTUSO (Milan): Combative, ball-winning central midfielder who can play a bit as well. Is widely expected to leave the San Siro after the championship.

Simone PERROTTA (Roma): A rare sight this summer - an Englishman at Euro 2008; he was born in Ashton-under-Lyme but his family moved back to Italy in 1982 when he was six. Scored at Euro 2004 but the left-sided attacking midfielder is unlikely to start this time around.

Andre PIRLO (Milan): The archetypal continental deep-lying playmaker, his passing is visionary and his free-kicks are lethal. The creative hub of the world champions, he should have won the Golden Ball award two years ago in Germany.

Strikers
Marco BORRIELLO (Genoa): Came from nowhere to have a wonderful season with newly promoted Genoa in Serie A 07/08, scoring 19 league goals. Will return to his co-owners Milan next year; a long-term successor to Filippo Inzaghi and partner for brilliant Brazilian Alexandre Pato.

Antonio CASSANO (Sampdoria): Football’s ultimate maverick, the enfant terrible is a risky but brave selection by Donadoni. Has been outstanding for Sampdoria, for whom he has now permanently signed after being on loan from Real Madrid for the last season. Scored twice in Euro 2004 but omitted from the World Cup squad.

Alessandro DEL PIERO (Juventus): Serie A’s top scorer this season, the little artist is recalled at 33 by popular demant after a superb renaissance with Juventus back in Serie A. Is his club’s all-time top goalscorer.

Antonio DI NATALE (Udinese): Tactically versatile forward, likely to start from the left of Toni in a front three. Has scored some masterful goals for Udinese and is selected alongside club-mate Quagliarella.

Fabio QUAGLIARELLA (Udinese): Likely to give commentators nightmares, the 25-year-old forward’s partnership with di Natale in Udinese’s three-pronged attack proved instrumental in their march to the UEFA Cup.

Luca TONI (Bayern Munich): His goals helped Bayern Munich storm to the Bundesliga title after their disappointing 06/07 season when they failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. A cert to start, he is a free-scoring, formidable target man.

Wish You Were Here?
Filippo INZAGHI (Milan): Had a slow start to the season but found form in the spring, nevertheless, the man said by Sir Alex Ferguson to have been ‘born offside’ is now surplus to requirements. Scored twice in Euro 2000 and once in the last World Cup.

Fabio CANNAVARO (Real Madrid): A huge miss, having torn ankle ligaments in training on 2nd June. Imperious at Parma, Inter and Juventus, moved to Spain after the 2006 World Cup. An intelligent, Bobby Moore-style central defender whose intelligent and interception skills make up for a lack of pace.

Tags: Alessandro Del Piero, Antonio Cassano, Antonio Di Natale, Daniele De Rossi, Euro 2008, Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Italy, Luca Toni, Marco Amelia, Marco Borriello

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