Italy vs. Romania Preview: Capitan Del Piero!!!

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ZURICH (Switzerland), 12 June 2008 – Alessandro Del Piero will go to sleep tonight relaxed and pumped up. Tomorrow he’ll be on the pitch as part of the starting eleven AND he’ll wearing the team captain’s armband! Woo hoo!

It has really been a while since the Juventus forward had any kind of certainty with the Azzurri national team shirt, but Roberto Donadoni revealed it on Thursday. The Don’s words surprised everyone a little, especially after months of speculation, hints and line-up requests from the press that have almost always gone unanswered. However, the coach went all out Thursday afternoon and even added other names.

“I will make three or four changes in regards to the line-up I chose against Netherlands. Ale and Giorgio [Chiellini] will be on the pitch,” said Donadoni. “I have to give those who played the most a break”, especially because Friday will be about facing a motivated team with an optimal line-up. “[Romania are] a technical and strong team that defends very well,” added Donadoni, looking to be ready to tackle the world. His eyes made his willingness to win tomorrow fairly evident, perhaps in order to dedicate the win to his critics. Unlike in Bern it will be critical to remain calm and to think straight. “We have ninety minutes to score. We must be patient, dominate the opponent and pace ourselves because a lot of running will be involved.”

As a good Bergamese, the Don plays his cards close to his heart: if an emotion explosion is to take place, he will do it at the right moment. For now, he just confirmed that three or four changes would take place: “I will make my final choice tomorrow morning,” he added, proceeding to explain that the 3-0 still hurts and because of this, the team is eager to win. According to La Repubblica, the formation “hinted” by the Don’s distribution of blue/yellow pinnies on Thursday, is the following:

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Buffon
Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso
Camoranesi, Pirlo, De Rossi, Perrotta
Toni, Del Piero

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Going back to our opponents however, Romania is not just pace & fitness: the Don is also afraid of the team’s technical ability and this is the reason behind his strategy redesign. Starting from Del Piero: “I see Ale much farther back from the front and more to the middle. What do I expect from Ale? Tomorrow everyone will have to give his best.” In other words, ADP will have to provide the passing, ideas and creativity, players like Luca Toni will have to put the ball into the net.

“We have to focus and show optimism against Romania,” said Del Piero. “We need to think about playing like we know how to so that we can give a response to ourselves and everyone else. It’s crucial that we take that will to win onto the pitch.”

Del Piero will take the captain’s armband from goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, who led the team against Holland. “There was the chance that I wouldn’t play and instead I am starting as captain, but I’m not thinking about proving a point,” the Juve star continued. “I am keeping a clear mind and I will try and play as I did in the League. I want to be in the right place at the right time to do the right thing. You always feel responsibility, even when you aren’t playing. It doesn’t scare me that I will be wearing the captain’s armband.”

Donadoni concluded that tomorrow, Italy must play with the will to show the rest of the world we are still the champions, even if the fear is setting in. Fear that, as per Donadoni’s words, is no reason to be ashamed. “Fear” he says, “is not always negative. Being afraid is human, otherwise we would all be robots. No one can be absolutely fearless in certain situations, but some of these feelings must be exploited to the best. A “healthy” fear is okay, but we must avoid the kind of fear that puts you in a slump or slaps cuffs on your wrists”.

However, Donadoni doesn’t charge ahead but doesn’t hang back either, showing a side of him never seen before. “My feeling? I see a vibrant, eager and energetic team. But let’s make one thing clear: this is not an absolute guarantee that we will get the 3 points, because I had the same feeling on the eve of the match against the Netherlands. There’s no mathematical certainty.” The only certainty the Azzurri have for tomorrow, is that a loss will mean it’s time to go gome and a draw will force them to starting packing their bags.
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FORZA AZZURRI and FORZA ALE!!!!

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Read my full preview of Italy vs. Romania here:
Euro 2008 – Italy vs. Romania Preview: Time for the Azzurri to Bounce Back
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Category: Alessandro Del Piero

Tags: Alessandro Del Piero, Euro 2008, Italy, Roberto Donadoni, Romania

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