I just wish they had shown DP shooting some hoops. :]

Del Piero in an English interview last year, he’s clearly improved his english over the last 7-8 years since he did that english interview on La Iene.

Second of all, some real facts-
WC1998- Baggio’s WC.
Euro2000- Coming off of a terrible season caused by a horrible injury? I think he can be cut some slack.
WC2002- All of us sucked, frankly. Saved us in the group though.
Euro2004- Should have done better, but Cassano+Perrotta are the only two who scored the entire tournament. Inzaghi+Totti+Vieri flops?
WC2006- Was a sub from the start and did decently when called upon.

No one disputes that he hasn’t performed for Italy like Juve, but cut him some slack, when he’s been overshadowed or injured or better yet, the nazionale sucking in general, it’s hard to break out.

Tony T. said:
I’m just very worried about his lack of pace, lack of strength, and tendency to choke whenever it comes to performing for the Azzurri.

That’s actually a good point Tony, and one I should have mentioned in the “CONs”. I will admit that ADP’s record with the Azzurri has been somewhat of the unhappy kind, and it all started back in 1998 when after a stunning season he severely underperformed at France 98. Then came Euro 2000… and we all know what happened there. Finally for World Cups 2002 and Euro 2004 he wasn’t a starter, and Italy as a whole kinda flopped (he did score a vital goal vs. Mexico in 2002 though).

Some actually, would even compare ADP’s Azzurri record with that of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard with England: they are both irreplaceable at Chelsea & Liverpool but they never became leaders of the Three Lions.

With that said Tony, I think Germany 2006 changed all that. ADP was a designated substitute right from the start, and every time Marcello Lippi brought him on he did great. Even in the game that he did start (vs. Australia) he did okay because when you think about it, the performance of the entire team was severely affected by Materazzi’s dismissal. Not only that, but the tournament significantly helped at turning around the supporters’ opinion of him, because until then many still blamed him for Italy’s Euro 2000 loss vs. France. After he scored in the Semi-Final and took one of the decisive penalty kicks in the final match, I believe many Azzurri fans forgave him for his Euro 2000 mistakes.

In that light tehrefore, bringing him to Euro 2008 can only be positive for the team because his substitute record with Italy has been, so far, excellent, and there would not be a public outcry of the type “No, we don’t want Del Piero”. He’ll be a clear alternative to Antonio Di Natale (although not position-by-position) and will accept being benched without problem.

Michael said:
Heres an idea. We have seen how versatile camo has been this season playing in the middle and on the right often times. What if Del P played in camos position on the right with Camo taking over in a more centralized offensive mid playmaker role. I think that might skew the formation but its just a thought.

I don’t think that will ever work Mike. DP just doesn’t like playing on the wings, that’s a known fact, and left or right doesn’t make a difference.

Besides, putting Camo in the center means someone in midfield’s gotta go. Who are you going to remove? Pirlo? Gattuso? De Rossi?

Will said:
You forgot to mention ADP’s dead ball capabilities in the Pros.

Good point! Although, with Andrea Pirlo on the field that should never be a problem.

I don’t see DP as a replacement for the Di Natale position, but more as a player providing a different tactical option to the coach.

You forgot to mention ADP’s dead ball capabilities in the Pros.

Heres an idea. We have seen how versatile camo has been this season playing in the middle and on the right often times. What if Del P played in camos position on the right with Camo taking over in a more centralized offensive mid playmaker role. I think that might skew the formation but its just a thought.

The thing is, i find he lack pace … so if i were to play him, it be behind the two strikers … id have Toni … Quags … with DP playing behind them