A letter to Donadoni: How to fix Italy’s problems

By: agiamba | June 13th, 2008

Remember this picture, Mr. Give Gifts? This was after losing to Hungary, 3-1. I know, I know, it’s just a friendly. But “it’s just a friendly” left La Nazionale’s phrasebook when Lippi took over. Apparently, so did our will to win.

Some might mention we topped our qualifying group; that is true. But consider who was in it, there was Scotland, who did fantastic despite being terribly mismatched in player quality. France, who has their own personal version of Donadoni at the helm, mismanaging players and generally being unimpressive. He did bring them to the WC ‘06 finals, so you can cut him some slack. (Even if it was Bianconero Zidane carrying the team) And then a motley crew of pathetic teams. Qualifying in 1st was no great feat.

I’m glad the Don swallowed his pride after the thrashing of Holland, I didn’t think he would. Actions speak louder than words, and despite defending his decisions, he revamped the squad and it helped, a lot. But that’s not enough. I’m convinced, to win under Donadoni, we need to change the formation. Badly.

Most people agreed Donadoni went with a 4-3-3 to distinguish the team from Lippi’s, and because of his own personal disdain with a standard 4-4-2. Whatever it is, Roberto, we are not Brazil. We are not Portugal and no, we certainly are not the Netherlands. We don’t specialize in flair players, (except maybe Cassano+Baggio) we’re not “joga bonito” team, and we’ve always prioritized defense. Cramming the Azzurri into this does not work, and it will not work.

Problems with the formation
#1- Fielding players in the wrong position- Of course, any tifoso is going to hate when his players get ragged on for a bad performance. But for Del Piero and Camoranesi, it’s just because they are being played wrong. Del Piero’s miserable game against France 9-10months ago was because he was out of form and Donadoni threw him in a bizarre left-midfield role. Camoranesi likewise has been a right-forward, but against the Netherlands since we had no midfield, he was kind of in between, in an uncomfortable in between. Di Natale’s playing in an awkward left-winger position. Why didn’t we see these problems in Qualifying? We did, but it wasn’t as obvious when you’re playing weaker opposition.
#2- We don’t have enough flair players. We’re not a team built for a free-flowing beautiful form of calcio. How many fast players do we have, how many wingers do we have? Very few. Our bread-and-butter has always been good passing and a solid defense. 4-3-3, especially in Donadoni’s interpretation, does not incorporate either, especially with Cannavaro’s unfortunate injury.
#3- It’s built around a hitman, and he’s misfiring. Lippi built his squad around Totti. Thankfully with the great passers in the squad, like Pirlo, his absense due to injury wasn’t felt too strongly. Donadoni’s is no doubt built around Toni, to hold up playing and generally play with his back to goal. Great idea, but Toni, despite banging in the goals for Bayern, has been pretty poor these past 2-3 games. When ADN, ADP, and Camoranesi are playing slightly out of position, it doesn’t help. But he’s been far from the reliable hitman that position needs.

Remedy? Duh, play a goddamn 4-4-2. Even if Milan plays with the Christmas tree and Roma players their funky total football remix, every player in the world is familiar with 4-4-2. Most roles are defined by this formation, and Italy would slot perfectly in it.

So Don, please, you’ve already manned up and admitted your personnel choices were wrong. It’s time to admit the 4-3-3 is not right for Italy. I don’t think you’re the right coach for Italy but this would go a long way to improve the Azzurri in the meantime.

Buffon
Zambrotta-Chiellini-Panucci-Grosso
Camoranesi De Rossi Pirlo Perrotta
Del Piero/Cassano Toni

Every player is used to those roles. Let’s do it.

PS: SECCO, PLEASE BUY GROSSO. Molinaro is a sack of shit and Fabio has been tearing it up thus far. Yes, he always plays better with the Azzurri but seriously anything would be an upgrade right now. De Ceglie is too young to carry the left defense and I do not want to see Molinaro cruxified alla Roma in the Champion’s League next year.

PPS: Does any other Juventino feel Lippi is holding out for either the Azzurri job or Juve? I honestly think he wants to come back to Juve, but I am happy with Ranieri right now.

Some Related Juventus Posts:

Category: Coach

« Calcio Debate: Who should be eligible to play for the Azzurri? | Home | Azzurri, Time To Leave It All On The Field »

alessio

Yeah, I couldn't figure it out. The last two were listed, not sure what the word means, but I guess I just don't care.
MAD

Perhaps you need help with your Italian. I can help you with those pesky words in parentheses after the last two and tell you with great joy what they mean...

"Our trophy room lists 29"
alessio

Great blog by Marco here: http://www.mcalcio.com/france-...
alessio

Our trophy room lists 29.

And so does our president. "Blanc in particular will have won favour with many after he declared that he completely recognised, as official, the two revoked Scudetti from 2005 and 2006.

"The number of Scudetti won by Juve is 29,” Blanc told La7.

“And soon we will have a third star on our shirts."
MAD

As I thought. Not so hot for justice, eh.

Oh and it's 27 Scudetti.

No surprise a supporter of The Thieves can't count. Here look it up.

http://www.juventus.com/site/e...
alessio

We don't need a CB, man. We have 4 elite CB's- Chiellini, Legrottaglie, Mellberg, and Andrade. Mellberg and Andrade were captains of their national team, and well Chiellini and Legrottaglie proved they can hang with anyone last season.

The only position we need to fill if Alonso comes is that LB. I don't need to convince anyone about Molinaro's deficiencies. Sell him, buy Grosso+Alonso and our summer spending is complete.

ADP-Trez
Nedved-XA-Sissoko-Camo
Grosso-Chiellini-Legro-Grygera

That's a great squad. Then in defense we have Salihamidzic, De Ceglie, Zebina, Mellberg, and Andrade who can cover all positions well, in midfield we have C. Zanetti, Marchisio, Giovinco, Marchionni, Salihamidzic, and in attack Amauri, Iaquinta and Palladino, assuming one doesn't leave.

Gives us plenty of cover and during those CL periods when we are playing 8 games in 4 weeks (with Coppa) Amauri/Zanetti/etc. will get definite playing time.
adam

I think after we get Alonso, juve are gonna get one more CB and then sort out the futures of our young players. I doubt any more big signings, 28Mil on Amauri and now 20Mil on Alonso, thats alomst 50Mil on two players. Anyone eslse think we got cheated on Amauri, 28Mil for a guy who has proved......?
alessio

Blah blah blah whine whine whine.......29 Scudetti.

I laughed at first, but this isn't the first time he's said it. He's serious.

"Over the past week, Juve have been heavily linked with moves for Stankovic, Cassano and Podolski, while Aquilani has been on the radar for quite sometime. Gigli has ruled out signing any of the first three, and says it is unlikely Aquilani can be bought too. "I do not think he can come to us because Roma have seriously demonstrated that they want to keep him,” he stated.
adam

Yea Alessio, I laughed so hard after reading Molinaro's dream.
MAD

This is for the guy who keeps coming to the Inter board and complains about Inter's morals... I wish they really were generous enough to just admit to everything and be done...

"ROME, June 18 (Reuters) - Juventus have accepted a 300,000-euro ($464,100) fine to settle charges from the second part of a probe into the 2006 match-fixing scandal, Italy's football federation (FIGC) said on Wednesday.

Juventus will be able to pay the fine in 100,000-euro instalments over the next three years, FIGC said on its Web site (www.figc.it).

"It's not an admission of guilt, it's an act of generosity," Italian media quoted Juventus's legal advisor Franzo Grande Stevens as saying.

The charges regarded allegations that former Juve general manager Luciano Moggi gave foreign mobile telephone SIM cards to match officials to create a secret system of communication with them."
roberto

Yea alessio, I still can't believe Molinaro's dreams of wearing the Azzurri shirt haven't been crushed already. Someone needs to step in here and slap his mother for telling him these LIES!!!

Oh and this Stankovic shit is making me sick. He's washed up and fucking terrible. He's not even good enough for Red Star Belgrade let alone an Italian side like Juventus. Send the Serb packing please
alessio

Cristian Molinaro was one of the revelations of Juventus’ successful return to Serie A and his next target is an Azzurri shirt. The unassuming stopper excelled after returning from a loan spell at Siena and was a rock at the heart of the Old Lady’s defence.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/...

Goddamnit, this is what I'm talking in the "Player Ratings" blog. Molinaro was awful- his crosses, his defending, how many times did he nearly gift the other team a goal alla Zambrotta?
adam

STANKOVIC!?!! I'd rather take Matterazzi
alessio

Anyone see our two targets play today? Mellberg (done) and Xabi Alonso?

Mellberg's been pretty solid all tournament, one of the better Swedish defenders, Grygera was great for the Czechs as well, and Alonso captained Spain today and I was impressed. I haven't seen too much of him play but he was great threading passes around and unleashing thunder shots. It was like Aquilani, only he's not a tiny bitch, he looks like Marky Mark.

NO STANKOVIC. "to partner with Xabi Alonso..." Didn't we buy Sissoko? Xabi-Sissoko in the middle, just like old times it looks like.
KJ

Zaccardo was solid...He couldnt exploit the wing at will like he should have because he had to stay back and help a pitiful defense and cover for Barzagli
alessio

Given Marco's form, 3/4rds of Serie A would have been a better choice.

How did own-goal Zaccardo play this season? I didn't really notice him in the two Juve-Palermo games, which could either be a good thing or a bad thing.
KJ

funny someone said something about zaccardo...he plays alot like Grosso, and even to my surprise, would have been benefical to have this tourny
georgeak

«Non capisco ancora cosa sia successo – ha commentato Pavel parlando della sfida dei suoi ex compagni con la Turchia – E’ stata davvero una cosa strana, da tempo non capitava una partita così alla nostra Nazionale. Forse sul 2-0 i ragazzi erano convinti di averla chiusa e hanno mollato un po’, il 2-1 ha messo loro paura e il pari ha finito per tagliare le gambe. Grygera? Non ho ancora avuto il coraggio di chiamarlo. L’ho sentito prima della partita e mi ha detto erano tutti carichi e convinti di vincere».

Eliminata la sua Repubblica Ceca, ora l’attenzione di Pavel è tutta per l’Italia. Anzi, di tutta la famiglia Nedved: «Mio figlio fa il tifo per gli azzurri e l’altro giorno ha pianto per la sconfitta. Ora spero che non facciano la fine dei miei connazionali. Purtroppo non sarà facile perché la qualificazione non dipende solo dall’eventuale vittoria sulla Francia. Io non credo alle “combine” perché nessuno vuole fare brutte figure».

Infine un occhio alla Juventus. Per pensare al ritiro di Pinzolo e alla prossima esaltante stagione ci sarà tempo al ritorno dalle meritate vacanze. Ma un pensiero Nedved intende dedicarlo ad un suo futuro compagno, cioè ad Amauri. E il giudizio non poteva essere migliore: «Sono contentissimo del suo arrivo, è proprio il tipo di giocatore che ci mancava. Ha forza fisica e grande tecnica, la Juventus ha fatto davvero bene ad acquistarlo».
alessio

If anyone watched the Czech-Turkey game (fuck, I had Czech going to the finals) Grygera was probably their best defender. Janks wasn't bad either, but I think Zdenek was better. Looking forward to him on our right flank this season.
alessio

I think this may be the international swansong for the 2006 WC class. Gattuso, Materazzi, and Del Piero are gone, and does anyone think Toni, Zambrotta, Cannavaro and Grosso will all be back? Maybe a few, but not all. We need to incorporate some of the young players.
calcio-calcio

aquilani better start against france

he is the only real young player who is not scared of shooting from outside the box
Bang

Donadoni was wrong to forget Aquilani. He is clearly better than Perrotta.
Any way, Toni is not a player who enjoys a big match. Forget him
moka

Thank god for Chiellini!

23 years old.. He's gonna be commanding the Azzuri defense for the next 10 years.. :D

So grazie Juve!

P.S. I was hoping Sweden would finish 1st in group D just so I can see another Chiellini - Ibra war.. :P
vialli

if only we have Oddo (or even Bonera/Zaccardo) on the squad...
vialli

@Marco P. and alessio

Well, judging from the 2 matches italy had, i conclude this :

1. Italy squad is aggresive when attacking from the flank. Zambro and Grosso especially. Camo could make more impact (with his dribbles and crosses) if he stays on the right flank and not roaming into the center. trequartista is not his thing. We already conclude this when he was playing for Juve last season. And the man said it himselves.

2. The 2 CM should work as a balancer and be prepared for any counter attack. Then dictating game with passing (pirlo), and tenacity to ruin opposition defense (de rossi/gattuso). Added a couple of long shots.

3. second striker. could be del piero/cassano. his job is roaming between the target man (toni) and CM to confuse opposition and creating chances.

while the tenacious CM and second striker does their job, the wingers could go inside the penalty area, doing one-two passes or even scoring goal(s).

Formation : 4-4-2

and for RB, we could place Materazzi(is he available ?) or gattuso :P.

Note : Need squad regeneration for WC 2010.
alessio

Funny that everyone in the defense is a natural fullback.
alessio

I know Perrotta isn't a left midfielder, but he naturally drifted to the center. We sort of gravitated towards a 4-4-2, we had the right personnel, we just need to train with it and Donadoni needs to confirm it. I thought Perrotta was pretty good, as far as he goes. Industrious, making runs, working his ass off even if it isn't pretty. I thought when he left the Italian midfield was missing something.

The idea of Grosso as a left-winger is very interesting, and a good one. Great crosses, good moves, great speed, why not? I just don't think we have the people. I do not trust Barzagli stepping on the field, and I'm not sure of Gamberini-Chiellini is a great partnership, two freshmen? Second of all, Panucci was far better at CB than right-back. If we had Cannavaro, sure I think it could work. But we need Fabio at LB so Zambrotta can cover RB so Panucci can cover CB. Wonderful way it works out, huh?
Marco P.

alessio wrote:
Buffon
Zambrotta-Chiellini-Panucci-Grosso
Camoranesi De Rossi Pirlo Perrotta
Del Piero/Cassano Toni

That's sort of how Italy played vs. Romania alessio. Camoranesi was "officially" a trequartista playing behind ADP/Toni, but effectively he was constantly drifting towards the right side.

The other problem with this formation is that Perrotta isn't really a left midfielder. He runs his ass off, but he's got bricks on his legs: he can't finish for sh**. Then again, Lippi found a great way to utilize him in WC2006...

vialli wrote:
Buffon
Barzagli/Panucci Panucci/Barzagli Chiellini Zambrotta
Camoranesi De Rossi Pirlo Grosso
Del-Piero/Cassano Toni

You know what? This one's actually intriguing. I hadn't thought of putting Grosso as left midfield, but that would be a great solution to solve our left wing problems. Grosso spends half the time in the offensive zone anyway, and his contribution to the defensive effort isn't exactly breathtaking. Might as well give him the freedom to roam forward.

The only problem? Can Barzagli be trusted back into the Azzurri defense? (Zambrotta would take left, Panucci right, and we're now missing a center-back)

My guess is that we'll see a Del Piero-Toni-Cassano "tridente" for our France match.
adam

Lippi will end up coaching a foreign club or the Azzuri. He wont be coaching Juve anytime soon. Remeber Lippi was our first choice before Ranieri but the management and Lippi couldn't see eye to eye on the future plans. Ranieri is the kind of coach that will be told what to do and he will do his best with what he has without complaining, unlike Deschamps who wanted say in what transfer targets we went after. So unless Ranieri fucks up big time hes gonna be our coach atleast until 2010.
adam

MAD, Chiellini has great shots and speed, this video will show you what I'm talking about.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Bxs...
stephanie

i've been thinking that about lippi for a long time. he's been offered so many jobs, and has turned all of them down. as for which one he wants more, i'm not sure, but right about now i'd like to see him take over la nazionale again.
MAD

"MAD, I think Alessio pointed this out on another post or comment, but Chiellini recorded the fastest sprint time in the whole Azzuri squad. Also making Ibrahimovic look like a rookie in both derbies requires some skill, doesn’t it?"

I meant ball skills. As in passing, dribbling and shooting. Elbowing and thuggery are skills he clearly has. And sometimes they are useful as well.

I don't buy the sprint times. I don't think that they are taken seriously. Especially since I don't see him closing down on attackers exceptionally fast. He's faster than he used to be, but he's not Baresi who flew at people like a missile either.
Gianfranco

Alessio great stuff and I have to agree with you on the most of it, except for Gross, he should be Milans...

Toni is killing us right now and we cant maintain enough possession to dictate the pace of games. I sometimes feel the Don is playing with a trick deck, the cards are their but they just arent coming out to play...
adam

MAD, I think Alessio pointed this out on another post or comment, but Chiellini recorded the fastest sprint time in the whole Azzuri squad. Also making Ibrahimovic look like a rookie in both derbies requires some skill, doesn't it?
MAD

"Most people agreed Donadoni went with a 4-3-3 to distinguish the team from Lippi’s, and because of his own personal disdain with a standard 4-4-2."

No one I know is saying this. Most people I know say that he was playing a tall defensive team against holland because they like to attack in the air and play the ball ball forward. He changed personnel, more offensive, because he was playing a completely different team, that is, one that plays all back, that will give up possession for defensive position and will need more offensive minded players to crack. People I know were saying that he had a talented enough team to adapt to many different styles of play. No one I know is saying that it worked... but I think that is a more plausible answer than hubris and stupidity.

"Buffon
Zambrotta-Chiellini-Panucci-Grosso
Camoranesi De Rossi Pirlo Perrotta
Del Piero/Cassano Toni"

Is this your supposed line up for the next Euro game or WC in 2010? I don't think Donadoni or most of these players will be around for 2010. If it's for the last Euro game I hate to think that Panucci and Zambrotta get another shot after the tournament they are having thus far.

I think that Chiellini has come a long way since I started watching him. He still has no skills or speed but he may have gotten "football" smarter and even a little braver.
vialli

Yeah. 4-3-3 is not working for Italy.
4-4-2 could work. Maybe Italy can try something like:
Buffon
Barzagli/Panucci Panucci/Barzagli Chiellini Zambrotta
Camoranesi De Rossi Pirlo Grosso
Del-Piero/Cassano Toni

with Zambro and Grosso on the left flank, we have 2 good crosser and aggresive winger.
with camo on right, with occasionally del piero/cassano goes down helping him, we virtually have 4 good crosser serving toni.