Euro 2008: Team Profile: Italy

The History

Italy has won the Euro only once, back in 1968, when it was renamed the UEFA European Championship. It remains the only triumph in this competition for the Azzuri so far, when their team featured some great names of world football, like Giacinto Facchetti, the Inter legend who captained the side, Sandro Mazzola, Luigi Riva, Pietro Anastasi, and the great Italian goalkeeper, Dino Zoff.


Though they came close to regaining the crown in 2000, when they were denied in the final by a golden goal from France’s David Trezeguet, Ferruccio Valcareggi’s men remain the only Italian team to this day to have held the Henri Delaunay trophy aloft.

Euro 2008 – The Qualifying Campaign

Drawn into Group B with Scotland, Ukraine and France, whom they defeated in the FIFA World Cup 2006 final to become world champions, Italy faced a not-so-easy road to Austria-Switzerland. Added to that, newly appointed coach Roberto Donadoni had a shaky start, with a home draw to Lituania, and a 1-3 loss to France. But the men in Blue went undefeated in their next ten games, which included nine wins and a draw with France, and finished top of Group B, and attained automatic qualification.

Italy’s Squad

By many experts’ reckoning, this is the best team coach Donadoni could have picked, with the resources available to him (Refer Carlo Garganese’s article ‘Bravo Donadoni and Forza Cassano’ on 21st May 2008).

The defense, which has always been Italy’s stronghold, looks as secure as ever, with Gianluigi Buffon, arguably the best goal-keeper of his generation, leading the line, and Fabio Cannavaro, the only defender to have been named FIFA World Player of the Year (he achieved this honour in 2006), leading the back four. Materazzi’s temperament might be questioned, but there is no doubting his presence, and his towering headers. Full-backs Zambrotta and Grosso are experienced, and are good at running with the ball and pulling it back into play for the strikers.

Donadoni has preferred the 4-3-3 style of formation, with Gattuso shielding the defense, and Pirlo and one of De Rossi or Aquilani giving the side the creative spark. In fact, Pirlo and Gattuso, both of whom play for the same club, complement each other well. The tenacity of Gattuso and the flair and grace of Pirlo make for a perfect combination.

At the front, Donadoni is not short of options, with Camoranesi and Toni in good form. The dribbling skills of Camoranesi are excellent, and Toni, the perennial finisher, is always a threat for rival defenders. It would not be a surprise if picking the third forward is going to be Donadoni’s biggest headache. Alessandro Del Piero has established his stake for an inclusion in the side, by becoming this season’s Serie A’s Capocannonieri, where as Di Natale has been scoring some important goals for the Azzuri. Cassano’s inclusion, which was a big surprise to many, gives the coach another option up front, as he is a player who can change the face of the game on his day.

The Group

Italy are in Group C, dubbed as the group of death, along with France, The Netherlands and Romania. Traditionally, Italy have been slow starters in international tournaments, and they better start performing fast, if they are to qualify for the later stages.