The fall of Italian 'captain marvel'

As almost a week to go before the great show this summer, the Italian football camp has been struck with the most fear news that they might want to permanently ignore it. It’s a tragedy for team captain, Fabio Cannavaro, the 2006 World Player of the Year after he had won the second La Liga with Real Madrid. With the omission of Cannavaro, the Azzuri has to rely on the likes of Materazzi, Gamberini, Barzagli, Chellini or even the classic Christian Panucci to protect Gigi Buffon. So what else Roberto Donadoni has in his mind, of course he hopes none of the remaining defenders will get injured.

Let refresh your mind when Italy was knock-out by South Korea during the 2002 World Cup. Most of the fans blamed the Colombian referee as the culprit but the Italian coach at that time, Marcelo Lippi was simply concluded that they were without Cannavaro and Nesta that night. With the reputation such as Lippi recognised how important Cannavaro to Italy, I had no doubt that Donadoni should really has the early scare about Italy chances but in this kind of tournament, luck always play the role. I’m hoping that Gamberini or Barzagli will take this advantage to impress some attending scouts from top clubs.


So if you are in the Donadoni’s shoe, what are you going to do without the other half of the Italian’s Great Wall? Italian under Donadoni plays a totally ‘non-italian’ with 4-3-3 formation. The absence of Cannavaro will make the Italian defence looks vulnerable and they are playing with three midfielders. Some might said Italy should switch back to the ‘italian way’ of classic 4-4-2 with two holdings and two wide men. Remember Arrigo Sacchi approach of one tall and one small for attackers plus a ‘magician’ during World Cup 1994? To put in the current situation, Luca Toni and Di Natale fits the bill but this time who will to produce the magic. Andrea Pirlo only rise his game when orchestrating from the deeper position. The other options is to adopt 4-2-3-1 with Luca Toni be the target man. This will allows Gattuso and De Rossi covers the back four.


An interesting point of note that Donadoni should take into consideration is whether ‘bad boy’ Marco Materazzi should be in the first 11. He spent more hours in the bench at Inter this season due to good performance by Christian Chivu and Ivan Cordoba partnership. It seems almost he will get the nod to be in starting 11 because of big tournament experience? Whether he plays or not, still I can’t wait to see how the Italians will play without Cannavaro. So the first 11 almost predictable with Buffon on goal, Panucci and Zambrotta will do their best job as overlapping fullbacks. The centre backs goes to Materazzi and Barzagli. Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and De Rossi will engineer the midfield. To complete the jigsaw, Luca Toni, De Natale and big tournament flop, Alessandro Del Piero will spearhead the attack.


Its good to see how Donadoni’s 4-3-3 will perform in the group of death. The last I hope that messrs. Del Piero, Pirlo, Buffon will outperform the classic Dutch 4-3-3 without Nesta, Totti and Cannavaro. Wait and see.