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Yep, guess what fools, Donadoni e il nuovo C.T. per gli Azzurri. So get behind him.

Donadoni named Italy coach to replace Lippi

ROME, July 13 (Reuters) - Italy's soccer federation named former AC Milan and Italy midfielder Roberto Donadoni coach of the national team on Thursday, replacing World Cup-winning Marcello Lippi.

Lippi quit on Wednesday saying he had "come to the end of my role" after winning the World Cup in Germany last week.

Donadoni is highly-rated but has limited coaching experience in Serie A so filling Lippi's shoes is going to be his biggest challenge yet.

Under Lippi's stewardship, Italy, on a 25-game unbeaten streak, beat France on penalties in the World Cup final in Berlin after putting out hosts Germany in the semi-finals.

Donadoni will also have to contend with fallout from the trial into Italy's biggest match-fixing scandal with the verdict expected in the next few days.

Berlusconi pleads for leniency for fans' and clubs' sakes
AFP
July 13, 2006

ROME (AFP) - AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has called for individuals and not teams or supporters to be punished in Italy's match-fixing scandal trial.

"We will not accept penalties against the supporters or the teams when only individuals are at fault," the former Italian prime minister was quoted as saying Thursday by the ANSA news agency.

And Berlusconi said it is not just his team that should be excused, but Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina should also not suffer from the actions of people within their organisations.

All four clubs face possible relegation over sporting fraud charges that were brought to light after former Juve general manager Luciano Moggi was overheard requesting specific referees for certain matches.

A decision by the sports tribunal in Rome is due on either Friday or Saturday but Berlusconi has criticised the speed of the process.

"We have to re-hear all the telephone conversations, re-examine the evidence, the accusations and the defence," said the 69-year-old.

"We have to be sure there were actual events and not arrive at judgements after a rushed process."

Berlusconi's team AC Milan not only face relegation or a points deduction but could also be thrown out of Europe and see their big star-name players leave if found guilty.

"For the moment, while waiting for clarity, we could start next seaosn with the same championship (teams) and then wait for the end of the process," he added.

Berlusconi's tone has changed markedly from before the judicial process began when he brashly claimed he expected AC Milan to be exonerated and be retroactvively awarded the last two league titles where they finished second behind Juventus.

His demands do not look likely to sway the judges presiding over the case, though.

"Berlusconi? What he says does not interest me," said the Italian football federation's emergency chief Guido Rossi.

"I am not waiting for Berlusconi's congratulations in anything I am doing," added judge Francesco Saverio Borrelli, the head judge on the tribunal.

Donadoni was my choice out of all the real candidates out there

(Gentile is waaaay to defensive minded and Zac couldn't motivate Lance Armstrong to win a bike race)

Ancelotti and Prandelli were my first choices, but they weren't going anywhere. Donadoni only managed a yr and half, but he did a great job while there at Livorno.

Experience isn't everything when coaching a NT level. As Falc pointed out, there are some positive precendents.

It's time for Gli Azzurri to turn a page and look towards youth, so a young CT may not be a bad thing.

Remember, Donadoni came from the best youth system in Italy (Atalanta). He knows something about fostering young players, and that's the type of guy we need. We may not win Euro 2008, but we need to build the foundation for 2010.

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By the way, Albertini yields a lot of power in the FIGC for having been there a short time. He and Donadoni go back a long way, and I'm positive this had to be his call.

AC Milan should get an extra bonus for having Berlusconi for president. How about relegating them to Serie C instead of Juve?

Required Reading:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 24,00.html

More good stuff:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/w ... index.html

I too hope Materazzi sues those papers that slandered him and donates it to charity.

'Uaglio wrote:Required Reading:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 24,00.html

Excellent stuff Piero. The line about the husband playing has been used in golf forever. Love the line about the biscuit.

Not all conversation during a match stretches the boundaries of taste. There are still some good one-liners. “Walt Disney couldn’t draw your face,” John Kay, of Wimbledon, said to Liverpool’s nasally challenged defender, Phil Thompson. The Australia fast bowler, Merv Hughes, was a legendary chirper. “Does your husband play cricket as well?” he asked Robin Smith, the England batsman. The same story has Hughes later marching down the wicket to tell Smith: “You can’t f***ing bat.” The next ball, Smith struck him to the boundary. “Hey, Merv,” he shouted. “We make a good pair — I can’t f***ing bat and you can’t f***ing bowl.”

The most memorable exchange at the crease concerns Eddo Brandes, the Zimbabwe tailender, and Glenn McGrath, the Australia fast bowler. “Hey, Brandes, why are you so fat?” McGrath asked. “Because every time I f*** your wife she gives me a biscuit,”

Donadoni

Good that it was a quick decision; not much to really complain, but not the obvious choice as Lippi was. Plus he speaks English, no?

Along the line about conversations on the pitch, there was this one conversation with a female opponent during one of my games. I recruited my sister to play on our team as we were always short on women for our team. She was not a soccer player but an excellent athlete who excelled in softball and basketball in high school. For the league we were playing in, she was pretty good. One game, the ball comes to her and she just kicks it down field. I started to yell at her about keeping the ball under control. She got mad, thinking that her big brother only picked on her. Well in typical Italian family fashion, it went back and forth a little. There was this gal standing next to me from the other team and as I rolled my eyes, I exclaimed to her "sisters." She started to laugh and told me that she thought we were husband and wife.

Azzurro wrote:Donadoni

Good that it was a quick decision; not much to really complain, but not the obvious choice as Lippi was. Plus he speaks English, no?

You would think he picked up a few phrases when he played for the MetroStars. I bet MLS has a press release taking credit that one of their former players is the coach of World Champion Italia!

The only time I've ever watched MLS is when Donadoni was here

He was absolutely fantastic. Yeah, he worked hard but he possessed great skill on the ball..not just on the wing, but also in cutting back towards the middle of the field and making things happen. He's the best winger Italy has produced since Bruno Conti.

One thing about Donadoni is that he comes across as soft-spoken. I wonder how he is in the locker room because he certainly doesn't seem to have a dominant Capello-like personality (which isn't a bad thing).

Speaking of Capello, I saw something about putting RM players on weight watchers.

New CT

My first choice would have been Scolari. I don't think he signed an extension with Portugal just yet.

I think I prefer Donadoni to the likes of Zac. Stop mentioning Mancini and Ancelotti. The FIGC said they were not going to approach guys under contract.

And Piero's right. I was thinking about this myself today even before I heard the announcement. Clearly Demetrio Albertini has come out of nowhere and must weild some influence. I'm sure Albertini has a lot to do with it.

And lastly, for as much as we criticise Falc, he's right about what he said earlier. We all criticised Grosso and Materazzi and look what they did this Cup.

Let's give Roberto Donadoni the benefit of the doubt.

A television close-up on Sunday showed France defenders hacking at the ankles of their counterparts who stood in front of the wall as Andrea Pirlo prepared to take a free kic

Yes, I remember this incident as well. Camoranesi took about 3 kicks to the ankles by the frogs.

Crybaby's

and I thought we were bad. The French are way worse.

I like the comments that Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni said yesterday. There is definitely double-standards at work here.

Look at all the crap Totti took in 2004 when Christian Poulsen insulted him to no end and kicked him repeatedly. Totti was vilified after he responded by spitting at him. Even in the Roma Vs Celtic game here in Toronto 2 months later, the Celtic fans booed him. But God forbid if it's Zidane. He headbutts an opponent after HE starts with the trash-talking and he is being treated like the victim here.

What a joke.

As if trash-talking doesn't go on in every sport.

And I like Piero's second article by Marcotti. Even Thuram dismissed it was racial. I'm very happy about this.

If Zidane "doen't regret" his actions for getting a red card with 8 minutes left, after working for 60 days for that moment then neither do we * * * *

hehehe, Jarno Trulli shows up the French Gran Prix...

beautiful.

M&M (whoever said it)

so Malesani is not at Panathinaikos anymore ? fired or quit ?

BTW markino

what does how good a player is have to do with his credentials as a manager ? I'm not saying Mancini was Pele, but he wasn't a stiff either.

Falc

Am I behind Donadoni? Absoultely, unequivicoly 100%. Do I believe that FIGC made a mistake? Yes. I hope I will be proven wrong. I mean that sincerely.

And let me state right here and now that I back Donadoni and all his decisions. Let the chips fall where they may.

Piero

Experience isn't everything when coaching a NT level.

I beg to differ. Look at Lippi. He quit based on many factors and one of them was he hated to deal with the bull-crap that came with the job. And look at all the experience he had with Juve and with Inter. Lippi wasn't the best at dealing with the media but he held his own.

And that's only one aspect of the job. It's not like coaching in Serie A where you deal with the same twentysomething players week in and week out. Now he has to deal with so many different players and all the pressures from the clubs when a certain player can't or shouldn't be called for a hang nail or whatever.

Do you think Lippi had that problem? Lippi had the respect of his players. That comes from experience. These guys that just won the world cup would through hell in their Dolce Gabbana suits soaked in gasoline for Lippi.

I honestly wish the best of luck to Donadoni. I hope we qualify for the Euros in 08. I'm not so sure we will.

For the record

I never, ever criticized Fabio Grosso. I did not like Marco Materazzi being called to the NT. That I will admit.

That said, I had always and I mean ALWAYS believed that Marcello Lippi called the best players possible to implement his tactics and system.

My faith was with Lippi. I was proven right.

Pabs

I have no idea if Malesani is still with Panathinakos or not. And quite frankly I could care less.

I also think we are going to have a hard time

For starters we are in a killer group. Second, the hunger may not be there as much, and third we are the team the likes of Lithuania, Scotland, France will be trying their hardest to beat us. Add to that an older team that will have a lot of "turnover". Add to that many players futures undecided ?

All these factors make me very pessimistic about qualifying 2008.

Look at Greece not qualifying for 2006 after winning the EC in 2004.

mmaggi

hehehe, very easy to say now, but you were blowing your gasket worse than me when Lippi insisted on calling Vieri.

speaking of which, would the outcome have been the same had Vieri not gotten injured ? Who would have stayed at home, Iaquinta or Pippo ?

mmaggi

drop dezzi a line and see if he's doing OK. I know his situation but I thought he would have dropped in by now.

Pabs

In all honesty if Vieri was healthy he would've taken the place of Pippo. Right? So... how much playing time would've Bobo gotten? About as much as Pippo. My argument more than anything else was that Bobo didn't deserve the call. That's all.

Bear in mind that Bearzot's world champs were EMBARASSING with their qualifiers for the Euros in France 1984.

That's neither here nor there re Donandoni's team for 08. Donandoni could go undefeated for the qualifiers for all we know.

no shit, I'm just throwing my $0.02 cents in there.

dezzi

Pabs - you know... I swear to you I was thinking of dezzi the other day. For Christ's sake we won a WC and he was no where to be found.

I have to check for his email (I may have it at work). I don't have his number. But I do remember the bar he was part owner of (Black & White) in Manhattan.

I hope he's doing ok.

BTW

we haven't said it, but isn't it wierd that of all people to miss for France in was Trezeguet ? Seeing as it was his Golden Goal to win Euro2000 against us.

Pabs

In life, what goes around comes around. I'm 42 years old and let me tell you... of all the proverbs in life that one is so true.

I'll check in tommorrow. See ya.

6 weeks ago

- Fabio Cannavaro was told to resign from the NT

- Gianluigi Buffon was insulted during the first training session at Coverciano

- Marcello Lippi was told to resign

- Piero said Fabio Grosso was a liability

my how things change so quickly....

Pabs - Thanks for the back up. I don't mind criticism. I row my own boat. I have always been independent in my thought. If you want to disagree with me (I am saying this in general, not to you in particular), fine. But calling me stupid and other shit, well, I sometimes want to do a Zidane. It is not called for.

For those concerned about Donadoni's lack of coaching experience, my take is that he has plenty of experience as a player. Yes, what Casati says is right concerning the pressure but considering the club he played for and his duty with gli Azzurri, he has experience. I don't blame him for leaving Livorno. The idiot owner got what he deserved. Livorno was an attractive team under Donadoni and fighting for a spot in Europe. And what did he have as his parts for that team? He did very well and to be criticized by that dumb raincoat wearing patron, he did the right thing with leaving. And what did the very experienced Mazzoni do with his team. Nothing. He could end as a failure but that might happen regardless of who comes along. It might have happened under Lippi. Face it, we are going through a transition. Maybe Donadoni is the right guy for this transition.

As for Trezeguet, was it me or did he seem indifferent. I am not sure if he cared a whole lot or not. He was hardly used. That one, I just do not understand as France was not really lighting up the scoreboard. I don't think he missed the PK intentionally but I am not sure if his heart was into 100%.

Speaking of PK's, why was so much fuss made about Zidane's kick? He hit the fcking crossbar. He was lucky that it bounced in. If it bounced out, Buffon had the rebound, which Zidane could not touch anyway.

All these factors make me very pessimistic about qualifying 2008.

Mama mia Pabs. Gia comincia!

yep. Zidane was very arrogant when he took the PK and it almost bit him in the azz. 2 cms higher and it would have it the crossbar flush and not given him that bounce.

It would have been great to see him miss it and then the card.

It's all about the man-love. Just watch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUiE-npWqEk&search=Italia%20wins%20World%20Cup

Falc - Look, you are an idiot. Why? Because you can not call anyone a fool for QUESTIONING Donadoni being considered as CT of the Azzurri because of lack of experience.

All of these decisions are QUESTIONABLE, regardless who the candidate is. Therefore you're an idiot.

As for Donadoni being the coach, I have to say I'm surprised. The federation did something new: they hired a young guy with little coaching experience.

I like Donadoni. He cuts a good image, an honest one. He doesn't talk much and when he does speak, he doesn't say crap. Maybe the federation wanted a fresh start with someone they feel has a clean, non-Moggi association.

He has a very hard job ahead of him and although I want him to succeed, I don't think he will.

If he gets the Azzurri qualified for Swiss-Austria08, then I will consider him a success. It would be more than what Bearzot achieved post Spain82.

BTW, you mentioned Mazzone, fool. They could have given the job to a group consisting of Bearzot, Lippi and Sacchi, and Livorno still would have dropped 5 or 6 in a row.

For your viewing pleasure, Italy's record leading up to France84 which they did not qualify for:

27 Oct 1982 Switzerland Home L 0-1 Friendly
13 Nov 1982 Czechoslovakia Home D 2-2 Euro Qual
4 Dec 1982 Romania Home D 0-0 Euro Qual
12 Feb 1983 Cyprus Away D 1-1 Euro Qual
16 Apr 1983 Romania Away L 0-1 Euro Qual
29 May 1983 Sweden Away L 0-2 Euro Qual
5 Oct 1983 Greece Home W 3-0 Friendly
15 Oct 1983 Sweden Home L 0-3 Euro Qual
16 Nov 1983 Czechoslovakia Away L 0-2 Euro Qual
22 Dec 1983 Cyprus Home W 3-1 Euro Qual

Someone's around here going to be zidaned, so I suggest wearing a pillow under:)

By the way, there is a new entrance in the Webster 10th edition - to google.

There certainly will be "to zidane" in the 11th edition.

Oh happy day.

Today the sentences will be announced and giuve looks set for Serie B.

The francia corta (italian style champagne) is on ice, and I am not kidding.

I can't believe it. giuve in Serie B and Parma in Serie A. ROTFLMAO!!!

What a great day!!!!

And this is just the beginning as I am hoping for a mass exodus of the players.