Italy squad at Euro 2004
Italy
Euro 2004 Home | Squad | Star Player | Key Man
Italy will once again enter a tournament as one of the favourites. Don't expect them to concede many goals as they have the best defence and goalkeeper in the tournament, Buffon, Cannavaro and Nesta are simply World Class. I expect them to win group C, but it won't be easy, there are no easy games in the European Championships. After that they could go all the way so long as they can shake off the bad luck that seems to have accompanied them in tournaments since the mid 80's.
Coach: Giovanni Trapattoni
Goalkeepers:
1-Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus),
12-Francesco Toldo (Inter),
22-Angelo Peruzzi (Lazio)
Defenders:
2-Christian Panucci (Roma),
5-Fabio Cannavaro (Inter),
13-Alessandro Nesta (Milan),
19-Gianluca Zambrotta (Juventus),
3-Massimo Oddo (Lazio),
6-Matteo Ferrari (Parma),
23-Marco Materazzi (Inter),
15-Giuseppe Favalli (Lazio)
Midfielders:
21-Andrea Pirlo (Milan),
4-Cristiano Zanetti (Inter),
20-Simone Perrotta (Chievo Verona),
8-Gennaro Gattuso (Milan),
14-Stefano Fiore (Lazio),
16-Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus)
Forwards:
10-Francesco Totti (Roma),
18-Antonio Cassano (Roma),
9-Christian Vieri (Inter),
11-Bernardo Corradi (Lazio),
17-Marco Di Vaio (Juventus),
7-Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) |
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Star Player |
Francesco Totti has slowly but surely become the most respected player in Italian football. Over the past few seasons, his performances have been largely responsible for turning Roma into a major force, and now he hopes to restore the Italian national team to their former glory. Italy's big names often fail to live up to their billing in major tournaments. Could Totti buck that trend?
Much depends on how the Italians line up. Will they play with two or three dedicated attackers? Totti is most effective as a link man between midfield and attack but may be pushed up front if the Italians opt for a cautious approach. Either way, he has the class to be a match winner.
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| Key Man |
The Italians are always one of the most naturally talented collections of footballers at any tournament, but rarely seem to do themselves justice. Often, they come unstuck trying to overcome various mental barriers such as nerves, a superiority complex or the immense pressure from their media and public. Therefore, the team captain has the mammoth responsibility of holding them together and making sure everyone is pulling in the same direction. This time around it will be down to Fabio Cannavaro.
Cannavaro can be considered one of the world's greatest defenders. Defence is undoubtedly Italy's strong point, and alongside Nesta, he forms a formidable back-line. The pair combine perfectly to form a near impenetrable wall. If they are on form, Italy will be an awesome proposition. If Cannavaro can keep his team mates focused and in control, Italy will go far. |
