Buffon "Ready to be benched!"

The Toldo-Buffon choice is a really close one. I'd pick Buffon, but I'm sure a lot of people would take it the other way, and I can see their reasons clearly...

Subculture yes, Dino's out too. Read on:
From http://www.euro2000.org

"Italy coach Dino Zoff has omitted Parma AC midfielders Dino Baggio and Diego Fuser from his plans for EURO 2000™. The two players, named in Italy's preliminary 26-man party for the June tournament, have seen their hopes of inclusion in the final 22 founder on their lack of fitness.
Zoff was unwilling to gamble on the pair who both struggled with muscle injuries in the final weeks of the Serie A season. Fuser will feel particularly disappointed, having played in Parma's UEFA Champions League play-off with Internazionale FC last Tuesday.

One more player to miss out
With Christian Vieri also ruled out through injury, Zoff's original 26-man party is now down to 23. The Italy coach must now decide who will be the one other player to miss out on the trip to the Low Countries.
He must announce his final 22 before 1 June - and Juventus defender Mark Iuliano may be the unlucky man."
There goes Iuliano too....

On the Del Piero - Albertini matter, I think they should both have been left out. I don't mean to say that they're no good, but both of them had bad seasons. The same goes for F.Inzaghi. How do they justify their positions?
Totti now is another case, his place is well deserved I think.

I think Italy will reach the semis. Here's why: If Italy manages to finish first in Group B (a relatively easy Group), then has to face the 2nd of Group A, which most likely will be Germany (or Portugal or Romania for that matter). Italy is superior to these three. The problem will be if something happens and England finishes 2nd, which will mean stiffer competition for the Italians.

Another Juventus conspiracy ?

Will someone (preferebly a non-Juve fan) come out and disagree with this please ?

Del Piero is not a certain starter but just as he should be allowed to think of himself as a starter it should also be remembered that he has said many times that being benched for the benefit of the team would be perfectly fine with him (both with Juve and Azurri).
The reason Juve has the most players in the squad is that Juve is the team always relying more on ITALIAN players.
Zoff's squad will play 3-4-1-2 or 3-5-2. Juventus play that system, and that's why both Ferrara and Iuliano would come in handy.
If Maldini isn't totally fit then the defence should be: Ferrara-Nesta-Cannavaro or Nesta-Cannavaro-Iuliano.
I know Amoroso isn't very excited about Pessotto and he certainly has his limits, but someone mentioned Vanoli and Pessotto has been miles ahead of him this season. Italian player wise I fail to remember anyone performing better this season on the left except perhaps Brocchi and he hasn't got the experience to be a starter.
Conte won't be a starter either, but Zambrotta is an automatic selection. Fuser has been an Italia regular, and if he's dropped he must have still felt the effects of his injury.
Dino Baggio shold never have been part of the first 25 to begin with (neither should Di Livio) and WHY wasn't Tachhinardi selected ?
When Juventus play 7 Italians with success in our first 11 on a general basis- is it that awful that were also the team to have more players in the National side ?

It's really sickening to read conspiracy stories everywhere. Just remember that only Zambrotta, Pessotto, either Ferrara or Iuliano (when Maldini isn't ready) and either Del Piero or Inzaghi are automatic selections.
That makes it propably 4 and 5 at most- which it should have been as Tacchinardi SHOULD have been there.

And this Toldo-Buffon thing. I'm completely oblivious myself as they're both awesome, but as Buffon Toldo has played better than him this season. No need for a conspiracy then, right ?

Ciao.

AMO; I se your point on Albertini and Maldini, but Italy really has a problem on the left wing. You suggested Torricelli. Besides the fact that he's injured he always played better on the right with both Juve and Viola. Zambrotta is far better on the right than left as well, and this leaves us with Pessotto who has been performing well over the entire season. The fact that he doesn't add much colour offensively shouldn't change the fact that he's still a good player. Did you know that only Nedved scored better average ratings over the entire season (Gazzetta) than Pessotto ? (considering left wings) .
Pessotto shouldn't be a first selection but lacking better options he's a given in the squad itself.
You guys all love Fuser which is understandable, but neither of us can have any idea how he fared at Italy's training camp. It looks strange as he's a very good player, but he's an automatic selection normally, and he's been a regular with Zoff as well. Surely you can't totally ignore the possibility that he just wasn't fit for the games ?

Ciao.

Thanks Thuram .

AMO; I didn't know about Fuser not training at all, which would make a difference if he wasn't actually as injured as he seems to be.
I didn't know he had commented on it, so before reading Thuram's statement I would have had to agree with you. Now I don't think it should even be a debatable question.

On Pessotto; This is certainly the last time I ever bring his name up in here again.
But before we close the chapter for good I beg of you- do name 5 left wings who has played better this season!

I give you two: Nedved and Candela. You may be tempted to mention Martin Joergensen, but he has been so up and down. He's my compatriot and the Danish media follows him vigorously. Georgatos ? Please... Who ? Zanetti ? Plays on the right.
Who ? ...and 5!!!


Ciao.