Donadoni Calls Up Cassano

LFTWNG11 · Post by **LFTWNG11** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 2:56 pm

Real Madrid forward Antonio Cassano has been called up by Roberto Donadoni for Italy's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Lithuania anfd France.

His last game for the Azzurri was on June 4, 2005, when Italy could only draw 0-0 with Norway in Oslo, so he makes a return after a good 15 months.

Frencesco Totti and Alessandro del Piero have been left out, as has Luca Toni, all three reportedly due to lack of match fitness.

The absence of some key World Cup winners through injury, including Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alessandro Nesta and Mauro Camoranesi, will also be on Donadoni's mind.

Marco Materazzi also misses out as he is still serving the suspension picked up for the Zidane fracas.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Christian Abbiati (Torino), Marco Amelia (Livorno).

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (Palermo), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Dario Dainelli (Fiorentina), Fabio Grosso (Inter), Massimo Oddo (Lazio), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Cristian Zaccardo (Palermo), Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona).

Midfielders: Massimo Ambrosini (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Marco Marchionni (Juventus), Simone Perrotta (Roma), Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Franco Semioli (Chievo Verona).

Strikers: Emiliano Bonazzoli (Sampdoria), Antonio Cassano (Real Madrid), David Di Michele (Palermo), Alberto Gilardino (Milan), Filippo Inzaghi (Milan), Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio).

Good to Peter Pan back in action for the Azzuri... although he was a Romanista for a long while, always admired his impeccable finishing and love the players arrogance!

Still can't believe Tavano is not in the squad, yet Di Michele and Bonazzoli make it, ridiculous... Good to see Peruzzi is finally out of the picture and hopefully Dainelli and Zaccardo dont get a look-in, they shouldnt be there... Bonera should definately have been there!

Finally, can't wait to see Semioli in action for the Azzuri, Italy dont produce the best wingers but this can play there for sure with the likes of Arsenal, Inter and Roma all wanting him this summer, a very good player over-looked fo far too long!

diegom · Post by **diegom** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:46 pm

wheres Luca Toni???

De Rossi and the man of the YEAR - GROSSO are the future at Azzurri

The one and only · Post by **The one and only** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:49 pm

Agreed De rossi is a champion

LFTWNG11 · Post by **LFTWNG11** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:54 pm

The one and only wrote:Agreed De rossi is a champion

goes without saying... De Rossi will be our future captain

The one and only · Post by **The one and only** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:57 pm

he should be because once he gets a bit more maturity to the game will be even better

Reggina10Cozza · Post by **Reggina10Cozza** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 3:12 pm

Di Michele definetely deserves to be in the team, I really like watching him play he works hard as a support to the striker, and still scores a lot of goals. He is considered by some to have the best dribbling ability in Italy.

Bonazolli is a surprise he was in great form for samp early last season but has just returned from a knee operation and hadn't played since early last season. But he has a lot of potential.

diegom · Post by **diegom** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 3:16 pm

and wheres TONI???

De Rossi is a gun, shame he had a shocking world cup!

But did enough against Ghana and in the final to please me
Cassano's entry will be beneficial for the Azzurri, good work ethic and great finisher

Reggina10Cozza · Post by **Reggina10Cozza** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 3:20 pm

Toni has been given time off, to return to full fitness, along with Del Piero and Nesta. And Totti has announced he will postpone his retirement from International football, but stated he won't play for Italy untill he is recovered fully from his injury.