Azzurri Match Trials for Scotland-Italy

Scotland FA (Scottish Football Association)Italy FA (Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio)

While the millions of Italian and Scottish football fans eagerly anticipate Saturday’s ame, today at the Azzurri training ground in Coverciano the Italian national team worked on tactical set-ups. Manager Donadoni alternated his troops many times during the practice, but according to the Italian press seems to be favoring a 4-1-4-1 starting formation, which can be readily transformed into a 4-3-3 when the Azzurri have possession.

The starting line-up should be Buffon – Oddo, Barzagli, Cannavaro, Zambrotta – Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini – Camoranesi, Toni, Di Natale, pretty much what I predicted at the time the international call-ups were made.

In the last half hour of the day, Donadoni oversaw a game between ranks with two different tactical systems, one a 4-4-2 and the other a 4-3-3. Ambrosini and Curci did not take part in the match, but only because of overcrowding.

Yellow pinnies: Buffon – Panucci, Bonera, Chiellini, Zambrotta – Quagliarella, Perrotta, Pirlo, Palladino – Toni, Gilardino
Blue pinnies: Amelia – Oddo, F.Cannavaro, Barzagli, Grosso – Camoranesi, Gattuso, De Rossi – Iaquinta, Lucarelli, Di Natale

The Blue team won the match 4-3 thanks to doubles by Vincenzo Iaquinta and Gennaro Gattuso. Yellow scored through Luca Toni (2) and Alberto Gilardino.

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To finish this special report from the Azzurri training ground, here are some pictures of the day, courtesy of Kataweb Sport:


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Italy manager Roberto Donadoni preparing the group for Scotland-Italy

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Defense & Offense, some good insurance for Italy: Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni (current topscorer of the Bundesliga), and Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon

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A golden midfield: De Rossi, Gattuso, Pirlo, and Ambrosini

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Rino Gattuso, heart and lungs of the national team, points towards the common goal: “Qualfication for Euro is there, right there…”

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Juve’s Raffaele Palladino joins the Azzurri family on the eve of a very important match

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Some smiles: Rossoneri players Gilardino and Ambrosini look like they’re having fun just like little kids. It’s been a while at AC Milan…

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A photomontage showing Toni vs… Toni

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An Italian soccer classic: the coach’s solitude



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Posted in Azzurri, Euro 2008 |

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