Italy's Euro 2008 strikers - Sunday, 20 April 2008

As we reach the end of the season, and our attention turns towards Euro 2008, it is time to analyse who will be scoring the goals in the “Group of death” and beyond in the summer. Serie A has thrown up some magnificent telent that may not have been in the reckoning just two years ago – Marco Borriello, Amauri and Fabio Quagliarella notably, but with this there will be the inevitable absentees to allow for them, and some hard choices for Azzurri boss Roberto Donadoni.

Lets firstly look at the general set of players we are discussing:

I know what your thinking – Where’s Del Piero, Borriello, Iaquinta et al? We will come to that later on, but I’ll start with what I think is a done deal in terms of a starting place, but is maybe the least predictable in terms of squad selection – Centre-forward. Luca Toni, barring injuries will lead the frontline, and more than likely will do very well considering his astonishing record of 35 goals in just 41 games so far this season for Bayern. This position at the head of the 3 man attack requires pace, power, height, control and heading ability, things that Toni has in abundance. That should be an easy decision, but it becomes more difficult deciding who goes with him as reserve. Marco Borriello has been in fine form for Genoa, top of the goalscoring chart with 19 goals so far, and he also fits the bill perfectly. He will be in direct competition with the more experienced, and highly sought after Amauri of Palermo, who so far has 13 goals, but has been getting rave reviews. His being Brazilian shouldn’t be a problem as he should get Italian citizenship in time for the competition, barring difficulties with the Italian bureaucratic system, which is not beyond the realms of possibility. Roberto Donadoni has mentioned how he would find Amauri difficult to turn down if the chance offered itself, and the in-form Juve target may well get the nod ahead of Borriello.

As for any other alternatives, it has been too little too late for Christian Vieri, whose resurrection has been commendable, and also for Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta, whose innabilty to hold down a first team spot at the Old Lady should cost him his place.

Mauro Camoranesi may not pose the threat to goal that Di Natale specialises in, nor the class and inventiveness of a Cassano or Del Piero, but what he offers is more important, if less spectacular. Gone are the days when Italy would play with small, technical strikers, encouraging a very tight passing game. Since the arrival on the scene of Vieri, there has been a need for a good old-fashioned winger, one who has the pace to get to the by-line, yet also, as international football demands, has the ability to supply a top quality cross. With Luca Toni in the box, Camoranesi is relatively sure of his place in the Azzurri line-up.

The left-hand support attacker is occupied by a different type of player, and another one who is assured of his place. The variation in attack is complete with a small player who has great ball control, a vicious shot, and the ability to consistently score goals. Antonio Di Natale loves to cut in from the left, and can cause defences real problems, as he has proved in Serie A all season, totting up 16 goals. Add to the squad Fabio Quagliarella, who has the ability to play a number of positions in the forward line, and has a good understanding with Udinese team-mate Di Natale, and has scored 10 goals this year. More than fantastic performances, this is due to the ineligibility of Cassano and Del Piero to be squad players.

Is it as simple as that then? I think so yes. Antonio Cassano was told by Donadoni that it was in his own hands – behave and play well, and you can come with us. But he has only kept half of that agreement, and has severely shot himself in the foot with recent outbursts, and shows of petulance on the pitch. I’m sure theres a part of everyone reading that wants to see him thrown on in a tight game to stir up the game and run at the defence. But there are problems, in that with such a volatile player, staying on the bench will frustrate him, and any problem causing in a tournament dressing room can be disastrous.

Del Piero however has said that he does not want to be part of the Italy set-up if he is not going to start the games. Considering Di Natale having been instrumental in qualification, I think we can say he will start, and as a result, Del Piero will watch on a television screen despite a reasonably successful season in Turin.

Tim D