Old Guns in Azzurri Attack? - Saturday, 10 May 2008

With the recent upturns in form by some of Italy’s most prominent strikers, more and more speculation on whether the old guns of the Azzurri attack will return. Around Christmas, Alex Del Piero was not expected generally to be in the squad to go to Euro 2008, having been left out of the Juventus team on occasions, and supplying performances that were less than inspiring. Likewise, Filippo Inzaghi who has struggled with both injuries and form this season, and wouldn’t have been guaranteed his recent run in the team had Ronaldo not been ruled out with injury.

But these players have had a fantastic reversal in form, and may well be better suited to representing Italy ahead of the likes of Borriello, Quagliarella or maybe Amauri. The experienced strikers will not be phased by the big stage, being already successful at international level, something that cannot be said of the other two. Indeed Borriello has barely played in the qualifying rounds where he would get the necessary experience, and although Amauri may have been called up, he didn’t have the Italian citizenship. Has this competition come one year too early for these two strikers? p>

Then there is the factor of form: Del Piero has come into great form in the second half of the season, scoring 7 goals in 10 for the Bianconeri, compared to the 2 for Borriello, who may be top of the capocannoniere charts, but looks set to be overtaken by Di Natale and Del Piero in the remaining 2 games. Del Piero may have become an automatic choice for Azzurri boss Roberto Donadoni due to his “Indian summer”, but would picking Inzaghi be too much?

There is a lot to be said for Pippo being brought off the bench in a tight match, or chasing a game. The main thing he can do is stay on the last defender and stretch the defence, not to mention his excellent form that has seen him bag an outstanding 7 goals in 4 games. Few would be able to criticise Donadoni for preferring him in my opinion, but the sheer array of top strikers available to the manager may mean that Pippo misses out, as good seasons have been had by many Italian strikers; Borriello, Toni, Di Natale, Quagliarella, Amauri, Del Piero, Rossi and possibly more are all in contention, a problem many other countries, including England, do not have.

What for Inzaghi this summer? He has expressed an interest in being one of Italy’s over-age players in the Olympics campaign, significantly adding to the interest in Olympics football, and possibly the far east is a more likely destination for the goal snatcher than Europe this summer.

Tim D