Your Weekly Azzurri Health Update

By: Martha | August 27th, 2007

Matrix has an owie In good news, Marco Materazzi has left the hospital. Woo hoo! Of course, he’s out for anywhere from two to four months, so leaving the hospital doesn’t do much for Inter or the Azzurri. And, to make things worse, Fabio Cannavaro picked up an ankle injury in this weekend’s Real Madrid match and, while he’s expected to be fit to play next weekend, any added vulnerability on his part is a very bad thing indeed. Jesus. If Roberto Donadoni wasn’t already tearing out his (very nice) hair ahead of the France match, he’s got to be a nervous wreck by now.

And wait, there’s more! Luca Toni suffered some sort of leg injury yesterday while celebrating his third goal in three games for Bayern Munich (you know, like Bill Gramatica) and, according to the most recent reports, could be out as long as 10 days. For those of you without a calendar handy, that’s cutting it awfully close to September 8 and, even if he is available, 7-10 days out will obviously affect his fitness and sharpness.

Oh, and also: Nesta? Not coming back. Welcome to life in the big time, Donadoni.

Edit: In other news, UEFA have suspended Raymond Domenech for the match — evidently he misplaced his Dossier of Evil at the worst possible time.

Some Related Serie A Posts:

Category: Azzurri, Rumors & News, Serie A

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paul

calling up amauri would be the smartest thing dona has ever done
rose

amauri is finally an italian citizen, so he is eligible. i just don't want to see him injured again.
Bib

I'm not at all concerned about Italy. If we can pull out a draw that will be fine with me. Italy have their backs against the wall. They always play much better under extreme pressure..does anyone remember a certain world cup final? Good Luck to the Azzurri because I know France is definitely going to be a challenge. Canna and Toni will probably be in the lineup but who will replace Matarazzi? that will be a vital decision. With Pirlo and Gattuso in the midfield we shouldn't have too much of a problem. Zambrotta will be strong and Grosso will play well if he's marked by Sagnol.
chris

Fab Quags, and I suppose he may recall Tommaso Rocchi if he's desperate. Lucarelli is surely out (and when the fuck is Rosinaldo going to get called up? Are Angelo Palmbo, Aimo Diana, Massimo Abrosini, etc etc etc all really better than him? And we know TDD doesn't pick players based on the system, so that thoery is out).
Mike

I don't think Amauri is legally Italian... at least not yet, anyway.

So up front we have Del Piero, Iaquinta, Gilardino, and Inzaghi. That should be good enough for France, no?
Paolo

http://www.footytube.com/categ...

Watch the Bayern Highlights (2nd video down). Its hard to see how he hurt himself. Watch the 2nd replay where they show him upclose from the back. What is with that stupid little hop before his 1st touch? Perhaps he got hurt hot dogging it or maybe it was the strike, his body was going one way and he forced his leg the other.

As for possible replacements? Does Amauri get a call? If so, does he go? I think Toni will be ready though.
Joe

I was thinking the same exact thing, Chris. What a tool. I saw the Toni injury and I don't think he didn't hurt it celebrating the goal, it looked like he got hurt scoring the goal. I read somewhere else (not sure of the link) that Toni said he'd be fine for the match. If we're without Toni up top, this could be bad. Real, real bad.
chris

However, having Domenech suspended could actually be a bad thing for the Azzurri...you know, seeing as how he's a complete fucking moron.
chris

Ray Ray Dom Dom being banned just made my day. Finally Platini steps up to the plate and knocks one out of the park. (That's the last compliment Platini will ever get from me)
Paolo

No one likes Donadoni. Him and Totti would not have retired had there been a different coach. Its just the way it is.

Couldn't be happier to have Ray banned from the match. What a FOOL.
Francesco

Nesta made an announcement today that he wasn't going to repeal his decision and that's final. I just have a feeling he doesn't like Donadoni.
mele419

Well. Looks like the Azzurri are f*cked now. No Toni, no Matrix, no Canna... And no freaking Nesta... Wonderful. Just before the France match too. If France makes idiots out of us at this match, I will be very, very upset.

And sorry Martha, but, I'm a Milan fan, I have to bad mouth Inter every chance i get ;]
Sofia

hahaa stupid domenech, i told you he probably wrote on a piece of paper "italy cheats" and called it a Dossier...because hes an idiot :D but i mean come on we all saw this suspension coming so no surprises there....
Marco

Muahahaha!! Atta boy UEFA! Finally shutting Domenech's big trap!

As for Nesta, the article mentioned that he hadn't received any phone calls yet, so I'm still hopeful (even though he stated he wouldn't come back on his decision... but nothing that a little bit of convincing shouldn't be able to change -hint hint Donadoni)