National Team News, Or: The Word From Outside Florence

By: Martha | March 26th, 2007

(That’s where the national team training facility is, apparently. I had no idea.)

•In case you were sleeping or drinking and missed it, Donadoni named his squad last Friday, sending Manuel Pasqual, Daniele Bonera (Noooo!), Franco Semioli and the injured Marco Amelia back to their mammas, and keeping debutants Max Tonetto and Fabio Quagliarella. Amelia was replaced in the squad by healthy-as-a-horse Massimo De Sanctis.

•It’s a good thing that extra keeper was added, because poor Gigi Buffon missed training today with what is delicately being called a “stomach sickness.” In other words, he was puking his guts out and, at least for today, Amelia Christian Abbiati is number one.

•For his part, Donandoni is already starting to crack under the pressure of Euro 2008 qualifying: He held a long press conference today in which he whined about the unfairness of the criticism he’s currently receiving from press on both sides of the English channel, but assured everyone that he wasn’t angry, just befuddled. Apparently he found it shocking that he couldn’t come into the job, drop points, and not be called out by the media. Welcome to international management, Roberto — it’s a laugh riot.

•Not to worry, though: Fabio Cannavaro leaped to his gaffer’s defense, telling the press that they expect the Azzurri to have a saint for a coach (either that or a cigar-smoking pimp), and that “Donandoni is fine where he is.” Jeez, is that the best he could do? “Fine where he is?” Not exactly a ringing endorsement, that.

•And the fact that he recently received the dreaded vote of confidence from Lega Calcio chief Antonio Matarrese can’t be doing Donadoni’s nerves much good. I mean, we all know what happens seconds after the suits pat you on the back.

•Back on the pitch, Simone Perrotta’s thigh strain has cleared up, and he should be good to go on Wednesday.

Category: Azzurri, Rumors & News

Tags: Azzurri, Buffon, Cannavaro, Marco Amelia, Massimo De Sanctis, Roberto Donadoni, Rumors -amp; News, Simone Perrotta, Toni

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Comments  

• Sofia |  March 26th, 2007 at 1:06 pm

  
  
  

  i hope our precious buffon will be better for wednesday…start praying guys because i dont think donadoni is going anywhere but you never know…hahaha canna such a bad liar…its ok i forgive him i mean look at that picture, how could you not? anyways i h we get full points on wednesday
  FORZA AZZURRI

  Posted from Canada

  

• Sarrah |  March 26th, 2007 at 1:33 pm

  
  
  

  I read that Buffon has gastroenteritis, which sounds pretty serious. But it may just be a fancy name for a stomach ache, who knows?

  Posted from United States

  

• Sofia |  March 26th, 2007 at 2:33 pm

  
  
  

  hopefully its just nerves and he’ll be better for wednesday…

  Posted from Canada

  

• Marcello |  March 26th, 2007 at 5:20 pm

  
  
  

  I herd that if Donadoni doesn’t win this game he’s being dropped, or if he fails to qualify, I forgot witch one.

  Posted from United States

  

• ana |  March 26th, 2007 at 6:28 pm

  
  
  

  Gastroenteritis:inflammation or infection of the gastrointestinal tract = vomiting and diarrhea according to wikipedia. That sucks, maybe they can put a puke pail in the goal. I hope he’s better by Wednesday.

  Posted from United States

  

• roswitha |  March 26th, 2007 at 7:13 pm

  
  
  

  as much as i adore buffon, i’m just very glad amelia’s getting a chance. he’s fantastic, and would probably be first choice in any national team in the world bar this (and the czech republic, i suppose: you have got to ask yourself what carlo cudicini did in a past life to be waiting in line behind gigi AND petr cech). i wish he’d get more credit.

  Posted from United States

  

• Louise |  March 27th, 2007 at 3:48 am

  
  
  

  I thought Amelia was sent home from camp because he is hurt. Does anyone know, if this is true, who will be in goal? This is not a game to take chances–if Gigi is mobile, he should play.

  Canna on the main page AND the Italy page? Thank. You. And the lack of enthusiasm from him in defending Donadoni might have something to do with manager defense fatigue–can’t be easy supporting Capello in Madrid AND Donadoni in Italy, especially if he really doesn’t believe in either of them.

  Posted from United States

  

• Martha |  March 27th, 2007 at 4:04 am

  
  
  

  DANGIT! Thanks, Louise, for your usual excellent work in fact-checking. Fixed. (Believe it or not, I actually do proofread these thing. Several times.)

  Posted from United States

  

• Sofia |  March 27th, 2007 at 10:46 am

  
  
  

  Lousie you are right it must be difficult being canna right now having to defend two crappy coaches but at least he’s trying to make it sound believable

  Posted from Canada

  

• Louise |  March 27th, 2007 at 5:33 pm

  
  
  

  Martha, I’m sorry! I actually didn’t see your mention of Amelia (distracted-by-the-Canna) and was addressing roswitha’s comment.

  Sofia, Canna is very good at spin, an excellent trait in a captain or a respected veteran on a troubled team. I just hope that the Azzurri situation settles down with a win tomorrow and if he does leave Madrid *fingers crossed* he’ll go somewhere a bit calmer…or at least in Italy.

  Posted from United States

  

• Sofia |  March 28th, 2007 at 3:35 pm

  
  
  

  Louise, I defubately agree i think he is an amazing captain and i was so happy we won today because we really needed it….i too was distracted by the canna so no worries

  Posted from Canada

  

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