Comments on: Italy Go Top; Del Piero Puts His Foot in His Mouth http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html News from the Italian Serie A Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:30:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: alessio http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-42436 alessio Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:28:33 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-42436 And look at all the newspapers now....all calling for him. And look at all the newspapers now….all calling for him.

]]> By: Lukos http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-35253 Lukos Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:06:54 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-35253 You say it should be kept internal but that internal battle has been going on for a long time. Thus the only way he could get action was to bring it out in the open. If you get bogged down by the politics then you should fight back however you can. You say it should be kept internal but that internal battle has been going on for a long time. Thus the only way he could get action was to bring it out in the open. If you get bogged down by the politics then you should fight back however you can.

]]> By: Jason http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20596 Jason Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:20:18 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20596 Well all i can say is he save italy in the match against mexico and is fourth in all times on goals in the azurri what else can you ask if he's only asking to play in his normal position let me tell you this he loves soccer and loves his national team he still wants to play and has never givin up that is a man that loves his national team ! Coman guys 218 goals in calcio 27 goals with the azurri man more than 500 games in serie a that's it Well all i can say is he save italy in the match against mexico and is fourth in all times on goals in the azurri what else can you ask if he’s only asking to play in his normal position let me tell you this he loves soccer and loves his national team he still wants to play and has never givin up that is a man that loves his national team ! Coman guys 218 goals in calcio 27 goals with the azurri man more than 500 games in serie a that’s it

]]> By: Martha http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20327 Martha Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:12:20 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20327 Totally agree he has a right to be frustrated, Marco, I just have a major problem when people go to the press with stuff like this. Even if he hates The Don and thinks he's a moron, for the good of the team I think this sort of thing needs to be kept internal. (I realize I'm probably being idealistic, but I just hate when athletes to the press acting all entitled, as if they're owed something by fans/national team coaches/whatever.) That said, at least he's not yet pulled a Roy Keane and melted down on Donadoni. That I would like to see. Totally agree he has a right to be frustrated, Marco, I just have a major problem when people go to the press with stuff like this. Even if he hates The Don and thinks he’s a moron, for the good of the team I think this sort of thing needs to be kept internal. (I realize I’m probably being idealistic, but I just hate when athletes to the press acting all entitled, as if they’re owed something by fans/national team coaches/whatever.)

That said, at least he’s not yet pulled a Roy Keane and melted down on Donadoni. That I would like to see.

]]> By: Marco http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20325 Marco Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:53:49 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20325 Well Martha from what you wrote you make him sound like a spoiled brat, which couldn't be further from the truth. Just think how frustrating it is for DP to be criticized by the media for playing badly, <strong>in a role he's not very good in in the first place!</strong> It's no coincidence that his recent Juve matches have all been top notch, and it's not because he's in a bad run of form, but rather you can't expect him to do well as a left midfielder plain and simple. Put him as second striker and oh magic, the chemistry works again. Bottom line: I think Del Piero has every right to be frustrated. The way Donadoni is using him is counter-productive both for the team and for himself. He's not playing well in that role, which affects both the team's performance and DP's morale. He's got a good point when he says: "there are better players than me in that position": if that's what Donadoni needs he should call Stefano Mauri or keep playing Di Natale. In the end, you can't help but feel for Del Piero, who's had a lot of bad luck with the national team, despite all his efforts to redeem his Euro 2000 mistakes (it's almost too obvious press and Azzurri fans still blame him for that). Well Martha from what you wrote you make him sound like a spoiled brat, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Just think how frustrating it is for DP to be criticized by the media for playing badly, in a role he’s not very good in in the first place! It’s no coincidence that his recent Juve matches have all been top notch, and it’s not because he’s in a bad run of form, but rather you can’t expect him to do well as a left midfielder plain and simple. Put him as second striker and oh magic, the chemistry works again.

Bottom line: I think Del Piero has every right to be frustrated. The way Donadoni is using him is counter-productive both for the team and for himself. He’s not playing well in that role, which affects both the team’s performance and DP’s morale. He’s got a good point when he says: “there are better players than me in that position”: if that’s what Donadoni needs he should call Stefano Mauri or keep playing Di Natale.

In the end, you can’t help but feel for Del Piero, who’s had a lot of bad luck with the national team, despite all his efforts to redeem his Euro 2000 mistakes (it’s almost too obvious press and Azzurri fans still blame him for that).

]]> By: Martha http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20324 Martha Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:53:03 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20324 HA! Nothing's easy, Francesco. HA! Nothing’s easy, Francesco.

]]> By: Francesco http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20320 Francesco Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:22:08 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20320 I remember reading the Italian headline and it said: Del Piero- "Never again on the national team..." and I was like "YES!!!!!!", but then I read on and it said "...as a midfielder", and I was like "NOOOOO!!!!" I remember reading the Italian headline and it said: Del Piero- “Never again on the national team…” and I was like “YES!!!!!!”, but then I read on and it said “…as a midfielder”, and I was like “NOOOOO!!!!”

]]> By: Martha http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20317 Martha Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:35:52 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20317 Marco that sounds pretty much like the translation I read -- he's telling the press he doesn't want to be called up if he's not going to play striker, right? I don't think I'm being misleading, bad translation or not. (: Even if he is being played out of position, so what? Take it up with the Don in public, don't go to the papers with your issues. Plus, how many guys would trade places with him in a second? There are a ton of guys in Italy who would be more than happy to play out of position, if only it meant they were called up. Marco that sounds pretty much like the translation I read — he’s telling the press he doesn’t want to be called up if he’s not going to play striker, right? I don’t think I’m being misleading, bad translation or not. (:

Even if he is being played out of position, so what? Take it up with the Don in public, don’t go to the papers with your issues. Plus, how many guys would trade places with him in a second? There are a ton of guys in Italy who would be more than happy to play out of position, if only it meant they were called up.

]]> By: sofia http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20313 sofia Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:42:56 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20313 well hes right i mean come on don is an idiot and is completely misusing him so that is why he seems useless on the pitch to some so i would be pissed too i say ditch donadoni and get someone who actually knows what in the hell they are doing well hes right i mean come on don is an idiot and is completely misusing him so that is why he seems useless on the pitch to some so i would be pissed too i say ditch donadoni and get someone who actually knows what in the hell they are doing

]]> By: Marco http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20312 Marco Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:31:29 +0000 http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/italy-go-top-del-piero-puts-his-foot-in-his-mouth.html#comment-20312 Martha, you're making Del Piero sound a lot worse than he does. I'll put that on the account of the poor Google translation. Here's my translation (God, the things you have to do to defend DP around here...) <i>"If Donadoni can't grant my request, I prefer he wouldn't call me up anymore". Del Piero's position is very clear: "I am a striker, not a midfielder". After Totti's and Nesta's farewell, another important piece of the Azzurri could be leaving the team. Indeed, Juventus's captain is tired of being fielded in an unnatural position, and has openly expressed his feelings regarding the matter. Alex's declarations are unmistakable, what he wants from Donadoni is a clear & concise choice. Because despite the 27 goals scored for the Azzurri (note: 4th-ranked player in the Italy scoring charts, currently tied with Roby Baggio), Del Piero keeps being the 'sacrificial victim' on a tactical level. Indeed, he seems to be the only player that keeps getting utilized out of position. At this point however, he seems to be ready (albeit with great sadness) to give up on the Azzurri jersey. "It would make me very sad, because I love the national team, and would like to finish this cycle and play one final important competition. My words aren't an 'ultimatum' or 'blackmail', but a simple statement. As a striker I play much better and are able to do certain things... as a midfielder I can't. In that role there are players other than me that feel much more natural, and do their jobs much better". Del Piero's problem in the national team is old news, all the managers that have sat on the Azzurri bench over the past decade have had a hard time playing him in his ideal role. However, after a career of 15 years in which Del Piero has always been under the eye of the media, and sometimes severely criticized despite he always gave heart & soul on the soccer pitch, Juve's nº10 would like to receive something back. "I've already demonstrated my value". The speech also applies to Juve (the reference is obviously DP's pending contract renewal), but that's another story.</i> Martha, you’re making Del Piero sound a lot worse than he does. I’ll put that on the account of the poor Google translation. Here’s my translation (God, the things you have to do to defend DP around here…)

“If Donadoni can’t grant my request, I prefer he wouldn’t call me up anymore”. Del Piero’s position is very clear: “I am a striker, not a midfielder”. After Totti’s and Nesta’s farewell, another important piece of the Azzurri could be leaving the team. Indeed, Juventus’s captain is tired of being fielded in an unnatural position, and has openly expressed his feelings regarding the matter.

Alex’s declarations are unmistakable, what he wants from Donadoni is a clear & concise choice. Because despite the 27 goals scored for the Azzurri (note: 4th-ranked player in the Italy scoring charts, currently tied with Roby Baggio), Del Piero keeps being the ’sacrificial victim’ on a tactical level. Indeed, he seems to be the only player that keeps getting utilized out of position. At this point however, he seems to be ready (albeit with great sadness) to give up on the Azzurri jersey. “It would make me very sad, because I love the national team, and would like to finish this cycle and play one final important competition. My words aren’t an ‘ultimatum’ or ‘blackmail’, but a simple statement. As a striker I play much better and are able to do certain things… as a midfielder I can’t. In that role there are players other than me that feel much more natural, and do their jobs much better”.

Del Piero’s problem in the national team is old news, all the managers that have sat on the Azzurri bench over the past decade have had a hard time playing him in his ideal role. However, after a career of 15 years in which Del Piero has always been under the eye of the media, and sometimes severely criticized despite he always gave heart & soul on the soccer pitch, Juve’s nº10 would like to receive something back. “I’ve already demonstrated my value”. The speech also applies to Juve (the reference is obviously DP’s pending contract renewal), but that’s another story.

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