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| | Wednesday 16 April, 2008 | | Blog: Vote Del Piero | | Panini have already made a space for Alex Del Piero in their Euro 2008 sticker album and James Horncastle thinks Roberto Donadoni should too |  |  | | The Democratic Party failed to win enough votes to form a government on Sunday and fears are growing that another candidate for Italy’s centre-left, Alessandro Del Piero, will not be picked for Euro 2008.
How can Roberto Donadoni not select Ale this summer? The 33-year-old, nicknamed Pinturicchio by Juventus’ late patron Gianni Agnelli after the 15th Century Italian painter, is showing all the characteristics of an old master.
In a curious example of life imitating art one could say that Del Piero’s 15th season with the Bianconeri has been a personification of Pinturicchio’s Liberation of a Prisoner, freed from the shackles of Serie B, the Trevignano is hungry and rejuvenated on his return to normal life, back in Italy’s First Division.
Del Piero has made just six appearances under Donadoni, playing 316 minutes and while I agree that the former Livorno Coach was right not to select him on previous occasions, the time has changed.
Juventus’ talisman has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, 14 in Serie A and deserves to play a part at some stage in Austria and Switzerland. Putting his current form down to a ‘hunger’ for success, Del Piero’s work-rate, potency, tactical flexibility and above all his experience – he has represented his country 114 times if we take into account his appearances for the Under-17s, U-19s and U21s – are reasons enough for Donadoni to book him on the plane.
His misses in the Euro 2000 Final against France and his squabbles with Marcello Lippi during training at the World Cup two years ago are held up as examples of Del Piero’s difficult relationship and ‘incompatibility’ with the Azzurri. But his detractors should remember it was Ale who scored the winner to take Italy to their sixth Mundial Final and it was the ‘bottler’ himself who coolly stepped up and slotted home one of La Nazionale’s five penalties to win the trophy.
So what is Donadoni’s problem? While Del Piero often speaks his mind and cuts an outspoken figure in the dressing room one cannot help but class him as a loyal team player. Sometimes it seems Ale is proud but uncomfortable with his status as Juventus’ bandiera, preferring to be a cog, albeit a very large and shiny one, in a well-oiled Bianconero machine.
“I am only a small part of a huge black and white flag that grows with the passing of the years and if each one of you looks closely at it, you will find your own name written on it,” Del Piero explained last season.
Surely such an attitude can only help and bring harmony to the Azzurri. But who will make way? The versatile Alberto Aquilani or the, perhaps, undroppable Marco Borriello who, having scored only 11 goals in his last six Serie A seasons, found the net for the 19th time in the League this year. If I was Donadoni, I would give the old boy a chance and get rid of Giorgio Chiellini as Christian Panucci and Fabio Grosso should provide ample cover for his absence.
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| Del Piero has hardly played on the international stage since the World Cup. His performance against a world-class French side in the San Siro was among the worst in an Azzurri shirt. I do think he has been in good form in the League, but I do also believe that the standards of our defences have gone down.
If Donadoni makes the mistake of taking Del Piero to Euro 2008, you will witness an old player lacking pace on the international stage, who will be nullified very easily. Del Piero has never proven his worth for the national team, and at 33 I would very much doubt he can turn that around.
We are much better off giving a player like Borriello a chance. I think our young players will begin to lose confidence if Borriello is not selected. Top of the scoring charts by two goals at the moment – five more than Del Piero. Donadoni should continue to leave this man out along with Cassano. As a long shot, I would even take Amauri. Amauri or Del Piero? I leave for you to decide.
Rosario
As much as I agree with some of the comments here, I have to concur with James that either Del Piero or Inzaghi need to go to Euro 2008. I am not saying that either of these players should start necessarily, but one thing that Italy lacks in their squad is experience, and particularly experience up front. I agree that neither of the two have pace, but when you see Del Piero and Inzaghi on the pitch – and this is coming from a Roma fan – they seem much more comfortable and in control, a feeling that was missing from that last encounter the Azzurri had with Spain. I think the idea of including Del Piero at the expense of Chiellini is an excellent one.
Gio L
I think Del Piero would be missed by the Euro 2008 squad. Considering Italy have quite a strong group to get through, I believe Del Piero’s experience and intelligence could be put to good use. True his outing against France in the qualifiers was not the best performance for the Azzurri, however in his defence he was played out of position on the left wing, which seems to suit Antonio Di Natale more in the 4-1-4-1 formation.
Being a long time Del Piero fan I have to admit I don’t think he has the raw pace anymore to play in this position. However, there have always been times where the Azzurri need a shake up somewhere, when the game is at stalemate or not going to plan. Creativity wise I believe Del Piero fits the bill, coming on as an alternative to Di Natale in a 4-4-2 or alongside even in a 4-2-3-1. Let’s not forget if we go by this season’s current goal stats for Serie A he is the third highest eligible 'Italian' scorer and has had so far two very strong seasons.
In terms of who should be left out, well Italy need 23 men, I believe Massimo Oddo is unlikely to return in time through injury. I think it's also uncertain whether Amauri will play for Italy – I hope not, but this is another story. I think Italy can afford to take seven defenders, as Zambrotta can play either left or right, Panucci as a back up and it seems Chiellini can play anywhere. Leaving versatile Aquilani safe and six forwards in Toni, Di Natale, Quagliarella, Iaquinta, Borriello and of course Del Piero…
Eduardo
Del Piero is much bigger than the Azzurri. It is the Italian national team that doesn't deserve to have the honour of Del Piero playing in its ranks anymore. There can be no doubt that Del Piero is the best Italian player at the moment. Totti and Cassano, with their tantrums, are out of the picture. Borriello is just a mediocre striker, who can't do anything creative. I would take Giuseppe Rossi before Borriello any day. We need creative players that can do amazing things.
Del Piero is one of those rare amazing once in a lifetime players. Del Piero is simply too great. One is simply at awe with Del Piero's achievements in the Italian championship over the 14 years. He has surpassed every hurdle – he has broken every record. He is one of the Champions League eternal princes. He is Del Piero.
The fact that people think he disappointed with the Azzurri while he is one of the top scorers ever for the team is evidence of how ungrateful the Italian non-Juve fans are. I say – let them rot. Donadoni is a poor Coach, as shown in the defeat against Spain, the drop of Italy's ranking since the World Cup and the strange selection of players. Let them rot. They will fail and Del Piero doesn't need that stain. Let them rot. Del Piero – go to the Olympics and bring home the gold.
Barkochva
I definitely believe Alex should be on that plane. He's had a fantastic season, and has been the inspirational leader for Juve, preferred to Iaquinta who himself has done very well when on the pitch. More than anything Del Piero gives the experience up front that could be vital. I have a feeling that with Totti out of the frame we will see more from Alex for the Azzurri.
I don't see why Borriello can't go too, Donadoni will take five strikers I imagine and while Toni and Di Natale will be certainties, with Quagliarella likely too, there are still a couple of places up for grabs. I like Amauri a lot but his nationality issues are still to be resolved – I'd be very surprised if Donadoni takes him given that he has absolutely no international experience. Gilardino, Inzaghi, Lucarelli and Palladino haven't done enough I suspect and Cassano would be too risky. Take Alex!
Neil Robertson
Del Piero is only useful on the left for the national side. And there we have Toto Di Natale who is faster, stronger, a better dribbler and arguably a better finisher. I’m all for Donadoni’s policy. It would be the first tournament since World Cup ’98 where Del Piero’s shadow does not hang over the side. After all one goal, which was not actually necessary – even though it did crown the greatest 120 seconds of football in my lifetime – and one penalty, are not enough. He has always produced for Juve but not for the national side. Where should he play? In his best position – in Turin.!
Simon Finaldi
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