Donadoni is a brave man to take over the management of reigning World Cup Germany 2006 Champions—sometimes when you are up, the only place to go is down. 

 

Donadoni definitely knows the heartbreak of defeat (remember the penalty anguish in the finals against Brazil at World Cup US 1990), yet Italy is banking on this bitter-sweet, Azzurri veteran, despite his limited coaching experience, to steer Italy on to more glory. 

 

Donadoni’s first move was as to call in the Italian no-names, who were defeated 2-0 in a politically charged warm-up match against Croatia. However, it was in their opening Group B 2008 European Championship Qualifier against Lithuania, when Donadoni fielded a return of World Cup winners, only to tie against the lowly side.

 

Inzaghi whitened the Italian blushes (thankfully) as he pulled a goal back to level the score, after Lithuania opened the scoring through Danilevicius, who finished off a neat passing sequence down the right that opened up the usually impenetrable Italian defense.

 

Italy’s next game against France is the perfect example of the beauty of soccer—pitting the Germany 2006 Finalists together again, so soon after their last histrionic final in July. 

 

France will feel somewhat avenged with their 3-1 dominance over a punch-drunk Italian side smarting from their World Cup hang-over. Playing at home in the Stade de France, Les Blues coasted to an easy victory behind a brace of goals from Govou and a single from Henry. Gilardino scored the consolation goal for Italy. 

 

The Italians, meanwhile, have pulled only 1 point from a possible 6 and find themselves in 6th place (out of seven teams), trailing behind the likes of France and unlikely upstarts, Scotland in the early days of Euro 2008 Qualifiers. 

 

The delayed start to the Italian domestic league has done little to give Donadoni fit players, which may prove to be another thorn in his side, as he looks to face a tough Ukraine side on October 7th, who opened with 3 points with a victory over Georgia.

 

Unfortunately, ex-Milan legend, Donadoni may have to wait until the following Wednesday, when Italy faces Georgia, to record his first victory for the Azzurri.

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 9th, 2006 at 3:49 am and is filed under Soccer World, Italy, Rick Wall (Head Editor). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.