PREVIEW: Euro 2008 Group C, Italy v Romania

Italy

vs

Romania

Friday, June 13th, 1800 CET
Zurich (Switzerland) - Travel to Zurich (Switzerland)

THE BIG PICTURE

For Romania, this is the chance to take on a wounded giant and continue to slowly but surely impress in the Group Of Death. Their draw with France was boring but efficient. As for Italy, a whole different game. They suffered their worst defeat in Euros history on Monday and they need a massive turnaround to have any chance of qualification.

All on Friday the 13th, no less.

Italy

Three Key Players:
Andrea Pirlo - Hounded by the Dutch, he’ll need to break free and earn some space to work his magic today.
Giorgio Chiellini - The defense was in absolute shambles against the Netherlands, and he’s being brought in to bring some steel to the cause. They need a strong performance, and he needs to improve upon Materazzi’s contributions if the Azzurri are to have any chance.
Antonio Cassano - He might be the best player at this tournament, but was only given 15 minutes on Monday. During which he, of course, impressed. He’s The Talent, they need him desperately.

Italysquad
Italy Team Profile

Team News: Alessandro Del Piero will be getting the start after his impressive sub stint on Monday and will also be handed the armband as captain in the absence of Gigi Buffon.

Visit Marco, Ricci and myself at the Italy Euro 2008 Team Blog for more.

Buy Italy team gear here.

Romania

Three Key Players:

Cristian Chivu - Plays in the “midfield” for Romania, but they stack so many behind the ball he might as well be a defender. After so many years in Serie A, his quality and knowledge will be integral.
Adrian Mutu - Romania’s best player and likely future winner of the “Best Foreigner” at the Serie A awards later this year. Safe to say the Azzurri fear him.
Bogdan Lobont - Van der Sar was phenomenal against Italy, and he was pretty good against France. Former Fiorentina goalkeeper, he, like Mutu and Chivu, will do well to rely on experience against the home based Italian outfit.
Romania
Romania Team Profile

Team News: Cirpian Marica was back in training after taking a blow to the head on Tuesday, but whether or not he’s included tomorrow is a question, and the answer will likely be no.

Visit Ian & j at the Romania Euro 2008 Team Blog for more.

BIG BATTLES

Gianluca Zambrotta vs Adrian Mutu Zambrotta played much better than Panucci on the right after coming over from the left, but the right side of the pitch was still an absolute disaster. Camoranesi didn’t help, but the defending on the counter was criminal. Romania’s bread and butter on the attack? The left-based Mutu on the counter. Potential disaster looming for the Azzurri.

Romanian Team Bus vs Alessandro Del Piero & Antonio Cassano It’s no secret Romania likes to stack the back, and it works for them, as evidenced by the 0-0 draw with France on Monday. The Azzurri couldn’t create anything in the final third against the Netherlands until these two came on. ADP will be in the starting lineup, Cassano should be, and they’ll need to combination of finishing and creativity to unpick the Tricolorii defense.

Roberto Donadoni vs The Noose Donadoni has been vilified in the press this week. His qualifying stint was anything but impressive, he had no qualifications for the job and was given the job because his BFF, Demetrio Albertini, was heading up the HR department at the time. His tactical idiocy was exposed on Monday and it remains to be seen whether or not he’ll hang the team again. Romania’s good, but the Azzurri’s greatest opponent is their own coach.

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LIVEBLOG

Follow the Italy vs Romania LiveBlog here.