David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Andriy Shevchenko will be among the big names missing from Euro 2008 and there’s a fair chance you’ll be able to add Alessandro Del Piero to that list.
Del Piero was dropped for the victory over Scotland that clinched Italian qualification. Coach Roberto Donadoni has said the door is not closed on the Juventus striker, but also hinted the 33-year-old is getting too old for international football after a mediocre performance in his last Azzurri appearance against France in September.
Del Piero has not always featured in Claudio Ranieri’s Juve team this season and there was even a chance he could have quit Turin before signing a new contract last month.
Many pundits say Del Piero is now too slow in mind and body having spent last season in Serie B with Juve. They believe he is a spent force who rarely conjures up the magic which helped Italy to World Cup glory and inspired Juve to a series of scudettos and two European Cup finals.
Most Juve fans still adore their number 10, however, and he scored twice after coming off the bench in the team’s 5-0 win over Palermo at the weekend.
Some players in their thirties help national managers by retiring from international football, but Del Piero, like Beckham and fellow Italian exile Filippo Inzaghi, shows no signs of packing in.
Would you pick Del Piero for Italy or should he save his dignity by retiring from the national team now? Give us your thoughts in the comments.
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26 comments so far
Alex is the kind of player who does not poach for goals. He is a creative forward who can turn the game with a moment of magic. Strength and power do not count in this case - Italy have Toni and co. for that. With Totti gone, Del Piero is the only one that can can make the decisive runs and deliver the classy moves to turn a game on its head.
- Posted by SatsY NOT? if italy need anything its age and experience
- Posted by VIKIndeed, why not? Are there a ton of younger, better strikers queuing up? Doubtful.
- Posted by Londonthe Italian team is aging and i think it is time to for some of the young talent. at the same time del piero has proved he is still very capable. his lack of performance at times is clearly not due to his age. if it was he wouldnt have it sometimes and not others. i hope to see him at euro 2008 because i know he has more to put out on the table for the azzurri.
- Posted by joewell, there is alot of young talent up front but obviously they dont have the experience playing with the others out there. there is giovinco, palladino, pazzini, rossi… but Del Piero is proving still to be exceptional. his lack of consistancy is mental and obviously not due to anything physical from aging.
- Posted by joeThe answer is simple. If Italy won’t take Del Piero to Euro 2008 then thay will not win it.
- Posted by heefunksHe’s a great player, Del Piero, and great players should be given the benefit of the doubt. Why are we so eager to rush players like these into retirement? Italy will take a 23-man squad to the euro championships. Surely they can find room for Alex.
- Posted by dave xahead of Del Piero at the moment are Toni, Iaquinta, Di Natale, Quagliarella, Lucarelli, Gilardino and maybe even Inzaghi.
- Posted by Mark MeadowsUdinese’s Di Natale has been a huge success on the left of Donaldoni’s three-pronged attack, where Del Piero floundered earlier in the season. Alex’s only hope is if Donadoni makes the unlikely switch to 4-4-2 and needs a player in the hole. With Totti retired, Del Piero might get a look in although Donadoni might prefer Di Natale in that role anyway.
No way should Del Piero be included. Italy have done so well without him. Antonio DiNatale just behind Hit-man Luca Toni is Italy’s most dangerous combination. Back-up Forwards should be Fabio Quagliarella & Christian Lucarelli. I also think Alberto Gilardino & Pippo Inzaghi dont deserve to be in Italy’s Squad and have no opinion on Iaquinta.
- Posted by Simon HudsonDel Piero is still the best player in italian football ..
- Posted by SedkyAny Juve fan will you Italy should take Del Piero, and with reason; he, like many other former Italian/Juventus greats - Baggio, Vialli, Ravnelli to name a few - will always work his socks off when ever given the chance.
Of course, it’s no secret he’s getting old, but at 33 years of age he’s probably the world’s best “super sub” with great skill and ability. He’s the kind of player that you look to bring onto the pitch with 15 minutes to go and either the turn game around for you or to build on a lead.
Palladino (his team mate) is another Del Piero in the making, but Del Piero is far more experienced and reliable. If Donadoni doesn’t pick Del Piero in the Italian squad, then who is he going to for inspiration? Cassano? Iaquinta? No chance.
- Posted by Curtis CampbellAlex has been gret in some games in Germany and may be can again be highly decisive. His recovery time is still good. I wonder though if he is ready to play, in his mind, a more forceful football as some new teammates, such Iaquinta, Di Natale o Quagliarella seem able to do.
- Posted by Richardsimon hudson, you are the only one who said that they shouldnt pick up del piero to euro 2008 but you’re wrong my friend…he is still in form,still number one and 100% experienc player,his giving motivation to the fans and to young players,he is still number one…
- Posted by fatlumPeople expect Del Piero to score everytime he’s on the field. Alex is a playmaker he is there to win the game not to prove himself as a finisher to critics. I want to see Di Natale partners up with Del Piero rather than Luca Toni.
- Posted by heefunksThe Last month Del Piero has arguably been the best player in the Serie A. This article says that he does not have speed. Well, scoring both goals against Lazio the 15th of December 2007 he ran from midfield (with the ball for most of that distance)leaving the defenders far behind. Against Atalanta it was exactly his speed that wrecked havoc at the Bergamo in the second half (the only half Ranieri would let him play). I checked the goal averages and Del Piero has the highest number of goals scored per minute played. Italy cannot do without Del Piero in particular if Totti stays in retirement.
- Posted by JanInteresting figures you quote there Jan on goals per minutes played for Del Piero. Two goals as a sub in the 5-0 thrashing of an already beaten Palermo will have helped that stat but it is still in Ale’s favour.
- Posted by Mark MeadowsAs far the Lazio goals, he did indeed run from halfway to score twice. However Lazio were strangely defending a very high line and their defence is not known for its speed.
My hunch is Ale will go to Austria and Switzerland..but he might need an injury to a rival to achieve it
hi guys …
- Posted by Ahmedfirst of all i am a BIG fan of ale . in my opinion he is the second best italian footballer in history ( after roberto baggio ) but when i watch how he was in the past and how he is now i can’t do but notice the huge difference , in my opinion he SHOULD go to euro2008 simply because italy has no other superb attackers ( with all do respect to luca toni but he is nothing compared to viere , totti or inzagi ) . but i think that he should seriously consider retiring his international career after euro2008 . it really hurts to write these words but he should realize that he is not what he used to be
The only injury Italy will have is Donadoni. That man should not be where he is right now in the first place. Put aside my favouritism for Del Piero, but a young Italy squad is not a winning squad. Individually they come up with good statistics but as a team they are … “OK” … not good enough to come up with a championship victory. Del Piero has that ability to break through when needed to add that extra gear.
- Posted by heefunksDEL PIERO…….. italy should thank GOD to have a player like him..
del piero deserves to play on EURO 2008..
becouse del piero is a player who has the mentality of the stadium… once he’s in there he knows what his doing….
and i think what ever Donadoni is doing is not really enaugh without alex.. i think he should get alex back.
what other good strikers do italy have. i dont think they will be able to cutch up with the nationality.
del piero is alegend and they need him for experienc they need him for scoring they need him to tell the player’s what they should be doing.
and deserves to be the Captain…
DEL PIERO is the best in the world..
if italy dont bring alex in EURO 2008
they not winning defnetly…
and if they bring they have the avantage to win…99% .. the 1% is. if they give him his right number.. 10… stands for the rest of 99%
italy 4ver that’s if ALEX playing…..
- Posted by basilDonadoni has to let del piero play
- Posted by daneother wise they not winning euro2008
soo his choice?………… if he wants to win he lets del piero come bak to the international
Del piero is italy through and through!!!!!
best goal in the world cup!!(vs germany)
best striker of all time at juventus!!(stats speak for their self)
beckham, shrek (wrooney) and ronaldiniho and co would get ripped apart in seria a!!!
and all this bias I hear from channel 5 (so called footie expert) expect prem quality football but sorry to point this out football in seria a is art and not a pub fight like the prem!!!
also i think donadoni is bias because he is ac milan (crap).
DEL PIERO IS GOD FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!
- Posted by Dave Russo[…] by the host of replies to our blog about Del Piero in November, he has a hefty fan […]
- Posted by Will Italy recall Del Piero? - Reuters Soccer Blogi think this time donadoni is wrong. many people say that del piero was back to his form again in 2007-2008 season. Del piero is not a star like ronaldo, pele etc, he is a player, who knows what moves are required at what time. he has a great ability to read the game that only few players have. see after being criticized by coach he still wants to play rather than giving up. i think italy will miss a real meastro of the game if they do not take del piero. if donadoni is reading this then he should know that if he thinks that winning small games like friendlies and just qualifying for euro, will help them to win euro then you are just a fool. i must tell you if del piero would not have been in world cup 2006, italy would have lost the game against germany. Donadoni, you are a fool if you donot take the italian golden boy with you in the finals.. Hope you will understand.
- Posted by Rahul SurOf course, Del Piero might be able to solve more than 1 match during Euro 2008. Remember Italy-Germany during World Cup.
- Posted by Juan CavaliereDel Piero mayb old..but he has a lot of experience n some skills that everyone in azzuri doesnt have….coach donadoni should have a better mind set of him….he is a legend and the best italian player all time……i beg u donadoni! plz give another chance to him and i will ensure u the victory of the azzuri in the next european tournament!!!!!!!!
- Posted by ikramDELPIERO is not a star, DELPIERO is not a god, but DELPIERO is a gift for Italy. So its useless if Dona who? not bring Gifted Player into EURO. Just forget about the Cup.
Young player is not a guaratte for gifted player!!!!
- Posted by Akbar