Gattuso backs Luca Toni to deliver for Italy
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Talismanic Italian midfielder Gennaro Gattuso tipped striker Luca Toni to cushion the blow caused by an injury to captain and central defender Fabio Cannavaro at a press conference in Lower Austria on Thursday.
Italy suffered a major blow at Euro 2008 on Monday when an ankle ligament injury ruled Cannavaro out of the entire competition.
Toni, last season's leading scorer in the Bundesliga (24 goals), is likely to spearhead a three-man attack in Italy's opening Euro 2008 match in Group C against the Netherlands in the Swiss capital, Berne next Monday.
"I think that this year Toni demonstrated how he plays. He may not look like a graceful player, but he plays for the team and any ball he gets becomes playable. I think he can make a difference," said Gattuso.
"The founding base of the group has remained the same and its strength is very much the same as two years ago even though we have a different tactical line up from (previous coach Marcello) Lippi," he added.
Meanwhile, 30-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who holds 82 caps, appears set to replace Cannavaro as Italy's captain.
He had the backing of midfielder Simone Perrotta at a press conference on Thursday.
"I believe so. He (Buffon) has got the experience to cover Fabio's role," said Simone Perrotta, Italy midfielder.
The Azzurri open their Group C campaign against the Netherlands on Monday in Berne, and Italy coach Roberto Donadoni’s preferred 4-3-3 line-up should ensure a game with plenty of attacking intent.
The tournament is also important for Donadoni, who signed a new two-year contract with the Italian Football Federation on Tuesday. However, the deal provides an escape clause should the World Champions not perform well in this tournament.
Italy suffered a major blow at Euro 2008 on Monday when an ankle ligament injury ruled Cannavaro out of the entire competition.
Toni, last season's leading scorer in the Bundesliga (24 goals), is likely to spearhead a three-man attack in Italy's opening Euro 2008 match in Group C against the Netherlands in the Swiss capital, Berne next Monday.
"I think that this year Toni demonstrated how he plays. He may not look like a graceful player, but he plays for the team and any ball he gets becomes playable. I think he can make a difference," said Gattuso.
"The founding base of the group has remained the same and its strength is very much the same as two years ago even though we have a different tactical line up from (previous coach Marcello) Lippi," he added.
Meanwhile, 30-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who holds 82 caps, appears set to replace Cannavaro as Italy's captain.
He had the backing of midfielder Simone Perrotta at a press conference on Thursday.
"I believe so. He (Buffon) has got the experience to cover Fabio's role," said Simone Perrotta, Italy midfielder.
The Azzurri open their Group C campaign against the Netherlands on Monday in Berne, and Italy coach Roberto Donadoni’s preferred 4-3-3 line-up should ensure a game with plenty of attacking intent.
The tournament is also important for Donadoni, who signed a new two-year contract with the Italian Football Federation on Tuesday. However, the deal provides an escape clause should the World Champions not perform well in this tournament.
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