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Euro 2012 Comment: Italy Must Select Giampaolo Pazzini Ahead Of Alberto Gilardino
Adam Scime reckons it’s time to give ‘Pazzo’ an extended run for la Nazionale
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Sep 2, 2010 10:00:00 AM
By Adam Scime
Giampaolo Pazzini left Fiorentina in January 2009, living under the shadow of Alberto Gilardino, but the former has emerged as the top contender for Italy’s centre-forward position rather than the 2006 World Cup winner.
Italy boss Cesare Prandelli, then the coach of the Tuscan outfit, has called up the 26-year-old , sticking to his promise of “meritocracy” in the national team thus far and if he continues with that trend than he must select the Sampdoria striker in the starting XI for the Euro 2012 qualifier versus Estonia on Friday.
There is no ill will toward the also recalled Gilardino, who is a relatively capable goal-scorer though inconsistent for his country, but Pazzini left the Viola with a point to prove and has certainly done so, bagging 30 goals compared to Gilardino’s 22 since his move to the Marassi in Serie A action.
Marcello Lippi never offered Pazzini a real chance, just brief cameos, the story for a number of promising Italians, so now is his opportunity to seize the day.
The player, who began his career at Atalanta, absolutely shone in his side’s heart-breaking Champions League two-legged play-off against Werder Bremen with three goals in two matches showcasing his predatory instincts. The last of those goals, a volley of exquisite technique from the edge of the area, had to be admired no matter where your allegiances lie in football. Those performances prompted Goal.com's Michael Yokhin to praise him as the Azzurri's 'best striker.'
A bonus is he already has a prosperous partnership with playmaker Antonio Cassano and if the pair can replicate their club form for their country then grabbing goals will paradoxically become the least of Italy’s problems for the foreseeable future.
Add to the equation exciting starlet Mario Balotelli from Manchester City, and Italy have a talior-made trio to take them into EURO 2012. Unlike Lippi's 2010 World Cup gang, they do not lack speed, imagination, or skill – the trio would give Prandelli one of the most potent attacks in European football.
Italy boss Cesare Prandelli, then the coach of the Tuscan outfit, has called up the 26-year-old , sticking to his promise of “meritocracy” in the national team thus far and if he continues with that trend than he must select the Sampdoria striker in the starting XI for the Euro 2012 qualifier versus Estonia on Friday.
There is no ill will toward the also recalled Gilardino, who is a relatively capable goal-scorer though inconsistent for his country, but Pazzini left the Viola with a point to prove and has certainly done so, bagging 30 goals compared to Gilardino’s 22 since his move to the Marassi in Serie A action.
Marcello Lippi never offered Pazzini a real chance, just brief cameos, the story for a number of promising Italians, so now is his opportunity to seize the day.
The player, who began his career at Atalanta, absolutely shone in his side’s heart-breaking Champions League two-legged play-off against Werder Bremen with three goals in two matches showcasing his predatory instincts. The last of those goals, a volley of exquisite technique from the edge of the area, had to be admired no matter where your allegiances lie in football. Those performances prompted Goal.com's Michael Yokhin to praise him as the Azzurri's 'best striker.'
A bonus is he already has a prosperous partnership with playmaker Antonio Cassano and if the pair can replicate their club form for their country then grabbing goals will paradoxically become the least of Italy’s problems for the foreseeable future.
Add to the equation exciting starlet Mario Balotelli from Manchester City, and Italy have a talior-made trio to take them into EURO 2012. Unlike Lippi's 2010 World Cup gang, they do not lack speed, imagination, or skill – the trio would give Prandelli one of the most potent attacks in European football.
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Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from Sep 1, 2010 to Sep 6, 2010
Poll runs from Sep 1, 2010 to Sep 6, 2010
Should Giampaolo Pazzini Start For Italy?
Yes
96.95%
No
3.05%
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