HAS DONADONI GOT IT RIGHT?

Italy are rated 3^rd in the world by the FIFA.

The World Cup champions have made a convincing start finishing top of their qualifying group ahead of France. But they have not won the Euros for 40 years.

But they will be the team to beat. This may ageing but capable defence may be the toughest of all, In goal Juventus’s charismatic Gianluigi Buffon is one of the best in the world. The defence has Real Madrid’s Fabio Cannavaro, Inter Milan’s Marco Materazzi and Barcelona’s Gianluca Zambrotta.

For offensive animation, there is Milan AC’s Andrea Pirlo, as conductor of midfield and

Pippo Inzaghi who has scored more goals in UEFA competitions than anyone at 63. Up front Bayern Munich’s Luca Toni is the top goalscorer in the Bundesliga.

Coach Donadoni has even allowed himself to leave Milan’s Alessandro Nesta, Juventus’s Alessandro Del Piero and Roma’s Francesco Totti out of the team, so he has confidence in the players coming through.

Donadoni might be the only weakness of the Italian team. The inexperienced coach of Livourne has had to assume the succession of one of the best Italian coach ever in Marcelo Lippi and has been criticised in his selections.