Chiellini to replace Cannavaro

Chiellini – a first-team player for Italy after losing Cannavaro?

Italy coach Donadoni appears to be favouring a partnership between Barzagli and Chiellini to line up the Italy defence against Holland in Italy’s Euro 2008 opening match. Losing Cannavaro brought many football legends to let Italy know that that was a heavy blow to their title chances and yet however Donadoni seems completely cool about it although he is obviously deluded with losing his captain.

“I do not want to lose another man after having already lost Cannavaro,” Donadoni told La Stampa.

“There are players for that role [not Panucci who is a natural right back] and initially I favour them.”

Donadoni is confident that the remaining defenders will equally contribute to Italy just as Cannavaro would have done.

“I think that the defenders who have come in during the last two years have done more than well,” he explained.

“For example, we’ve already been without Materazzi for a while and Barzagli did not let anyone down.”