Source: Xinhua

06-23-2008 10:56

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

VIENNA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Italy coach Roberto Donadoni declined to blame his players after the world champions lost the quarterfinal clash to Spain on penalty shootout here on Sunday.

The former AC Milan midfielder has been imposed bad memories as Azzurri lost 4-2 to Luis Aragones' team in penalty shootout after 120-minute goalless performance from both sides.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni

"I've said in the dressing room that I have bad memories on penalty shootout," said Donadoni. "Yes, in my professional match with the Italian national side in 1991, I missed my penalty to cost the exit of Italy from the European Championship."

"But that's what penalty could be. Sometimes you win penalty and sometimes you lose. Obviously it's an important lose, but the boys have done all they can," he said.

The well-known critical man did not complain on his players, saying that he's satisfied with the team's performance despite the results, and insisted that he's done nothing wrong in tactics.

"I could not care less (about a quarterfinal exit). But I don't care whether they knock us out from the first round or from the quarters. I'm just proud of what my players have done. It's what I'm feeling," he said.

"They spared no energy throughout the match."

The coach, who started a very solid defense against Spain, had claimed to play more aggressive in knockout stage, as two of the previous three quarterfinals played extra time.

Spain's Sergio Ramos (1st R) and teammate Carlos Marchena (1st L) vie with players of Italy during the quarterfinal at the Euro 2008 Championships in Vienna, Austria, on June 22, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

"It doesn't matter we played a defensive game or an offensive one," he said, refusing to comment whether Italy will move up on attack.

"I sent (Alessandro Del) Piero onto the pitch, but he did not score. What can we say?" said Donadoni, who substituted playmaker Alberto Aquilani with veteran striker Piero in the 108 minute.

"We played every counterattack on every occasion...but you can see from the match that chances played a very important role," he added.

"Aquilani did a very good job," later commented Donadoni. "He's a young man with very bright future. He played so well tonight that I can't say I have expected that from him."

The Italian side had to play Spain without suspended Pirlo and defender Gennaro Gattuso.

 

Editor:Du Xiaodan