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EURO 2008: Panucci savours final chapter

/noticias.info/ Having reluctantly picked up the gauntlet laid down by Italy coach Roberto Donadoni last October, Christian Panucci's second spell in international football is going from strength to strength. The 35-year-old is forging a promising partnership in central defence with Giorgio Chiellini, boasts a UEFA EURO 2008™ goal, and is now looking forward to continuing his "last great adventure in the Azzurri shirt" against Spain in Sunday's Vienna quarter-final.

Fatherly advice
"At first I didn't want to go back," said Panucci of his recall to the national squad last autumn. "But then my father persuaded me otherwise and I made the right decision. The fact I used to play with Donadoni also makes me give that little bit extra and I'm delighted at what he has done for my career." The feeling for Donadoni must be mutual, particularly given that his former AC Milan colleague scored the crucial last-minute winner that sank Scotland last November to secure the world champions' EURO place.

'Last adventure'
Things have only got better for the Italy No2 at these finals. Panucci notched the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Romania and is now viewed as a mainstay in the heart of the back line. "Donadoni moved me into the middle after the first match and I feel very comfortable there," he added. "The thought of playing in the [UEFA] European Championship quarter-final takes away any feeling of tiredness, especially for someone like me, because this is probably my last great adventure in the Azzurri shirt."

Partnership
With both Fabio Cannavaro and Andrea Barzagli out of the tournament due to injuries, Panucci's stock has risen, especially after helping keep a clean sheet against France on Tuesday alongside Juventus defender Chiellini. "I talk a lot with Giorgio off the pitch," he said of their pairing. "We don't know each other's game too well because we've never played together before so dialogue helps a lot. I can assure you that he's going to be one of the best central defenders in the world because he has everything."

Spanish experience
With Panucci counting Real Madrid CF among the illustrious clubs on a CV that also includes FC Internazionale Milano and Chelsea FC, Panucci will have plenty to say to Chiellini about Italy's next opponents. "Spain will be a tough prospect," he said. "We'll have to get the ball back quickly and hit them on the break because otherwise they'll cause problems. Spain have suffered in the past because they tend to struggle against physically strong sides. We are more technical than physical and that could work in their favour, but I'm convinced Italy will get through." notas_de_prensa_archivo