[El-Meghwar]

Reports: Don turns to Alex
Thursday 12 June, 2008 . channel4.com

Alessandro Del Piero will be selected to face Romania and will take the captain’s armband from Gigi Buffon, according to Italian sources.

After Italy’s devastating defeat in their Euro 2008 opening game against Holland, the pressure is on to secure the three points against Romania on Friday.

Under-fire Coach Roberto Donadoni is expected to make sweeping changes to his starting 11 for the Azzurri’s Zurich D-day and many believe he will put his faith in Del Piero.

Alex enjoyed a phenomenal season for Juventus and finished as Serie A Capocannoniere, but he was only used as a substitute on Monday evening.

Now Don could hand Del Piero his 88th cap, possibly playing alongside Luca Toni.

Should Pinturricchio play, he would be expected to take the role of leader, replacing custodian Buffon.

Buffon was demoralised by the Dutch defeat, which he described as: “the worst Italy performance in 12 years,” – a statement that allegedly upset his Coach – and may not be the man to lead the Azzurri back from the brink.

Sources also suggest that Donadoni will opt for Roma pair Simone Perrotta and Daniele De Rossi in midfield instead of Milan’s Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini.