Antonio Di Natale: Difference between revisions
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Di Natale is regarded as a late developer in the game, his style being similar to a pacier [[Alessandro Del Piero]]. Typically playing just off front striker [[Luca Toni]], the two have been very successful for Italy, winning six games in a row and scoring a combined 10 goals in that time. |
Di Natale is regarded as a late developer in the game, his style being similar to a pacier [[Alessandro Del Piero]]. Typically playing just off front striker [[Luca Toni]], the two have been very successful for Italy, winning six games in a row and scoring a combined 10 goals in that time. |
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He then missed a penalty for Italy, sending them out against Spain, in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 |
He then missed a penalty for Italy, sending them out against Spain, in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008, after much boo-ing from the audience because he wasted important seconds faking an injury. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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Revision as of 21:32, 22 June 2008
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Udinese | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of June 9, 2008 | |||
Antonio Di Natale (born 13 October 1977) is an Italian football striker currently playing for Udinese. He likes to play just behind the main striker as a supporting striker and is renowned for his pace, technique, passing, intelligence, penalty misses and a total lack of bottle.
Club career
Born in Naples, Di Natale was brought up in the Empoli youth system and was sent on loan to smaller teams before becoming a protagonist in 1999 and ultimately a pariah in Euro 2008. He impressed many while playing for Empoli in Serie A and even received his first Azzurri call-up. He was awarded a contract extension.[1] When Empoli was relegated he moved to Udinese.[2]
After having joined Udinese in the 2004–05 Serie A season, Di Natale formed well together with Vincenzo Iaquinta and David Di Michele in attack, which the Friulian club finished 4th place at the end of the season and qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the following year. Di Natale finished his debut season with a record of 33 games and seven goals.
International career
Di Natale made his senior debut in late November 2002 against Turkey while Giovanni Trapattoni was still in charge of the national team. He won a few caps in later years though only participated in friendly games. In 2007, he regained a spot with the Azzurri, and was involved in the Euro 2008 qualification campaign. Di Natale netted a goal in each half, setting Italy en route to a hard-fought win over Ukraine in a qualifying match.
He was called up to Italy's squad for Euro 2008 where he missed his penalty during a quarter-final penalty shoot out against Spain. Spain went on to win 4-2 on penalties.
Style of play
Di Natale is regarded as a late developer in the game, his style being similar to a pacier Alessandro Del Piero. Typically playing just off front striker Luca Toni, the two have been very successful for Italy, winning six games in a row and scoring a combined 10 goals in that time.
He then missed a penalty for Italy, sending them out against Spain, in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008, after much boo-ing from the audience because he wasted important seconds faking an injury.
References
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