Serie A Special - Capocannoniere Candidate Antonio Di Natale
Antonio Di Natale is as loyal a football player as they come. Toto was a graduate of the Empoli youth academy where he continued playing his trade as a proud home grown player until his side got relegated in 2004. Di Natale was a late bloomer as a goal scorer.
He managed only 48 goals in 159 Serie A appearances. Even with Zebrette, he has gradually improved with his goal scoring exploits.
Di Natale has stayed at the Zebrette for the past six seasons despite strong interest from European giants AC Milan, Juventus and Manchester United. His loyalty was rewarded with the captain’s armband. His performances in the past few seasons, particularly
when his teammates failed to produce the goods have earned the player a cult hero status in the fans’ hearts.
His performances with the national team however were far from ideal. Under the calamity Coach Roberto Donadoni, he was played in the left winger forward position in a 4-3-3 formation. It is widely known that Italy does not have the players to play that formation.
Lippi used him as an out and out striker but his squad selections bordered on ridiculous at times. He had all the quality to succeed at the international level but sadly, poor management of the national team over the years failed to utilize his potential.
Toto is extremely versatile and can play anywhere in the front line. He frequently features as a lone striker or a playmaker for his club. Di Natale has a devastating turn of pace with which he leaves the opponents for dead. His dribbling skills coupled
with his excellent technique makes him a very tight opponent to mark in tight spaces. Indeed that is where the striker causes the most damage. His partnership with Fabio Quagliarella in 2008 was one of the most stylish striking duos in Serie A - both renowned
for scoring spectacular goals, the two friends dazzled crowds with their tricks and flicks.
Upon Quagliarella’s departure to Napoli, much of the goal scoring burden was put on Di Natale’s shoulders and he duly accepted the responsibility. He managed 17 goals in 2006. Injuries limited his impact in the following season but he was back to his brilliant
best last season as he scored a spectacular 28 goals. Di Natale was often a one man army for the fans, Scoring right, left and centre. Toto won the Capocannoniere title last season. His achievement is magnified manifolds by the fact that his club was struggling
with relegation for much of the season.
Udinese has a very good squad. The likes of Gokhan Inler and Alexis Sanchez are being followed by European heavy weights. It’s a mystery why the team has not been performing up to the level expected of him. Di Natale can get even more deadly if he gets the
support he thoroughly deserves from his team mates. Sanchez in particular has been a disappointment since last season. However, his performances in the world cup were a treat and Zebrette fans will be expecting more of the same.
If his team mates find their rhythm on time this season, expect goals and more goals from the diminutive forward. Much will depend on the form of the team in general and tactics of the coach though.
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