Pirlo critical of tactics

Italy midfielder questions Donadoni

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 11th June 2008

Pirlo critical of tactics

Pirlo: Not happy

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Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo has questioned Roberto Donadoni's tactics following the 3-0 defeat to Holland.

The Azzurri made a disastrous start to their Euro 2008 campaign as they were defeated 3-0 by an impressive Dutch side on Monday.

There were a number of surprises in Donadoni's team selection and Pirlo was not happy that Daniele De Rossi did not feature.

He also believes that Donadoni should have acted quicker to change the game rather than delaying the introduction of his substitutes.

"If Daniele De Rossi had played, rather than Massimo Ambrosini, I would've been further up the field," said the Milan player.

"They blocked us off too easily on the wings and in the second half, when we made the changes, we got to the byline more.

"We probably should have had the substitutes on earlier."

Changes likely

Donadoni has taken responsibility but also criticised the players for their performance.

"It was the fault of the whole team and me as well," said the Italy coach.

Reports in Italy suggest that Donadoni is likely to make changes for the game with Romania on Friday.

De Rossi and Alessandro Del Piero are both set to come in, while Fabio Grosso and Giorgio Chiellini could also start in defence in place of Marco Materazzi and Andrea Barzagli.