Dull Italy need a shake up following exit

By Mark Meadows

VIENNA (Reuters) - World champions Italy were drab and unimaginative at Euro 2008 and deserved to be sent home with Roberto Donadoni's position as coach now under threat.

The 4-2 defeat on penalties by Spain on Sunday after a 0-0 draw in the last quarter-final in Vienna summed up all of Italy's problems during the tournament.

They lacked any creativity or spark in midfield and had to rely on uncharacteristic long balls and crosses to try to force an opening. Even then their final pass was often poor given the evidently tired legs across the team.

Despite the clear failings, the players are backing Donadoni. The Italian soccer federation is reviewing his role.

"We would prefer him to stay because he's done a great job," defender Gianluca Zambrotta told reporters. "You win, you lose, that's football. I certainly don't think it's the end of a cycle."

Big forward Luca Toni struggled throughout, failing to find the net and looking cumbersome rather than threatening. His 24 league goals for Bayern Munich last season prove he is a top striker but against the best defenders he is found wanting.

To be fair to the 31-year-old, he was often isolated up front with his constantly changing strike partners either too deep or too wide to offer support.

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