Re: Italian National Team Thread

[dostoevsky]

I'm with McLewis as concerns De Rossi's use in central defence, it should be a last resort whilst those trained as centrebacks such as Ogbonna remain in the squad.

Does the option still remain to call up another centre back in Barzagli's place given his injury and if so could they be any player from the squad of 30 or those who made the initial cut of 25?

I wouldn't mind calling up Ranocchia, though it is trye that he has had a poor season. He's still a good player, however he has been repeatedly robbed of the opportunity to enjoy a consecutive run of games, given different partners and been shown no signs of faith from his coach. Whether he is capable of bouncing back immediately in the right environment is uncertain to me though and he would remain as significant a risk as Ogbonna or Bonucci in the absence of Barzagli, however his qualities as a centre back more naturally compliment Chiellini.

In the end though, I saw Marco Materazzi stand firm and help to lead us to a World Cup. Past sides have relished and excelled under pressure and even been more formidable with ten than with eleven. Belief and commitment is just as important as talent in tournaments such as these, and whoever is selected needs to reward the faith of the coach with displays of character and fortitude.

[McLewis]

Rannochia, poor as he was overall this season, would be a good choice for Prandelli to call up. People are quick to forget that he was among the league's best defenders along with Bonucci when they were with Bari. This is obviously a completely different climate, but one he could thrive in if given motivation.

Anything to avoid playing DDR as a CB. It's just not his skillset and it takes away from Italy's midfield quality.

[Internal]

alas, it looks like ranocchia is injured too, so if need be davide astori is on stand by.

[juventus101]

I thjnk Barzagli is worth waiting for. Wouldnt mind calling up another defender though since Barzagli is injured for the group stages. Paolo Cannavaro is a great option, maybe in place of a midfielder or Borini or someone...

[Luca]

I thjnk Barzagli is worth waiting for. Wouldnt mind calling up another defender though since Barzagli is injured for the group stages. Paolo Cannavaro is a great option, maybe in place of a midfielder or Borini or someone...

I don't know, lets say that Barzagli is healthy for the quarter final.
Do you really alter the line up that got you to the quarter final?

[juventus101]

Normally i would say no, but Barzagli and Chiellini (and when the 352 was used, Bonucci too) formed the best defensive partnedship in all of Europes top 4 leagues this season. Thats incredible.

[Luca]

Normally i would say no, but Barzagli and Chiellini (and when the 352 was used, Bonucci too) formed the best defensive partnedship in all of Europes top 4 leagues this season. Thats incredible.

In a 3-5-2 I'd agree with you, but if it is a 4 man defense that we see, I would not change a CB pairing that played 3 out of 6 possible games in the tournament

I guess it depends what Prandelli decides. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a 3-5-2 from the start, I wouldn't even be disappointed if that was the case, just curious as to the 11. As long as Balotelli-Cassano are up front, Pirlo, Marchisio, Chiellini, DDR and Buffon are also involved then I will have faith in Prandelli

[Twoism]

Looks like it will be 3-5-2 and DDR will be main man in defense. Report says in the last two training sessions, Prandelli switched to 3-5-2 with DDR and Chiellini as main defenders and Bonnuci & Ogbonna alternated the last spot, midfield of Nocerino, Pirlo and Marchisio. Maggio locked down on one wing, the other - Balzaretti and Giach fighting for with the former for defensive and later for offensive.

[Luca]

It will probably be Bonucci, Ogbonna and Chiellini are so similar it's scary

Chiellini- De Rossi- Bonucci

We'll see if Prandelli regrets having De Rossi in defense, I hope we are all pleasantly surprised by his abilities though

[Twoism]

I think the main question to this Italy side is whether or not the central midfield could do what Vidal & Marchisio did for Juventus this season, free Pirlo some space and pressure. Which means no to Motta since he's not dynamic as Nocerino.

So compare to Juventus: downgrade in defense (No Barzagli), downgrade in midfield (Nocerino instead of Vidal), the wings remains similar, upgrade in offense.

[Luca]

The midfield cannot, Vidal was extremely important obviously.
However, the bright spot really is the dynamic attack of Balotelli and Cassano. They demand more attention then the attackers at Juventus for obvious reasons, so that will definitely help.

We'll see how it goes, if this 3-5-2 operates as Juventus does, high pressing and possession based then who knows.

[Tifoso Romanista]

---------------Buffon
---Ogbonna/Bonucci-DDR-Chiellini
Maggio----Pirlo----Balzaretti/Giacheri…
-----------Nocerino--Marchisio
-----------Baloteli--Di Natale

[zarola]

Buffon
Maggio Ogbonna Chiellini Balzaretti
De Rossi Pirlo Marchisio
Balotelli Cassano

[tonger]

Buffon
Maggio Ogbonna Chiellini Balzaretti
De Rossi Pirlo Marchisio
Balotelli Cassano

since u have 10 players only, maybe throw in giovinco?

[Forza]

we have no good TQs, so should we just abandon the position altogether for euros?

[Twoism]

Y

we have no good TQs, so should we just abandon the position altogether for euros?

Yes, could play conservatively like Maldini Italy in 98. Pirlo in Albertini role solely for creativity, the rest of the midfield protect him, Dino Baggio, Di Biaggo, Di Livio & Di Matteo.

[dostoevsky]

I'm strongly against De Rossi's presence in midfield being lost, Nocerino doesn't have the technique or poise to play Prandelli's game. I'd be happy to see Astori brought in to the side, he performed well during his only game with the national side, even if he was sent off.

If we were to play a highly conservative game I'd introduce Thiago Motta to the left of Pirlo and shift Marchisio higher, though we'd likely see Motta employed higher up the pitch.

[flameas]

Buffon
Bonucci - Ogbonna - Chiellini
Maggio - DDR - Pirlo - Marchisio
Cassano
Balotelli - Borini

3-4-1-2

[dostoevsky]

Astori's joining the squad today and a decision will apparently be made by Prandelli concerning Barzagli by Friday.

[McLewis]

Would love to see Astori get some time. We've been strongly linked with him for the past week as well.

[zarola]

lmfao, I mean this in both a joking and serious way but Montolivo is so anonymous I completely forgot about him.
IDK maybe Thiago Motta or Giovinco there then

[TrezeGent]

-----------------------Buffon
------Maggio-Barzagli -Bonnuci-Chiello

------------DDR------Pirlo----Marchisio

--------------Cassano--Giovinco

--------------------Balotelli
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OR


-----------------------Buffon
------Maggio-DDR -Bonnuci-Chiello

------------Motta------Pirlo----Marchisio

--------------Cassano--Giovinco

--------------------Balotelli
Italy just doesnt have the wings for 352. Even if Prandelli were determined to use it, it would be a shame to sacrifice one of Giovinco/Cassano/Balotelli for the WBs.


Last, just not enough quality, don't expect a lot from this team.

[Luca]

Giovinco/Cassano/Balotelli, one of them are already sacrificed in the 4-3-1-2. So, I'm not really with you on that point.

I would love to see a 4-3-3 (or variation with those 3 in attack, but I don't think were seeing that)

With that being said the 3-5-2 is an upgrade to the 4-3-1-2. Just because we won't have to witness Montolivo as the trequartista, and Maggio can actually provide something as a RWB.

[zarola]

the use of 3 in the back just opens the door for bonucci or astori and no one wants to see that

[Luca]

the use of 3 in the back just opens the door for bonucci or astori and no one wants to see that

Bonucci is actually quite good in a back 3, that's the only formation where he was actually consistently good for Juventus- and he was at the heart of it.

Chiellini-Bonucci-Barzagli

[Forza]

The fact that Italy are still mucking around with fundamental things like formation and half of the positions in the starting line-up doesn't bode well for our chances against Spain. I hope that I am pleasantly surprised when everything falls into place at the last minute before kick-off and Italy win.

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