Re: Italian National Team Thread

[Luca]

For the Italy supporters

[Cotes]

I think Barzagli will be back by the Ireland game, so I don't know if we risk him, but I'm really missing De Rossi in the Mid. I think we should try this. I'm tired of Maggio and can't stand seeing Balzaretti on the bench when he is 10000X better than Giaccherini in my opinion and LEFT FOOTED


-------------------------------Buffon
--------------Bonucci-------Barzagli--------Chiellini

Abate-------------Marchisio-Pirlo-De Rossi------------Balzaretti

------------------------Cassano----Balotelli

I watch all Serie Games and Giacherini never impress me.

watch the match vs Genoa!

[Patrick Bateman]

For the Italy supporters

[Juveman17]

DDR Agent 007 in his prime

[dronte]

Italy trainings full of FUN FUN FUN

[Rebaño Sagrado]

[Luca]

For the Italy supporters

I've yet to find a decent Euro 2012 De Rossi picture, but I'll try

[Luca]

UPDATED

[Eivindo]

To all people who can read La Gazzetta dello Sport, is it as orgasmic as it seems? Damn I wish I lived in a big country with creative people. There is just something special about eating dinner and reading sports from an actual paper!

[Forza]

Did some editing...

[Juveman17]

[Tifoso Romanista]

[Tifoso Romanista]

well its Germany with 4 2 3 1 , 3-5-2 or 4 3 1 2

Im thinking this

-----------------Buffon
Abate---Bonucci--Barzagli-Balzaretti
-------------------Pirlo
Maggio---Marchisio-DDR-----Diamanti
---------------Cassano/Dinatale

[Forza]

Diamanti vs Monty vs Nocerino

Who should start?

I'm not giving a definite answer until some others have posted, but I think that Nocerino has clearly been underused considering how good he's been.

Monty is great if not used as a TQ.

I'd prefer Diamanti as a sub to reinvigorate the midfield if things get bogged down.

---

In response your formation question, Romanista, we've traditionally had trouble scoring and that's evidently still a problem. I think 2 strikers are necessary from that perspective. Di Natale and Cassano would be my preferred options up forward.

[Arquitecto]

The Juventus defender missed Sunday's quarter-final against England after suffering a hamstring strain in the Azzurri's final outing in Group C, against Republic of Ireland.

However, Chiellini revealed after watching his team-mates' dramatic penalty shoot-out success in Kiev that he could be fit to face the Germans in Warsaw.

"I feel better," the versatile centre-back told reporters in the mixed zone. "We'll see in the next few days but I hope and I think that I can play on Thursday."

Chiellini is understandably desperate to be available for the game as he knows full well that the Azzurri are going up against a terrific side in Germany.

"It'll be very difficult," he acknowledged. "But then, that's normal. In the semi-finals, all the teams are always very strong.

"But we'll have to prepare well in the next few days. We have seen Germany play and they have now won 15 matches in a row. They are the strongest team in Europe, along with Spain."

However, Chiellini has the utmost faith in Italy, arguing that they have already proven in their group games against La Roja and Croatia that they have what it takes to mix it up with the best the tournament has to offer.

"We have quality," he declared. "We know that Germany are a good team, with good players. But we have been playing very well since the first game [against Spain]. We drew but we played very well. We had some chances.

Italia (unlike Milan) have a world class medical staff and since Cheillini is training along with even being on bench vs England, we are seeing that the fleshy nosed generale will be back to face Germany.


I was thinking who is he going to replace? Barzagli has been perfect since his inclusion while it would be a crime to remove Bonnuci who has made us swell with pride in his performances.

In a fantasy world I would have a 3-5-2 with Bonnuci-Barza-Cheillini but sadly this isn't fantasy.

So I guess he will have to replace Bon Bon despite Leo being stellar in his defending.

[Luca]

Having Chiellini healthy just gives Italy that option Arq. I agree, it would actually be a shame to see Bonucci dropped and I would love to see a 3-5-2

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

Diamanti vs Monty vs Nocerino

Who should start?

None of them.....

Buffon
Abate Bonucci Barzagli Balzaretti
Pirlo
Marchisio DDR
Motta
Cassano Balotelli

If Chiellini can start then i'd go with 3-5-2 with Motta coming out..... usually i would say bring in Maggio as wing back but Abate impressed me how he completely and utterly owned that right flank against Cole and Young so he stays regardless of system.

[Luca]

Maggio is suspended, or am I wrong? He picked up a yellow against England and I believe that rules him out

[Arquitecto]

Having Chiellini healthy just gives Italy that option Arq. I agree, it would actually be a shame to see Bonucci dropped and I would love to see a 3-5-2

I agree with you most definitely as one has to be proud of Leo's efforts this tournament. Proven all his critics wrong.

The reason why I do put Cheillini over Bonnuci is not necessarily because he is a more developed defender, but because Cheillini is our commandante of the backline and we need that voice to marshal the whole line. He also is in my opinion the best man marking CB in Europe and I would trust him to mark out Klose/Gomez.

And yes Maggio is suspended

[Luca]

Having Chiellini healthy just gives Italy that option Arq. I agree, it would actually be a shame to see Bonucci dropped and I would love to see a 3-5-2

I agree with you most definitely as one has to be proud of Leo's efforts this tournament. Proven all his critics wrong.

The reason why I do put Cheillini over Bonnuci is not necessarily because he is a more developed defender, but because Cheillini is our commandante of the backline and we need that voice to marshal the whole line. He also is in my opinion the best man marking CB in Europe and I would trust him to mark out Klose/Gomez.

And yes Maggio is suspended

Completely agree with you about Chiellini and if he is fit he must play

[zarola]

I think Nocerino should start.

can someone explain to me what Diamanti is? How is he a replacement for Cassano.. I thought he was a midfielder am I wrong?

[Luca]

He is an attacking midfielder

[Milantildeath]

Depending on if Chiellini and Abate are fit to play the semi I would play just like this

Buffon
Abate Barzagli Chiellini Balzaretti

Pirlo
Marchisio DDR

Montolivo
Cassano Balotelli

SUBS: Di Natale, Nocerino, Diamanti

IF they are both not fit, then I we have a problem since Maggio is suspended for next game, I'd convert either go with three in the back, or convert either Nocerino or Giaccherini to Right back.

[zarola]

I would play Chiellini at LB

[Luca]

I would play Chiellini at LB

You know, I had this same thought but then Italy would have really little offensively. Especially with abate on the right who doesn't really go forward as much as Balzaretti does

[zarola]

I would play Chiellini at LB

You know, I had this same thought but then Italy would have really little offensively. Especially with abate on the right who doesn't really go forward as much as Balzaretti does

but every time balzaretti goes forward he screws up his crosses anyway

[Sponsored content]