Re: Italian National Team Thread

[Arquitecto]

Absolutely baffling how Giaccherini, Parolo, Gilardino and Osvaldo still managed to be called up by Cesare.

[Tomwin Lannister]

Osvaldo is legit ffs

[BarrileteCosmico]

Attaccanti: Cerci (Torino), Destro (Roma), Gilardino (Genoa), Immobile (Torino), Insigne (Napoli), Osvaldo (Juventus).

Italy should seriously play with Cerci-Immobile on top, if these are the players called up.

Torino

[Robespierre]

maybe even Graziano Pellè deserved it more than Osvaldo  (I would like to see him again in Serie A anyway, tbh I don't think he scores too many goals only for scrubs Dutch defences) it's clear we will be  see his 3 darlings to WC . (gila,osv , giak )
Anyway Osvaldo can be useful , Gilardino is only his obsession
Just Parolo risks to be cutted, as I hope. Probably the most useless between all . Parma is playing an amazing season but it's largely due to Cassano, that  considering only the performances should be called

It's noteworthy the exclusion of Diamanti , until short time ago a fixed point of this Nazionale

The transfer in Cina can be harmful for him

[Robespierre]

Attaccanti: Cerci (Torino), Destro (Roma), Gilardino (Genoa), Immobile (Torino), Insigne (Napoli), Osvaldo (Juventus).

Italy should seriously play with Cerci-Immobile on top, if these are the players called up.

Torino

Best Torino partnership since Pulici - Graziani

[M99]

Perin

[Kaladin]

Italy NT Call-Up for the friendly against Spain in Madrid on 5 Mar 2014:

Portieri: Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain);

Difensori: Abate (Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Zenit San Pietroburgo), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Paletta (Parma);

Centrocampisti: Candreva (Lazio), Giaccherini (Sunderland), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Parolo (Parma), Pirlo (Juventus), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain);

Attaccanti: Cerci (Torino), Destro (Roma), Gilardino (Genoa), Immobile (Torino), Insigne (Napoli), Osvaldo (Juventus).

What i'd like to see:

-------------------Buffon
----------MDS---Barza---Bon--Criscito
-----Marchisio---Motta/Montolvo---Verratti
Cerci-----------Destro/Immobile-----Insigne


What we'll probably see:

--------------Buffon
Maggio---Paletta---Bonucci---Chiellini
-----Marchisio---Parolo---Giaccherini
---------------Candreva
------Gilardino---------Osvaldo

[M99]

I would like to see Perin play at one point.

[rwo power]

I would like to see Perin play at one point.

[dostoevsky]

The Spain match should be used for nothing less than blooding all uncertain elements of the squad to test their mettle against such strong opposition. There is absolutely nothing to be gained from playing the likes of Pirlo and Chiellini against Spain. They are by now well acquainted with their opposition and will learn nothing. The likes of Perin, Immobile and Paletta have everything to learn though and Prandelli himself from their performances.

What I would like to see:

Perin
De Sciglio---Astori---Paletta---Criscito
Verratti---Thiago Motta---Parolo/Marchisio
Cerci---Immobile/Destro---Insigne

If any of these players are going to be torn apart by the Spanish machine, it is better that it happens now rather than in the World Cup. Verratti, Paletta, Cerci, Immobile and Perin are the players I'm most interested in seeing against Spain; it's pointless to call up such players without ever giving them a chance to prove their worth where it matters on the pitch. There is only one real advantage to playing Spain, the ability to give experience to the fringe members of the team against top opposition and to break Costa's legs in eight places.

[flameas]

Why Prandelli likes Osvaldo so much?

Italy Probable XI: Buffon; Maggio, Paletta, Barzagli, Criscito; Marchisio, T. Motta, Montolivo; Candreva, Osvaldo, Cerci

Thats an awful lineup. Luckily most of them are just to experiment a little.. in WC Montolivo must be benched for DDR, Verratti.. and Cerci instead of naziale Candreva. Osvaldo must be left at home.

[Tomwin Lannister]

Tbf outside of Rossi who's injured there isn't much choice

Balo can either be explosive or a let down, then the likes of Gilardino, Matri etc etc just suck

Osvaldo was great at times for Roma, he's looked decent for us in his limited game time. He's definitely a better choice than 92 year old veterans who are still floating about scoring 5 goals per season.

[farfan]

why not give a chance to the likes of immobile, Berardi , pele......

[Tomwin Lannister]

Immobile I agree with

Berardi isn't even playing at Sassuolo atm, he's too raw. Pele was struggling for goals in Serie B. Don't care what he's doing in the free scoring dutch league.

[Kaladin]

Cerci was impressive, and Italy lacks a player of his ability. I think he's done enough to earn a place for the WC

[Arquitecto]

It was a close match, far closer than I expected given España's line-up compared to Prandelli's fielded one.

1st half was composed of some deft counters led by Cerci who continually exposed Alba, while Osvaldo (who brought players and linked-up well) was guilty of some horrid finishing, to which could have given Italia the lead. Midfield was in-congruent given that the Motta didn't have a clear role while Monty was isolated almost wide. Marchisio had an intelligent game with his passing and late runs while Candreva excelled on both sides of the field. Game showed by Motta must be taken as he was everywhere on the field, despite his vague role. Defence, Criscito performed well on the wide threat yet failed to track efficiently on the inside, Paletta was guilty of obscuring Buffon's vision for the goal yet marked out Costa all night. Barzagli was perfect while Maggio simply is not a fullback.

2nd half we pressed Italia continually yet didn't create much beyond the Pedro goal and Prandelli changing the mould into a 4-3-1-2 with players that would not work together was obvious of his indifference to this match. Immobile was quite impressive and was the only one who didn't show a disgusting attitude towards the friendly in the 2nd half. Destro's man-boobs slowed him down to receive the final finishing touch.

Everyone knew and by Prandelli's comments that he refuses to show España his plan within the World Cup and against España as the surprise element works in his favour, hence the change of formation 3 times in the game.

Quite possibly the worst face-off between España-Italia I have ever seen as its obvious their minds were elsewhere.

Pedro España's best player (mention for Iker) while Buffon was flawless for Italia.

[Robespierre]

it was a match so awful that I feel even asleep.
After an exhausting day the worst thing you can do is to watch a friendly match of Italy coached by Prandelli . It has not to do with Spain, we can suck even with Nigeria in these matches...
regardless of the technical difference between 2 National teams, I saw also an enormous difference of athletic condition . Maybe Prandelli should begin to be worried about it

[Twoism]

Palleta did well, he came really long way from those Liverpool day. I hope he get a chance in WC if Parma continues their impressive run, would be harsh to use him one game and drop since he's also eligible for Argentina.

Cassano is also not out of question, funny how it sounds. He's picking it up nicely last 3 months. Italy lacks creativity and that extra bit of magic and while it could be double edge sword, Cassano as sub should be considered.

[Lupi]

i expected a really different result but apparently the sub-par azzurri with no chemistry and confusion did well , considering that criscito for example got absolutely destroyed in CL games .

[flameas]

My squad would be (23 players)

GK (3): Buffon, Perin, Sirigu
DF (:Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzhaghli, Maggio, De Sciglio, Balzaretti, Abate, Palleta
MF(6): Pirlo, De Rossi, Verratti, Giachherini, Montolivo, Marchisio
FW(6): G.Rossi, Balotelli, Insigine, Cerci, Insigne, Cassano

Maybe : Cricito, Astori, Candreva, Parolo, Florenzi, Totti, Toni, Destro, Immobile

[Robespierre]

We have to hope De Rossi won't make a punishable act before than World Cup , considering this " codice etico"
He is the best Italian midfielder by a mile now, and so we can't renounce to him . We saw it even yesterday ( though we  would have lost anyhow )

Palleta did well, he came really long way from those Liverpool day. I hope he get a chance in WC if Parma continues their impressive run, would be harsh to use him one game and drop since he's also eligible for Argentina.

Cassano is also not out of question, funny how it sounds. He's picking it up nicely last 3 months. Italy lacks creativity and that extra bit of magic and while it could be double edge sword, Cassano as sub should be considered.

Cassano was precious even in Euro 2012 after an icuts, let alone in WC considering he is really in form
No hope because it's not a technical matter , there are other motivations . Historically Italy NT has always put the "group"  at the first place  than the individual , Cassano is  only one of many which are not considered for this reason

Cerci was impressive, and Italy lacks a player of his ability. I think he's done enough to earn a place for the WC

yes same thought we can't deprive of him because in Italian context he's a player enough "rare" , hard to find one with similar characteristics to him
lthough Cerci showed limits out of context Ventura

[Lupi]

i don't know why didn't prandelli use verratti and cassano for the game vs spain , especially since he had pirlo out . why did he try motta . he really doesn't know motta or what

[flameas]

Prandelli seems to be as stubborn as Lippi in 2010.. Italy cant afford to leave its best at home..

[McLewis]

I think whoever mentioned previously that Prandelli is trying not to show his hand to the other superpowers is onto something.

We also have to remember that Italy have a very well-known habit of not taking friendlies seriously. Doesn't matter who is the coach as they were just as bad under Lippi and Donadoni. We can't really read much into this match from a collective standpoint as a result. We can certainly draw some conclusions on an individual basis though.

Cerci took this opportunity well, as did Paletta, who has been criminally underrated at Parma this season. Osvaldo's move to Juve also sealed his ticket to Brazil imo. He may have been average today, but he'll be in the reckoning at the end of the day.

I tend to agree on Maggio as well. He's essentially the older Italian version of Roma's very own Dodo: A wide-midfielder being forced to play as a defender. He simply doesn't have the acumen for that role when defensive nous is needed and that's going to be a bit of an achilles heel for Italy. Criscito wasn't much better on the other side if I'm honest, but he does have better ability in that part of pitch. Overall, this is going to be a glaring weak spot for Italy.

Beyond that, it was a rather dull match, as most against Spain tend to be.

[Robespierre]

According Italian rumours Prandelli is ready to call again Cassano in Nazionale for World Cup.
"La Repubblica" shows security on it
http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/nazionale/2014/03/10/news/cassano_mondiali_nazionale-80659321/?ref=twhr&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
translated title : Prandelli is convinced : Cassano will go to WC

[chinomaster182]

Hey guys, what would you think about Prandelli calling up Jonathan Moreira?

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