Re: Italian National Team Thread

[chinomaster182]

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

[Robespierre]

I think stop oriundi because it's an annoying/ridicolous thing to have more than 2

[S]

Cesare Prandelli will stay on as the Azzurri’s coach after the World Cup. The news was reported by ANSA:”Prandelli and FIGC reached an agreement in principle and are on the verge of signing an extension to continue their relationship until the Euro tournament in 2016. The news reported by ANSA was confirmed by the FIGC offices”

[Katy Perry]

Destro has been fantastic since he recovered from his injury averaging something like one goal every match despite being deployed mostly as a winger when Roma is defending and obviously taking more central positions when Roma has the possession of the ball with Totti dropping deeper and doing even better as an out-and-out striker when the latter wasn't playing, wouldn't mind him starting at the World Cup.

[flameas]

Dont worry.. Osvaldo and Gilardino are going to WC.. not Destro and Immobile..

[Lupi]

 doesn't matter how good or bad a player get, even if Juve bring an  amateur player.That by its own increases the possibility to join NT.Nothing  new there. Excuses they come up with is only making it worse.

[dostoevsky]

Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli has included Milan’s Stephan El Shaarawy in his 42-man squad to undergo physical performance tests early next week.

The decision comes in spite of the 21-year-old having not played any competitive football this calendar year and beyond due to a foot injury.

Other notable players included for the tests in Coverciano are Giuseppe Rossi, Antonio Cassano, Simone Scuffet and Crotone player Federico Bernardeschi.

The likes of Francesco Totti and Luca Toni however are left out, a move which suggests they do not feature in Prandelli's plans for this summer's World Cup.

The players who have been called up have been split into two groups depending on availability.

The first and larger group will take the tests on Monday, while the second is composed solely of Milan, Juventus and Udinese players and will complete the exercises on Tuesday.

Italian players plying their trade abroad meanwhile will be unable to take part, due to the fact that the tests will take place outside FIFA allotted international release dates.

Italy’s 42-man squad for physical testing:

Group One: Bardi (Livorno), Mirante (Parma), Perin (Genoa), Astori (Cagliari), Darmian (Torino), De Silvestri (Sampdoria), Paletta (Parma), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Ranocchia (Inter), Aquilani (Fiorentina), Baselli (Atalanta), Bernardeschi (Crotone), Bertolacci (Genoa), Bonaventura (Atalanta), Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Florenzi (Roma), Parolo (Parma), Romulo (Verona), Berardi (Sassuolo), Cassano (Parma), Cerci (Torino), Gabbiadini (Sampdoria), Gilardino (Genoa), Immobile (Torino), Insigne (Napoli), Rossi (Fiorentina), Zaza (Sassuolo).

Group Two:Buffon (Juventus), Scuffet (Udinese), Abate (Milan), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), De Sciglio (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Poli (Milan), Balotelli (Milan), El Shaarawy (Milan), Osvaldo (Juventus).

[Lupi]

I'm so happy that Cassano is there among with florenzi and DDR.
 

[Cassius]

Immobile or Balotelli for the starting birth?

Or can they play together?

[Forza]

Balo is NT proven.

Also, group 2 SES

[zarola]

Glad to see there's still slight hope for Rossi

[Robespierre]

Ia really the Argentinian Paletta better than other Italian defenders?
Contributed to Inter's victory yesteray losing the Bostero battle with PalaciGOAT

[BarrileteCosmico]

No one in Argentina really rates him. Flavor of the month.

[Kaladin]

So, who do you guys think will spearhead Italy's attack? Will Balo retain his spot or will Immobile/Destro knock him down the chain?

[Tomwin Lannister]

Balo will be given a start unless he flops in the groups

Rossi if fit needs to start. Cassano should super-sub and Immobile should push Balo for a spot.

[dostoevsky]

I'm essentially with Tom on this, however I personally feel that Rossi's push for fitness is coming too late and I'm not eagre for him to be brought along. That being said, El Shaarawy is in the exact same position and we're drastically short of players who can work off Balo, who Prandelli will almost certainly persist with at least for the start of the Cup given his national experience. Cassano is the ideal partner, however despite his good performance in the recent physical tests, he can't be relied upon for the entire World Cup. I personally dislike Rossi's lack of creativity, particularly if we're going to play with four central midfielders, however it's probably going to be necessary to take him.

Insigne is the wild card in my eyes, I would take him along to the World Cup and give him a chance on the assumption that El Shaarawy simply won't be fit enough. Balo, Cassano, Rossi, Immobile, Destro and Insigne would be my forwards. There's not an awful lot of national team experience there, however hopefully our midfield and defence will make up for that deficit.

[dostoevsky]

I just realised that I completely forgot Cerci existed. I'd take him along as well, though I'm not sure who I'd drop if Rossi proves himself fit.

Just don't take Candreva, please, Prandelli.

[Forza]

23 Man Squad

GK: Buffon, Sirigu, Perin (3)
CB: Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Paletta (4)
WB: De Sciglio, Abate, Criscito, Balza (4)
MID: De Rossi, Montolivo, Pirlo, Marchisio, T. Motta, Verrati (6)
ATT: Balo, Immobile, Rossi, Insigne, Cerci, Cassano (6)

Maybe: SES, Maggio (both of them are coming back from injury)

[Tomwin Lannister]

I believe Candreva will be taken, tbh his energy levels could come in useful considering the team will be dead after the ridiculous opening fixture in Menaus.

When lining up with a 3-5-2


Barz Bon (Unfortunately) Chiell
Abate DDR Pirlo Marchisio Criscito
Balo Rossi


Then, there is the option to switch to a back 4, remove Bonucci and play Cerci and somebody like Candreva/Immobile on the opposite flank. Immobile should definitely be given games, he's the most in-form striker available and the only one who was on par with him was Rossi before his unfortunate injury.

[Forza]

Yeah, Candreva is not the worst choice that could be made. He is a useful and versatile player who could come in handy in certain situations. Not sure who I'd drop for him though.

[The Legend]

(1) 4-2-3-1

Buffon

MDS - Barzagli - Bonucci -Chiellini

Pirlo - De Rossi

Candreva - Montolivo - Marchisio

Immobile


(2) 4-3-1-2

Buffon

MDS - Barzagli - Bonucci -Chiellini

De Rossi - Pirlo - Marchisio

Montolivo

Immobile - Cassano/Rossi

(3) 4-3-3

Buffon

MDS - Barzagli - Bonucci -Chiellini

De Rossi - Pirlo - Motta/Marchisio

Cerci - Immobile - Rossi/Cassano


(4) 3-5-2

Buffon

Barzagli - Bonucci -Chiellini

Candreva -DDR - Pirlo - Marchisio -Criscito

Immobile - Cassano/Rossi


Thats my opinion on how Italia's starting line-up should be in WC.

[BarrileteCosmico]

Still can't believe Paletta is the 4th best Italian CB

[The Legend]

Still can't believe Paletta is the 4th best Italian CB

He is not. Stop this madness, BC.

[Robespierre]

So, who do you guys think will spearhead Italy's attack? Will Balo retain his spot or will Immobile/Destro knock him down the chain?

I think Balo is sure.
Although he is consistent he has always the talent to resolve a match with an individual action. and in a cup you don't need to be consistent as a long league. I can't image Prandelli doesn't call up him for this reason.
While Destro or Immobile risks much( more Destro) , but this is because I am enough sure Prandelli will call up Gilardino ( )
We need to call up also Cassano, and I think we should do same thing with Giuseppe Rossi, our best Cf , few minutes can be sufficient to score for him.

[Tomwin Lannister]

Paletta is alright tbh


Plus if you think about it, what other nations are blessed with great CBs?

Brazils 2nd best CB is the afro mess Luiz. Or the afro mess Dante. Both liabilities

Spain? Lol

Argentina. Their best CB would be lucky to make the bench.

England? 50 year old Terry.

[nadinkrah]

too bad that defense doesn't have much to brag about on the international level.

[Sponsored content]