Re: Italian National Team Thread

[Luca]

Is (Osvaldo) the most in form Italian striker atm ?

Di Natale?
Quagliarella goals against Napoli and Palermo, scoreless against Lazio
Del Piero goals against Inter and Lazio, assist against Napoli in very limited minutes

Whats Osvaldo's stat line like lately? I know he has scored some recently

[Patrick Bateman]

Is (Osvaldo) the most in form Italian striker atm ?

Di Natale?
Quagliarella goals against Napoli and Palermo, scoreless against Lazio
Del Piero goals against Inter and Lazio, assist against Napoli in very limited minutes

Whats Osvaldo's stat line like lately? I know he has scored some recently

Osvaldo - 23 games,11 goals,he scored against a few of the big boys most notably Milan,Udinese,Napoli and Lazio.

Also worth mentioning Fabio Borini has 7 goals from 11 appearences this season.Pretty impressive for a youngster.

[Tifoso Romanista]

osvaldo

[Luca]

Is (Osvaldo) the most in form Italian striker atm ?

Di Natale?
Quagliarella goals against Napoli and Palermo, scoreless against Lazio
Del Piero goals against Inter and Lazio, assist against Napoli in very limited minutes

Whats Osvaldo's stat line like lately? I know he has scored some recently

Osvaldo - 23 games,11 goals,he scored against a few of the big boys most notably Milan,Udinese,Napoli and Lazio.

Also worth mentioning Fabio Borini has 7 goals from 11 appearences this season.Pretty impressive for a youngster.

Borini is really impressive in my opinion.

11 in 23 is a respectable ratio for a striker but I was talking recently, like last 5 games or so.

I guess we'll wait and see who is brought to the Euro, I think Osvaldo is in the mix, Borini should be there too.

[Patrick Bateman]

Prandelli open to Totti, Del Piero

By Football Italia staff






Cesare Prandelli has not closed the door to veterans for Euro 2012. “Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero still have much to give.”

The Italy Coach is on a tour of all Serie A clubs and visited both the Lazio and Roma camps today.

He was asked about the possibility of calling Totti and Del Piero back for the tournament this summer, especially as injury and poor form has vastly reduced the forwards at his disposal.

“When it comes to dealing with Totti and Del Piero, it requires great respect,” replied Prandelli.

“Will they be called up for Euro 2012? It is best not to say things like that, but they have certainly given a great deal to Italian football and I am convinced they have much to give.

“The evaluations I will make when choosing a squad will not only be regarding their birth certificates.”

Totti’s last appearance in an Italy jersey was in the 2006 World Cup Final against France, while Del Piero hasn’t worn the Azzurri shirt since a 2-0 win over Georgia in September 2008.

“As for Antonio Cassano, we are waiting for him. He is recuperating with great enthusiasm and determination from the problem he had to deal with.”

Cassano returned to action briefly for Milan after five months out following a mini-stroke and heart surgery.

When visiting the Roma camp at Trigoria, Prandelli also commented on Coach Luis Enrique.

“He is a very credible figure with a fantastic spirit who has already become a reference point. He has brought a new culture of football and I hope it can continue.”

[Tifoso Romanista]

- - - - - - - - - Buffon
- - - - Barzagli-De Rossi-Chielini
Maggio-- - - - Pirlo- - - - - Cristito
- - - - - - -Giovinco-Marchisio
- - - - - - - Di natale-Baloteli

[Milantildeath]

I actually really like the three back and think it can work if we play like this, just like how Napoli plays, Di Natale would be like Lavezzi, Cassano = Hamsik and Balotelli plays the role of Cavani.

------------------------------------Buffon

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

---------Maggio--------------Pirlo-----De Rossi-------------------Criscito

----------------------Cassano--------------------------------Di Natale
-------------------------------------Balotelli

[TonyDaBeast]

Italy play the same way milan play

narrow 4-3-1-2

[Forza]

Italy play the same way milan play

narrow 4-3-1-2

traditionally, Italy have played a bit wider than Milan, in a 4-1-2-1-2

that looks like a 4-4-2, except the midfielders are in a diamond

CAM
LM ------------- RM
CDM

[Tifoso Romanista]

Does anyone remember about this kid?
He is really special...
I hope he doesn't turn out like Candreva...
Quality player that never got a real chance

He is at brescia

[Cotes]

Does anyone remember about this kid?
He is really special...
I hope he doesn't turn out like Candreva...
Quality player that never got a real chance

He is at brescia

-_- I know
I was referring to the post with all of the young upcoming italian talents & wondering how he was left out...

[zarola]

Buffon (Viviano)
Maggio Barzagli Chiellini Criscito/Ogbonna
De Rossi Pirlo Montolivo
Cassano/Totti/ADP
Quagliarella/Di Natale - Balotelli


mind you our defense will depend on how maggio and chiellini perform in that aspect, I'm still shakey in trusting that. I think our midfield is set although I hate Montolivo as a trequartista and I think Italy has MANY better ones to offer, and El Shaarawy is on the uprise too.

Quagliarella IDGAF that man plays with too much passion, and people bitch about Di Natale for Italy just don't let him take any penalties, in a big team with big players around him he's able to create a lot of chances and score goals like we saw at the last World Cup. won't lie, balotelli scares me too, he can go either way.

[S]

Three man backline should be tried out imo.Bonucci should be given an oppurtunity to start.

Players like Maggio will add an extra dimension to the attack at WB than at RB imo.

[zarola]

Three man backline should be tried out imo.Bonucci should be given an oppurtunity to start.

Players like Maggio will add an extra dimension to the attack at WB than at RB imo.

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

why would we change and start risking crap in euro! We've been playing with a back four it should stay that way and not change in a month to utilize one of the most inconsistent defenders.Just because it's good enough for Serie A, it does not mean it is good enough for Spain, Ireland, etc. Ogbonna before Bonucci definitely for me.

I trust Maggio in the attacking WB position more than as a RB, I agree but we're not going to just go ahead and reposition our entire squad around that.

[S]

I said it should be tried out.It should be EXPERIMENTED.surely Italy would be having upcoming friendlies so i'd like Prandelli to try it out.

And regarding your formation ,you must be joking when you put Montolivo ahead of Marchisio.

[zarola]

I said it should be tried out.It should be EXPERIMENTED.surely Italy would be having upcoming friendlies so i'd like Prandelli to try it out.

And regarding your formation ,you must be joking when you put Montolivo ahead of Marchisio.

no, I'm being realistic... you really think Prandelli would bench him?

[S]

I said it should be tried out.It should be EXPERIMENTED.surely Italy would be having upcoming friendlies so i'd like Prandelli to try it out.

And regarding your formation ,you must be joking when you put Montolivo ahead of Marchisio.

no, I'm being realistic... you really think Prandelli would bench him?

Maybe not but he'll find a way to play him at TQ where he isnt good at.

[Guest]

Big boost for Prandelli...Fantantonio is back

[Luca]

How do you not have faith in Chiellini? He will be leading the back line of Italy so if you don't have faith in him, you don't have faith in the defense, period.

I agree that a 4 man back four is a must.
Montolivo is also not a guarantee, fairly anonymous in a below par Fiorentina season.

Cassano will be the key to the attack, hands down.
Giovinco should be there.
Balotelli too.

Ideally,

Giovinco-Balotelli
Cassano
Marchisio-Pirlo-DDR
Criscito-Chiellini-Barzagli-Maggio
Buffon

The attack and the attacking midfield spot is the most intriguing in my opinion.

You have Pazzini and Matri who have fallen off the Earth
Osvaldo who is such a question mark
Di Natale who just keeps scoring

Now you have Quagliarella and even Boriello (don't count him out if he scores in the next few games, 2 in his last 2, I'm not saying he should be there but don't be surprised if his name surfaces soon)

Then there are players like Diamanti, Mauri who could be interesting selections. Then again, Totti, Alex as the veterans who can make a difference if called upon.

[leemhuis]

None of my business, but can Prandelli not choosen Di Natale?

[SuperClaudio]

Fabrizio Miccoli deserves a call.

[Tifoso Romanista]

[Luca]

None of my business, but can Prandelli not choosen Di Natale?

I think he is trying to avoid older players who never really performed while playing for Italy, Miccoli and Di Natale are players he has always tried to avoid.

Veterans who have been there and played well, Del Piero and Totti, are exceptions. They may be old but they are proven winners.

[SuperClaudio]

Miccoli was 24-years-old the last time he was called up. He never actually received a second chance. He's much more deserving of a cap than the out of form and/or temperamental forwards that Prandelli will no doubt call up for upcoming friendlies.

[zarola]

How do you not have faith in Chiellini? He will be leading the back line of Italy so if you don't have faith in him, you don't have faith in the defense, period.

I agree that a 4 man back four is a must.
Montolivo is also not a guarantee, fairly anonymous in a below par Fiorentina season.

Cassano will be the key to the attack, hands down.
Giovinco should be there.
Balotelli too.

Ideally,

Giovinco-Balotelli
Cassano
Marchisio-Pirlo-DDR
Criscito-Chiellini-Barzagli-Maggio
Buffon

The attack and the attacking midfield spot is the most intriguing in my opinion.

You have Pazzini and Matri who have fallen off the Earth
Osvaldo who is such a question mark
Di Natale who just keeps scoring

Now you have Quagliarella and even Boriello (don't count him out if he scores in the next few games, 2 in his last 2, I'm not saying he should be there but don't be surprised if his name surfaces soon)

Then there are players like Diamanti, Mauri who could be interesting selections. Then again, Totti, Alex as the veterans who can make a difference if called upon.

first goal: chiellini leaves his position to try to cover De Rossi, and fails an interception, the pass slides through the gap Chiellini created... there was no need for him to make that challenge, and with Marchetti in net, the ball slides in.

2nd goal, off the corner, again.. you can't blame anyone but Chiellini and Marchetti, it's literally no one else's fault this time.

3rd goal: it was chiellini's terrible backpass to Marchetti which forced him to do the only useful thing he did in the world cup which was save a corner. unfortunately the ball slips between chiellini and cannavaro and someone else, and marchetti fails again.

and that was the biggest game of his life. Now today when I watch him, everytime I notice the little mistakes, and ask myself "would this be costly in a big game?" the answer is usually a yes. Even with Italy, he has been outshined by Ranocchia in the group stages (I don't think Ranocchia > Chiellini though). I don't hate Chiellini, I just don't buy into the hype that he's that beastly Italian defender every good Italian team has had. I think that defender is Barzagli. If you threw Ogbonna in to start instead of Chiellini, I wouldn't shed a tear. Perhaps my opinion of him will change come another big tournament, but time is ticking.

To answer your question, no I don't have faith in Italy's defense. Maggio has been exposed in the past , but I trust him offensively. Criscito could go either way, he's been a beast when I've seen him but I've hardly seen him, same goes for Ogbonna. Ranocchia can go either way, Bonucci could go either way, Chiellini could go either way. So we could have an amazing defense, a mediocre one, or a horrid one. I have faith in Italy because I have faith in Prandelli, Barzagli, Buffon, the midfield and Cassano.

--------------------------------------

On another note: Just like I've said with Balzaretti and Cassani.... people like Miccoli are too old to just throw in and introduce to a team like this. We have a plan, and that plan doesn't involve a risky 30+ year old. We'd rather take risks on our youngsters if we're going to be taking any risks at all. Di Natale I'd trust, but not for penalties lmao.

[Valkyrja]

For EURO2012

GK: Buffon, Sirigu, Viviano
DEF: Maggio, Abate, Chiellini, Ranocchia, Barzagli, Astori, Criscito, Santon
MID: Pirlo, DDR, Marchisio, Poli, Nocerino, Montolivo, Motta
ATT: Balotelli, Pazzini, Cassano, Giovinco, Di Natale

-----------------Gigi----------------
--Maggio--Chiellini-Barzagli--Criscito--
----------------Pirlo----------------
------------DDR----Poli/Marchisio-----
--------------Giovinco--------------
----------Balotelli--Pazzini----------

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