Re: Italian National Team Thread

by messixaviesta Tue Jun 03, 2014 5:42 am

Juveman17 wrote:Completely agree. Once again, Italy are expected to do nothing and, call me crazy, we could go all the way.

Nothing crazy about that I say. After Argentina and Brazil, Italy is #3 on my list of possible winners along with another somewhat crazy pick France. I have lost a lot of faith in Germany in the last few weeks. Spain's cycle is probably at an end. The others are not good enough to win it.

by M99 Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:19 am

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Funny thing is while its a young team we are not that athletic

As far as athleticism goes you probably have Johnson, Sterling and Sturridge and that's pushing it really.

So you are saying that white people are not athletic?

Reported for racism.

by McLewis Tue Jun 03, 2014 12:08 pm

Juveman17 wrote:I completely understand Rossi's predicament since I am an Italian-American. My mom was born in Italy and speaks Italian while my dad was born from Italian immigrants. I love being American but I am very proud of my Italian heritage. Its a tough time when Italy and the USA play each other in sports but I have a bias towards Italy for soccer. I support both teams but since I am a Juventus fan and a devoted Serie A watcher I do feel more inclined to support Italy. I also think the sport means more to Italians than Americans hence why I feel its more important for Italy to win games. If I was in Rossi's position, I honestly dont know what I would do. Part of me would see the potential of becoming the face of US soccer while another part would want me to follow me dreams and joined the Azzurri, a team I have been supporting since 06.

So the whole 'traitor' thing is a bunch of bull shit. It's nowhere near an easy decision that people predict it to be.

Rossi is a sore spot for Americans because he grew up here in the States (took his first steps as a player here as well as went to high school here) before he decided to switch his allegiance to Italy. Americans generally don't take kindly to someone staying here for as long as Rossi did, embracing their culture, only to defect in favor of another country. It's just not something that Americans have ever been cool with and it's no different with Rossi. His talent only made this an even more bitter pill to swallow for USA fans.

I'm personally and completely indifferent to him as an international player, but remain a big fan of him as a club player. I take no pleasure or joy in his omission from the Italy squad as the best players should no doubt be in that squad and I really don't see that here without Rossi.

Also, with his same fitness issues, I'd hesitate to call him a lock for USA for this WC, had he gone the other way with his international career. Klinsmann's players must be fit and must be prepared to suffer for long periods of time, probably without the ball one would imagine. There was probably a time when Rossi had that in him, but I'm not sure now is that time.

by Xifio Wed Jun 04, 2014 12:49 am

Italian National Team Thread - Page 36 AoP1hsK

Verratti and Pirlo in the same XI? what's not to like ...

by Ganso Wed Jun 04, 2014 12:56 am

what's not to like?That's any AMs dream midfield to play against

by Tomwin Lannister Wed Jun 04, 2014 1:34 am

That midfield would get bypassed so easily.

by DeviAngel Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:02 am

I can't imagine a midfield without Marchisio a player who acn do everything from creating chances and scoring to defending

by messixaviesta Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:44 am

Xifio wrote:

Verratti and Pirlo in the same XI? what's not to like ...

I think that's a solid looking team. Having Verratti is a great idea. Not only do I think of him as one of the most impressive young players but it's high time somebody shares the creative burden with Pirlo. Balotelli can turn it on big time at times like he did against Germany at Euro 2012. I'll say it now itself. My third favorites to win WC 2014 after Argentina and Brazil.

by Xifio Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:27 am

DeviAngel wrote:I can't imagine a midfield without Marchisio a player who acn do everything from creating chances and scoring to defending

he's in the XI, and his all-round qualities are why he's going to be expected to provide the extra defensive cover to allow Verratti and Pirlo to play together ...

messixaviesta wrote:Having Verratti is a great idea. Not only do I think of him as one of the most impressive young players but it's high time somebody shares the creative burden with Pirlo.

Ganso wrote:what's not to like?That's any AMs dream midfield to play against

Tomwin Lannister wrote:That midfield would get bypassed so easily.

it's the XI that Prandelli named to start in the final friendly ... I'm speculating on the setup, but it wouldn't come as a surprise if it's a dress rehearsal for the team that'll start in Manaus ...

by Tomwin Lannister Wed Jun 04, 2014 12:42 pm

Marchisio Pirlo DDR is the way to go absolutely

Verratti can come on when Pirlo tires out, so the team is fresh without sacrificing all of the creativity.

by Xifio Wed Jun 04, 2014 8:46 pm

Xifio wrote:
DeviAngel wrote:I can't imagine a midfield without Marchisio a player who acn do everything from creating chances and scoring to defending
he's in the XI, and his all-round qualities are why he's going to be expected to provide the extra defensive cover to allow Verratti and Pirlo to play together ...

+ goal scoring awesomeness! banana

by RealGunner Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:11 pm

In [almost] 4 years under Prandelli, Italy have only lost 2 competitive games in 90 mins. Euro 2012 final.Confed group vs Brazil

by Tomwin Lannister Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:12 pm

Not won a friendly in 9 months either lmfao

It's just how it is. Prandelli has lined up with like 12 different formations since 2012. He's beyond crazy.

by Xifio Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:40 pm

Prandelli is a genius ...

EURO 2012

results before tournament: friendly losses to USA and Russia ...

result at tournament: Silver Medal

Confed Cup 2013

results before tournament: friendly draw with Haiti ...

result at tournament: Bronze Medal

WC 2014

results before tournament: friendly draws with Ireland and Luxembourg ...

result at tournament: _____________

by M99 Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:49 am

Balotelli posted this on instagram.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/1908326_773317572700509_2122107761559139701_n.jpg

by futbol Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:56 am

by LuckAndWin Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:52 am

Somehow I felt disappointed after I've heard that Giuseppe Rossi wouldn't play for Italy, if he wasn't able to get that month long injury he could be the star in the making for Italy

by Casciavit Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:17 pm

Has anybody talked about the Romulo situation yet?

He was about to get called up, but told Prandelli he wasn't feeling 100%. He told him it would be unfair if he were to be called up, while others players missed out due to that very reason.

Good guy Romulo Proud

by zarola Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:47 pm

Casciavit wrote:Has anybody talked about the Romulo situation yet?

He was about to get called up, but told Prandelli he wasn't feeling 100%. He told him it would be unfair if he were to be called up, while others players missed out due to that very reason.

Good guy Romulo

or he doesn't like the idea of going to the world cup in his home country and likely have to face his home nation, that's how I feel anyway. He's not even Italian. This is disgusting, this tells me Prandelli selected a 70% fit Romulo but not a 70% Giuseppe Rossi.

by McLewis Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:25 pm

zarola wrote:
Casciavit wrote:Has anybody talked about the Romulo situation yet?

He was about to get called up, but told Prandelli he wasn't feeling 100%. He told him it would be unfair if he were to be called up, while others players missed out due to that very reason.

Good guy Romulo

or he doesn't like the idea of going to the world cup in his home country and likely have to face his home nation, that's how I feel anyway. He's not even Italian. This is disgusting, this tells me Prandelli selected a 70% fit Romulo but not a 70% Giuseppe Rossi.

Is that your stance on all oriundi? Or just Romulo?

by Xifio Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:07 pm

technically, Pepito would be oriundo too ...

by zarola Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:27 pm

McLewis wrote:
zarola wrote:
Casciavit wrote:Has anybody talked about the Romulo situation yet?

He was about to get called up, but told Prandelli he wasn't feeling 100%. He told him it would be unfair if he were to be called up, while others players missed out due to that very reason.

Good guy Romulo

or he doesn't like the idea of going to the world cup in his home country and likely have to face his home nation, that's how I feel anyway. He's not even Italian. This is disgusting, this tells me Prandelli selected a 70% fit Romulo but not a 70% Giuseppe Rossi.

Is that your stance on all oriundi? Or just Romulo?

To me it doesn't matter where they are born or where they live, it's how much they appreciate the jersey and how much passion the play with. I see someone like Giuseppe Rossi 100% as Italian as everyone else. I find it kind of sketchy how Romulo is backing out of this world cup... it's like the reverse situation of Giuseppe Rossi

by Robespierre Sat Jun 07, 2014 2:12 am

zarola wrote:
McLewis wrote:
zarola wrote:

or he doesn't like the idea of going to the world cup in his home country and likely have to face his home nation, that's how I feel anyway. He's not even Italian. This is disgusting, this tells me Prandelli selected a 70% fit Romulo but not a 70% Giuseppe Rossi.

Is that your stance on all oriundi? Or just Romulo?

To me it doesn't matter where they are born or where they live, it's how much they appreciate the jersey and how much passion the play with. I see someone like Giuseppe Rossi 100% as Italian as everyone else. I find it kind of sketchy how Romulo is backing out of this world cup... it's like the reverse situation of Giuseppe Rossi

Well , we saw of worse in past.
For some years Camoranesi has worn the Italian jersey although he said publicly to feel only Argentinian and about the anthem not sung , well " I don't sing even My anthem , that Argentinian "! Proud

by Xifio Sun Jun 08, 2014 3:59 am

looks like all the reserves are going to get a run out against Fluminense -- well, all the reserves plus Abate, since there's a shortage of fullbacks in the team Rolling Eyes