Group F: ITA, PAR, NZL, SVK

taucho · May 18, 2010

i,m quite a bit sadden with his exclusion, top lad.
You can blame him if he fails :proud:

.

Senatore_M84 · May 18, 2010

fiume_1987 said:
at least some sense left in Lippi - I personally never thought he would leave his hero Grosso out, but he did it. Guess that means either Zambrotta or Criscito would play LB with Cassani/Maggio as RB. Still their defense is total shite compared to what they once had...

yeah i don't get calling up those no-talent assclowns. Maggio's defense makes Antonini look like maldini. Cassani is the new zaccardo.

Antonini has performed in UCL and on higher stages which can't be overlooked. It's very easy to look good in league v. livorno and co. It's another thing to look good v. man utd....

also he can play both sides. For me, him not getting a call was most surprising, especially when lippi paid him some compliments a month or two ago

SixOneFive · May 18, 2010

Why was Grosso even in the provisional 30? Dude's WAY past it. Seriously, Antonini deserves to have at least been given a shot at the training camp or something.

Good thing Lippi somehow figures out how to do semi-well with his shit selections.

Lisa · May 18, 2010

Lippi explains Grosso decision

Italy boss Marcello Lippi says he decided to cut Fabio Grosso from his World Cup squad because you can't build a team on what happened in the past.

Grosso scored the winning penalty in the World Cup Final four years ago, but his form has dipped since then, leading many to question his role in the squad.

Nevertheless it was a surprise when this morning's papers claimed he would be among those axed when Lippi cut his 30-man squad down to 28 players.

“I am not making an Italy side based on debts of gratitude,” he said.

When asked why he named 28 players instead of 27 as expected, Lippi replied: “I have taken another 10 days to reflect.”

He concluded by firing a parting shot at the Italian Press who have been critical of the Azzurri over the last year.

“Have faith in this team. You are an important component in the world of football and it's important that you transmit a little confidence to the people independently of the fact that there is or there isn't a fantasy player. Because when there was one Italy returned home soon after the group stages while on other occasions when there wasn't one we went to the end. It's right to remember that.”
football italia

Sasha · May 18, 2010

The dim hope for us this WC is getting brighter and brighter. :cool:

Wild · May 18, 2010

What a blow for Shitaly.
All the full backs called by Lippi arent performing but @ Grosso performed with the NT.

crazy4milan · May 18, 2010

Wild said:
Shitaly.

I feel enlightened.

Sasha · May 18, 2010

I worship Italy as my lord and I find the use of Shitaly offensive.

Revolution · May 18, 2010

Lisa said:
Italy boss Marcello Lippi says he decided to cut Fabio Grosso from his World Cup squad because you can't build a team on what happened in the past.

uhhhhhhh gattuso, zambrotta

Wild · May 18, 2010

MilanoMichael said:
I worship Italy as my lord and I find the use of Shitaly offensive.

In that case I will get a "drop it guys" & then my offensive post will get deleted within 2-3 hours after it has been read by most ppl.
Have patient.

Sasha · May 18, 2010

Wild said:
In that case I will get a "drop it guys" & then my offensive post will get deleted within 2-3 hours after it has been read by most ppl.
Have patient.

I still reported you because I am a whiny little bitch.

fiume_1987 · May 18, 2010

Senatore_M84 said:
yeah i don't get calling up those no-talent assclowns. Maggio's defense makes Antonini look like maldini. Cassani is the new zaccardo.

Antonini has performed in UCL and on higher stages which can't be overlooked. It's very easy to look good in league v. livorno and co. It's another thing to look good v. man utd....

also he can play both sides. For me, him not getting a call was most surprising, especially when lippi paid him some compliments a month or two ago

well, you may be right about Maggio's defending, but I think you're too harsh on Cassani - he is quite average for a national team player, but he played great season for Palermo. He impressed me everytime Milan played v. Palermo and also when I saw Inter - Palermo this season (5 assists in total this season in Serie A). He is solid defender and way better attacker than mentioned Zaccardo (who is natural CB) and can play both left and right. Is he better than Anto? I'm not sure, but I think he earned his call-up.

GreatKalu · May 18, 2010

crazy4milan said:
I feel enlightened.

Such pearls of wisdom shouldn't be taken so lightly. Another gem is:

"Mohamad is a profit"

:rolleyes:

Revolution · May 18, 2010

Fiero said:
Damn Italy's defense is hideous. Anyway I think Marchetti, Gattuso, Camoranesi, Pepe, and Rossi should be dropped.

Marchetti should be switched for Storari IMO, that way we have an on form back up for Buffon. Sirigu should stay

Rossi should not be dropped he's one of the better attackers we have. Fuck Quag and Iaquinta

SpartanMilan · May 18, 2010

Rumors are Lippi is looking at playing the 3-4-3, which could work-
-------------Buffon------------
----Canna--Chiellini--Bonucci----
--Maggio--De Rossi--Pirlo--Criscito--
----Rossi-----Gilla-----Di Natale-------

Lets be honest, you can do a lot worse than that. Replacing Canna would have been ideal, but he will play no matter what

Ghisolfa · May 18, 2010

SpartanMilan said:
Rumors are Lippi is looking at playing the 3-4-3, which could work-
-------------Buffon------------
----Canna--Chiellini--Bonucci----
--Maggio--De Rossi--Pirlo--Criscito--
----Rossi-----Gilla-----Di Natale-------

Lets be honest, you can do a lot worse than that. Replacing Canna would have been ideal, but he will play no matter what

This is the best formation for Italy. :star:

That team can absolutely compete- I can't believe how many haters are out there

Pedro · May 18, 2010

Fiero, how the hell no Pirlo? He has been vital to Azzurri all matches. Montolivo instead? Damn...

dhorasoo · May 18, 2010

Pedro said:
Fiero, how the hell no Pirlo? He has been vital to Azzurri all matches. Montolivo instead? Damn...

Yeah, De Rossi and Pirlo to start for sure

Pedro · May 18, 2010

You're just going to ignore the good parts about Pirlo? Italy cannot play well without Pirlo.

dhorasoo said:
Yeah, De Rossi and Pirlo to start for sure

+2. Azzurri's two most important players.

Senatore_M84 · May 18, 2010

SpartanMilan said:
Rumors are Lippi is looking at playing the 3-4-3, which could work-
-------------Buffon------------
----Canna--Chiellini--Bonucci----
--Maggio--De Rossi--Pirlo--Criscito--
----Rossi-----Gilla-----Di Natale-------

Lets be honest, you can do a lot worse than that. Replacing Canna would have been ideal, but he will play no matter what

1) Canna is central, cheillini left, bonnucci right.

2) thats an awful formation. There is a reason no1 uses 3 man back line on highest level. It's incredibly easy to pin them back.....

3) I still think most likely scenerio is some sort of 4-4-2.... prob like this...

Buffon
zambrotta--canna--cheillini--criscito

cossu--de rossi--pirlo--marchisio

di natale--gila

whether he puts cossu as trequarista or something. I dunno, but it's similar to what was used in 2006 except marchisio inplace of perotta and someone replacing camorenesi.

cossu could be subbed for maggio or others. I find it hard to see him not using de rossi, pirlo and marchsio though. thats italians strength. And to be fair thats a damn good central trio.

Sonny.Bill.Williams · May 18, 2010

Pirlo has been playing well for italy because he is further up and palambo+de rossi are there to cover for him and he doesnt run as much as he does for us ...this world cup pirlo could prove decisive ...but thats just my biased OP

Sonny.Bill.Williams · May 18, 2010

I dont think that is a bad formation really and this would be WC if ir were a back three of :
-------------Buffon------------
----Chiellini--Nesta--Bonucci----
--Maggio--De Rossi--Palambo--Criscito--
----------------Pirlo------------
---------Di Natale----Gilla----------

Its in effect a 5-2-1-2 but without nesta they better off using a 4-2/3-1-3/2

Dwa Milan · May 19, 2010

just go with 4-3-3 would be fine for Lippi

, he might put the two attacking wide players bit behind at times.. play behind the CF

Buffon
Bonnuci--canna--cheillini--criscito

de rossi--pirlo--marchisio

cossu--gila/pazzini/borri---di natale

Just like SM84 said, no matter how people underrated the azzur, that mid trio is pretty good ..

SixOneFive · May 19, 2010

^4-3-3 was a DISASTER for Italy. Remember the confederations cup? lol fuck that

dhorasoo · May 19, 2010

SixOneFive said:
^4-3-3 was a DISASTER for Italy. Remember the confederations cup? lol fuck that

Yes, catenaccio!! That's the way to go!
Lippi's not going to let us down

taucho · May 19, 2010

Dwa Milan said:
just go with 4-3-3 would be fine for Lippi , he might put the two attacking wide players bit behind at times.. play behind the CF

Buffon
Bonnuci--canna--cheillini--criscito

de rossi--pirlo--marchisio

cossu--gila/pazzini/borri---di natale

Just like SM84 said, no matter how people underrated the azzur, that mid trio is pretty good ..

too true once you layed it out on formation, that is too good of midfield. Id go withh 442 though, gonna own.

Dwa Milan · May 24, 2010

SixOneFive said:
^4-3-3 was a DISASTER for Italy. Remember the confederations cup? lol fuck that

well I'm pretty much the reflecting on the players lippi calls, he called wide attacking players (AM that can play wide) more than a classic Trequartista (maybe only cossu that can play that role)..
not to mention you must play De Rossi, Pirlo and Marchisio they're the best mid combination Italy have.. I want to see it

Plus with the addition of younger players like Bonnuci and Criscito their defends might be better

..