Gli Azzurri - La Nazionale, Italy National Football Team

Elio · Jun 1, 2014

Went to the match yesterday with Gio from this forum...
Entertaining match for a 0-0!
Verrati and Cassano were the stand out players for me.
Even managed to get Buffon and Prandelli to sign my programme :star:

Gutted for Montolivo :cry:

Mario · Jun 1, 2014

WOW seems like G Rossi isnt called up :eek:

wtf

@officialmaz
Convocazioni
Ufficiale.
Oltre a Montolivo, non convocati Pasqual, Maggio, Romulo, Destro e Rossi.
Convocato Insigne.

Romulo had a muscle injury this week and thats what cost him the wc

Edit:

OFFICIAL ITALY 23

Polotelli · Jun 1, 2014

I'm happy that Insigne is in it, but leaving Rossi out is a big mistake

And Aquaman better get 0 minutes :fp:

FNF · Jun 1, 2014

Aquaman had to be called up, unfortunately. I think taking 6 strikers or even additional defender over another midfielder would have been too risky.

Rossi not being called up? Unfortunate, but I think Rossi and Prandelli have probably been talking behind the scenes and Rossi has personally said something that indicates he isn't 100%. You could tell Rossi was off the pace of the game last night, dropping deep and not making up the ground to get into the penalty box fast enough. This tournament is going to require so much running and it's only going to get harder.

Nestafan · Jun 1, 2014

Polotelli · Jun 1, 2014

#vivoazzurro

Polotelli · Jun 1, 2014

20 players from the serie A
3 players from P$G

and 1 future Bundesliga player I guess

milanicious · Jun 1, 2014

No rossi is a joke

Polotelli · Jun 1, 2014

ladri (6): Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo, Marchisio
Milan (3): Abate, De Sciglio, Balotelli
P$G (3): Sirigu, Motta, Verratti
Parma (3): Paletta, Parolo, Cassano
Torino (3): Darmian, Cerci, Immobile
Roma (1): De Rossi
Napoli (1): Insigne
Lazio (1): Candreva
Genoa (1): Perin
Fiorentina (1): Aquilani

Monsieur · Jun 1, 2014

Pollo said:
ladri (6): Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo, Marchisio
Milan (3): Abate, De Sciglio, Balotelli
P$G (3): Sirigu, Motta, Verratti
Parma (3): Paletta, Parolo, Cassano
Torino (3): Darmian, Cerci, Immobile
Roma (1): De Rossi
Napoli (1): Insigne
Lazio (1): Candreva
Genoa (1): Perin
Fiorentina (1): Aquilani

Should be 5 with Montolivo and SES :mad:

fucking injuries

Polotelli · Jun 1, 2014

JoaoNR said:
Should be 5 with Montolivo and SES
fucking injuries

6 if we didn't let someone go

and I'm not talking about Darmian

or Aquilani

or Cassano

Tadej · Jun 1, 2014

Damn, this Italia could be very strong.

Rickaka · Jun 1, 2014

Pollo said:
6 if we didn't let someone go

and I'm not talking about Darmian

or Aquilani

or Cassano

I'd rather take Cassano or Aqua back then the bitch

FNF · Jun 1, 2014

Rickaka said:
I'd rather take Cassano or Aqua back then the bitch

So you would choose an Merdaista over someone who helped us to 3 Champions League finals? :fp:

Dark Knight · Jun 1, 2014

Nestafan said:

Prandelli is a moron.

Dropped Rossi and selects Aquaman? wtf HE could have easily picked 7 midfielder and pick rossi, his fitness was going to improve through the tournament and knockout stages are 1 month away. Stupid douchebag :mad:

Vlad · Jun 1, 2014

After what happened yesterday, Rossi not being called is even a bigger blow
I am not an opimist.
Maximum of this team is quarterfinals

Casualista · Jun 1, 2014

Wow. Thats a really poor 24 man squad. Especially in depth.

Another injury to any starter and they will start reeling.

Tadej · Jun 1, 2014

Names doesnt win trophies, team does.

Prandelli knows, what he is doing...look at van gaal selection.

joyrider · Jun 1, 2014

no merda players :lol:

Sage · Jun 1, 2014

fantastic call ups by prandelli :star:

SpartanMilan · Jun 1, 2014

An argument can certainly be made for Rossi over Cassano.

Other than that, I think this is pretty much the expected squad after injuries

USC · Jun 1, 2014

That awkward moment when Milan and PSG have the same number of players on the Italian national team.

acmilan4ever · Jun 1, 2014

What I like about Prandelli and his selection is the versatility. Be it in defense or midfield, most of the players are pretty versatile and it will be hard to break them down. I just hope that the attack can get the job done, I would prefer to see a Balotteli-Immobile partnership up top but I think Prandelli will go with Cassano instead of Immobile from the start.

Kingmilan · Jun 1, 2014

Well i like with prandelli has done . This is a very good italy side. Have to be considered after Brazil-Spain and Germany . Rossi was not even close to being fit, he was dreadful yesterday , i mean 20 minutes of cassano and italy had 4-5 scoring chances . Anyways i think it is pretty clear that even with rossi , Balo and Cassano were going to be the starters. Really like Insigne and Verrati in the team , they are so good. They might not be starters (maybe verrati with the monto injury) but look for them to rise in the tournament. For the rest it seems good , Cerci and Candreva are so underrated , they are 2 of my favourite players . But italy should start with vs england: Buffon-Abate-Barzagli-Chiellini-MDS-De rossi-Pirlo-Verrati-Marchisio-Balotelli-Cassano and with Sirigu-Darmian-Bonucci-Paletta-Candreva-Aquilani-T.Motta-Parolo-Insigne-Cerci-Immobile as backups i wouldint say that italy hasent got depth ...

Master Smurf · Jun 1, 2014

acmilan4ever said:
What I like about Prandelli and his selection is the versatility. Be it in defense or midfield, most of the players are pretty versatile and it will be hard to break them down. I just hope that the attack can get the job done, I would prefer to see a Balotteli-Immobile partnership up top but I think Prandelli will go with Cassano instead of Immobile from the start.

Me too. I see Cassano as the sub to unlock games and maybe start later in the tournament in tricky matchups.

You have more faith in the defence than I though.

acmilan4ever · Jun 2, 2014

Master Smurf said:
Me too. I see Cassano as the sub to unlock games and maybe start later in the tournament in tricky matchups.

You have more faith in the defence than I though.

In the last Euros, Italy's defense was pretty solid, conceded only 3 goals in 5 matches before the final vs Spain.

There were 2 formations used (352 and 4312 iirc) but predominantly a 3 man defense and 2 wing backs. I believe Abate, Maggio, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini and Balzaretti were used and to a certain extent De Rossi because of Chiellini's early absence. However, if you look at the roster now and compare it to the players who played then, I see a significant improvement on the left side with De Sciglio coming in and 2 of Paletta, Barza, Bonucci and Chiellini should provide solid enough cover to the starting two.

In short, you can say that the defense is almost the same as it was 2 years ago if not better on the left side. Its also great for Prandelli's flexibility option, could have Barza-Bonnuci-Chiellini flanked by Abate/Darmian and De Sciglio and if not then take one CB out and keep a flat back 4.

Really not worried about the defense or the midfield tbh, more worried about the front 2, I would prefer to see Immobile because of his off the ball but Cassano adds enough creativity to be able to keep him out and Balo is simply Balo. Expecting Balo to really take it to the next level this summer.

Albertini · Jun 2, 2014

i really like this team. good blend of experience and creativity. a massive bonus is that they know pretty much their starting eleven and they have been playing together for a long time. you can't say the same about england.

Nestafan · Jun 2, 2014

MaldiniCapitano said:
i really like this team. good blend of experience and creativity. a massive bonus is that they know pretty much their starting eleven and they have been playing together for a long time. you can't say the same about england.

England will probably do well at this World Cup, seeing as everyone is dismissing them.
Hopefully Italy get the win though.

Mario · Jun 2, 2014

T Motta must one of the most underrated and undervalued players in the world atm

SpartanMilan · Jun 2, 2014

I would think you start Motta and have him anchor the midfield which would give Pirlo and De Rossi more freedom

Gli Azzurri - La Nazionale, Italy National Football Team

Starting Eleven

Milan Legend

Milan Legend

'That' guy...

Long Hair > Mohawk

Milan Legend

Milan Legend

Milan Legend

Milan Legend

2footedtackle

Milan Legend

Banned

molto life

'That' guy...

Maestro

Starting Eleven

Monsieur

Banned

Il Moderati

Phase 3

Milan Legend

god of thunder

Fan of the Sheva's

Legendary

Milan Legend

Fan of the Sheva's

Milan Legend

Long Hair > Mohawk

Milan Legend

Milan Legend