ITALIA - LA SQUADRA AZZURRA 2008-09

Is Cannavaro still the captain?

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:
Goalkeepers: Buffon, De Sanctis, Marchetti.
Defenders: Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito, Grosso, Legrottaglie, Santon, Zambrotta.
Midfielders: Camoranesi, D'Agostino, De Rossi, Marchionni, Marchisio, Angelo Palombo, Pepe, Pirlo.
Forwards: Di Natale, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Quagliarella, Rossi.

I wonder what line up Lippi will start now.... IMO its a good time for Santon and Criscito to get some playing minutes. But its unlikely as Lippi will probably stick with Grosso & Zambrotta till they are on crutches....

D'Ago should definately be given a start... Pirlo is out of form anyways, there isn't a better time for D'Ago to start claiming a place alongside De Rossi. For the other two midfielders, Lippi has just not taken any quality. No Foggia or Cassano to provide creativity. I guess it will be good if Marchisio gets some playing time, as Italy cannot count on Gattuso for long (if at all).

How the hell does Legro get in ahead of someone like Gamberini? That I will never understand, must be the juve connection.

Can't help feeling that even Giovinco would have added another dimension to this azzurri squad. Its poor.

Gamberini quite regressed last season, I guess Lippi is waiting to see signs of top form before recalling him.
Anyway, yes, ANYONE would be better than Legro.
Another spot wasted to let some youngster acclimatize in the NT. Because you know, barely dsimal 33 yo FTW...

abundance wrote:Gamberini quite regressed last season, I guess Lippi is waiting to see signs of top form before recalling him.
Anyway, yes, ANYONE would be better than Legro.
Another spot wasted to let some youngster acclimatize in the NT. Because you know, barely dsimal 33 yo FTW...

Yeah, but so far this season, Gamberini has looked good - the game against Palermo alone was enough to select him for the NT!!

Legro selection is just baffling!! Lippi needs to start seeing past his Juve!

anyone got a decent stream for this game?

Did Kaladze realy score 2 own goals today against Italy??

His comments today before the game:

“I had an operation on my knee in March, but now I am ready and this will be my first official game in six and a half months. “I’m very fired up and when I return to Milanello after international duty, I will challenge Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva for their places."

Good luck, Kaladze, I hope you do replace Nesta

Another magnificent performance by Kala I see.


Please get injured again.

Italy Coach Marcello Lippi Opts For Three Man Attack Against Bulgaria - Report
Early indications from Turin suggest Lippi will change things up for the Bulgaria clash... Italy coach Marcello Lippi is likely to deploy a three-man attack to lead the assault for points against Bulgaria later on Wednesday.

According to Sky Sport Italia, La Nazionale will play in an attack-minded 4-3-3 formation. Italy have not scored in 360 minutes of football, and the coach is eager to stop that statistic from growing any further.

The latest news from the Olimpico in Turin, where Italy completed their final training session this morning, suggests this will be the starting XI:

Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, Pirlo, De Rossi; Rossi, Iaquinta, Gilardino

Kick-off is at 20:30CET, and a win for the Azzurri will see them all but book their place in the World Cup finals.

Not loving the team. Santon & Criscito have both done well for the azzurri whenever played, and yet we have Zambrotta & Grosso starting... not liking the 3 man attack either, the midfield looks like De Rossi + nothing! How do Camoranesi & Pirlo start ahead of D'Agostino???

Not even to mention the players who are not even selected in the squad (Cassano/Foggia/Gamberini/etc).

Starting XIs

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, De Rossi, Marchisio; Pirlo; Gilardino, Iaquinta

Bulgaria: Ivankov; Manolev, I Stoyanov, Angelov, Kishishev; Georgiev, Yankov, S Petrov, M Petrov; Berbatov, Rangelov


No D'Agostino, Criscito or Santon... what a surprise...

2-0 HT

Grosso, Iaquinta

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:2-0 HT

Grosso, Iaquinta

Italy are playing quite well actually, buts its also coz Bulgaria's defence is not compact enough.... against a top team, this starting line up won't work.

Grosso looked so much better than Santon and Criscito. Splendid in his role while going forward. Hoping he carries on this form for Juventus. And Camoranesi played pretty well too

bluenine wrote:
Not loving the team. Santon & Criscito have both done well for the azzurri whenever played, and yet we have Zambrotta & Grosso starting... not liking the 3 man attack either, the midfield looks like De Rossi + nothing! How do Camoranesi & Pirlo start ahead of D'Agostino???

I thought we played well, Pirlo was great behind the fowards, i think it would be a great decision to keep him there, and introduce some more physicality in deeper midfield - Marchisio should have the opportunity to make the position his, i thought he was highly effective and has impressed since he was brought into the squad. Even the DONKEY had a reasonably good game!

I still think we need to find an effective combination in attack, but the second goal was great team work between Gila and Vince. As Blue9 says, Bulgaria's looseness allowed us to better control the match by isolating areas of personell, but it was the best Italy performance since the France game at Euro2008, and something that we must build on to get confidence back.

Buffon's save from Petrov was fantastic!

IMO Milan should try playing Pirlo in that role in their squad as well. Probably have Ronnie move up as a striker as Berlu suggested

Pirlo wrote:I thought we played well, Pirlo was great behind the fowards, i think it would be a great decision to keep him there, and introduce some more physicality in deeper midfield - Marchisio should have the opportunity to make the position his, i thought he was highly effective and has impressed since he was brought into the squad. Even the DONKEY had a reasonably good game!

I still think we need to find an effective combination in attack, but the second goal was great team work between Gila and Vince. As Blue9 says, Bulgaria's looseness allowed us to better control the match by isolating areas of personell, but it was the best Italy performance since the France game at Euro2008, and something that we must build on to get confidence back.

Buffon's save from Petrov was fantastic!

Pirlo wrote:I thought we played well, Pirlo was great behind the fowards, i think it would be a great decision to keep him there, and introduce some more physicality in deeper midfield - Marchisio should have the opportunity to make the position his, i thought he was highly effective and has impressed since he was brought into the squad. Even the DONKEY had a reasonably good game!

I still think we need to find an effective combination in attack, but the second goal was great team work between Gila and Vince. As Blue9 says, Bulgaria's looseness allowed us to better control the match by isolating areas of personell, but it was the best Italy performance since the France game at Euro2008, and something that we must build on to get confidence back.

Buffon's save from Petrov was fantastic!

Yeah, the entire team played well as an unit. The CB's worked, and De Rossi & Marchisio won the midfield battle - they should form the core of Italy's diamond in the world cup. Everyone played well, if I have to criticize anyone, I would pick on Zambrotta who I thought was quite average again. I think its time for Lippi to give young Santon a shot at that role, he can't do worse than Zambrotta and the experience will help him get ready for the WC.

But one good performance does not archive the previous poor performances... Donkey, as he is "affectionately" called, should at best be a squad player. He is way too inconsistent for the Azzurri.

Prilo as a trequartista, hmmm... that brings back lot of old memories. Pirlo started off as one, and was brilliant in the youth sides. But he flopped majorly when tried as one at Inter. The key reasons were that he got easily bullied by a compact physical defense, and he just couldn't make space for his game. Pirlo was reborn as a player only when Ancellotti put him deeper, giving him the space he needed to make his play. I don't think Pirlo has developed physically since his early days to give us any assurance that he can do justice to the trequartista role now. Bulgaria's defence did not physically challenge Pirlo, but the top sides which Italy will have to face in the WC will... so I remain sceptical. This gamble will work against the weaker sides with lose defences, but it will not cut it when it really matters. Thats another reason to give D'Agostino some playing time now, he is my pick for the deep pirlo-isque role against the top teams (other options being Aquilani and Montolivo).

Foggia is another player who could add the much needed creativity to the Azzurri midfield, instead of the inconsistent donkey. He was easily the MOTM last time he played for Italy a few months ago, why has he since been dropped is puzzling.

Attack is the other big debate. Gila was ok yesterday, so was Yak, but its not a partnership which inspires great confidence. I doubt they will work that effectively against stronger defences. We need a creative element, and to my mind, Cassano fits that bill perfectly. What more does he need to do to get a call up for La Nazionale?? Apart from maybe transfering to Juventus, he has ticked all the boxes and well!!

Anyways, lets forget about these issues for the moment, and just enjoy a good performance by Italy... Its been such a long long time since I have seen a worthy Azzurri performance, I didn't realise how much I missed such games!

Just saw the highlight and great pass by Pirlo for the goal. Will be very interesting to see how he does in this role especially since Leonardo is pondering about trying it at Milan aswell. Great interplay for the second goal and great save by Buffon. Perhaps Lipp finally has managed a way to create chances without introducing Cassano or somebody like him. Naturally I hope Italy so Lippi will look like an idiot allthough that hasn't stopped so far from not calling up Cassano.

No Cassano, Foggia, Miccoli, etc as Lippi recycles the same shite! Pepe, Camoranesi, & Legrotaglie somehow still manage to find a place in the squad... The only good thing is that D'Agostino, Bocchetti, Gamberini, Santon, Marchetti, Rossi, & Marchisio are still in the squad.

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari);

Defenders: Bocchetti (Genoa), Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Juventus), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan);

Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), D'Agostino (Udinese), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan);

Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal).

bluenine wrote:No Cassano, Foggia, Miccoli, etc as Lippi recycles the same shite! Pepe, Camoranesi, & Legrotaglie somehow still manage to find a place in the squad... The only good thing is that D'Agostino, Bocchetti, Gamberini, Santon, Marchetti, Rossi, & Marchisio are still in the squad.

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari);

Defenders: Bocchetti (Genoa), Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Juventus), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan);

Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), D'Agostino (Udinese), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan);

Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal).

Would do you reckon the starting XI will be Blue?

Ade wrote:

bluenine wrote:No Cassano, Foggia, Miccoli, etc as Lippi recycles the same shite! Pepe, Camoranesi, & Legrotaglie somehow still manage to find a place in the squad... The only good thing is that D'Agostino, Bocchetti, Gamberini, Santon, Marchetti, Rossi, & Marchisio are still in the squad.

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari);

Defenders: Bocchetti (Genoa), Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Juventus), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan);

Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), D'Agostino (Udinese), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan);

Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal).

Would do you reckon the starting XI will be Blue?

Knowing Lippi, it will be something like this:

Marchisio could take over from Gattuso, depending on fitness
Pepe could play ahead of Camoranesi
Cannavaro is suspended for the first game, so Legro (!!!!!) may be prefered over the much more talented Gamberini/Bocchetti

Its shite, I know.

bluenine wrote:

Ade wrote:

bluenine wrote:No Cassano, Foggia, Miccoli, etc as Lippi recycles the same shite! Pepe, Camoranesi, & Legrotaglie somehow still manage to find a place in the squad... The only good thing is that D'Agostino, Bocchetti, Gamberini, Santon, Marchetti, Rossi, & Marchisio are still in the squad.

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari);

Defenders: Bocchetti (Genoa), Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Juventus), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan);

Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), D'Agostino (Udinese), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan);

Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal).

Would do you reckon the starting XI will be Blue?

Knowing Lippi, it will be something like this:

Buffon
Zambrotta - Cannavaro - Chiellini - Grosso
Gattuso - Pirlo - De Rossi
Camoranesi - Iaquinta - Di Natale

Marchisio could take over from Gattuso, depending on fitness
Pepe could play ahead of Camoranesi
Cannavaro is suspended for the first game, so Legro (!!!!!) may be prefered over the much more talented Gamberini/Bocchetti

Its shite, I know.

Shit for your usual standard of past players and sqauds yes, still can't say shit as our team for most part is fairly horrid.

Duff is out for the game. Hoped Andy Reid would be called up as he is one of few who can actually pick a pass and can play LW/LM but Trap hates him it seems

I just hope that we don't show Italy too much respect and we produce a decent account of ourselves.

Two Italian managers playing against each other where a draw suits both sides, but ever the optimist and since I'll be going to the game, I'll go 1-0 Keane penalty(gladly settle for a draw though)

Hey Ade will Ireland play their strongest formation and how much do you guys want to win? Since Trap was announced to be the coach I have been keeping an eye out for Ireland and it seems he has gotten results but I remember seeing a youtube clip where Dunphy(sp?) was unhappy about his selection. Im guesing the football isn't the best or how would you rate his tenure for Ireland?

I hope Ireland trash Italy big time but like Ade said with only a draw needed on both sides it probably won't happen. I gues I will put money on a draw and if Ireland wins im happy either way.

Lippi OUT

Super Cassano wrote:Hey Ade will Ireland play their strongest formation and how much do you guys want to win? Since Trap was announced to be the coach I have been keeping an eye out for Ireland and it seems he has gotten results but I remember seeing a youtube clip where Dunphy(sp?) was unhappy about his selection. Im guesing the football isn't the best or how would you rate his tenure for Ireland?

I hope Ireland trash Italy big time but like Ade said with only a draw needed on both sides it probably won't happen. I gues I will put money on a draw and if Ireland wins im happy either way.

Lippi OUT

I'd like to think we'd play 4-4-2 as we've done in all our home games, Keane and Doyle up front. But it's Italy, and despite it being a poor Italian side for thei high standards I and many worry he'll play Keane LW and Doyle up front on his own

Everyone here wants the win of course. I believe we can win but at the same time I have a bad feeling we'll be comfortably beaten. Hence why I'll be happy with the draw like I'm sure Trap would be.

The fact that Andy Reid hasn't been called up to this squad, even after the injuries to Duff, Gibson and Folan(good news) is absolutely shocking. Reid in what he lacks in pace and mobility offers flair and creativity. He's a useful sub at the very least. Something we genuinely lack throughtout the team is flair and creativity. Steve Bruce has called him the best player at the club over the past month and look at how they are doing. Excellent.

Back to Trap. Results wise, cannot complain. Football wise, well .. the less said the better for my mental stability The qualifers are all about results>>>>>>performance especially for the likes of us.

I am willing to forgive Lippi any squad selection, as long as he selects 2 players in his squad for the world cup, and plays at least one of them in every game. The 2 players I am talking about are Cassano & Foggia. They can give the Azzurri the creative spark that has been missing since Totti retired. Just two players is all that separates a woeful Italy from becoming even a title contender.... its not a big ask, a squad of 23 should ve at least 2 creative players....

Come'on Lippi, wake up!!!

Cassano, yes Can't say the same for Foggia as I've only seen a few games which he's featured for Lazio.

What's the story if there is one between Cassano and Lippi/playing gor the Azzurri... clash of personalties? Lippi doesn't rate him or is Cassano really fussed about representing Italy anymore and Lippi can't call him up for tha reason?

Seems a bit similar to Trapattoni and Reid for us would that be fair to say.

Ade wrote:Cassano, yes Can't say the same for Foggia as I've only seen a few games which he's featured for Lazio.

What's the story if there is one between Cassano and Lippi/playing gor the Azzurri... clash of personalties? Lippi doesn't rate him or is Cassano really fussed about representing Italy anymore and Lippi can't call him up for tha reason?

Seems a bit similar to Trapattoni and Reid for us would that be fair to say.

I think it is a mix of 2-3 things:

1) Cassano is known to be a bit crazy allthough he has settled down a now. And Lippi loves to have control of the dressing room.

2) Lippi is very stuborn and the italian media has a campaign to get Cassano in the national team and continues to put pressure on Lippi. Some of the hype Cassano is getting is overboard but he is the best player Serie A imo. It is a similar case to Aragones vs Raul where the media pretty much forced Aragones into not including him in the squad because in the end it became about principals. The italian media have made the same mistake that Marca/AS made back then.

3) Lippi has lost it.

A question to all Azzurri fans... what will be your choice for the WC squad for the Azzurri??

Mine at the mo:
Goalkeepers: Buffon, Amelia, Marchetti
Defenders: Chiellini, Cannavaro, Bocchetti, Gamberini, Santon, Grosso, Zambrotta, Criscito
Midfielders: Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Di Agostino, Foggia, Giovinco
Strikers: Iaquinta, Rossi, Cassano, Gilardino, Di Natale, Floccari

In blue are the players Lippi is unlikely to select. Its not that I want young players (hell, if Nesta & Totti make themselves available, I say take them both!!) but we need more creative spark and lose some deadwood. Foggia & Cassano are a must IMO, and its best to give players like Bocchetti & Criscito a chance than deadwood like Legrotaglie.

Foggia vs Pepe, why can't Lippi see the difference??

If Balotelli improves his attitude, I would take him too.

Super Cassano wrote:It is a similar case to Aragones vs Raul where the media pretty much forced Aragones into not including him in the squad because in the end it became about principals. The italian media have made the same mistake that Marca/AS made back then.

I'm sorry, I don't see what mistake Marca/AS have made?

kas wrote:

Super Cassano wrote:It is a similar case to Aragones vs Raul where the media pretty much forced Aragones into not including him in the squad because in the end it became about principals. The italian media have made the same mistake that Marca/AS made back then.

I'm sorry, I don't see what mistake Marca/AS have made?

In pushing for Raul's selection they forced Aragones to keep resisting, to prove to people he cannot be pressured into selecting a player by the public/media. I think Super is suggesting that if they hadn't been so fervent, maybe Aragones would have selected Raul based on his own merits. In the end it became a political thing and the newspapers didnt get what they want. The national team did though.

Six wrote:

kas wrote:

Super Cassano wrote:It is a similar case to Aragones vs Raul where the media pretty much forced Aragones into not including him in the squad because in the end it became about principals. The italian media have made the same mistake that Marca/AS made back then.

I'm sorry, I don't see what mistake Marca/AS have made?

In pushing for Raul's selection they forced Aragones to keep resisting, to prove to people he cannot be pressured into selecting a player by the public/media. I think Super is suggesting that if they hadn't been so fervent, maybe Aragones would have selected Raul based on his own merits. In the end it became a political thing and the newspapers didnt get what they want. The national team did though.

I know if it would have happened but the media getting all hyped about Raul didn't help his cause imo. And it was a good way for Aragones to show his players he was the boss and wouldn't be controlled by anyone. Lippi seems to be in the same way and on top of that he seems to have a Juve bias with his selection.

Super Cassano wrote:

Six wrote:

kas wrote:

Super Cassano wrote:It is a similar case to Aragones vs Raul where the media pretty much forced Aragones into not including him in the squad because in the end it became about principals. The italian media have made the same mistake that Marca/AS made back then.

I'm sorry, I don't see what mistake Marca/AS have made?

In pushing for Raul's selection they forced Aragones to keep resisting, to prove to people he cannot be pressured into selecting a player by the public/media. I think Super is suggesting that if they hadn't been so fervent, maybe Aragones would have selected Raul based on his own merits. In the end it became a political thing and the newspapers didnt get what they want. The national team did though.

I know if it would have happened but the media getting all hyped about Raul didn't help his cause imo. And it was a good way for Aragones to show his players he was the boss and wouldn't be controlled by anyone. Lippi seems to be in the same way and on top of that he seems to have a Juve bias with his selection.

I agree. It happened with Baggio in 2002 as well. It was an amazing last month to the season, as Baggio started scoring in almost every game after coming back from injury for Brescia.... that season, he ended with 11 goals in 12 games for Brescia if I remember correctly... but Trap's ego got in the way.

Cassano is now similarily hurting Lippi's ego. By selecting Cassano, Lippi will have to admit that he was wrong... and Lippi is no longer that big a man.