Azzurri Thread (40 Viewers)

[Joe]

Prandelli has confirmed that Balotelli will not be called for the Ukraine friendly on Tuesday. He said he needs to find consistency first.

Fuck! I wanted to see him play. Oh well, Pazzo, Cassano and Rossi can do it for now.

Prandelli is doing a good job with his team so far. Yesterday I saw the players playing an atypical game for Italians and the accent was on fast movement of the ball, one touch football, which I haven't seen at all from Italy in my lifetime. Not many, if any, of the players are playing this kind of football in their clubs so that makes Prandelli's achievement in so little time even bigger and deserves respect. The players still need time to get used to Prandelli's ideas and demands but if they continue this way, even with the obvious lack of super talents, Italy will be back on the map and re-enter the top 6-7 of world's best NTs.

What's your top 6-7 NTs as of now?

 

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[Bjerknes]

Spain
Brazil
Argentina
Germany
Holland
England
Portugal

 

[JuveJay]

I pretty much agree, although England are a terrible tournament team and also have more mediocre players than the others there.

 

[The Curr]

Portugal aren't all that great either. The top 5 are definitely the best 5 teams in the world. The likes of Uruguay, Ghana and USA are as good as England IMO.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Prandelli is doing a good job with his team so far. Yesterday I saw the players playing an atypical game for Italians and the accent was on fast movement of the ball, one touch football, which I haven't seen at all from Italy in my lifetime. Not many, if any, of the players are playing this kind of football in their clubs so that makes Prandelli's achievement in so little time even bigger and deserves respect. The players still need time to get used to Prandelli's ideas and demands but if they continue this way, even with the obvious lack of super talents, Italy will be back on the map and re-enter the top 6-7 of world's best NTs.

Nice to hear.

 

[Joe]

Spain
Brazil
Argentina
Germany
Holland
England
Portugal

No way do I disagree with you there, those teams are monsters.

However England and Portugal seem very shaky lately, just like the Azzurri.

 

[ALC]

England needs some good strikers. Bent has been having a good run but is pretty average otherwise. Portugal is very hot and cold, might as well flip a coin to decide their games.

I liked Paraguay based on the last WC and wanted them to beat Spain but don't see that much of them to know if they're consistently good. Mexico's one of my favorites too.

 

[X Æ A-12]

The spics?

They're our main rivals, fool.

 

[ALC]

I still think they're pretty good though. Always put up a fight.

 

[Rollie]

I have a feeling that France are going to tear some ace moving forward. They have so many quality components, and finally a good manager.

 

[The Curr]

You're probably right, as long as they don't self destruct again.

 

[Rollie]

Yeah, we'll see how that goes Talk about an embarrassing situation...

It seems like they've come to some sort of closure about the player strike issues, considering some of the recalls.

 

[Bianconero_Aus]

Italy definitely on the right track with Prandelli at the helm.

Sure there's still heaps of work to do, but I see some signs of improvement. At least young players are being picked, and he encourages one touch passing and a somewhat attacking mindset.

 

[Bjerknes]

Portugal aren't all that great either. The top 5 are definitely the best 5 teams in the world. The likes of Uruguay, Ghana and USA are as good as England IMO.

As a team we are, maybe. But we don't deserve to be in the world top ten, while I don't see how one can withdraw England from it. I certainly wouldn't place Italy ahead of them quite yet. One has to remember they faced the Germans in the round of 16 in South Africa, probably the second best side in the world if you ask me.

No way do I disagree with you there, those teams are monsters.

However England and Portugal seem very shaky lately, just like the Azzurri.

They do seem shaky, but I don't see any reason to put the Azzurri ahead of them at this point. I'll listen to objective arguments as to why they should be, though.

Mexico's one of my favorites too.

Mexico have a fantastic young side, but they aren't in the same league as the others yet. In another three years they will probably be a pretty scary team.

I still think they're pretty good though. Always put up a fight.

So does lung cancer, but I don't see you supporting them.

 

[ALC]

So does lung cancer, but I don't see you supporting them.

They're pretty entertaining to watch, that's all I'm saying.

I only got to see the England game today btw and they were freakin' horrible for a top ten team. Netherlands or Germany could've scored at least five against the Wales that showed up. The only bright spot for me was Wilshere, he had some moments. Their games are becoming a pain to watch otherwise.

 

[cimenk]

Imagine if we still have Balzaretti now.. Chiellini - Bonucci - Balza as Italy backline, and add to that Cassani ( ex-Juve Primavera) as RB backup is Juventus owned.. The reason for Secco sold Balza and bought Moli back then is still mystery

 

[cimenk]

Spain
Brazil
Argentina
Germany
Holland
England
Portugal

France beat England and Brazil, Japan beat Argentina, Germany draw with Italy in lately friendly matches.. Apart from their talented players, i don't see Argentina, England, and Portugal is above France and Italy as a team right now

 

[Bjerknes]

France beat England and Brazil, Japan beat Argentina, Germany draw with Italy in lately friendly matches.. Apart from their talented players, i don't see Argentina, England, and Portugal is above France and Italy as a team right now

These are all friendlies, right?

Everything should be based on friendlies? Slovenia is massive competition?

 

[Flamez]

France beat England and Brazil, Japan beat Argentina, Germany draw with Italy in lately friendly matches.. Apart from their talented players, i don't see Argentina, England, and Portugal is above France and Italy as a team right now

17/11/2010: Portugal 4-0 Spain

 

[bianconero]

Spain
Germany
Holland
Argentina
Brazil
France
Italy
Serbia
Mexico
Uraguay