Azzurri Thread (34 Viewers)

[Hængebøffer]

I've always liked the way he has set up his teams to play but had reservations he could relay it so quickly to the national team. Still, there is a lot of work to be done and it doesn't mean an awful lot in terms of a tournament. One bad game or killer loss and everything becomes much harder, you can go out at anytime.

He is quite fortunate in some respects I guess, he has been blessed with as good attacking options as Italy have had in a while. It's not so much the individuals but the fact they suit his style of play. Cassano may or may not play all the time for his club but you know he will enjoy playing for Prandelli's Italy. Rossi suits it, Balotelli, going down to guys like Di Natale and Quagliarella. Less so for Pazzini and Matri maybe, but they are different options. The heralded son Giovinco as well, it has clicked into place in that respect.

In midfield Pirlo pulls the strings in what would otherwise be short of world class names - maybe De Rossi aside at his best - but Montolivo looks at his peak under his old mentor, any of the Italy midfielders with a bit of class and technique revel in the style of play. The short passing, triangles and lay offs.

The defense doesn't need to be spectacular, Chiellini might be a brute but he's not a donkey, he's top class and has a competent and more stylish partner, and the fullbacks try to ensure they do more running towards the opposition goal than their own. Italy has enough willing fullbacks who can get up and down the pitch to complement the system. They don't have to be top class individuals, I've seen Maggio, Criscito and Balzaretti all look excellent playing in this team and system against both mediocre and top class opponents now.

The whole team or only the attack? Prandelli plays the formation, that suit the players he has available. He said Italy won't play with wingers, because Italy (right now) don't have any good ones.

 

Buy on AliExpress.com

[X Æ A-12]

Faroe Islands: Torgard; Naes, Baldvisson, Gregersen, J Davidsen; Justinussen, Olsen, Holst, Benjaminsen; Edmundsson, Elttor

Faroe Islands bench: Joensen, Danielsen, V Davidsen, Lokin, Mouritsen, Samuelsen, Udsen

Italy: Buffon; Maggio, Ranocchia, Chiellini, Criscito; Thiago Motta, Pirlo, De Rossi; Montolivo; Cassano, Rossi

Italy bench: Sirigu, Pazzini, Marchisio, Balzaretti, Aquilani, Bonucc

 

[X Æ A-12]

I hope Prandelli takes out Pirlo at half time.

 

[Jericho.]

What an amazing pass from Andrea Pirlo.

 

[ZoSo]

I hope we see a lot of assists like that for us this season.

 

[Jericho.]

x

Competition: Qualification Euro 2012 - Group C
Date: Terça-feira, 6 September 2011
Hour: 20h45 (CET)
Estádio Artemio Franchi (Florence, Italy)
Referee Svein Oddvar Moen (Noway)
Transmission: -

Forza Italy! 3-0.

 

[Kasaki]

Giovinco should start

 

[ZoSo]

Giovinco shouldn't be so overrated.

 

[Trequartista]

Giovinco shouldn't be so overrated.

Quoted for truth.

 

[Bianconero_Aus]

Looks like he has dropped Criscito and Maggio and replaced them with Cassani and Balzaretti. Other than those two, it will be the same lineup seen in the past few games to play the Slovenes.

 

[Juventini 1897]

Tonight Line up :

Italy: Buffon; Cassani, Ranocchia, Chiellini, Balzaretti; Thiago Motta, Pirlo, De Rossi; Montolivo; Cassano, Rossi
Italy bench: De Sanctis, Criscito, Pazzini, Marchisio, Balotelli, Bonucci, Nocerino


Slovenia: J Handanovic; Brecko, Cesar, Suler, Jokic; Birsa, Koren, Vrsic, Kirm; Radosavljevic, Novakovic
Slovenia bench: Belec, Ilic, Pecnik, Dedic, Ilicic, Mavric, Matavz

 

[DIECI]

any IPhone friendly links to this game?

 

[deggen10]

Put in Balotelli.

 

[v1rtu4l]

any links ?

 

[JCK]

Are they playing like Spain?

 

[Juve Fanatico]

1-0 Pazzini.

Marchisio with the assist.

 

[Fake Melo]

Azzurri qualifies for the Euro 2012.

 

[Juventini 1897]

This is It

 

[deggen10]

Forget about *playing like* Spain. Only chance of Italy winning cups is if Balotelli fires.

 

[DIECI]

is it too much to ask for this lineup?

...... Rossi..Balo..Cassano
..Montolivo..Pirlo...DeRossi
Maggio..Chellini..Ranocchia..Abate
................Buffon

key subs : Pazzini/Giovinco/Motta

Can Maggio play on the left??

I think Balo supported by 2 creative attackers like Rossi and Cassano would absolutely shine.

With Maggio and Abate, two players that could move forward they would assist the midfield and add to our attack. I would love to see this experimental lineup in the next 2 "meaningless" games.