Azzurri Thread (74 Viewers)

Vlad

In Allegri We Trust
May 23, 2011
24,029
Totti is finished. For a while now I've noticed that his moves are lethargic and he looks cumbersome, something similar to Del Piero during his last 2 seasons here. No matter of the regime that certain athlete adopts, one can't beat the age and this season his age is finally showing. I can't see any use from him at the WC.
 

Vlad

In Allegri We Trust
May 23, 2011
24,029
Apart from his decent showing at the WC in 2006 and even then there were at least 4-5 more important players in that squad, Totti underachieved for the NT, even more than Alex.

Edit: He was brilliant at the Euro 2000, but that's pretty much it as far as his international career goes.
 

DIECI

Senior Member
Jul 12, 2011
2,115
players that I want to see on the NT team this summer
Destro
Rossi (if fit)
Insigne
Veratti
Cassano

Players that I don't want to see
Gilardino
Osvaldo
 

zizinho

Senior Member
Apr 14, 2013
51,816
players that I want to see on the NT team this summer
Destro
Rossi (if fit)
Insigne
Veratti
Cassano

Players that I don't want to see
Gilardino
Osvaldo
id rather have Immobile. also (if fit) Rossi and El Sharaawy, starter CF Balotelli and Insigne, Cerci as backup wingers...
 

JuveSardu

Senior Member
Nov 27, 2013
948
:agree: Cassano, like Totti, can provide that spark, as they are both creative and unpredictable.

Guys like Osvaldo and that decayed fossil Gilardino have no business wearing the Azzurri jersey.
Yes, agree 100%

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id rather have Immobile. also (if fit) Rossi and El Sharaawy, starter CF Balotelli and Insigne, Cerci as backup wingers...
El Sha hasn't played all season, he's not gonna be fit or in form for brazil, there's much more players to take over him
 

zizinho

Senior Member
Apr 14, 2013
51,816
El Sha hasn't played all season, he's not gonna be fit or in form for brazil, there's much more players to take over him
well, if he recovers and plays the last 5-6 games i would take him. he will be fresh (as he didnt play all season :D) and could make the difference in the late rounds. hard to say if he will recover, but if he does i would take him over Cassano (who doesent have the physical abilities to play every 2-3 days atthat age anymore...)
 

Bianconero81

Ageing Veteran
Jan 26, 2009
40,177
El Shaarawy doesn't deserve to be included; the same applies (to a lesser extent) to Insigne.

Destro and Immobile, along with Rossi and Balo should make the squad. Osvaldo and Gilardino can come along as trash/garbage collectors.
 

MikeM

Footballing Hipster celebrating 4th place with Tuz
Sep 21, 2008
12,834
El Shaarawy doesn't deserve to be included; the same applies (to a lesser extent) to Insigne.

Destro and Immobile, along with Rossi and Balo should make the squad. Osvaldo and Gilardino can come along as trash/garbage collectors.
Those are 6 players who prefer to play as a #9 though.

Rossi can play as a SS but still probably prefers being a #9. I think we would need more creativity somewhere.
 

Bianconero81

Ageing Veteran
Jan 26, 2009
40,177
I don't know how many strikers/attackers Prandelli wants to take, but I'd assume 3 goalies, 7 defenders, 8 mids, and 5 strikers. You can add Cassano/Totti/Insigne for more creativity, and one of Cerci/Diamanti in midfield.
 

Bianconero_Aus

Beppe Marotta Is My God
May 26, 2009
80,970
Balotelli, Rossi, Destro, Insigne, Immobile and Cerci (as RF, SS or RW)

That's who I'd take. If Rossi can't make it, I'd look into bringing Cassano or Totti.

But we know Prandelli will try throw in a Gilardino or Osvaldo there somewhere.
 

JuveJay

Senior Signor
Moderator
Mar 6, 2007
74,939
Insigne's chances seem to be fading, for me. He just hasn't done enough this season.

Balotelli and Rossi will surely be in the squad if they are fit. Immobile we can assume will be because you take form players, and Italy are not blessed with options. This will probably leave Destro as the fourth real CF, I'm not sure Prandelli will take more. Cerci will go because of his style and season, he suits a 4-3-3.

This leaves the 'Insigne' spot open as the wide forward from the left. He might well take it, or Prandelli might absorb it into a role for an advanced attacking midfielder/winger, and only go with the 5 'forwards'. Before he went to China you would have thought Diamanti would be given the role, but I'm not sure how Prandelli feels about him? In future it might be a spot for Gabbiadini. Maybe Candreva will take it.

In terms of the make up of the squad it wouldn't surprise me if it was broken down as 3-7-8-5, because Italy have so many CMs.
 

Joe

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2009
14,980
As of now, I think the ones that deserve it the most are:

GKs: Buffon, Sirigu, Perin

Defenders: Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci, Paletta, Abate, Maggio, De Sciglio, Antonelli

Midfielders: De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo, Verratti, Aquilani, Candreva

Forwards: Balotelli, Rossi/Cassano, Immobile, Cerci, Gilardino
 

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