Azzurri Thread (65 Viewers)
- Thread starter Marceℓℓo
- Start date
James Horncastle interview with FI
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What do you make of Italy’s squad going towards the 2018 World Cup?
“I’m cautiously optimistic. Obviously Italy have still got to get there first and the game against Spain in Madrid in September is effectively a play-off [before another potential play-off]. The generation coming through is very strong. Not just at Under-21 level, but with the Under-20s too.
“Imagine if Antonio Conte was back in charge for Euro 2020 and implemented the 3-4-2-1 he’s been using at Chelsea this season. You could have a starting XI that looks a little something like this: Donnarumma; Caldara, Rugani, Romagnoli; Spinazzola, Gagliardini, Verratti, Conti; Berardi, Bernardeschi; Belotti. As Larry David might say: Pretty, pretty good.”
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What do you make of Italy’s squad going towards the 2018 World Cup?
“I’m cautiously optimistic. Obviously Italy have still got to get there first and the game against Spain in Madrid in September is effectively a play-off [before another potential play-off]. The generation coming through is very strong. Not just at Under-21 level, but with the Under-20s too.
“Imagine if Antonio Conte was back in charge for Euro 2020 and implemented the 3-4-2-1 he’s been using at Chelsea this season. You could have a starting XI that looks a little something like this: Donnarumma; Caldara, Rugani, Romagnoli; Spinazzola, Gagliardini, Verratti, Conti; Berardi, Bernardeschi; Belotti. As Larry David might say: Pretty, pretty good.”
Italy have remained in 12th position in the latest FIFA rankings, with Brazil returning to top spot.
There was no change in the Azzurri’s position from the most recent rankings, given they haven’t played since beating Liechtenstein 5-0 on June 11.
Giampiero Ventura’s side therefore remain between Spain in 11th and England in 13th in the world rankings.
Brazil have returned to the top of the list, leapfrogging Germany, with Argentina in third place and Switzerland in fourth.
Curaçao have taken the biggest fall, sliding down 18 place to 86th, with Namibia the most improved after climbing 20 places to 136th.
FIFA World Rankings:
1) Brazil
2) Germany
3) Argentina
4) Switzerland
5) Poland
6) Portugal
7) Chile
8) Colombia
9) Belgium
10) France
11) Spain
12) Italy
13) England
14) Mexico
15) Peru
There was no change in the Azzurri’s position from the most recent rankings, given they haven’t played since beating Liechtenstein 5-0 on June 11.
Giampiero Ventura’s side therefore remain between Spain in 11th and England in 13th in the world rankings.
Brazil have returned to the top of the list, leapfrogging Germany, with Argentina in third place and Switzerland in fourth.
Curaçao have taken the biggest fall, sliding down 18 place to 86th, with Namibia the most improved after climbing 20 places to 136th.
FIFA World Rankings:
1) Brazil
2) Germany
3) Argentina
4) Switzerland
5) Poland
6) Portugal
7) Chile
8) Colombia
9) Belgium
10) France
11) Spain
12) Italy
13) England
14) Mexico
15) Peru
Both crashed out in the group stages.
4-2-4, 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 for Spain? Ventura seems to favor the 4-2-4 but the back 3 has usually worked so well vs Spain.
or
or
Insigne - Immobile - Belotti - Candreva
De Rossi - Verratti
Darmian - Chiellini - Bonucci - D'Ambrosio
De Rossi - Verratti
Darmian - Chiellini - Bonucci - D'Ambrosio
or
Immobile - Belotti
Darmian - Parolo - De Rossi - Verratti - Candreva
Chiellini - Bonucci - Barzagli
Darmian - Parolo - De Rossi - Verratti - Candreva
Chiellini - Bonucci - Barzagli
or
Insigne - Belotti - Candreva
Darmian - De Rossi - Verratti - D'Ambrosio
Chiellini - Bonucci - Barzagli
Darmian - De Rossi - Verratti - D'Ambrosio
Chiellini - Bonucci - Barzagli
