Not all of the planet’s best will be performing at Germany 2006. Antonio Labbate picks his Serie A World Cup XI of those players who will be forced to watch the action from home
Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina & France)
One of Serie A’s best goalkeepers, without a shadow of a doubt. Although he missed the last six months of the season with a knee ligament problem, short-sighted French boss Raymond Domenech probably wouldn’t have called him up anyway. Les Bleus must have some options between the posts…
Christian Panucci (Roma & Italy)
A critic splitter if ever there was one. Panucci may not be the most likeable chap in the footballing fraternity, but – as he has admitted this year – he is the best Italian right-back in circulation. Has been ignored by Azzurri boss Marcello Lippi after the two men clashed during their time at Inter.
Walter Samuel (Inter & Argentina)
The man nicknamed ‘The Wall’ by Roma fans saw his World Cup dreams unexpectedly crumble. Although he has arguably not had his greatest season at Inter, he surely offers more security than a number of the less inexperienced defenders selected by Argentina’s Jose Pekerman.
Philippe Mexes (Roma & France)
A shock omission from the French World Cup squad. Although the former Auxerre man didn’t feature in the nation’s qualification programme, he was recalled to the set-up in March only to be criminally omitted from Raymond Domenech’s final list. Mexes was a real star for Roma during 2005-06.
Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina & Italy)
A Serie A revelation in his first top-flight campaign. Pasqual, a summer signing from Serie B side Arezzo, instantly settled at Fiorentina to become an untouchable in the plans of boss Cesare Prandelli. Made his international debut for Italy in March, but wasn’t able to break into the final 23-man squad.
Javier Zanetti (Inter & Argentina)
Many had to have a second look at the Argentina squad list when they realised that Javier Zanetti had been left at home. A former national team captain who did star in qualification, the South Americans – who will now probably play with four at the back instead of a back three – surprisingly ignored his availability.
David Pizarro (Inter & Chile)
One of Serie A’s best playmaking midfielders, although Inter boss Roberto Mancini doesn’t seem totally convinced of that fact. Pizarro, who arrived at the San Siro from Udinese last summer for £8m, is deprived of a German call after his Chile outfit failed to progress past the qualification stage.
Clarence Seedorf (Milan & Holland)
The Champions League specialist – having won the trophy with Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan – has become a victim of boss Marco Van Basten’s rejuvenation process at the helm of the Dutch team. Some may seem unconvinced of his ability, but surely the fact that he is a Milan regular underlines his quality?
Adrian Mutu (Juventus & Romania)
Reborn at Juventus after his nightmare spell at Chelsea, Adrian Mutu would have been keen to show the world his newfound serenity. Used by Juve in a new wide midfield position this season, Mutu netted seven goals in 35 Serie A games. Unfortunately, Romania didn’t make it to Germany.
David Suazo (Cagliari & Honduras)
One of Italian football’s worst kept secrets, David Suazo is unlikely to ever get the chance to perform in a World Cup given that he appears for Honduras. The striker has just enjoyed his most lethal season in the top flight after his 22 goals were enough for Cagliari to survive the drop.
Cristiano Lucarelli (Livorno & Italy)
Cristiano Lucarelli was unfortunate to be dropped by the Italians. Having netted 43 goals in the last two Serie A campaigns, Marcello Lippi opted to go for the less prolific Vincenzo Iaquinta instead. Given his age – Lucarelli is now 31 – he perhaps deserved a shot of the biggest stage.
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Subs: Christian Abbiati (Juventus & Italy), Cristian Chivu (Roma & Romania), Juan Sebastian Veron (Inter & Argentina), Amantino Mancini (Roma & Brazil), Alvaro Recoba (Inter & Uruguay).
Channel 4
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Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina & France)
One of Serie A’s best goalkeepers, without a shadow of a doubt. Although he missed the last six months of the season with a knee ligament problem, short-sighted French boss Raymond Domenech probably wouldn’t have called him up anyway. Les Bleus must have some options between the posts…
Christian Panucci (Roma & Italy)
A critic splitter if ever there was one. Panucci may not be the most likeable chap in the footballing fraternity, but – as he has admitted this year – he is the best Italian right-back in circulation. Has been ignored by Azzurri boss Marcello Lippi after the two men clashed during their time at Inter.
Walter Samuel (Inter & Argentina)
The man nicknamed ‘The Wall’ by Roma fans saw his World Cup dreams unexpectedly crumble. Although he has arguably not had his greatest season at Inter, he surely offers more security than a number of the less inexperienced defenders selected by Argentina’s Jose Pekerman.
Philippe Mexes (Roma & France)
A shock omission from the French World Cup squad. Although the former Auxerre man didn’t feature in the nation’s qualification programme, he was recalled to the set-up in March only to be criminally omitted from Raymond Domenech’s final list. Mexes was a real star for Roma during 2005-06.
Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina & Italy)
A Serie A revelation in his first top-flight campaign. Pasqual, a summer signing from Serie B side Arezzo, instantly settled at Fiorentina to become an untouchable in the plans of boss Cesare Prandelli. Made his international debut for Italy in March, but wasn’t able to break into the final 23-man squad.
Javier Zanetti (Inter & Argentina)
Many had to have a second look at the Argentina squad list when they realised that Javier Zanetti had been left at home. A former national team captain who did star in qualification, the South Americans – who will now probably play with four at the back instead of a back three – surprisingly ignored his availability.
David Pizarro (Inter & Chile)
One of Serie A’s best playmaking midfielders, although Inter boss Roberto Mancini doesn’t seem totally convinced of that fact. Pizarro, who arrived at the San Siro from Udinese last summer for £8m, is deprived of a German call after his Chile outfit failed to progress past the qualification stage.
Clarence Seedorf (Milan & Holland)
The Champions League specialist – having won the trophy with Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan – has become a victim of boss Marco Van Basten’s rejuvenation process at the helm of the Dutch team. Some may seem unconvinced of his ability, but surely the fact that he is a Milan regular underlines his quality?
Adrian Mutu (Juventus & Romania)
Reborn at Juventus after his nightmare spell at Chelsea, Adrian Mutu would have been keen to show the world his newfound serenity. Used by Juve in a new wide midfield position this season, Mutu netted seven goals in 35 Serie A games. Unfortunately, Romania didn’t make it to Germany.
David Suazo (Cagliari & Honduras)
One of Italian football’s worst kept secrets, David Suazo is unlikely to ever get the chance to perform in a World Cup given that he appears for Honduras. The striker has just enjoyed his most lethal season in the top flight after his 22 goals were enough for Cagliari to survive the drop.
Cristiano Lucarelli (Livorno & Italy)
Cristiano Lucarelli was unfortunate to be dropped by the Italians. Having netted 43 goals in the last two Serie A campaigns, Marcello Lippi opted to go for the less prolific Vincenzo Iaquinta instead. Given his age – Lucarelli is now 31 – he perhaps deserved a shot of the biggest stage.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subs: Christian Abbiati (Juventus & Italy), Cristian Chivu (Roma & Romania), Juan Sebastian Veron (Inter & Argentina), Amantino Mancini (Roma & Brazil), Alvaro Recoba (Inter & Uruguay).
Channel 4
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I also thought of Eto'o and Nihat...
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