This is my Italy:
--------------------------BUFFON--------------------------
BIRINDELLI---CANNAVARO---NESTA---ZAMBROTTA
-------------------PIRLO---GATTUSSO-------------------
----------CAMORANESI---TOTTI---CASSANO----------
----------------------VIERI / DI VAIO--------------------
That is my first 11. Here are my subs:
GK:
Toldo
Cudicini (Abbiatti is not playing!)
DEF (this is now our weakest area):
Panucci
Legrottaglie
Ferrari
MID:
Fiore
Perrotta
Maresca
FWD:
Di Vaio
Inzaghi
Del Piero
Miccoli
That is a squad of 23 players. In the 4-2-3-1 system that we play, there are basically 3 forwards of which 2 of them play deep so you need at least 6 forwards (7 in my case). You play with 3 true midfielders so you need 6 midfielders. You have a back 4 so you need 7 given that some defenders can play in almost any position along the back 4 in case of emergency.
Couple of points to note:
#1 Vieri worries me. He is no where near as good as he used to be...he is no longer that accurate and he is painfully slow and not agile. I am 50/50 thinking of having him as a sub and using Di Vaio instead given that he has pace.....I hope he can start being more accurate in front of goal. Di Vaio also works harder and can help us have more possession - something Italy generaly lack in big games.
#2 Cassano should be in the first 11 instead of DP. DP has not been very consistent. Cassano doesn't have the experience but DP's experience may haunt him at international level. Cassano's understanding with Totti is one of his biggest selling points for the national team. He is also running hot right now.
#3 Birindelli. He is not a first choice for Lippi because of Thuram but I think he is one of the most underrated players in Serie A. He is very solid and can be good in attack at times. Oddo may add more in attack but he is not as solid as Birri.
#4 Pirlo. To me, he is Italy's best central midfielder. He can actually keep the ball which is more than what you can say about the rest of what we have to choose from. He is maturing as a player and this is the right time to throw him into a Euro Championship.
#5 Maresca. He is a great player. I hope he recovers from injury in time to get a shot but I know trap won't call him.
#6 Cannavaro. To me he is our weakest link in the first 11. I hope his form is better than what he has showed for Inter.
#7 DEFENCE. This is now our weakest area. We have no depth if Canna or Nesta get injured....you could even see that in WC02 when Nesta was injured.
-----
I really believe that the 4-2-3-1 system is the best system for Italy. Italy does not have the best wingers in the world BUT we have possibly one of the best wing backs in the form of Zambrotta and very few teams in the world have a collection of forwards like: Totti, Del Piero, Vieri, Cassano etc etc. Italy has abundant number 10s that are world class. The 4-2-3-1 system allows for you to have 2 or even 3 number 10s on the park.
My biggest concern though remains our defence. If we exit from Euro04 THAT will be the reason. Or the other reason would be that Trap decides to go back and play defensive - YOU CANNOT PLAY DEFENSIVE WHEN THE STRONGEST THING YOU HAVE IS ATTACK.
--------------------------BUFFON--------------------------
BIRINDELLI---CANNAVARO---NESTA---ZAMBROTTA
-------------------PIRLO---GATTUSSO-------------------
----------CAMORANESI---TOTTI---CASSANO----------
----------------------VIERI / DI VAIO--------------------
That is my first 11. Here are my subs:
GK:
Toldo
Cudicini (Abbiatti is not playing!)
DEF (this is now our weakest area):
Panucci
Legrottaglie
Ferrari
MID:
Fiore
Perrotta
Maresca
FWD:
Di Vaio
Inzaghi
Del Piero
Miccoli
That is a squad of 23 players. In the 4-2-3-1 system that we play, there are basically 3 forwards of which 2 of them play deep so you need at least 6 forwards (7 in my case). You play with 3 true midfielders so you need 6 midfielders. You have a back 4 so you need 7 given that some defenders can play in almost any position along the back 4 in case of emergency.
Couple of points to note:
#1 Vieri worries me. He is no where near as good as he used to be...he is no longer that accurate and he is painfully slow and not agile. I am 50/50 thinking of having him as a sub and using Di Vaio instead given that he has pace.....I hope he can start being more accurate in front of goal. Di Vaio also works harder and can help us have more possession - something Italy generaly lack in big games.
#2 Cassano should be in the first 11 instead of DP. DP has not been very consistent. Cassano doesn't have the experience but DP's experience may haunt him at international level. Cassano's understanding with Totti is one of his biggest selling points for the national team. He is also running hot right now.
#3 Birindelli. He is not a first choice for Lippi because of Thuram but I think he is one of the most underrated players in Serie A. He is very solid and can be good in attack at times. Oddo may add more in attack but he is not as solid as Birri.
#4 Pirlo. To me, he is Italy's best central midfielder. He can actually keep the ball which is more than what you can say about the rest of what we have to choose from. He is maturing as a player and this is the right time to throw him into a Euro Championship.
#5 Maresca. He is a great player. I hope he recovers from injury in time to get a shot but I know trap won't call him.
#6 Cannavaro. To me he is our weakest link in the first 11. I hope his form is better than what he has showed for Inter.
#7 DEFENCE. This is now our weakest area. We have no depth if Canna or Nesta get injured....you could even see that in WC02 when Nesta was injured.
-----
I really believe that the 4-2-3-1 system is the best system for Italy. Italy does not have the best wingers in the world BUT we have possibly one of the best wing backs in the form of Zambrotta and very few teams in the world have a collection of forwards like: Totti, Del Piero, Vieri, Cassano etc etc. Italy has abundant number 10s that are world class. The 4-2-3-1 system allows for you to have 2 or even 3 number 10s on the park.
My biggest concern though remains our defence. If we exit from Euro04 THAT will be the reason. Or the other reason would be that Trap decides to go back and play defensive - YOU CANNOT PLAY DEFENSIVE WHEN THE STRONGEST THING YOU HAVE IS ATTACK.
