The Official Italy WC Thread (34 Viewers)

[Azzurri7]

La Gazzetta dello Sport. Seems he injured his left thigh. He'll most likely miss the first game, if not worse.

Oh god:frown:

 

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[sateeh]

well the comparison of the italian midfield and the english one is very interesting.
Comparing lamps and stevie G, with the likes of gattuso,de rossi,camo, and pirlo is just no comparison, especially on paper. The english pair r much better.
thinking that camo had a decent season but not his best, same goes to pirlo and rino as well.and i dont see de rossi starting.
The only huge advantage that italy has is Franseco Totti, he is one of the most creative and influential players in the world.And on paper give italy an extra edge.

Tom u said that the italians r slow, well thats a part of their game.Italy never play the fast paced game u english guys play. Even though i think that camo is good runner in the midfield, also the full backs just compensate for the "fairly" slow midfield.
another thing is that i dont think that anyone would be using both lampard and gerrard to their full ability if they are played in the 4-4-2 sven used numerous times. Both need a third midfielder covering them so they get their freedom, and i think if sven uses that system then we will see wat can they do.

also arron lennon is just amazing, great prospect imo.He should get the RM spot not becks, but we all know that wont happen

 

[Cronios]

Italy has the edge in the defence
there is no such in the world as the Buffon,Canna,Nesta,Zambro combo,
their experiance and abilities are unquestionable,
but England isnt far away from that,

the attack is unprooven and i wont rate them higher untill i see some results against some serius defences,

England's midfield seems to be the second best in the world and its the midfield were the Italian NT hurts the most,
esp on form terms for the moment,
right now, IMO, England is more competitive...

 

[Bjerknes]

lampard+gerrard over any italy midfield duo.

Sure, but what good is it if they cannot find a way to fit into the same midfield? Just because England has the better players doesn't make them have the better midfield..

La Gazzetta dello Sport. Seems he injured his left thigh. He'll most likely miss the first game, if not worse.

Any way we can get a one match extension, please?

 

[Tom]

No need to follow them if you're defending around your own box . That's the game Italy would play against England. That way you also cut out the pace part, as a forward can be as fast as he wants, if the defender's already there he simply can't run past him. England aren't used to this kind of play anyway. No way in hell they can overcome that tactic. Yes, it really is that simple.

sure, we could overcome it. Shove peter crouch up front and watch him win all the headers

 

[Tom]

Sure, but what good is it if they cannot find a way to fit into the same midfield? Just because England has the better players doesn't make them have the better midfield..

Oh, they'll fit alright. If needs be with Michael Carrick as holding midfielder, but either way its gonna be good. I'd love us to play Italy, absolutely love it

 

[Morra10]

Oh god:frown:

we will be fine....zambo injured his right thigh and i read right now that there is no reason to think that he will miss the world cup. But i dont think he will travel with the team for their up-coming friendly...

 

[Stephan]

Oh and just to focus on what's really important: count Zambrotta out for the first game.

first world cup game, or you mean friendlys (with switzerland and ukraine)?

 

[Stephan]

anyway, i didnt like what buffon sayd about italy midfield. yeah ok i understand we dont have lamp or gerrard, but we have totti and de rossi and rino and pirlo. sure pirlo has had a pretty average season but what i mean is that buffon(or any other italian player) is the last person who should say something like this about their own NT. Thank god he doesnt say who are those weaknesses in the midfield but dont you think this might now have affect on azzurri midfield. buffon doesnt trust own nt midfield??? thats the worst thing to say before world cup

 

[HelterSkelter]

is downing in the squad?

 

[Seven]

sure, we could overcome it. Shove peter crouch up front and watch him win all the headers

I don't think depending on Crouch is a good idea .

 

[Hennes]

Just checked the news and Zambrotta hasn't got a serious injury (the extent of the injury was determined this evening).
I can't give you a real translation because I don`t know the english medical terms, but the injury isn't as bad as feared...

Here's the news:

Lieve distrazione muscolare alla coscia sinistra, il Mondiale di Gianluca Zambrotta non e' a rischio. L'ecografia e la risonanza magnetica al retto anteriore della gamba sinistra a cui si e' sottoposto il difensore di Lippi hanno tranquillizzato il giocatore e lo staff azzurro. 'E' stata confermata la diagnosi a caldo, siamo sereni, non si tratta di un infortunio grave'. Gli esami hanno tranquillizzato anche Zambrotta: 'Per il Mondiale sono tranquillo'.

 

[Tom]

I don't think depending on Crouch is a good idea .

Bah, never underestimate Crouchoudinho!!

 

[ReBeL]

ZAMBROTTA CONCERNS FOR ITALY



Italian midfielder Gianluca Zambrotta could miss his team's World Cup opener against Ghana on June 12 with a muscle strain.

The Juventus player suffered the strain in his left thigh during Sunday's training and could be out of action for at least two weeks.

Zambrotta will remain at Italy's headquarters in Coverciano this week while his team-mates take on Switzerland on Wednesday and Ukraine on Friday as part of their tournament preparation.

"The player will remain at Coverciano and will not travel to Switzerland for the friendly," said Italian national team doctor Enrico Castellacci.

Zambrotta is a versatile player for national coach Marcello Lippi as he can play on either wing as a defender or a midfielder.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/05/29/SOCCER_Italy.html

 

[ReBeL]

The Juventus star, who will remain at the Azzurri's Coverciano training complex and undergo medical tests, said: "I hope it's nothing serious. I stretched a little too far and I felt the muscle pull.

"I'll stay here and take care of myself with ice. I want to participate in the World Cup."

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/...eadline=zam-worry-for-azzurri--name_page.html

 

[Morra10]

if zambrotta misses the first match, i think he can handle ghana without him..........maybe Grosso or Zaccardo will fill in nicely for him

 

[Eddy]

Zambrotta will go to Germany

Italy have breathed a huge sigh of relief after Gianluca Zambrotta was told that his injury would not compromise his World Cup.

The Juventus defender picked up a slight knock in a training match on Sunday which did lead to suggestions that he may be forced to withdraw from the squad.

However, the former Bari man underwent numerous tests this evening which ruled out any serious damage.

“I’m a lot more tranquil, there shouldn’t be any problems for me with regard to the World Cup,” the left-back stated this evening.

Zambrotta has suffered a slight muscle strain in his left thigh and we should receive a timescale of his return at some stage on Tuesday.

“The tests confirmed what we suspected after the event,” team doctor Enrico Castellacci added on Monday night.

“We are calm and serene. This isn’t a serious problem. We’ll look to get him back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

Zambrotta is Marcello Lippi’s first choice left-back. The only alternative within the squad is Palermo’s Fabio Grosso.

channel4.com

 

[Morra10]

Zambrotta will go to Germany

Italy have breathed a huge sigh of relief after Gianluca Zambrotta was told that his injury would not compromise his World Cup.

The Juventus defender picked up a slight knock in a training match on Sunday which did lead to suggestions that he may be forced to withdraw from the squad.

However, the former Bari man underwent numerous tests this evening which ruled out any serious damage.

“I’m a lot more tranquil, there shouldn’t be any problems for me with regard to the World Cup,” the left-back stated this evening.

Zambrotta has suffered a slight muscle strain in his left thigh and we should receive a timescale of his return at some stage on Tuesday.

“The tests confirmed what we suspected after the event,” team doctor Enrico Castellacci added on Monday night.

“We are calm and serene. This isn’t a serious problem. We’ll look to get him back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

Zambrotta is Marcello Lippi’s first choice left-back. The only alternative within the squad is Palermo’s Fabio Grosso.

channel4.com

i didnt think any thing would come of the injury but still good to here......probably the best left back in the world is cleared to play, so its good news which is a change.

 

[Vinman]

Sure.....he may be right.....but he shouldn't be saying things like that. That would deflate the confidence in his own players. A lot of Italian players talk too much about a lot of things. Cannavaro's comments about Moggi may be right (doubt it) but you can't say things like that to the press.....you will get fried.

I think Italy should have had a press silence because of the scandal. I think its REALLY REALLY bad for morale.

As a general rule, WHEN IN DOUBT DON'T TALK TO THE PRESS.....ESPECIALLY ON THE EVE OF A WORLD CUP AMIDST AN ITALIAN SCANDAL!!!!!!!

Anyway, getting to his comments. I think one has to be mindful that England play with a 4-4-2. If Italy play with a flat 4 in midfield...then England's midfield would truly kick our ass. However, Lippi is aware of this no doubt. Therefore, we tend to favour a formation that maximises our strengths. Therefore we use 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-3. Our midfielders are more battlers with a touch of creativity and rely heavily on our forwards to a lot of their own attacking.

Bottom line.....its hard to make direct comparisons with other teams on midfield because some teams use anywhere from 3 to 5 midfielders and in different modules and ways. In Italy's case we tend to use 3. Totti, although a midfielder plays in a more advanced role. This is why Italy is a much more direct team in terms of attack. England team is about using flanks and central mids to CREATE while leaving full backs BACK and not attacking as much. Teams like Argentina and Spain tend to be patient teams in building an attack and tend to use up to 5 midfielders searching for a sole poaching striker.

Italy has the edge on Goalkeeper
Back 4 is an even score between Italy and England (for the first team of course)
Midfield on balance is in Engalnd's favour.
Strike force is in Italy's favour.

The above would suggest that Italy still has the edge on England.

But as we all know.....being better on paper means nothing if history teaches us anything. Therefore, morale and team building has to take priority right now. And the scandal and the stupid comments made by our players is not helping us at all!!!!!!

I totally agree...

when I read Buffon's article I thought it was a slap in the face to the Azzurri midfielders.

I wonder how he would feel if one of his teammates said that they would definitely win the WC if we had Petr Cech in goal

 

[Eddy]

i didnt think any thing would come of the injury but still good to here......probably the best left back in the world is cleared to play, so its good news which is a change.

Yes it is...on to the World Cup then!