Italy's squad for WC qualifiers

[fishfly]

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juve), Marco Amelia (Palermo), Morgan De Sanctis (Galatasaray)

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Andrea Dossena (Liverpool), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Fabio Grosso (Olympique Lione), Marco Motta (Roma), Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan).

Midfielders: Matteo Brighi (Roma), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Pasquale Foggia (Lazio), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (Milan).

Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese), Giuseppe Rossi (Villareal).

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1646/wc...-squad-cassano-out-motta-bocchetti-pazzini-in

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO at this rate Del Pero will not be in the CONFED cup I want his signature!

 

[maestro_za]

Del Piero is long in the tooth these days.

CONFED Cup a major tournament where coaches can experiment. With the looks of that squad there aren't too many surprises to be honest. Tried & tested!

 

[smokey]

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan... This is just the type of tournament to bleed in some of the younger players. I don't see Giovinco in there or Balotelli. It would have been perfect for them. Now I'm miffed...

 

[stefan9]

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan... This is just the type of tournament to bleed in some of the younger players. I don't see Giovinco in there or Balotelli. It would have been perfect for them. Now I'm miffed...

Lippi won't pick them or Santon. He considers them too young.

 

[smokey]

Lippi won't pick them or Santon. He considers them too young.

I didn't want to mention Santon because he just started playing about a month ago... no need to rush things. Balotelli however, is just ripe for a little international lesson. Giovinco's performances speak for themselves and it's really a HUGE pity that he doesn't get more game time at Juve.

 

[pos(t)er]

Luca Toni was pretty useless in every Italian game I saw, but I was under impression he is their best striker?

 

[smokey]

Luca Toni was pretty useless in every Italian game I saw, but I was under impression he is their best striker?

He's the Italian Gerrard. Fantastic for club, crap for country.

 

[pos(t)er]

He's the Italian Gerrard. Fantastic for club, crap for country.

I thought that was Totti

 

[smokey]

I thought that was Totti

No way dude. Look at what is happenjing to them without Totti. The Italians without a recognized trequartista is like... well... unprecedented...

 

[stefan9]

I didn't want to mention Santon because he just started playing about a month ago... no need to rush things. Balotelli however, is just ripe for a little international lesson. Giovinco's performances speak for themselves and it's really a HUGE pity that he doesn't get more game time at Juve.

Some players you just know are good enough after watching them for the first time. Santon is one of these. I don't think you will find many 18 year olds play the way he did vs c.ronaldo. The composure he showed was fantastic. Also barring in mind he is actually playing out of position at Inter, the kid is actually a rb but because of maicon he plays as a lb.

 

[dbecks]

LMAO @ Balotelli not making the squad

 

[fishfly]

Ye Totti is the talisman of Roma yet he's ALWAYS failed to impress at international level - if I'm correct he playes the same role as Gerrard.

Toni is rather disappointing with his finishes... he does so well for club yet he fails to score for italy... time to make way for Guiesspi Rossi actually hope Balotelli would make it to the WC he's got talent

 

[stefan9]

Ye Totti is the talisman of Roma yet he's ALWAYS failed to impress at international level - if I'm correct he playes the same role as Gerrard.

Toni is rather disappointing with his finishes... he does so well for club yet he fails to score for italy... time to make way for Guiesspi Rossi actually hope Balotelli would make it to the WC he's got talent

No they don't. Gerrard is a total midfielder while totti is a playmaker/support striker. He has no defensive duties whatsoever.

 

[fishfly]

No they don't. Gerrard is a total midfielder while totti is a playmaker/support striker. He has no defensive duties whatsoever.

oh yes I forgot it's Andrea Pirlo

 

[Genius.]

Pirlo is hopeless these days. Surprised he is in the squad.

 

[fishfly]

I can't help to understand why Italians like to keep hold of their "older" players and not let any up and coming youngster join up with players skilled players as understudies

 

[smokey]

Because they're Italian. It's an arguement that goes in circles no matter how hard you try and explain it.

@stefan9 - You tell 'em mate. w00t!

 

[stefan9]

I can't help to understand why Italians like to keep hold of their "older" players and not let any up and coming youngster join up with players skilled players as understudies

Because its a cultural thing. Italians trusts experience over youth. Its very frustrating but its the way it is and it isn't going to change soon.

 

[fishfly]

Buffon -6.5: Despite being tested on rare occasions, Buffon proved why he is worth so much to La Nazionale's cause. He made a miracle save on Dalovic in the second half to keep his side ahead. The stop was worthy of three points as he got down low to stop the ball at point-blank range.

lol Miricle save

Chiellini -7.0: One of Italy's best players on the night. He was excellent at the back, despite playing with a broken nose which kept giving him problems. Nevertheless, he showed his fighting qualities as he fought off the Montenegrin challenge with sword and fist.