The Official Azzurri thread 2

[RomaShield27]

D’Agostino against Oriundi selections
www.footballitaliano.co.uk – Thursday 18 November 2010

Fiorentina midfielder Gaetano D’Agostino has spoken out about his dislike of players being selected for the Italian national team if they were born in another country. Speaking to the Corriere Dello Sport, the 28-year-old former Juventus player stated that: “it is true that now in the national team it is helping competition but I think that a player should represent the country where he is born”.

Cristian Ledesma is the latest player to be included in the Azzurri set up. The Lazio midfielder was born in Argentina to Italian parents, before the family moved back to the peninsula, thus making him eligible for national team selection. D’Agostino was hoping to get a call-up to coach Cesare Prandelli’s latest squad but lost out to Ledesma, who has been more influential for his club side in the first quarter of the new campaign.

[Carlo Romano]

Hmmnnn... D'Agostino might want to consider the old saying about horses and stables.

In this case we're talking about Ledesma but it could be anyone who is "first generation" Italian. Both the man's parents are Italian. He has therefore a legal and righteous claim to being called up by Prandelli. Even I as a romano must concede that point in fairness though it means giving a chance to a lazialo.

Then there is the case of someone being Italian born but living his life elsewhere. The example here is not ideal and to say I had no love for Giorgio Chinaglia as a lazialo is an understatement. Yet it doesn't alter the fact he was an Italian hero to many when wearing the Azzurri colours in the earlier 1970's. As happened with me, he was Italian born to Italian parents and brought by them to Britain (Wales in his case) when little more than a baby, where he grew up and started to play football. Whereas I chose to make my way in business in the UK, he returned to la patria to make his name in football. As it also transpired, he became a hero to American Italians. In 1976, Chinaglia left Lazio to sign with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League. With the Cosmos team that also featured Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer, he won four league titles, and retired in 1983 as the NASL's all-time leading scorer with 243 goals.

My point is there was resentment to him on his return to Italy because he had left and had come back to earn his fortune, thus possibly depriving someone else of the chance. Like he had no right to call himself Italian because his family had left. What nonsense! In Chinaglia's case he did more for Italy than many who have never left.

Objections can often arrive via a bad case of "sour grapes" and that's not a good enough reason in terms of common sense.

[Italiamia]

Le rivelazioni della Bbc gettano un'ulteriore ombra sulla Federazione internazionale che tra due giorni dovrà assegnare i Mondiali del 2018 e del 2022: tangenti e biglietti venduti in nero. Interviene il comitato olimpico, per Blatter "il caso è chiuso"


ZURIGO - E' bufera mediatica sulla Fifa: la Federcalcio internazionale, che tra due giorni dovrà assegnare l'organizzazione dei Mondiali del 2018 e del 2022, è ancora oggetto di forti sospetti. Nella giornata di ieri la Bbc, durante il programma "Panorama", ha stilato un elenco di personaggi che si sarebbero arricchiti grazie al massimo torneo continentale. Le rivelazioni della tv inglese fanno il paio con quelle del quotidiano svizzero Sonntags Zeitung, che nell'edizione domenicale aveva pubblicato una lista di dirigenti che avrebbero intascato "milioni di euro".

PRESIDENTI COINVOLTI - I nomi e cognomi fatti dalla Bbc sono pesantissimi: Nicolas Leoz (presidente del Conmebol), Issa Hayatou (presidente della Confederazione africana) e Ricardo Teixeira (presidente della Federcalcio brasiliana e del comitato organizzatore del Mondiale 2014) avrebbero intascato tangenti da un'impresa di marketing (Isl) nel 1990. Jack Warner, presidente della Concacaf, avrebbe venduto biglietti del torneo del 2010 al mercato nero.

IL CIO INDAGA - Il Comitato Olimpico Internazionale (Cio) ha comunicato, tramite una nota, la sua intenzione di indagare su questa serie di indiscrezioni. "Abbiamo preso nota delle denunce formulate dal programma Panorama della Bbc e chiederemo ai responsabili di consegnare le prove della corruzione alle autorità competenti. Il Cio adotta la tolleranza zero nei confronti di reati di questo tipo e si affida alla Commissione Etica per la valutazione del caso".

LA REAZIONE DELLA FIFA - Dai vertici della Federazione internazionale traspare tranquillità: "Le indagini sono definitivamente chiuse. I fatti relativi al caso Isl/Ismm sono riferiti al passato e sono stati oggetto di inchiesta da parte delle autorità svizzere. Nel verdetto del 26 giugno 2008 il tribunale penale di Zug non aveva condannato nessun dirigente. E' importante ribadire che nessuno è stato incriminato per alcun reato in questi procedimenti".
(30 novembre 2010)

http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/2 ... 80950/?rss

[juventino_italiano]

FIFA corrupt??? No Way!!!

[San Paolo]

don't know where to put this so its going here

Enzo Bearzot, coach of Italy's 1982 World Cup winning side has died aged 83. RIP, commissario tecnico.

[juventino_italiano]

Bearzot = legend!

[Messinterista]

Venue for Slovenia-Italy named

Italy’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia will be played at the Stozice Stadium on March 25.
The Slovenian FA have formally announced the venue for this Group C fixture.

It will be hosted by the city of Ljubljana and their Stozice Stadium on March 25.

As preparation for that clash, Italy will play a friendly against Germany in Dortmund on February 9.

The Azzurri are currently top of Group C with 10 points from four games, followed by Slovenia on seven.

Source: http://football-italia.net/jan27t.html

[Messinterista]

Buffon and Cassano back for Italy

Cesare Prandelli has revealed his plans to call up Gigi Buffon and Antonio Cassano for Italy's next friendly match.

The Azzurri are due to face off against Germany on February 9 and Prandelli is currently thinking over his squad.

Buffon has never once been available to Prandelli since he took charge of the World Cup on account of a seven-month injury lay off following major back surgery.

Cassano had become a central figure under Prandelli only to lose his place after Sampdoria froze the player out of their squad and tried to have his contract rescinded.

“Both Buffon and Cassano will be there against Germany,” Prandelli said.

“Buffon has recovered and is now fit. I have always considered him to be No 1 and anyway he has told me that he is available.

“As for Cassano, I have always told him that I would judge him on his performances on the pitch. It seems to me that he is doing very well and so, yes, he will be there too against Germany.

“Unfortunately Mario Balotelli is still doing rehab work and won't be ready.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/jan27m.html

[RomaShield27]

Italia are playing Germany? They're gonna get slaughtered. Good to have Cassano back in the fold anyway.

[Messinterista]

Yep, Germany don't stand a chance.

[Bagg10]

Sunday 6 February, 2011
Thiago Motta, Giovinco, Matri for Italy



Cesare Prandelli has named his squad for the Germany friendly, including newcomers Sebastian Giovinco, Alessandro Matri and Thiago Motta.
Italy travel to Dortmund for the international test on Wednesday and the Coach is taking the opportunity to perform a few experiments.

Thiago Motta becomes the latest of the ‘Oriundi’ – players of South American origin – to earn an Italy call in recent years.

However, FIFA have not yet given the all-clear for the cap this week and so Inter’s Brazilian midfielder must wait to see if he is eligible to play for the Azzurri.

Parma midfielder Giovinco gets the step up from the Under-21 side to play for the senior Italy squad.

Prandelli has not called Christian Maggio or Antonio Nocerino before, so they are new additions in his tenure.

Gigi Buffon returns for the first time since the 2010 World Cup in June, having recovered from his back surgery.

Another Juventus player gets a debut nod, as Matri impressed for both Cagliari and his new club, scoring a brace on Saturday evening.

Antonio Cassano also returns following his move to Milan, as he had been frozen out at Sampdoria due to a contract dispute for two months.

Mario Balotelli does not make his comeback, as he is still not 100 per cent fit, so will be left to work with Manchester City.

The squad will get together at the Coverciano training ground on Monday morning and kick-off is at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund at 19.45 UK time on Wednesday.

Italy’s next official game is the Euro 2012 qualifier in Slovenia on March 25.

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Sirigu (Palermo), Viviano (Bologna)

Defenders: Astori (Cagliari), Bonucci (Juventus), Cassani (Palermo), Criscito (Genoa), Chiellini (Juventus), Maggio (Napoli), Ranocchia (Inter)

Midfielders: Aquilani (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Giovinco (Parma), Mauri (Lazio), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Inter), Nocerino (Palermo), Palombo (Sampdoria)

Forwards: Borriello (Roma), Cassano (Milan), Matri (Juventus), Pazzini (Inter), Rossi (Villarreal)

http://www.football-italia.net/feb06q.html

[Bagg10]

Marchisio?
Nice to see Giovinco get his first call up though.

[Messinterista]

Thiago Motta the latest ‘Oriundi’... Would anyone here welcome Zarate into the national team?

[RomaShield27]

I've no problem with Oriundi getting a call, but I'm not sure if Thiago Motta or Zarate have the quality to really make a difference. Zarate, maybe, but I'll say he'll hold out for Argentina. Italy do need to explore all options, though.

Marchisio has been left out? And where is Gilardino? Good to see Giovinco there alright.

[Bagg10]

-----------------------Buffon

Cassani--------Bonucci-----Chiellini----Criscito

------------De Rossi-----------Aquilani

Cassano------------Giovinco--------------G.Rossi

----------------------Pazzini

I doubt Prandelli will start with this, but I'd love to see Cassano, Giovinco and Rossi on at the same time at some point in the game.

[RomaShield27]

Bit ambitious there Bagg, but it would be nice alright. Did you hear that Spurs offered €30m to Villarreal for Giuseppe Rossi in the January mercato? For whatever reason it was rejected, but quite an extraordinary high bid for him, I thought.


------------------------


– Monday 7 February, 2011

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has explained his thinking behind calling up new boys Thiago Motta, Alessandro Matri and Sebastian Giovinco. All three players received their first Azzurri call-ups on Sunday ahead of Wednesday’s international friendly against Germany.

Inter star Motta, the latest Oriundo, was expected to be included even though Italy had to get clearance from FIFA given that he had appeared for a Brazilian Under-23 side in his career.

“We were following Motta even when Andrea Pirlo was available, he is not a replacement,” the Coach noted. “We want a technical midfield, with plenty of quality and he fits the bill. He can play both as a playmaker and as a central midfielder.”

Juventus striker Matri was also included for the first time less than seven days after completing a loan move to the Turin giants. “We were watching him even before he arrived at Juventus,” Prandelli insisted. “He’s a finisher, but can play out wide too.”

Perhaps the most surprising of the newcomers was Parma starlet Giovinco, who has taken his time to settle at the Tardini since joining on loan from Juve last summer.

“Just like Stefano Mauri, Alessandro Diamanti and Andrea Cossu, Giovinco is part of our plans as we are considering players who can play in between the lines and not on the wing.

“Despite his small stature he can sometimes be a giant on the pitch. There aren’t many wingers right now. At the start we tried to focus on playing on the flanks, but for the moment I have to give up on the possibility of a winger and focus on building a very technical midfield.”

Prandelli was also asked for his thoughts on this week’s friendly opponents. “It is always a fascinating game,” he stated. “I would like there to be a friendly against such opposition every year. Of course at the moment we have a lot of players unavailable due to injury.

“Memories? The game of the century for me was in 1970 against the Germans in Mexico [Italy won 4-3]. I was woken up in the middle of the night to watch it. “In the 1982 World Cup Final there were many of my friends playing and the semi-final in 2006 really involved everyone – Marcello Lippi’s Italian team played some fantastic football.”

[Messinterista]

2 reasons why I'd like to see Zarate. 1 he is an exciting young talent and is one for the future. 2 we rob Argentina of a potential starter.
I'm glad to see that the yellow submarine rejected the deal for Rossi. He clearly is scoring and having fun in Spain, keeping his confidence up. We don't want him to go to the depressing epl and not start every match.

[juventino_italiano]

Apparently the defensive lineup for Italy will be:
Cassani - Bonucci - Rannochia - Chiellini

I like this because Bonucci and Rannochia play well off each other, and Chiellini is more effective at LB

[Messinterista]

Prandelli reunites Cassano-Pazzini

Cesare Prandelli announced the Italy line-up against Germany, including Thiago Motta, Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassano.

The Azzurri travel to Dortmund for Wednesday evening’s international friendly and already know their initial XI.

“Gigi Buffon plays in goal, with Mattia Cassani, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Ranocchia and Giorgio Chiellini in defence,” explained the Coach during his Press conference.

“Riccardo Montolivo, Thiago Motta and Daniele De Rossi in midfield, then Stefano Mauri, Cassano and Pazzini in attack.”

There are numerous intriguing aspects to this line-up, starting from the international debut of Brazil-born Inter midfielder Thiago Motta.

Having switched to left-back for Juventus recently, Chiellini does so again for the Azzurri, while former Sampdoria teammates Cassano and Pazzini are reunited.

Both left Marassi in January to join Milan and Inter respectively, though they haven't played together since Cassano's contract dispute in October.

“There is no doubting this will be an important match against Germany for many reasons,” continued Prandelli.

“It’s true there are some who’ll start their seventh game in 20 days, which is why I am focusing on how long they’ll be on the field.

“However, I also want to view certain aspects of the squad carefully. We do have an official match in six weeks. We’re not here to listen to the critics, but to continue along our path and that is all.”

The tactician tried to pair up players who are already familiar with each other, such as Cassano and Pazzini in attack, ex-Bari teammates Ranocchia and Bonucci in defence.

“These are players who already have a long period of working together under their belts, so considering how little time we have to train for Italy, it makes sense to use that experience.

“I do not expect us to crumble. I think it will be a difficult game, the kind that makes you grow up. I want a courageous and commanding Italy side capable of giving our fans something to enjoy in Dortmund.”

The introduction of Stefano Mauri as an effective trequartista is a change of tactics for Prandelli, who had favoured the 4-3-3.

“In order to have Giuseppe Rossi in a trident with Pazzini and Cassano, we need the right fitness levels to do it. Over time this side will manage to handle three strikers or an attacking figure plus two centre-forwards, but only after a while of working on it.”

Italy: Buffon; Cassani, Bonucci, Ranocchia, Chiellini; Montolivo, Thiago Motta, De Rossi; Mauri; Cassano, Pazzini

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/feb08n.html

[RomaShield27]

Germany vs Italy Preview – Prandelli set to tinker with tactics
www.footballitaliano.co.uk – By Andrea Tallarita – Wednesday 09 February 2011

There is very much at stake in tonight's friendly for Azzurri Coach Cesare Prandelli. Though friendlies are meant to be of no material consequence, when the opponent is a team the calibre of Germany, the psychological rewards are considerable – especially if new tactics are involved. Considering how sparse the occasions for Prandelli's get-togethers are, it would go a long away towards coalescing this team's sense of unity and confidence if they were to defeat the Germans in Dortmund.

It showed with Lippi's pre-2006 side, which defeated Germany and the Netherlands before embarking for the World Cup, and it will show now. Prandelli knows this but he also knows that with no tactical experimentation, the victory – and game in general – would be as good as useless because it would reveal nothing about the potential of the team. So he must win but do so while shifting formations and trying new men. A double challenge.

It may be the ex-Viola's understanding of how salutary a victory would be which leads him to a comparatively prudent approach to the game. But is this really for the best? Prandelli has been so kind as to anticipate his formation, a 4-3-1-2, so let us consider it now:



The focus has shifted away from play on the wings towards a structure which channels movement through the centre. The deployment is surprisingly defensive. All three midfielders are skilled at containment, while Giorgio Chiellini, commonly a central defender, is placed in guard of the left.

As importantly, Stefano Mauri is employed as trequartista, with Antonio Cassano pushed up as seconda punta. The Lazio midfielder is a versatile player but far from the most talented in that position. Cassano himself would be the more obvious candidate, or one of Sebastian Giovinco and Alberto Aquilani. The agenda seems to be that of locking down the centre of the pitch by using a trequartista who is also skilled at tracking adversaries with the ball.

Prandelli's defensive concerns are understandable. The Germans boast a brilliant midfield, one of the fastest and most technical in Europe, yet the Azzurri Coach may have over-shot his mark with this formation. Considering Cassano is more of a creator than a goalscorer himself, it follows that he needs men making runs around him and supporting him if he is to be effective. Other than Giampaolo Pazzini, there seems to be no-one for the task.

A 4-3-1-2 traditionally relies on the trequartista to offer creative vision to the strikers. Lacking a skilled individual in this position, it is left to the full-backs to come forward and provide impetus and numerical support in attack. In the case of Prandelli, neither the trequartista nor the full-backs appear particularly suited to the task of supporting the strikers. If one of the three holding midfielders were swapped for Aquilani, or even Antonio Nocerino, there may be a greater forward slant. As it is, the likelihood is that of seeing Pazzini too isolated to pose a threat, with Cassano finding no-one on the receiving end of his assists.

The match promises to be exciting, but supporters should be cautious as the two line-ups suggest the first half could well be in the hands of the Germans. Italy may succeed in breaking some of Mesut Ozil's and Sami Khedira's most silken passes, but once in possession, little indicates that they will know how to execute. We may have to wait until the inevitable turn-over of the second half to find out. And what happens from that point onwards is really impossible to predict.