The Official Azzurri thread

[juventino_italiano]

[p_maldini_3]

[Carlo Romano]

It's not just forum talk, not taking Rossi to SA would be an act of absolute madness! Taking Quagliarella would be an even bigger mistake!

Before every World Cup we read of players criticising the new tournament ball but apparently this time there really is cause for concern...


I had to smile today when watching Sky Italia's street interviews in South Africa as to the winner of the World Cup. The words "if" and "only" come to mind on the part where the camera crew and interviewer are seen consulting the local witch doctor who smilingly assured them Italy will win!

[p_maldini_3]

one thing we never talk about is italy's defensive organization. that is still solid as hell. lets hope it continues.

[Lombardiamia]

Italia: Ufficiale, Cesare Prandelli nuovo ct


Cesare Prandelli sarà il commissario tecnico della Nazionale dopo il Mondiale in Sudafrica. L'ormai ex allenatore della Fiorentina ha incontrato questa mattina il presidente della federcalcio Giancarlo Abete, con il quale ha raggiunto l'accordo per guidare la squadra azzurra dal prossimo mese di luglio fino ai Mondiali del 2014, che si svolgeranno in Brasile.
Restano da definire dettagli e staff del nuovo commissario tecnico.

[juventino_italiano]

Apparently gazzetta has stated that, so far in practice and friendlies, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Rossi, and Di Natale have been extremely impressive.
Bonucci and Maggio have been solid.
Pepe has not been too bad.
Quagliarella and Borriello have been very disappointing and seem, based of their performances, the most likely for the cut

[p_maldini_3]

Marchisio set to be Italy’s playmaker

1 hour, 42 minutes ago

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SESTRIERE, Italy (AP)—Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio is set to be the playmaker in Italy’s World Cup team.

“I really like him in that position because of all the midfielders he’s the one who moves the most without the ball,â€

[p_maldini_3]

World Cup 2010: Italy Hitman Marco Borriello Favourite To Face Selection Axe

As Italy coach Marcello Lippi prepares to whittle down his 28 man squad to 23 by Tuesday, it appears that Marco Borriello could be last on the list of personnel who are set to be axed from the first choice squad.

According to reports on Eurosport, the World Cup winning coach is also likely to include Salvatore Sirigu, Salvatore Bocchetti, Andrea Cossu and Fabio Quagliarella in the final exclusion list.

Given the positive condition of Giuseppe Rossi and Giampaolo Pazzini during the recent week, it is believed that Quagliarella and Borriello have now dropped down the pecking order ahead of the final squad announcement.
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i havent seen much of pazzini, and i know borriello is a very mediocre player.

[juventino_italiano]

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

Sirigu, Cossu, Cassani, Borriello and Rossi all cut.

http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/?action=read&id=210475

(EDIT: Not official yet, but likely to happen)

[p_maldini_3]

camoranesi just got injured.

[Bagg10]

ITALY: QUAGLIA MAKES THE CUT
Tuesday 1 June, 2010
Marcello Lippi’s final World Cup squad includes Fabio Quagliarella and Salvatore Bocchetti, but Marco Borriello and Giuseppe Rossi stay behind.

It is deadline day for the Coaches to hand in their 23-man lists for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Lippi has been training with 28 players in Sestriere this week, but had to cut five before travelling to the tournament itself.

Quagliarella was initially expected to be left out, but the Napoli forward’s versatility earned him a place at the World Cup, as he can play both as centre-forward and in a wider role.

The same is true of Genoa defender Bocchetti, who has been used as a centre-back or a left-back.

Poor recent form saw Milan striker Borriello, Villarreal star Rossi, Palermo full-back Mattia Cassani, Cagliari trequartista Andrea Cossu and Palermo goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu cut from the final 23.

Italy squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari)

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Cristian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan)

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (Milan)

Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli)

Lippi also confirmed the squad numbers for the tournament.
1 - Gianluigi Buffon
2 - Christian Maggio
3 - Domenico Criscito
4 - Giorgio Chiellini
5 - Fabio Cannavaro
6 - Daniele De Rossi
7 - Simone Pepe
8 - Gennaro Gattuso
9 - Vincenzo Iaquinta
10 - Antonio Di Natale
11 - Alberto Gilardino
12 - Federico Marchetti
13 - Salvatore Bocchetti
14 - Morgan De Sanctis
15 - Claudio Marchisio
16 - Mauro German Camoranesi
17 - Angelo Palombo
18 - Fabio Quagliarella
19 - Gianluca Zambrotta
20 - Giampaolo Pazzini
21 - Andrea Pirlo
22 - Riccardo Montolivo
23 - Leonardo Bonucci

[red]

That squad list is wrong.

[Messinterista]

THAT FKN ASS!!! LIPPI YOU FCK, JUST RUINED ANY SLIM CHANCE WE HAD TO WIN THIS CUP.

[Zoff82]

No formations?? Everyone is saying Marchisio will play behind the strikers in a 4-3-1-2 but I think Pirlo will be in that spot. Criscitio at LB although I would rather have Maggio at the RB position over Zambro. Camoranesi will be lucky to even feature in this tournament. You can't even breathe on the guy. Queue Juve to sell/use him as a chip in a deal.

This team doesn't seem that old. I wonder what the average age will be in comparison to the 2006 team?? I bet you it differs by 2 years.

[Lombardiamia]

---------------------Sirigu-----------------------

-Cassetti-----Materazzi---Ranocchia---Antonini--
-(Cassani)----------------(Legrottaglie)
------------Ambrosini--T.Motta-------------------
------------(Brighi)
-G.Rossi-----------Perotta----------Cassano-----
---------------------------------------(Miccoli)
-----------------Balotelli--------------------------
-----------------(Boriello)

I bet this team of left-overs could beat the current Italy squad on any given day.

[RomaShield27]

[Messinterista]

[Lombardiamia]

Motta has dual citizenship since he was born, considering his grandparents are both Italian. Sure I dont like having the Oriundi on the NT, but if Lippi choses Camoranesi (who has absolutely 0 Italian blood), then why not someone who has at least Italian descendancy in him?