The Official Azzurri thread 2

[red]

Why wouldn't he call up a heap of midfielders if he's going to play 4-3-1-2 like he has in recent games?

[Bagg10]

Because it leaves you with no options when it comes to a change of tactics, if the game calls for it. I'm not huge fan of Mauri, but he's one of the few left-sided midfielders we have in Italy, D'Agostino is the only other player that comes to mind. He can also play a few different positions. When it come to bench players, I think a coach should have players that offer different options just in case he needs it. This is one of the reasons Perrotta was consistently called up for the Azzurri from 04-08.

[RomaShield27]

D'Agostino is primarily a central-midfielder these days, a regista if you will. I agree though that calling up a few more natural wide players like Mauri or Lazzari or Quagliarella (if fit) would have been useful. Matri also probably deserves a shot.

I would have also dropped Criscito for going to Russia.

Here's the Spanish squad called up. They've included Thiago Alcantara of Barca, who was born in Italy:

[p_maldini_3]

balotelli can provide width on either side if needed.

[Bagg10]

[aldair6]

Italy’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Northern Ireland will be hosted by Pescara

[Bagg10]

Tuesday 9 August, 2011
Prandelli: 'How Italy will face Spain'



Cesare Prandelli has confirmed Italy will face Spain tomorrow with Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi “to not give them reference points.”
The 2006 World Cup winners welcome the 2010 champions to the Stadio San Nicola in Bari on Wednesday night.

“I’m taking this approach to ensure we don’t give Spain reference points,” said the Coach of his Cassano-Rossi partnership.

“A centre-forward would’ve had more trouble, because we don’t have the wingers right now.

“Besides, Antonio is well aware this is an important game for him. At this moment he needs a great performance in front of his fans and in his home town.

“My line-up comes from good sense and logic. For the rest, I have a midfield of great quality and am focusing on that, even if it is also Spain’s greatest strength.”

It’s believed the midfield will have Andrea Pirlo, Thiago Motta and Daniele De Rossi plus either Alberto Aquilani or Riccardo Montolivo.

Cassano is struggling to get any playing time at Milan and could move on this summer, but will start against Spain. On the other hand, Manchester City hitman Mario Balotelli is benched.

“I saw him very motivated and relaxed, so he trained with intensity,” continued Prandelli.

“Mario has to make people talk about his performances and what he does on the field rather than other issues. Am I sick of him? How could I be, he’s only been here a couple of days!”

Spain are on stunning form and are the reigning world and European champions, so Italy face an extremely tough friendly test.

“There is always the risk of a hammering when you play against Spain, but during the match we must make our possession and quality count.”

Italy (probable): Buffon; Maggio, Ranocchia, Bonucci, Criscito; Pirlo, Thiago Motta, De Rossi, Montolivo; Cassano, Rossi

Squad numbers: 1 Buffon, 2 Ogbonna, 3 Chiellini, 4 Criscito, 5 De Rossi, 6 Thiago Motta, 7 Pazzini, 8 Marchisio, 9 Balotelli, 10 Cassano, 11 Maggio, 12 Sirigu, 13 De Sanctis, 14 Aquilani, 15 Ranocchia, 16 Cassani, 17 Palombo, 18 Montolivo, 19 Bonucci, 20 Giovinco, 21 Pirlo, 22 Rossi, 23 Nocerino, 24 Balzaretti

http://www.football-italia.net/aug9y.html

[RomaShield27]

James Horncastle's preview:

http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/eurovision ... spain.aspx

[Messinterista]

We are back up there bitches!

[RomaShield27]

Great result for Italia! Who said international friendlies were meaningless? This will do wonders for their confidence.

Highlights:



Full-Match Download HTTP:
First-half: http://www.filesonic.com/file/1643559124
Second-half: http://www.filesonic.com/file/1643600154

(Italy vs. Spain [1200 kbps], 8-10-2011, courtesy of Al Jazeera Sport +3; Language: English)

[Bagg10]

Great result, but after our initial instinct to celebrate a win against the current world champs, we have to look at this result objectively. Prandelli played a practically full strength Azzurri squad against a somewhat depleted Spanish squad, without the likes of Ramos, Puyol, Xavi and Torres (for most of the game). And despite the fact that we played some very nice football in the first half, I still don't think we showed enough to be considered contenders for Euro. We got a long way to go, but we've definitely come a long way since our 2010 wc performance.

[maro]

Did Spain play like that for the whole game or was it just for the goals that they decided they couldn't really be bothered marking?

[Lombardiamia]

This result IMO is practically meaningless since if played in a real competition, Spain would have been much tougher to beat. But I do agree it gets in a good injection of positiveness. I doubt anyone is really expecting us to be winning material for the Euros, but I like to think that we would not be a laughing stock like Lippi's squad of last year.

[juventino_italiano]

What I take from this game is the Italy is improving which is good.
And Lomba, you're right in saying, it gives a boost of confidence.

But that's it....like most friendlies its nothing more than for the coaches to try out players and tactics

[Bagg10]

[maro]

I was thinking of the way the runs of both Montolivo and De Rossi were left untracked in that move, however nice the pass itself may have been.

[Bagg10]

Well like I said, they were missing Puyol and Ramos on their right side. It was obvious that the game meant more to us than it did to them.

[Messinterista]

I think we are Euro contenders...

[p_maldini_3]

with the worst italian centerbacks in a very long time, this team won't get past the quarters.

[juventino_italiano]