The Official Azzurri thread 2

[RomaShield27]

Id prefer Ogbonna over Astori any day.

Also where is Totti, he's 147 times better than Giovinco.

[DCGweez]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pit ... 02800.html

[DCGweez]

WE'VE TIED HAITI!!!! WE'VE TIED HAITI!!!!

Italy will win the world cup!!!

[p_maldini_3]

the stars are aligning.

[p_maldini_3]

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcuni ... 06?cc=5901

[RomaShield27]

Good performance the other night from Italia over Mexico. I wasn't sure what to expect with Prandelli's revamped 4-3-2-1 formation, it looked very defensive with Giaccerini the only other forward player to help out Balotelli. But it worked well and Italy moved the ball very well with lots of support coming from the midfield players. It may not work as well against a better and more organised side, Mexico were very poor, and some better quality players will be needed to help out Balotelli.

Balotelli had a great game, in fact one of the best i've probably ever seen him play. He held the ball up well, linked up nicely with his support runners, worked hard and tracked back, looked dangerous in and around the box, and took his goal very well. He did revert to his old self a little in the second half and starting throwing strops, but in fairness, he was getting butchered by the Mexican centre-halfs whom the ref was slow to book.

[Bagg10]

Monday June 24 2013

Italy to use 3-5-2 v Spain?
By Football Italia staff

The Gazzetta dello Sport claims Italy boss Cesare Prandelli is thinking of using a 3-5-2 against Spain this week.

The two sides will face each other in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup on Thursday evening and the tactician has some selection problems.

Prandelli has used a 4-3-2-1 system in the tournament so far with Mario Balotelli being fielded as a lone striker.

However, the injured Milan man has been ruled out of the clash and the CT is also concerned with the eight goals the Azzurri have conceded in their three games so far.

Prandelli is thus pondering the use of Juventus’ three-man defence in a ploy he selected against the Spanish in their Euro 2012 group game. That match ended 1-1.

Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini could start in the middle of the rearguard, with Napoli’s Christian Maggio and Emanuele Giaccherini of Juve asked to play as wing-backs.

Bologna’s Alberto Gilardino is being tipped to replace Super Mario in attack.

http://www.football-italia.net/35674/it ... -2-v-spain

[juventino_italiano]

Given the gaps left by the italian midfield and defense all i can say is unfortunately Spain will tear italy a new one....

[RomaShield27]

http://www.football-italia.net/35757/ar ... fiorentina

Italy’s defensive issues at the Confederations Cup have rekindled memories of Cesare Prandelli’s Fiorentina side for Giancarlo Rinaldi…

For Italian fans, it has been a pretty traumatic experience. Eight goalsconceded in just three matches is not what followers of the Azzurri are used to. But, for tifosi of the club side where Cesare Prandelli clinched his promotion to La Nazionale, it will have had a pretty familiar ring.

Back then it was usually all about the "chains" - le catene - the overlapping work of full-backs and midfielders on the flanks in his 4-2-3-1 formation. Sometimes the left-side worked, on other occasions it was the right. And, when they both functioned simultaneously, the Viola were a glorious sight to behold. But it could be a little bit scary when it went wrong.

In truth, other than his final season in charge at the Artemio Franchi, Prandelli generally produced sides which were pretty solid at the back. In his first term in charge their defensive ranking – 4th – matched their attack. In all four campaigns after that, the backline performed better in Serie A terms than their goalscoring counterparts. Over five years in the top Division, they conceded about a goal a game.

It was once he got to elite competition, however, that the more madcap displays akin to Italy at the Confederations Cup this year started to emerge. The Viola's Champions League efforts in 2009-10 were always gripping but often induced heart-failure in their followers. It sometimes felt like they were determined to stand toe-to-toe with an opponent, trying to score one more goal to clinch victory.

In 10 outings, they managed just two clean sheets – in home games to Liverfekkin'wankscum and Lyon. In half of their matches they conceded at least two goals. It was a rollercoaster of emotions similar to those which the Azzurri have conjured up of late.

They qualified for the group stages of the Champions League on away goals after two scoring draws with Sporting Lisbon. Their clashes with Debrecen of Hungary produced a total of 14 goals – six of them finding their way past Sebastien Frey and the ever-bungling Vlada Avramov in the Florentine goal. Elimination, when it came, was via away goals after a controversial 4-4 aggregate draw with Bayern Munich. If you wanted a Twitter hashtag to their campaign it might well have been #breathless.

Now Italy supporters are getting treated to more of the same. In his effort to put the emphasis on attack and get his team to take the game to opponents, some big gaps have emerged at the back. For veteran Azzurri watchers it is something of a shock, but to Viola followers it is bringing back a lot of memories.

And, as coincidence has it, it looks like Prandelli might have to turn to his talisman from his time in Florence if he hopes to make it any further in Brazil. With Mario Balotelli out through injury, Alberto Gilardino would be his natural replacement. And, as Riccardo Montolivo is also likely to feature, fans could be forgiven for double checking if the normal blue of their country has taken on a slightly purple tinge.

[p_maldini_3]

prandelli's swashbuckling style can get nauseating at times, and i think this article nails it on the head.

[Messinterista]

Let's hope we don't concede another 3 or 4 goals.

[maro]

I wonder what Prandelli was thinking of his precious (and wonderfully permeable) codice etico when he brought Giovinco on for Gilardino to lead the line.

[RomaShield27]

http://www.football-italia.net/35837/pr ... feat-italy / Friday June 28 2013

Italy’s Confederations Cup bid ended on penalties against Spain following an epic contest, but Luca Cetta praises the defeated Azzurri for their best showing in Brazil.

Given their most recent meeting and the group stage results, this was supposed to be a one-sided affair. An easy Spanish passage to the Confederations Cup Final. The Brazil-Spain Final script had already been written, except Italy were not handed the memo. They were determined this match would be nothing like their last encounter.

Sad news came through less than two hours before kick-off that ex-Fiorentina, Milan and Italy striker Stefano Borgonovo lost his battle with ALS, aged 49. Then, for 120 minutes at the Estádio Castelão in Fortaleza against the World and European Champions, the Azzurri gave their best performance of the tournament.

It was a showing of grit, style and tactical nous – a truly worthy display. Only the old bête noire of penalties denied a place in the Final following an absorbing 0-0 draw, Leonardo Bonucci the player to falter from the spot as it ended 7-6. Deadlocked through normal and extra time in the sapping heat, both sides were collected and clinical from 12 yards.

This was a different Azzurri than seen previously in Brazil. They’ve been involved in two goalfests – games riddled with errors – but here looked polished. The defence, criticised for conceding eight goals in three matches, proved solid and assuring. Italy reduced Spain to few clear-cut chances, even if they retained the majority of possession. A big part of the reason was the change in system.

Think back to a year ago. Italy surprised by playing a 3-5-2 in the opening match of Euro 2012. They earned a 1-1 draw in Gdansk and pushed Spain all the way. Vicente Del Bosque admitted on Wednesday his side were second best then. When they met in the Final in Kiev, Cesare Prandelli reverted to his favoured four man defence and trequartista. Italy did not look the same side as they fell to defeat.

What the Fortaleza match has shown is that a three-man defence, popular in Serie A, could well be the way forward for this Italian side. Given the team is littered with Juventus players – seven of the Fortaleza starting XI don the Bianconeri shirt – it makes sense. It can also get the best out of others. The formation was slightly altered here to more of a 3-4-2-1 and sometimes saw both attacking midfielders drop deeper, but fundamentals of the system were evident.

The non-Juventini also looked at home on Thursday. Daniele De Rossi, like a year ago, found himself utilised as an emergency central defender when Andrea Barzagli went off at the interval. In both that role and his more traditional midfield position, the Roma man shone. Christian Maggio was another to benefit. He is an example of a player lost in the back four, but excellent in his natural role. The Napoli player – along with the equally impressive Antonio Candreva – had free rein of the right flank in the first half. This forced Del Bosque to change. Candreva was a tireless worker off the ball and an outlet in possession.

Meanwhile, Alberto Gilardino had the difficult task of replacing Mario Balotelli and while not testing Iker Casillas as much as he would’ve liked, he put in an honest and busy shift. Special mention to one of the Bianconeri, with Emanuele Giaccherini continuing his impressive tournament. Fielded here as a wing-back, his battery never died and he caused continual concern for the Spanish.

It’s hard to find fault with any of the players, but perhaps the substitutes did not influence as needed. Sebastian Giovinco and Alberto Aquilani failed to get into the game. In saying that, even when Riccardo Montolivo moved into De Rossi’s position alongside Andrea Pirlo the intensity did not let up. Nor did Italy hand Spain the initiative for prolonged periods. Spain were left chasing the ball. Spain were the ones shutting down space with 11 men behind the ball. How many times has that occurred in the past five years?

The only negative was Italy’s inability to finish chances. They did enough to win in 90 minutes. Claudio Marchisio saw a diving header flash wide, while the marauding Maggio was twice foiled by Casillas. Giaccherini thumped the post and then as Spain took extra-time ascendency, Xavi did the same.

In a side shorn of Balotelli, the options looked limited in attack. This is an issue to mull over in the next 12 months but if a 3-5-2 is the way forward, the Milan man needs a regular partner. Preferably somebody to link him and the midfield. Could it be Antonio Cassano? Perhaps Lorenzo Insigne? The options are there.

Prandelli must settle on a formation. He was reluctant to go to a back three until this match, but a porous Azzurri looked shaky in the group stage with a four-man defence. Compare that to the performance on Thursday. The case sample for a trio is small – it has worked with Spain, but less effective versus Croatia and Bulgaria – yet should seriously be considered given the players available. It may add an extra defender, but doesn’t mean Italy cannot control possession or create chances. This match showed that.

Italy have one match left, the third-fourth playoff against Uruguay on Sunday. Given the weary bodies and quick turnaround it’s likely there will be changes aplenty. The Azzurri will aim to leave Brazil on a winning note but while it may not have felt like it when Jesus Navas converted, they’ve already reached their high point. The semi-final proved Italy can be considered contenders come next June.

[Bagg10]

A very successful tournament imo. Not so much because of the result, because I think we could have (and probably should have) been in the final. I think it was successful because of what we found out about this team and our coach. Prandelli proved himself a world-class coach. The tactical switched he made before during and after games were spot on. From playing a 4-3-2-1 against Mexico in order to exploit the middle, to not being afraid to taking off an ineffective Aquilani early in the Japan game, and switching to a 3-4-2-1 against Spain. I also think the scoreline against Brazil was a bit unfair. One of their goals was offside, and Neymar dived to win his freekick, even though Buffon's positioning was way off. We were also missing Pirlo and DDR.

Another positive/negative thing (depending on how you want to look at it), we didn't have deep forward line to choose from, yet we still managed to scored plenty of goals. Only a year has passed since Euro 2012, and Prandelli has managed to cut Cassano and Di Natale while maintaining an effective attack. I think it'll be interesting to see if some of the U21 players like Insigne, Destro, Gabbiadini, Immobile, and Borini, can make their way into this team (Verratti too, but he's a midfielder).

I thought Giaccherini had an excellent tournament. He was finally able to show why Conte and Prandelli put so much faith in him, by repaying them (both in serie a this season and Confed. Cup). Although I have to say, I'm still disappointed he didn't offer to take an earlier penalty in the Spain game...

If this tournament was any indication of the development of this team leading up to the WC, then i guess as fans we have a lot to look forward to.

[tonykart]

The 3-man backline is the way to go for us. It suits our center backs and allows our midfielders to play their game as well. The only problem is the lack of a consistent striker. I really have no idea why we don't run Cassano-Pazzini when Balotelli isn't available. Guys like Giovinco and Diamanti need a bit more NT pitch time as well. Insigne is good, but isn't ready yet. WHen the lights are on, I question his ability to perform.


-------------------------- BUFFON

------------ BARZAGLI - BONUCCI - CHIELLINI

MAGGIO - DE ROSSI - PIRLO - MARCHISIO - GIACCHERINI

---------------- BALOTELLI ------ CASSANO

[p_maldini_3]

i think the 3-4-3 worked well against spain because they don't use the natural width of the pitch to attack. once they brought a winger on, navas, they started creating some pressure.

the point being that if the 3 man defense is used against a team that relies heavily on the flanks to attack, a 3-5-2/3-4-3 can quickly be torn to shreds. just look what happened to juve against bayern. even though they had a superior team, they completely dominated the battles on the sides.

[tonykart]

I don't love your example, but I get your point. It's true the formation has its weaknesses, but it is a formation we should be using 100% of the time against Spain. I also think it fits our center backs more because none of them have the situational awareness to hold a proper 4 man backline. I don't trust a single one of them.

Long gone are the days of legends. Sad but true. Just a bunch of pimply metrosexuals prancing around the pitch. I do love Pepe's butterfly tattoos... he is so hardcore!

But, back on topic... who are your center backs in a 4 man backline? I wouldn't dare put Bonucci there and I have my concerns with Chiellini as well. Ranocchia isn't getting consistent playing time, Acerbi has one season to turn potential into substance and even then he still hasn't played matches with high stakes, and Astori isn't ready. Barzagli/Chiellini|?

That scares me.

[Messinterista]

Its ok guys, Cassano has left Inter. He will be instantly recalled to the national team.

[Italiamia]

http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/s ... ef=HRERO-1

[p_maldini_3]

you're right in describing the mediocrity of the central defenders that prandelli has at his disposal. can't argue against it.

barzagli and chiellini are probably the best bet, even though neither are natural athletes. i've got high hopes for astori and ogbonna, rumors say that astori might move to milan (where he'll get CL experience) and ogbonna is more or less set for juve. but depending on how conte sets juve next season, ogbonna might end up playing/developing in a 3 man defense as well.

i don't think that ranocchia should ever be called to the NT again, he's horrible. acerbi is too raw and inexperienced, and i'm a bit surprised that you consider him a candidate for the NT. ultimately, italy has a darth of talent in the CB position, and i haven't seen any up and comers that give me hope for the future either.