The Official Azzurrini Thread - Italys future stars!

[tonykart]

[RomaShield27]

Italian tradition in safe hands
– Thursday 24 September 2009

For as long as anyone can remember, Italy has been synonymous with great goalkeepers. The likes of Giampiero Combi, Aldo Olivieri, Walter Zenga, Dino Zoff and Gianluigi Buffon have made a deep impression on the world game down the years, playing leading roles in the Azzurri's consistent record of success. At the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009, the latest product off a conveyor belt of goalkeeping talent is set to follow in the footsteps of his legendary predecessors.

On Friday, Vincenzo Fiorillo leads his team against Paraguay in their opening Group A fixture at Cairo International Stadium. The 19-year-old keeper will captain his side in the duel between the continental championship runners-up from Europe and South America, hoping to provide a flawless last line of defence as the Azzurrini go in search of a successful start to the tournament. However, Fiorillo is acutely aware of the huge task facing his team.

"It'll be an extremely difficult game for us," the keeper predicted in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com. "They're a very strong team, who play good and cultured football. They also have plenty of international experience, as they've already competed in all the major tournaments around the world. The fact they eliminated Argentina in qualifying tells you all you need to know."

However, the Italians will hardly be a pushover either. They marched to the final of the UEFA U-19 European championship, underlining the well of potential in the current squad. Potential is certainly an attribute possessed by Fiorillo, a Sampdoria youth product who made his way up through the junior ranks at the Genoa outfit before celebrating his Serie A debut in April 2008. He made two further appearances in the Italian top flight last term.

Fiorillo's career has hardly encountered a hitch up to now in fact, but can the young man and his Italy team-mates hit the headlines on the world stage? "It's hard to say how far we can go at this U-20 World Cup," the 1.90 metre shot-stopper mused. "We're a good group and we've worked hard to be at this tournament. We're not afraid of anyone, so we'll just go out there and do the best we can."

Their rivals would do well not to underestimate Fiorillo and his team-mates, as they have arrived in Egypt brimming with intent and motivation. "A number of our players are at relatively small clubs. This World Cup could be the chance to put ourselves in the shop window. It's another reason for wanting to do well at the tournament," said the Azzurrini No1, who believes the team's main asset is unity.

"Our team spirit is our greatest strength," he said. "A number of new, young players have joined us in recent weeks, but the core of the squad has been the same for three years now. We know each other very well, we've contested a number of tournaments, and been through a number of training camps together. Midfield is probably the best area of the team, because we have a real strength in depth there."

But could that quality be enough to take the Italians all the way in Egypt? "In my opinion, an African team like Nigeria or Cameroon are the favourites," stated Fiorillo. "It'll be a long and hard tournament, and that'll play to the Africans' physical strength. I also reckon Germany could go far. They've just won the U-19 and U-21 European championships and they've produced a lot of very good young players recently."

That can equally well be said of the young Italian goalkeeper. Fiorillo barely hesitates when asked to name his role model: "I think Buffon is the best. He's my idol. When I started in 2000, he set the standards for every goalkeeper. I'm also really impressed by the way Federico Marchetti has made it to the top with Cagliari. He started right at the bottom, but he's hugely talented and worked really hard to get where he is today."

The promise shown by the Azzurrini captain to date hints at a similar career progression in the future. Will we one day speak of him in the same breath as Zoff or Buffon? "I can only dream of reaching their level. After all, we're talking about two icons of world football here," Fiorillo modestly reflected. "I'd be happy if I only achieved a quarter of what they have, that would already rate as a huge success." And victory over Paraguay would count as a small first step along that road.

[RomaShield27]

Inter Duo Davide Santon And Mario Balotelli Called Up To Italy U-21 Squad
Salvatore Landolina, www.Goal.com
4 hours, 30 minutes ago

Inter duo Davide Santon and Mario Balotelli have been called up for the Italy Under-21 European Championship qualifiers against Hungary, and Luxembourg next week.

It comes as a surprise for Santon who had recently been involved with the senior Azzurri side. There are also three new faces in the team. Arsenal's Vito Mannone has been given the nod, as has Chelsea youngster Fabio Borini. Cesena's Ezequiel Schelotto is also there.

Here is the list of 23:

Goalkeepers: Fiorillo (Sampdoria), Mannone (Arsenal), Seculin (Fiorentina)

Defenders: Angella (Empoli), Ariaudo (Juventus), Bellusci (Catania), Brivio (Vicenza), De Silvestri (Fiorentina), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Bari), Renzetti (Padova); Santon (Inter)

Midfielders: Barilla (Reggina), Bolzoni (Frosinone), Marrone (Juventus), Mustacchio (Ancona), Poli (Sampdoria), Schelotto (Cesena), Soriano (Sampdoria)

Strikers: Balotelli (Inter), Borini (Chelsea), Marilungo (Sampdoria), Paloschi (Parma)

[RomaShield27]

U-21: Casiraghi calls newcomers
http://www.football-italia.net/feb12v.html – Friday 12 February, 2010

Pierluigi Casiraghi has called five new faces for the Under-21 get-together ahead of their European qualifier with Hungary. The Coach named a 21-man squad for a training camp from February 15 to 17, hoping to best prepare his side for the crunch match on March 3.

The five newcomers in the list are Inter full-back Giulio Donati, Lecce winger Antonio Mazzotta, Sassuolo defender Gianluca Bianco, Padova’s Daniele Gasparetto and Crotone midfielder Andrea Mazzarani.

Casiraghi has also included the stars of the Azzurrini, such as Inter’s Mario Balotelli and Fulham striker Stefano Okaka.

Goalkeepers: Fiorillo (Reggina), Perin (Genoa)
Defenders: Angella (Empoli), Ariaudo (Cagliari), Bellusci (Catania), Bianco (Sassuolo), Cremonesi (Cremonese), Donati (Inter), Gasparetto (Padova), Mazzotta (Lecce)
Midfielders: Bolzoni (Frosinone), Crisetig (Inter), Di Gennaro (Livorno), Mazzarani (Crotone), Poli (Sampdoria), Schelotto (Cesena), Soriano (Sampdoria)
Forwards: Balotelli (Inter), Marilungo (Lecce), Okaka (Fulham), Paloschi (Parma)

[Carlo Romano]

That 0-1 away win yesterday puts our fortunes very firmly in our Azzurrini's own hands!

Winning at home against Wales will see us qualify for the U-21 Championship finals...but we must not be complacent about anything because those Welsh leeks won't lie down to us! For some reason I had thought this was an away game for us and therefore of even more concern. But being in our own backyard it is now very much a case of if our lads stay cool, it is there for the taking!

[Giacomo]

Actually, that is not the case. Hungary can still finish ahead of Italy if they win their last 2 games both of which are at home.

Also, even a win for Italy by a single goal (except 1:0) will see Wales finish above Italy.

[Giacomo]

Hungary 0:1 Wales

The next best result after a draw. It means that to avoid elimination and qualify for the play-offs Italy must beat Wales by 1:0 or by 2 clear goals.

[Carlo Romano]

I have faith.

Although Wales now carry a +4 goals advantage over us, they may pin their hopes on holding us to a draw on Tuesday. The Azzurrini had better just be sure they win next week and worry about goal difference after. If that happens then Hungary will be the ones to suffer even if they win their final match.

[Giacomo]

First tie-breaker is head-to-head results, not goal difference.

[Carlo Romano]

Then our Azzurrini had better be sure they do what is required of them...

[Giacomo]

Faith repaid!

1:0 to Italy ensures they top group 3 and enter the play-offs.

It really was an excellent performance from goalkeeper - who had relatively little to do - to striker.

Ranocchia is so good he could play for the national team already.

I hope Poli, Balotelli and Paloschi are fit for the play-offs next month, the draw for which is on Friday.

[red]

Is it an open draw or is it seeded?

[Carlo Romano]

Well I have to say I thought the one goal win didn't tell the full story, kind of like a boxer who wins by being ahead on points as opposed to winning by a KO! It was enough in the end but I thought those lads were deserving of a second goal.

[red]

UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs
Bowl A
Sweden
Netherlands
Czech Republic
Romania
Italy
Croatia
Scotland

Bowl B
Greece
Switzerland
Ukraine
Spain
England
Belarus
Iceland

It is seeded in some fashion.

Scotland made it in with a last minute goal at home to a thuggish Austria (which was a good game, considering the conditions).

Shame Scotland can't get Italy, but a game against England will do nicely instead.

[Giacomo]

Play-off ties
England v Romania
Netherlands v Ukraine
Spain v Croatia
Switzerland v Sweden
Iceland v Scotland
Czech Republic v Greece
Italy v Belarus

[Carlo Romano]

Belarus, James? Not straightforward by any means but we really ought to win if sufficient care is taken...

Now there's interesting, Spain in a playoff and against Croatia! Tasty!

[RomaShield27]

Fortunate enough draw for Italy, should be able to beat them.

[Giacomo]

I expect so, although Belarus qualified in 2009 and led at Italy at one stage in the final and decisive group game.

The first game will be played in Rieti at 1800 (CET) on Friday 8 October.

[RomaShield27]

Italy’s future Stars – Davide Santon
www.footballitaliano.co.uk – By Richard Hall – Wednesday 06 October 2010

Davide Santon is still only 19 years of age but he has already achieved a spectacular amount of praise from some of the games leading figures including being heralded as the “new Paolo Maldini” by Marcello Lippi. It is true that many young players can be likened to the heroes of yesteryear but in Davide Santon’s case the praise seems certainly justified.

Born in Portomaggiore on the 2nd January 1991, his talent was evident from a young age and the skilful youngster was signed up for the youth academy at Ravenna. His performances shone through and he caught the eye of Inter at the tender age of fourteen, he was promptly signed and here began the start of a journey that is still now only at its beginning. Davide Santon had originally played on the wing, however, the astute minds of the Primavera coaches moved him to full back and this is where he started to excel.

The Nerazzurri youth team is always full of Europe’s premier young talent and so it is to Santon’s credit that he started to become noticed as one of the stand out stars in this team. His ability on the ball, superb awareness and reading of the game were all evident as he helped his team win the 2006-07 Campionato Primavera Trofeo. The following year he also was heavily involved in the team that reached the finals of the same tournament in 2007-08. His hard work and natural ability had not gone unnoticed and when the Nerazzurri first team met for 2008-09 pre-season training in South Tyrol it was no surprise that he was asked to join them.

Santon trained with the first team for the first half of the 2008-09 season gaining some valuable experience under the newly instead Jose Mourinho. Soon Santon had made his Inter debut playing 90 minutes in the Coppa Italia quarter final against Roma. This was a big game to make his first start in and he certainly did not disappoint having a fine match. Next he made his debut in Serie A in a 1-0 victory against Sampdoria, again he played well and his career had begun.

Santon’s ability at full back is evident and he possesses all the physical qualities that are needed. He has immaculate technique, a fantastic mind for reading the game and a superb temperament for one so young and playing on such big occasions. His strength is coming along with age and hard work, while his speed is enough to cope with the best wingers in Serie A. However, his ability to play left or right full back using both feet is a huge asset not just for defending but also when he is on the offensive. These characteristics means that he is perfect cover for Maicon, Zanetti or Chivu and this is a great option for a coach to have. To have a player who can not only defend but cross with both feet shows immense adaptability that is needed in the modern game. It is possible to talk about Santon’s weaknesses but it seems almost pointless to do so. The reason being is that any small problems that are evident in his game can all be put right with hard work and are not down to ability or mentality, in other words they can easily be sorted out on the training ground. Santon’s second biggest assets is his professionalism and this hereby makes talking about his faults quite pointless.

With the Nerazzurri he has been part of Jose Mourinho’s all conquering squad that won two titles a Coppa Italia and the Champions league and although suffering a major knee injury that has kept him out of most of the 2009/10 season he is now fit to play and made his come back against Juventus last Sunday in the 0-0 stalemate. He has started where he left off and new coach Rafael Benitez took time to mention him after the game saying that: “It was also pleasing to see Davide Santon make his comeback. I think we have a squad that has all the elements to give its fans a great campaign and entertain us too.”

If Davide Santon can stay fit this term there is no doubt that he will soon be featuring in the Azzurri squad and before long will be holding down a full first team place for both club and country. If this is the case then the Nerazzurri will enjoy saying that Milan had Paolo Maldini, whilst Inter have Davide Santon.

[RomaShield27]

Interesting article on the supposed lack of quality young players in Italy and those who could make it to the Azzurrini in the future. In particular, it mentions Lorenzo Tassi, a 15-year-old from Bresica, who has been labelled the new Baggio and is described as a "child prodigy".



A lack of young talent in Italian football? Brescia think they have the new Roberto Baggio and he’s just 15. Antonio Labbate reports.


On Monday afternoon, fresh from recalling 33-year-old Gianluca Zambrotta to the Italy squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers, Cesare Prandelli bemoaned the lack of young Italians whom he can build the new national side around. “The Italian championship is rich for everyone else, but poor for me,” he argued.

Rejuvenating an ageing team is high on the tactician’s list of priorities after the Azzurri’s shameful World Cup experience in South Africa. As reigning champions, they failed to win a single game and came bottom of a group which consisted of Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand.

Under-21 boss Gigi Casiraghi, who managed to convince the former Fiorentina tactician to leave him Lorenzo De Silvestri and Andrea Ranocchia this week for their vital Euro 2011 play-off ties against Belarus, responded to Prandelli’s angst by insisting new stars would eventually emerge. “Young talent is not lacking, but patience is needed,” he argued.

Ask Genoa patron Enrico Preziosi who that young talent is and he’ll tell you it is Stephan El Shaarawy. “He’s already ready for Prandelli,” was the claim made by the Marassi chief. A Rossoblu midfielder who is currently on loan at Serie B side Padova, the Little Pharaoh – he has an Egyptian father – made his Serie A debut for the club as a 16-year-old in December 2008.

But El Shaarawy isn’t the only young bright thing in Italian football that a Serie A President is banking his future on. Around 200km north-east of the port city, Brescia commander Gino Corioni believes he has the new Roberto Baggio in his ranks. It’s a bold claim, an even bolder one when you take into account that Lorenzo Tassi is still just 15. “He is not normal, he is out of that bracket,” Corioni raved.

Tassi, who lives in the Bovezzo part of town, is a fantasista who has been used as an attacking midfielder, a second striker and as a deeper central midfield playmaker so far during his youth level career. Blessed with class and vision which makes him stand out from his peers, there is already talk in the northern industrial city that this kid is what Italians call a predestinato, a genius which football unearths only once every decade.

Brescia’s technical staff insist they haven’t seen talent like his since the days of Andrea Pirlo. Gigi Maifredi, the Coach whose trademark champagne football went decidedly flat at Juventus in 1990, where he worked with Baggio, is also a fan after viewing him at close quarters while assisting the Rondinelle. “Taking everything into account, I consider Tassi to be a child prodigy.”

Other clubs like what they see too. Inter have already had a bid for the youngster turned down, a failure experienced by city rivals Milan who went as high as €5m for a boy who won’t turn 16 until February 12, 2011. Instead of cashing in, Corioni, who perhaps still regrets selling Pirlo as a teenager, sent Tassi to train with the first team during pre-season.

“It went well and I enjoyed it,” Lorenzo stated. “I have to admit that it was hard work, but it was an important period for me to just taste the atmosphere of the first team squad and to gather that experience.

“The Coach, Giuseppe Iachini, didn’t really say anything to me in particular, but he did advise me to keep my head on my shoulders. It is important to stay humble if you want the road ahead to be a long and successful one.”

Iachini himself was impressed. “He is a boy with great quality,” said the tactician. “I was eager to see how he would do alongside players with much greater experience. If he proves himself to be ready then he will be taken into consideration.”

Despite his recognised talent, there are concerns that Tassi may be rushed into an arena of expectation which could burn his ability. But the kid has had to grow up quickly over the last five years. As a boy he was regularly used in a League against players who were three years older, he’s already represented Italy at Under-16 and U-17 level, while at the age of 14 he had to deal with the death of his father.

Despite talk of Baggio and Serie A, Tassi is just focusing on the here and now – that being Brescia’s youth team. And in Week 1 of the new Primavera season, he again underlined his ability by grabbing the only goal of the game against Albinoleffe.

“I’m honoured to have been compared to a champion like Baggio, a player who was my idol,” he declared. “But I must still demonstrate a lot over the years ahead. My targets for now are the Primavera side and I want to do well for Italy at the Under-17 European Championship. Should I debut in Serie A too this term, well, that would just be a bonus…”