Nailed on’s, nearly there’s, and the not involved.

November 21st, 2011 | by: samcalcio |

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As things start getting into full swing for the Euro’s, preparations start to rumble quietly under the domestic season, as the international tournament and all it’s pending cacophony approaches a simmering crescendo, waiting to morph into will become the full scale Azzurri frenzy we’ll see in June.

So, as for the next 7 months or so we will be in the no mans land between qualifiers ending and the tournament beginning, I think it’s time to look at the squad. If the squad was to be picked tomorrow, with everyone fit and firing, who be in your squad, on your bench, in your first 11?

As you know, there are 23 spaces to fill and more than 23 Italian Footballers out there, so my caveman instincts tell me that some may get left behind..

Anyway, of the players in serious contention for an Italy shirt, they can be fit into one of the three “N” categories – Nailed on, Nearly there, and Not involved.

Righto, let’s begin shall we?

Goalkeepers

Nailed On:

Buffon, De Sanctis

Nearly There:

Marchetti, Sirigu,

Not Involved:

Storari, Viviano

The Goalkeeping roster is fairly straightforward: Gigi and 2 others. As captain and (in my opinion) best goalkeeper in the world, the Juve hero is nailed on more than a..nailed on thing.

His able deputies, kind of a Lois Lane to the Superman type’a thing, can be any two of Sirigu, Marchetti, Mirante, Viviano, etc. I went for Napoli stopper Morgan De Sanctis on the simple rule of logic. He makes nearly every squad alongside our usual kryptonite hating hero, and is consistent as the hair on his chin for Naples.

For third choice, the most unenviable of positions, is usually a toss up for seasonal form, and at the moment, I’m leaning towards Marchetti, the Lazio stoppers wonderful form vs Napoli in particular proving his credentials. Sirigu is also a good shout, and a great choice for the future post Gigi. I’ve placed Storari in the “not involved” category which saddens me, but he, like Viviano, currently out for the rest of the season, will not get enough games to justify his spot. A shame, as both are talented glovesmen, but reputation should not be a guarantee.

Pranders Choice: Buffon, De Sanctis, Marchetti

Defence:

Nailed On:

Chiellini, Maggio, Ranocchia, Balzaretti

Nearly there:

Bonucci, Barzagli, Criscito, Cassani Abate* Ogbonnah* Astori*

Not Involved:

Zambrotta, Bovo, Gamberini, Rosi, Santon

*maybe’s

The Defence is slightly less easy than the goalkeeping situation, purely because the are a few question marks over the inclusion of some players, some prospects, etc. In the “Nailed On” category, I have placed the back four that I think we will all agree that will see the most pitch time come Summer. Maggio and Balzu are the reliable full backs, whilst Chiello has thoroughly earnt his place as the Azzurri’s number 1 defender, and will in all likelihood be placed next to Ranocchia, unless Bonucci has a truly sparkling season(which I’m not ruling out, just going with gut instinct here).

In the “Nearly there” category, I have simply placed the rest. Everyone who is probably likely to see a squad place is in there, I think. The lads with the pretty asterisk next to their name represents “maybe”, as Pranders could stick them in, as they fit nicely into his “change for the future” ideals, but he may well go for the safer bets.

In the last one, the “not involved” section is a few faces you’ll agree with and one that I can see a couple of you protesting(or just one of you, I don’t know). Zambrotta recently came out and said he’d still happily play for the Azzurri, but depsite his reputation, and still cool as a cucumber defensiveness, he will not be seeing the the Euro 2012 plane. Neither, sadly will Davide Santon, who despite all the promise in the world has delivered very little since 2009, and is fading fast.

Personally, I would be having Abate on the plane as a first choice right back, but I can’t Pranders sharing that view anytime soon, as Ignazio will have to work up to a starting place with some epic form to dethrone Maggio.

Pranders Choice: Chiellini, Ranocchia, Maggio, Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Cassani, Criscito

Midfield

Nailed On:

Pirlo, De Rossi,

Nearly there:

Aquilani, Montolivo, Marchisio, Nocerino, Motta, Pepe

Not Involved:

Ledesma, Mauri, Parolo, Poli, Cigarini,

The Midfield is slightly more understandable. Il Metronomo and Beardface are guarantees, whilst Monty, Aquaman and Marchisio make up a supporting cast around. Nocerino as well is a stern favourite for the squad, as is the revitalised Pepe, who gives options to switch to a 4-3-3 if needs be. I’d like to see Cerci given a run, but I doubt that Pranders will stick him in unless a serious run of form is had.

In the not involved clan is a motley collection of Serie A midfielders and Azzurri experiments past and present. The likes of Ledesma, Cigarini and Mauri shouldn’t see the light of day, I think Pranders feels the same.

Pranders Choice: Pirlo, DDR, Marchisio, Aquilani, Montolivo, Pepe, Nocerino

Forwards:

Nailed On:

Balotelli

Nearly There:

Cassano, Rossi, Osvaldo/Matri/Pazzini, Giovinco

Not Involved:

Amauri, Quags, Gila, Toto

The forwards roster is complicated. Packed with talent, and dependant on the recoveries of two key individuals. Cassano and Rossi, when fit, should accompany Balotelli in a front 3, in my opinion. However, it is their injuries, niot their ability that keeps them in that “Nearly There” slot, as you will surmise.

Further down, if we assume that both make recoveries in time for the Euro’s to join the pretty much nailed on Balotelli, then we can choose two forwards (I’m guessing 5 will get picked) from any one of Osvaldo, Pazzini, Matri, Giovinco, Di Natale, etc. This depends entirely on form, and personal choice. If it were tomorrow, and on form, my forward line would be: Balo, Cassano, Rossi, Matri, Toto, but the Di Natale thing is well publicised so I imagine Giovinco will be in his place. The rest is self explanatory. A list that says “not involved” by definition must contain Amauri.

Pranders Choice:

Balotelli, Rossi, Cassano, Pazzini, Giovinco

There you have it. A look at the squad, and my predicitons for Cesare’s choices come June. It’s all hypothesis, so feel free to have a say, post your own squads and first 11’s in the comments section.

Predicted Prandelli Squad:

GK: Buffon, De Sanctis, Sirigu

DF: Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci, Ranocchia, Balzaretti, Cassani, Maggio, Criscito

MF: Pirlo, Aquilani, De Rossi, Marchisio, Montolivo, Pepe, Nocerino

FWD: Balotelli, Pazzini, Rossi, Cassano, Osvaldo

Predicted Starters(Prandelli)