De Rossi asks for Pirlo

I had seen this earlier. The only thing that struck me about it is the implication that it might have for Gattuso. Is De Rossi presuming that he has the starting spot over Gattuso, or is he presuming that Totti will not be fit enough for the first few matches?

Pirlo, to my mind, needs to be on the pitch, if only for his masterful free kicks. He also played pretty well against Ukraine. The question, I think, is whether to pair him with De Rossi or with Gattuso. De Rossi provides much more by way of the attack, while Gattuso has teamed successfully with Pirlo at Milan. All three provide good defensive cover.

This would be my starting 11 for the Ghana game (assuming Zambrotta is out):

Buffon
Oddo Cannavaro Nesta Grosso
Camoranesi Pirlo Gattuso
Totti
Toni Gilardino

I think De Rossi could be a sparkplug off the bench, or the starter if Gattuso struggles. I’m just not sure it would be good for team morale to boot Gattuso out of his spot for a young gun. That said, De Rossi is playing better. In a way, I’m glad I’m not Lippi!

Posted from  United Kingdom

basiccally i hope italy grow up and play gooooooodddd … if italy do not win thje WC thsi yr i will be so upset and maybe lippi will no longer have 2 legs haha .. they have the potential but are just ideots really .. FORZA L’ITALIAN AND LUCA TONIIIIIIIIII

Posted from  Australia

I believe Italy’s toughest match will be against GHANA!!! Yes Ghana . They just beat up south korea 3-1 and they have nothing to lose against Italy. Because of this I hope Italy play with a more offensive De Rossi to worry the GHANAN’s ( is that what we call them? ) about pushing up too agressively. I think this world cup…like 1982.. Italy’s best defence is their offence with a conscientious defence. Last time Italy won the world cup was with a 4-3-3. Guess what they are playing with now most likely!!! Take it to the Ghanan’s. Don’t respect them like we respected KOREA!!! take it to them LIPPI!! FORZA ITALIA!!!

Posted from  Canada

i think italy needs to get rid of del piero … id rather have totti there but if hes not plyen good then put de rossi or pirlo in therole of totti

Posted from  Australia

I think De Rossi should definitly start over Gattuso. Right now he is by far the better player. He defends really well, can score clutch goals, and basically carried Roma on his back when Totti was injured. I personally think he is the Italian Gerrard.

I’m not trying to be-little Gattuso , I just think the kid is much better.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Hey actually that’s a good point….de rossi is very similar to gerrard…

And if totti and DP are both not ready to start, how about putting perrotta in an advanced creative role?

Posted from  India

something like this:

de rossi—–perrotta——camoranesi
————–pirlo

Posted from  India

The Azzuri are crazy for depending so much on Gilardino, who really isn’t great anyway.

Pair up Luca Toni with Totti (Del Piero can be a super sub for later on), stick Gattuso AND De Rossi, with De Rossi in an attacking role, in midfield, along with Pirlo behind and Camoranesi down the wing.

Zambrotta is the key, so once he recovers he’ll no doubt claim his place, along with Nesta Cannavaro, both great defenders, and Materazzi.

Buffon keeps cover over the pearly gate.

Posted from  Switzerland

This pretty much sums it up:

“Palermo midfielder Simone Barone also added: ‘I am confident. Before the World Cup kicks off, we’ll be the real Italy.’”

Let’s hope so. As was said earlier, Ghana trounced S. Korea, and even though I think S. Korea is over-rated to begin with (without their home field super-advantage, that is), we should not take Ghana lightly.

That said, I would not have a problem if Lippi uses his top players wisely. This could be a long tourney, and I’d hate to see one of our guys go down with an injury in the first match. African teams play a physical brand of football.

Posted from  United States

De Rossi has to start and so does Pirlo also. Pirlo is our most creative player (apart from Totti). People are reading into these warm-up games to much. We have played 2 teams who are going to also be at the World Cup and could have easily won both.

Brazil and England are playing these minor teams and racking up goals which won’t count for nothing.

Getting back to the thread I’d drop Gattuso because he lacks technically what the other midfielders can give you. He’s commited no doubt but we need more than that in the World Cup. I just hope we see the passing, counter-attacking Italia which we all know is capable of doing great things.

Zambrotta is a big blow but I think Bonera, Grosso or Oddo are adequate cover. I pray to god Nesta plays as Materazzi is a liability, the players in the squad who worry me are Materazzi, Zaccardo, Iaquinta and Peruzzi. Hopefully none of them need to be used.

Posted from  United Kingdom

I thought Iaquinta looked good vs. Switzerland.

Posted from  United States

*ahem* Fellow Azzurri fans… your attention is required in the USA blog. It would seem that some of them are actually believing that this: http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/secret-italian-training-video.html is an actual Italian training video.

That video is ancient, and they’re obviously not Italians, but of course, some of the gullible USA fans (probably the same ones who believe FIFA rankings) believe it’s real.

Posted from  United States

we looked good against ghana, totti will be alright, lippi took him off for safety hell be back against the czeques, the team looked good stronger than iv seen in many world cup years, were not going to fail on the big stage this year,
ITALIA ITALIA ITALIA

Posted from  United Kingdom

its coming bk to italy

Posted from  United Kingdom