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Out of Europe, But Not Out of Respect

March 14th, 2009 | By: Julian | 56 Comments »

At first glance it’s just been a shitty year for Italy in European competitions. The only team we have left representin’ the peninsula is Udinese, and they’ve been doing us proud so far. But with 0 teams left in the CL, is Serie A lookin’ weak these days?

I’d argue not really. Roma went out on the luck of penalty kicks (Something we Italians know far too well), while Juve lost despite being as least as good as Chelsea on the pitch. Inter didn’t fare as well but were still pretty unlucky, hitting the post several times in their games against Man U. Are these games proof of England’s dominance? I think they have a slight edge but I think we also showed that we can indeed compete with them. A bit more luck and a bit less injuries, and there could’ve been 3 Italian teams in the final 8. Remember, none of the games were blowouts. Man U, the supposed best team in the world, beat Inter by 2, and that was the largest scoreline difference. Roma – Arsenal technically tied, and Juve only lost by a single goal to one of the richest teams in the world. I don’t think there’s much shame in that.

But back to the Azzurri. Exactly 2 weeks from today, world cup qualifying resumes with a game against Montenegro, and then one against Ireland a few days later. As we get closer and when Lippi announces the roster, look for more in depth previews on he upcoming matches. Basically, they’re must wins (especially against our fellow leaders Ireland), but if we win them both we should finish top of the group no sweat.

Finally, I’m loving the youngsters across the peninsula right now. Over at Juve, Marchisio and Giovinco have been enormous and are proving to be class players. Had De Ceglie not gotten injured, I’m sure I’d be mentioning him too. Motta and Santon are proving that we do have fullbacks coming through the system, and the Cassano-Pazzini tandem (though Cassano is older than the rest of these guys) is terrorizing defenses left and right. It seems like the youngsters kicked it into high gear right when we needed them- before the next World Cup.

As a side note, I’d love to do a preview of all the great younger players we have out there in the Serie A clubs. Only problem is that since I don’t have time to watch all of the games, I don’t know all of them. I’ve mentioned some above but I’d love it if the club bloggers on the SerieA Offside who read this could drop a comment and name, say, 2 of thier best younger Italian players. Even regular readers of this blog are encouraged to do that. Much thanks.

Tags: Cassano, Group E, Inter, Italy, Juve, Marcello Lippi, Marchisio, Motta, Pazzini, Roma, Santon, Udinese, World Cup 2010, World Cup Qualifiers

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 56 comments.

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By alessio | March 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

Subotic? C’mon. Born in the former Yugoslavia, grew up in Germany…he only lived in the US from age 11-16, before returning back to Germany.

Posted from Spain

By kqql | March 16th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

By alessio | March 16th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

I never said I disagree with Rossi playing for the Nazionale…he has every right in the world. I just didn’t like his decision.
Posted from Spain.

—-

You make no Logical sense. I don’t even know what you are doing in this blog.

P>S USMNT blog is here is somewhere… so Spain’s

Posted from United States

By kqql | March 16th, 2009 at 5:17 pm

By alessio | March 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

Subotic? C’mon. Born in the former Yugoslavia, grew up in Germany…he only lived in the US from age 11-16, before returning back to Germany.
Posted from Spain

–

Subotic was discovered by USSF and USSF spend $$$ money in his development and he gets a pass for you for not playing for
US.
-
You make no Sense.
–

Really what are doing here?
This isn’t Juve Blog.

Posted from United States

By alessio | March 16th, 2009 at 5:39 pm

You’re pretty funny dude.

Posted from Spain

By Giallorosseattle | March 16th, 2009 at 6:04 pm

Alessio rocks!

kqql, relax. People can disagree without resorting to pistols at ten paces. It’s a big world, there’s room for both of you.

Posted from United States

By Bobo | March 16th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

Subotic played for a US youth team. Which sounds a bit like declaring for the US national team, something Rossi NEVER did. And let me remind you that Subotic had to file papers to represent Serbia (which isn’t even the land of his birth BTW, he’s from Bosnia), also something that Rossi never had to do with Italy.

Do you know how many little boys dream of playing for Italy? Perhaps you did once upon a time. If so, you wouldn’t begrudge him this opportunity.

By kqql | March 16th, 2009 at 9:09 pm

Bobo and I right, Alessio you don’t make any sense. I still think you heart is with the USMNT ( and that’s cool), because your reasoning on Rossi and Subotic make no logical sense.

Anyway, time to move on ……

By kqql | March 16th, 2009 at 9:10 pm

Giallorosseattle | March 16th, 2009 at 6:04 pm

Alessio rocks!

——- Yes he rocks with USMNT and that’s cool..

By kappa | March 16th, 2009 at 10:33 pm

I’d like to say that mostly, if you can apply for citizenship you should be Italian with the few ridiculous cases like getting it through your spouse. Also, I don’t consider Balotelli, being born somewhere doesn’t make you from that nation in my opinion. If everyone before was born in Italy and I’am born in the U.S I don’t consider being at all American, only by citizenship. Rossi’s parents were Italian, so therefore, he is Italian.

Posted from Canada

By kqql | March 16th, 2009 at 10:39 pm

Goal Twins from Sunday…vs. Roma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcuLNvxDkwU

By kqql | March 17th, 2009 at 9:52 am

Juventus striker Amauri appears to have chosen Italy over Brazil

“If I play for the Italian national team it won’t be because of calculations or for my career, but because I have a special feeling,” Amauri said. “I’ve been in Italy for 10 years. This country has given me everything and putting on the Azzurri jersey would be a way to give something back in return.”
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jQMn_JUo6pP43bxJCS356Hv7dtkA

By alessio | March 17th, 2009 at 10:22 am

Didn´t you say you weren´t tracking Miccoli because Lippi will never call him? What´s the point of tracking Cassano then?

Posted from Spain

By Bobo | March 17th, 2009 at 11:31 am

Alessio, I think he says that so armed mobs won’t visit him in the night…

By Bobo | March 17th, 2009 at 11:35 am

I think what you’re saying is that one should be able to claim the blood ties that facilitate Italian citizenship. Well, that’s not really how the world works anymore. There are all kinds of Italians now, and all of them are equally valid IMO.

By kqql | March 17th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

By alessio | March 17th, 2009 at 10:22 am

Didn´t you say you weren´t tracking Miccoli because Lippi will never call him? What´s the point of tracking Cassano then?
Posted from Spain
——–

Because you like him
+ His other twin Pazzini highlights are with Cassano and I think there is an oustide chance Lippi calls Cassano..

Anyway, there is no way Lippi calls Miccoli

Posted from United States

By kqql | March 17th, 2009 at 12:16 pm

By Bobo | March 17th, 2009 at 11:35 am

Kappa, foreigners can apply for citizenship in Italy after (I believe) 10 years of residence. How does living in Italy for 10 years make one Italian but not being born in and spending one’s entire life in Italy like Balotelli?
I think what you’re saying is that one should be able to claim the blood ties that facilitate Italian citizenship. Well, that’s not really how the world works anymore. There are all kinds of Italians now, and all of them are equally valid IMO.
=

I agree with you …

Posted from United States

By kappa | March 17th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

Oh, I forgot. What I meant is that you should only be considered Italian if you have the blood ties through YOUR family. I forgot about the living in a place rule. They should be citizens as they are part of the country but not considered a true Italian.

Posted from Canada

By kappa | March 17th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

For example, let’s say there is a japanese boy. His family is all born and bred japanese. He however is born in lets say england. In my opinion, he is japanese not english

Posted from Canada

By kqql | March 17th, 2009 at 1:34 pm

kappa,He would be Japanese-English and should have the option to play for England or Japan or the country he played youth soccer with.

Posted from United States

By alessio | March 17th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

I think Cassano and Miccoli have the same chances. Only if they have a Del Piero-ish year can they force Lippi to call them up.

Posted from Spain

By kqql | March 17th, 2009 at 3:25 pm

Alessio, IMO Cassano chances are much higher than Miccoli with Señor Romeo.

Posted from United States

By Gio | March 17th, 2009 at 5:51 pm

maybe if Inter had started Santon more than 8 times out of, what, 28 games? … then i might consider him part of their starting line-up, but seeing as there is usually someone else, most often a particular Argentine, back there, I revert to considering Inter a pretty completely non Italian team.

MAD … you must be joking if you want anyone to believe that Inter can be construed, or even misconstrued, as “Italian”.

Bayern Munich are more Italian than Inter.

By Bojan | March 17th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

I know a couple of Roma youngsters that are great,let’s start with marco Motta as the next big thing he was great against Arsenal,Marco D’Alessandro as RMF,Okaka Chuka and Cerco(both great) in attack we had Davide Petrucci(the next Totti but those bastrads from Man.Utd snapped him up from right under our noses,in the midfield there are Valerio Virga,Greco,Gallopa,Bertolacci and and Milan’s Abate that plays in Torino I think,and there is Rosi this guy is great and plays as a LMF,in defense there are Freddy,Brosco and Crescenzi,and as a Gk there are Curci loaned to some team and ex-romanista Amelia!!!All of this guys are great i’ve seen them play in Viaregio tournament!!!

By kappa | March 17th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

agree to disagree, but isn’t that conflicting with your opinion on Rossi?

Posted from Canada

By Bobo | March 17th, 2009 at 11:30 pm

How so? Rossi is an Italian because he is the son of Italians. Balotelli is an Italian because his entire cultural matrix is Italian. It doesn’t always have to be one or the other. Amauri, for example, has neither.

Comments are closed