So What Did You Think?

yes alessio I dont like juve. You and people like you can go on and on and on about how we have no italians, while that may be true every single one we have is either a big contributor to the national team (santon), has contributed in the past (think materazzi and Toldo), or will contribute in the near future (balotelli and mattia destro). Im not going to say acquafresca simply because it wouldnt be fair on him because we never gave him playing time. But mattia destro is an upcoming talent and is your typical bomber striker and balotelli is very versatile and could be used well in the national team. You will find that our italians have contributed a lot more then some other teams such as juve where I can only see chiellini, del piero, marchisio, and giovinco. And besides the team is called INTERNAZIONALE for a reason. We declared independence from ac milan because we wanted foreigners to have a chance to play, something that milan wasnt willing to offer. We have an excuse because its in our very tradition and history. And yet even with the overwhelming amount of foreigners the italians we posses are of the highest quality. Which is more then I can say for milan (Bonera, Favalli, Antonini, aka shit players) or your team alessio (leggrotaglie, molinaro, iaquinta, camoranesi) you are probably mad at me for saying the last two but truthfully camoranesi is very very inconsistent and only comes in short bursts. As for Iaquinta he is an average striker but should not be called up when there are far more worthy candidates like di natale, del piero, cassano, pazzini, miccoli, balotelli, rosina, floccari, etc. As for Roma I can think of only Brighi, De Rossi, and Marco Motta. Milan have Pirlo and thats about it since Ambrosini and Gattuso should never be given another chance after their torrid displays in the confed cup along with their contributions to italy’s humiliation by the netherlands.

We should all just face it. Lippi being the stuck up and stubborn sob that he is will never drastically alter the group of players hes been using. Even though they have been dreadfully lull and have done nothing to remind the world that we are still deservedly world champions. We need a coach who gives players call ups when they deserve them and try and use different players and see what players seem to mix together. And we need a coach that never ever ever uses the 4-3-3 again because it simply does not work, if any of you need proof to my claim then look no further then the italy brazil game in the confed cup and the italy netherlands game in last summer’s euros. Both times italy used the 4-3-3 and both times the score line was the same, 3-0 to the other team. No am a big believer in the youth in this country and I personally believe it to be second to none in Europe and in the world with only Germany, Argentina, and Brazil possibly challenging us. England and Spain may appear to be the “best” leagues in the world with the best teams in Europe both at club level and both at international level (which is BS) but in terms of the future both at international level and league level I say Italy will reign supreme. New stadiums along with new and improved policies (Serie A being its own entity separate from Serie B) along with the strongest players in the world. I say we need not worry about the so called “dominance” of europe that england and spain have now because the future is ours and when that day comes those arrogant fools who wrote off serie A and called it boring (Ibra, Arshavin and Co) will learn the true meaning of dominance. I mean come on: Balotelli, Santon, Destro, Giovinco, Marchisio, De Ceglie Criscito, Bocchetti, Motta, Abate, Macheda, Acquafresca, Cigarini, Cerci, Zigoni, Fiorillo, Viviano, Curci, Paloschi, Andreolli, Di Gennaro, Aquilani, Petrucci, etc. The list goes on and on. Dont tell me that italy doesnt have the best youngsters in the world after reading that list. Because there isnt another more balanced group of national youngsters like that in the world and thats a fact. Germany would have the second best group. Giovinco is our solution to totti and our answer to Germany’s Ozil if we play them in the future.

“Out of curiosity (and I’m really not slamming you here) is Italian citizenship all it takes to get on the team? If Diego hadn’t ever played for Brazil, would you have welcomed him while he was playing at Bremen?”

Citizenship is essential, but even possible call-ups born in the country are encouraged, if not outright told, to play in the home country’s league so that the coach can evaluate the player easily and against players that would be competitors for a position. There are a few exceptions to the rule and I am not sure that Diego would have been one.

So to answer your question, no, not unless we were really desperate for a player that plays in Diego’s position – which isn’t the case at the moment, since we aren’t really using a trequartista (By the way, I’ll be happy when I won’t have to type that word anymore.).

“Speaking of Santon, why isn’t he playing for Inter? Injured, or Mourinho’s choice?”

Mourinho has really said why, to my knowledge. I suspect that Mourinho has dreams of reigning him in a little and bringing him along slowly this season, like he did with Balotelli last year.

Personally, I would be surprised if by the start of the second half of the season – barring injury – Santon isn’t a regular contributor… like Balotelli was last season.

Plus, I am not sure if Mourinho has worked out the right mix in the midfield yet, especially with Cambiasso injured.

julian dont worry about totti. Giovinco is more then capable of filling the creative void. I feel sorry for the guy though cuz a player with his potential should be starting a lot more games for juve. Unfortunately no one can persuade ferrara to give him more playing time. Now im not a juventino so perhaps he wouldnt listen to me but im sure he would listen to alessio. Oh and alessio poor you you have the same first name as the guy that you hate the most in the world. Well I guess your parents didnt know who secco was when you were born. Anyways Giovinco will definitely be italy’s new number 10 if he is given more playing time. And Balotelli still needs to mature in certain respects he still does not have the mental maturity that a player such has santon has. Not to mention that he is arrogant, you should have seen how many times he tried to dribble the ball against bari. Slow down boy you’re not leo messi…………………. yet!!! Santon should make a strong case to be starting over zambrotta for italy in the next world cup given zambrotta’s average and below average performances. Motta would also deserve a call up as he is definitely the kind of player the azzuri need in the defense. Criscito I would say is ready as well with Bocchetti possibly too, perhaps he needs to be given his first cap. Marchisio and Cigarini would both be good. If I was Lippi this was who I would call up for my 23 man team for 2010: GK: Buffon, Amelia DF: Cannavaro, Chiellini, Santacroce, Bocchetti, Motta, Criscito, Santon, Zambrotta. MF: Brighi, Pirlo, D’Agostino, Cigarini, Marchisio, Aquilani, Rosina, Foggia. FW: Cassano, Giuseppe Rossi, Giovinco, Pazzini, Di Natale.

If italy used a group like that then in my opinion our chances of winning the world cup or at least going far enough that we regain the world’s respect is good enough. This group would be far more creative but would also be balanced well defensively with players like brighi, de rossi, and Marchisio. These players could provide pirlo with a platform on which to orchestrate from. And in case pirlo does not work we have D’Agostino who also is a deep lying playmaker and can take corners and free kicks. We also have options for more attack minded players with rosina, foggia, and giovinco. As well as players who are good at playing second striker or trequartista like cassano and maybe g. rossi. We have options going out wide as rosina and foggia can both play on the wings. Going forward we have our typical italian type forward with pazzini. But we have other good options like Di Natale, Rossi, and Cassano.

My real name is not Alessio, just a pen name. Though yeah, when I was born, Secco was pretty damn young himself.

MAD, about Santon that actually makes sense and I agree with what he’s doing.

Posted from  United States

well hell my name isnt mickey! I would kill myself if that were my real name!

for our attacks i would use super sub [del piero,cassano.g.rossi,miccoli,giovinco,pazzini]

i dont understand why miccolli is not used he is very talented even if we use him as a supersub it would still help

tell me my lineup woulndt score

Posted from  Canada

Let’s get some new blogs going people. THis is getting old!

Here are some interesting stories to write about:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gewmprmJXnSZgXiNwTiYMLgqRleQ – Gay rights groups attack Lippi for stupid arrogant remarks

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=668611&cc=5901 – Jose Mourinho and Lippi fighting (older but hasnt been discussed)

http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/08/27/1464695/sampdoria-hitman-giampaolo-pazzini-hails-impressive-antonio – Pazzini Loves Cassano

http://goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy/2009/08/25/1460376/sampdoria-president-cassano-deserves-italy-call-up – Sampa president believes Cassano should be at the world cup

http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/08/28/1466247/serie-a-preview-milan-inter – THis weekends Serie A will feature some monster games.

Let’s get blogging people. Maybe, julian, you should have me start publishing blogs on here.

Go for it, Marco. I don’t agree with what you say most of the time, but I think you’d be a good blogger.

Posted from  United States

Ditto Alessio

Can we get someone else to post blogs on this site? We have 20 year olds runnig the site who offer little insight then what they read on goal.com or channel 4 then re write the same stuff. No offense to Julian or Paul but can someone else run some blogs..(you asked people awhile ago for writers Julian and then chose someone who is the same age & perspective as you) pretty dumb i think, lets ask again and pick someone else to write as well..this is the italian blog not Serbia there is stuff to write about.

If all you want to talk about is juve and inter crap, why not divide your time between those two blogs instead of wanting new bloggers. That said I do think Marco brings up some interesting discussion points.

Posted from  United States

Mourinho is an ass and incompitent. Lippi has some serious flaws b
and may be predjudiced with respect to inter players, but he has more tact and vision than Mourinho will ever have.

Posted from  United States

Thanks VIP, I would be very inclined to share my opinions on the state of the national team and Calcio in general.

Speaking of Mourinho I have heard there are now threats against his life due to last weeks season opener and the decision to take Muntari off because of Ramadan and his lack of energy

There are also two very important clashes taking place this weekend. One the Milan Derby and Two Roma v Juventus. I am very interested to see Totti burn Cannavaro – and on the flip side Inter v Milan could actually be very heated with Balotelli and Alex ‘The Duck’ Pato both on the field.

Anyway, if there is one weekend to watch it is this weekend, two titanic clashes well worth the price of admission.

i would love to see some other bloggers somewhere. it’s a shame this blog often just sits with no articles. if julian and paul are unable to write all the time, then maybe a couple of older guys with more time to spare could help out too. there’s so much happening in calcio at the moment and it would be great to be able to get some good discussions going

Posted from  Australia

U21

Players called for the 2 Qualifiers

@ http://www.figc.it/it/204/22067/2009/08/News.shtml

“Speaking of Mourinho I have heard there are now threats against his life due to last weeks season opener and the decision to take Muntari off because of Ramadan and his lack of energy ”

The threat (that would be singular, for those that can tell the difference) came off a website in which someone said that he needed to be “cut down” for the comments alluded to.

By use of the wink I’m going to guess that this is a Juve supporter who is in agreement with the spirit of the threat, that a man voicing his opinion about football should be killed for it.

And considering the approval of terrorist-like threats, this individual might also support those fine murderers over in Liverpool.

So, well done on the exhibition of class showed here…

Actually I found the threat quite comical and I agree completely with Mourinho’s decision in the matter – I love it when people jump head first into making assumptions, it shows a lot of tact. The point of me mentioning the story was to show the there are things taking place which aren’t being covered here. thanks for coming out I know you like the ‘wink’ face

“Actually I found the threat quite comical and I agree completely with Mourinho’s decision in the matter – I love it when people jump head first into making assumptions, it shows a lot of tact.”

I don’t buy it.

I think that have read too much of your stuff not to think that you agree with the sentiment. Otherwise why mention a death threat against Mourinho – a foreign coach – on a page that supposedly talks about the National Team and it’s players. This has nothing to do with the Lippi/Mourinho fun.

“The point of me mentioning the story was to show the there are things taking place which aren’t being covered here.”

If you thought that it was disgusting, you might say that else where. Here, right after someone says something derogatory about Mourinho, you jump in as if too say, “Yeah, and we aren’t the only ones who don’t like him, isn’t it cool!”

But nice try with the whole backpedal. It’s amusing.

“thanks for coming out I know you like the ‘wink’ face”

You’re not the host here, so I don’t get why you are making like the mayor or something. Time for a reality check, I think. The fun and upbeat wink when you are talking about a man being threatened says a lot about you.

Maybe you should go root for Liverpool. I think that you’ll fit in.

After watching the Milan-Inter game, if Lippi has any clue he will not call up Gattuso and Pirlo for the next qualifiers.

…vincent………….I think Rino is injured…………….

but u know he will call Pirlo

anyway.. Amauri has got his Italian Passport per reports…
SO will Lippi call him/..

Firstly, MAD, buddy, your a complete fuck up.

Secondly Vincent I completely agree with everything you’ve said. The sad part is I fully expect Gattuso and Pirlo to be dressed and ready for the Azzurri.

Thirdly, Amauri is NOT the answer, if he is called up I have no hope of us winning 2010.

What we do need is D’Agostini, Cassano, Pazzini and Foggia starting for the Azzurri, I’d even argue for Rosina, DiNatale (based on present form)… we will see what tomorrow presents. Juve v. Roma, let’s see if Chiellini and Cannavaro can hold up against some actual offense in Frankie Totti

“Firstly, MAD, buddy, your a complete fuck up.”

Thanks for the insult. I like it when assholes don’t like me.

Nice to know that your consistent… and not too bright either if you have to resort to this.

if mourinho is an ass then lippi is a dildo

I agree with you marco on amauri and what players we need to bring to south africa but based on what you said to mad Im gonna have to say that I dislike you for dissing one of my fellow interisti. And it was a bit personal too.