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Strengths and weaknesses

May 15th, 2006 | By: Jay | 11 Comments »

Alright, so we have our twenty-three players…the starting eleven, you’d have to rank up there with any other squad in the tournament. As for the individual positions, I’m picking them apart as follows:

Forwards:
Much as we’re puzzled by Lippi’s continued belief in Iaquinta, I don’t know if we’re even going to see him get off the bench (and let’s be fair, as ‘fifth’ strikers go, most countries would die to have him slotted there). It would have been nice to see Tavano or Lucarelli, but so be it. That isn’t going to be what wins or loses the tournament for Italy. Its going to rest on Toni and Gilardino, and how/where they get the ball. Alex will need to be a playmaker, not so much a goal scorer, and Totti has to be, well, Totti.

Mids:
I think we’re going to see Pirlo, Gattuso and DeRossi for the most part. I will be disappointed if we see a lot of Camoranesi, who has been a shell of his former self. Given how Lippi continually goes to the wall for some of the older players, I suppose I should be ready to be disappointed. Marchionni out on the wing would have been a nice option. DeRossi is going to be a real eye-opener for people who haven’t been paying attention to Italy. I just noticed I’m starting to sound a lot like Paul here. ha ha.

Defense/Goal:
This will be the question mark. Buffon should be solid, as ever. Barring injury, I feel better about the back four now than a month ago, but that depends on Oddo or Barzagli coming off the bench and playing well. Look, if you can’t win with Nesta and Cannavaro anchoring your defense, then you have a problem. Although, to be honest, I am not really sure that cast of defenders can shut down a crew like Ronaldinho and company with their swarming and overlapping offense, if those two teams should meet.

I’ll try to get some useful info posted on the other Group E teams here tomorrow.

Tags: Azzurri, Italy

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Comments

By rinaldo | May 15th, 2006 at 11:27 pm

As long as canna and nesta don’t get injured/suspended, and considering that we have inzaghi, totti/dp and de rossi/gattuso on the bench, we have got to be one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

Posted from India

By Paul | May 15th, 2006 at 11:53 pm

Funny, I never thought I would be saying that the attacking players would be the strength of the Azzurri. But here we are, and Italy, in my opinion, has the most in form and and dangerous forward in the world right now with Toni. (My apologies to Thierry Henry)

The midfield also has the potential to be imposing. Pirlo can control the pace of games and Gattuso will crush the spirit of the other Group E playmakers (Donovan, Beasley, Rosicky, Appiah, Essien). The key of course is choosing de Rossi over Camo. De Rossi has the ability to provide that additional spark of imagination that is required to win the World Cup.

The defense. Oh boy, the defense. I think this will be an adventure. I think Canna might have lost a half step, although that might be the result of playing and covering for Liliam Thuram, who has lost about nine steps. I hope playing with Nesta will revive him. Zambrotta is a rock, whether on the left or right. No worries there. I guess the question is then Grosso or Oddo? I think Oddo, only because that will allow Zambrotta to line up on his favored left side.

And of course Buffon is Buffon. No explanation needed here as he is the best keeper in the world.

Posted from United States

By tracy | May 16th, 2006 at 12:36 am

Agreed strikers are a key but cannavaro and nesta must be available every match. I’ve felt that in past World Cup Italy’s poor group stage performance has always cost them and their players causing injury and suspension. In 2002 after the Ecuador win, Italy should have cruised but a loss to Croatia and a tough draw against Mexico caused many problems including the suspension of cannavaro and the injury to Nesta.

The key will be to destroy Ghana and then try to pick off one of the next. Other teams win their first 2 and rest for the 3rd. I can never remember Italy ever bring able to do that.

By marco DeMichele | May 16th, 2006 at 12:46 am

Well i believe (and have since the past yr) that if they play like they have been they will win — because they control the game and score, instead of laying catanacio! That’s true what Jay said about him Iaquinta being on the bench but whaty were t happen if Toni or gila injure them selves .. and even if most people would love to have him as 5th striker , others would die to have tavano or lucarelli (in truth Italy could send two teams to the world cup and both be contenders for the cup - iv always said why dont some player go and play for San Marino, the ones like Dimichele and even players like Lucarelli, I mean at least you’d be going to the world cup and they are still top class players!!

Anyway Midfield is alright .. Although Pirlo hasn’t been at his best, maybe someone he could have included was Rosi from Roma, although not so strong, very quick with his feet. As for Camo he has not been at his best either, but to me the past 18 months every one has always looked down on him, i think i even read how after his contract expires Capello wants him out — how can a player perform well when every one speaks badly of him. In regard to materazzi he may cost us some free kicks if he plays but he is very much like Gattuso .. as he can hassle and annoy players like kaka and rohnaldihnio. Well the defence as usual is fine as even the bench warmers are good enough to start. Lippi is a good man, very serious and always speaks intelligently, so as long as he makes every one feel like the best in the world and makes them play as dominantly as they have been we will see the 4th star on the Italian jersey after Germany!

FORZA ITALIA & LUCA TONI!!!

Posted from Australia

By Robert | May 16th, 2006 at 6:04 am

This is a strong looking squad (I’m an England fan, admiring one or two of your players).

As I understand it, De Rossi is a central midfielder and, from what I’ve seen, a rather good one. Could Itlay play Pirlo, Gattuso and De Rossi together? How would that work?

One last question, has the confidence of Italian fans been shaken by these recent match-fixing allegations?

I hope it doesn’t affect the team much because I enjoy watching Italy and would like to see them at their best.

Robert.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Azeglio Vicini | May 16th, 2006 at 8:30 am

DeRossi is overrated… he is still not mature enough. And lets not under-estimate Camo’s impact. A major reason why Italy has finally taken continuous control of games (not just pulling results out with unstable flashes of brilliance and then sitting back) is because of gritty ball-winners/shielders like Gattuso and Camo. Del Piero is a wasted spot as he contributes in a negative way to open play (we have enough set play generals in Pirlo and Totti.) I’d rather see Fiore, as he could plug in well distributing to his club teammate Toni. Also Materazzi seems to go a “little” further than Gattuso, to the point that “Goon” might be too gentle a label. We should get this done with fair play in mind… it will already be an uphill battle to absorb critcism from The Serie A scandal.

Posted from United States

By Zero | May 16th, 2006 at 8:35 am

Well, the last game against Germany Italy played with a 4-3-3 formation with Pirlo as central midfilder, DeRossi on the left and Camoranesi on the right (and Delpiero as left wing) and it seems to me they were playing a very good football, though I don’t know if Lippi is going to play with such an offensive formation in the Wc

About the scandal, there aren’t many surprised fans; half Italy (with me on top) use to call Juventus as “the Thieves” and now we know we were right!! It’s time for Tabula Rasa
It seems that our national team is not involved in the scandal, so I hope they will not be affected. Anyway many players will play in the Wc without knowing if they will have to play in the B league next year or if they will have to move in another team, so it will be thought for them

By Vin | May 16th, 2006 at 9:48 am

If we see a 4-3-3 in the upcoming matches, I will be pleasantly surprised.

As for our defense, it’s true that they are not the fortress of days past, but they aren’t exactly shabby - not by a long shot.
As far as Jay’s comment about being able to defend against a Brazilian onslaught - if they can manage to do so, we WILL beat Brazil (if we face them), because it is Brazil who need to worry more about their defense. Their back men are Brazil’s weakness, and… surprise-surprise, Italy actually have some depth up front this year!

When/if we advance (I say “if” only because I don’t want to jinx us), we will most likely have to face Croatia or Brazil in the round of 16. In my opinion, that match might as well be the final.

Posted from United States

By Josh | May 16th, 2006 at 2:15 pm

Damn it all to hell. I just wrote a lengthy response which got zapped. I’ll do my best to recap:

1. We’ve got an awesome squad and have good reason to be excited.

2. I like Camo depsite his poor form but dislike Gila for the same reason (poor form)

3. DeRossi is world class but might not have the international experience and grit (or what I originally referred to as “get’em”) that Camo’s got. Still, DR’s more creative, and because of his form, confident. Win-win situation that even Lippi can’t screw up!

4. Speaking of Lippi, he’s done a nice job deflecting the focus from his camp, reminding us that his team (Italy is clean). True, the players should essentially play with light, guiltless spirit, except for maybe Buffon who allegedly wagered millions on calcio.

5. Let’s hope Buffon doesn’t have a foggy/preoccupied head because if there’s one player we need to be headstrong it’s him. And Totti. Alright, two players.

6. If there’s any question regarding Buffon’s focus, I’m all in favor of having Peruzzi mind the door.

Posted from United States

By Matt Rosati | May 16th, 2006 at 5:11 pm

I think Camoranesi is an amazing hard working winger. He’s the one that crosses the ball well for Juventus and for Italy as well. Before Camoranesi was on the team Italy was more defensive minded. But I still like De Rossi and hope he does well. He’s like a young Totti. As for Italy’s defence, they haven’t been their best the past few years but I think Oddo or Zaccardo or even Grosso can add attacking power to already their powerhouse team. All three defenders are good on the wings and all are pretty fast and have good anticpation. Oddo also has 7 goals this season for Lazio which is pretty good for a defender.

Posted from Canada

By rescorpione17 | May 18th, 2006 at 2:39 pm

i think that Camoranesi poor performance at Juve has very little to do with his skills or condition and very much more with his much anticipated transfer to Bayern Munich and the arrive of Marchionni at Juve ..so the man got tired nervous and feisty…with Italy he is assured a position also because in his role he has actually no replacement he is a midfielder,a winger and can even score …he will be one of the greatest assets of this Italy who else would cross apart from him and Zambrotta ? crossing this year with the likes of Toni and Gilardino ,Derossi and Cannavaro who are all simply devastating when it come to headballs is our most valuable offensive tool….

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