World

Europe

Italy

The State of the Azzurri Backline

December 8th, 2008 | By: Julian | 42 Comments »

I’ve been looking over my posts and I noticed that a lot of them dealt with strikers and attacking players. Now, I’m a joga bonito soccer fan, one from the Arsenal/Roma/Barca style school of playing with style. Which means that a lot of times, my posts are about the creative trequartistas and the like. But this is Italy, and Italy has traditionally emphasized one thing over everything else- defense. People cringe, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing; as the saying goes, offense sells tickets but it’s defense that wins championships.

Today, the soccer world is getting more and more attack focused, but we’ve won a decent amount of stuff in the past playing a primarily defensive game (and “defensive” doesn’t always mean “boring/dull”). But that was then; how’s our back line holding up now?

A quick glance at the recent call ups isn’t too promising:

Andrea Dossena

Fabio Grosso

Giorgio Chiellini

Fabio Cannavaro

Alessandro Gamberini

Nicola Legrottaglie

Daniele Bonera

Gianluca Zambrotta

It fact, this has most Italy fans wishing for the days of Maldini, Nesta… hell, even a WC 06 Materazzi.

First thing that jumps out: age. This backline is ridiculously old, and in a day and age where the game is getting more physical, that just may not cut it. Besides the 24 year old GC, everyone else is either garbage (sorry, but do you really think Italy should be proud that Bonera is on the national team?) or the wrong side of 30 (I’m looking at you, Canna, Zambro, and Grosso). The average age of the backline is 29.25. Without GC, the average age is 30. (Now don’t say I don’t love you guys- I had to use a calculator to figure that out. Hmp. Making me work in my own blog. Madness.)

30 in 2008 means the average age will be 32 come 2010. Can we really defend our title if our backline is the age most players become substitutes at? It’s hard to say.

The problem isn’t just age. It’s a ton of things that add up. For example, Canna has been really poor lately over at Madrid. He actually played decently this weekend against Sevilla, but he definitely has not recaptured his Juventus form. So should Lippi drop our captain, who tends to perform at his best in the blue shirt and has more experience than anyone else at the team? It’s a tough call. Spain dropped Raul over the summer and they managed to win the Euros. Is it time for us to drop him and start to move on? Or is he still good enough/ experienced enough to play at the highest level?

The biggest problem is that Italy just isn’t pushing out world class defenders like we used to. Besides GC, there really isn’t anyone world class coming up through the ranks. Fabiano Santacroce is a fine defender, but he’s practically a walking red card. Yet, so was Materazzi, and he still had a place on the team. Domenico Criscito is another solid defender, as well. Both him and Santa are center backs, and both start for thier respective clubs (Genoa and Napoli).

Video of Criscito, showing off his awesome defending with the obligatory shitty music that accompanies all soccer vids:

There would be a video for Santacroce here, but I didn’t feel like spending more than 30 seconds looking on Youtube for one. Alas, 30 seconds is not enough time to find a good Santa highlight video. But he has a picture in this post instead.

This just reveals another weakness in our backline; we as of yet have no real replacements for Grosso and Zambrotta. I think Maggio is great and should be given a chance as a fullback, but he’s 27 and yet to really shine in the shirt. If anyone can name any suggestions about who can fill the wingback positions, please let me know in the comments. I’m drawing a blank here.

Lippi’s going to have to start dropping guys eventually, given age and form. My money’s on Gamberini and Bonera, and he might as well call up Santacroce and Criscito to replace them. The only way we’re going to find out if they’re good enough to go to 2010 and defend our title is if we see them in action on the big stage. And there’s no bigger stage than a friendly against Brazil on the other side of New Years’.

Tags: Alessandro Gamberini, Andrea Dossena, Daniele Bonera, defenders, Domenico Criscito, Fabiano Santacroce, Fabio Cannavaro, Fabio Grosso, Gianluca Zambrotta, Giorgio Chiellini, Group E, Nicola Legrottaglie, No Country For Old Men

Italy World Cup RSS Feed

del.icio.us:The State of the Azzurri Backline

newsvine:The State of the Azzurri Backline

reddit:The State of the Azzurri Backline

stumbleupon:The State of the Azzurri Backline

Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 42 comments.

Read the rest of the comments

By Julian | December 9th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

Don’t worry about Gattuso, Armando- he’s injured and out for 6 months.

Posted from United States

By asem | December 9th, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Right when Gattuso was playing well…
…I guess it’ll give someone from the midfield a chance.
Maybe Aqui (*crossing fingers*)???

By Julian | December 9th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

If we’re going for a like-for-like replacement for Gattuso, maybe Nocerino can be given a shot?

Posted from United States

By Francesco | December 9th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

I wouldn’t call up Morris Carrozzieri. Yes he’s going through a good patch of form, but let’s not forget that he has always been one of the butchers of Serie A. Causes way too many fouls and gets too may cards.

By Giro | December 9th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

Its Moris and he has been out standing but i know what your saying he does get cards often. Nocerino has been running his ass off every game for Palermo. Some games better then others. But by the time South Africa comes im sure he will have a steady understanding of the game. Also he is a way better passer then Rino.

Posted from United States

By Armando | December 9th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

To Julian –

It’s not that i dont like Gattuso, actually, i think he’s USUALLY great. Just not this season. He’s really been below par this season IMO, and i think it would be right for someone to get the nod over him, at least in the starting lineup. Though i would definitely have him ready to be a sub. And Marchionni is looking great lately. Carozzieri has looked good also, and if he continues the form he had against Milan, he deserves to be a starter.

Also, why does it seem like everyone ignores Amauri? Now, i like Ronaldinho, but Amauri was the signing of the summer as far as i’m concerned, at least for Serie A. (then again i’m a Juve fan, but still). I think we should really try and get him.

By Bobo | December 9th, 2008 at 7:02 pm

So the Brazilians can laugh in our faces? Let Qatar buy Brazilian castoffs for their national team, not Italy. And before anyone brings up the oriundi, they were natural born Italian citizens.

It’s not that Amauri is a nationalized “Italian” that bothers me though, it’s that he’s made it quite clear that we’re his second choice. I don’t think we’re quite so desperate yet…

By Francesco | December 9th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

Armando, Gattuso has been by far Milan’s best player so far this season. He has held the team together. They will sorely miss his presence in the center of the pitch for the rest of the season.

By Armando | December 9th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

I dont think i agree with that Francesco. I dont really follow every Milan match as i’m a Juventus fan, but i’d say the Brazilian Trio (Pato, Kaka, ‘Dinho)has looked better than Gattuso.

And Bobo, i realize that Amauri said we’re his second choice, but i’m just saying, whether we’re his second choice or not, he may be the best choice for a striker we have, or one of them at least.

By Alberto | December 9th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

Moris carrozieri / Cesare Bovo backline and italy will be just fine;)

By Jessica | December 9th, 2008 at 10:18 pm

I personally like Paolo De Ceglie, Andrea Coda and Salvatore Bocchetti. Although I have not seen them play alot.

Indeed, these are scary times because I “grew up” watching Canna, Nesta, and a little of bit of Baresi (@ USA 94′) and now it seems we are at a big turning point.

Here is the million dollar question for everyone: What the heck happened to Barzagli and Zaccardo!?? I guess they are done with la nazionale?

By kqql | December 9th, 2008 at 10:36 pm

Azzurri Fwds as of 12/9/08 from Serie A, Bundesliga, Liga.

Gila -> 11 Goals + 2 Assists / 13 Games
Toni -> 8 Goals + 3 Assists/ 12 Games
Miccoli -> 7(2 P.K) Goals + 2 Assists / 13 Games
Rossi -> 6 Goals + 2 Assists / 10 Games
Quags -> 5 Goals + 1 Assist / 15 Games
Cassano -> 5(1 P.K) + 2 Assists / 15 Games
Toto -> 5(2 P.K) + 1 Assist / 9 Games
ADP -> 4(1 P.K) Goals + 3 Assists / 12 Games
Pepe -> 2 Goals + 2 Assists/ 14 Games
Iaquinta -> 2 Goals + 1 Assist / 11 Games
Borriello -> 1 Goal + 1 Assist / 7 Games

——
Amauri -> 8 Goals + 0 Assists / 15 Games

—–
Extra
Acquafresca -> 5(1 P.K) + 0 Assist / 14 Games

By kqql | December 9th, 2008 at 10:44 pm

I wish Rino the best……….he was in great form……….AC Milan will sorely miss him while he recovers..

By Giro | December 9th, 2008 at 11:06 pm

Another scary note about our back line is who can we find to back up Grosso. He was one of our best players in Euro 2008. And a huge key in Germany. I think if he goes down we are shit out of luck.

Posted from United States

By ilcapitano | December 10th, 2008 at 5:52 pm

Great point Jessica, I know Zaccardo sucked against the US, and Barzagli was terrible in the opener against Holland (I think he played?)
Neither has been called up since, and I think they’re off in some foreign country now (Wolfsborg or something? I’m too lazy to look it up) It’s a shame, they both looked promising leading up to 2006, but now, they’re done.

Posted from United States

By Julian | December 10th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

Both Zaccardo and Barzagli are at Wolfsburg over in the Bundesliga. Bar just had a bad year last year and neither really deserve to be on the national team imo. They’re just not good enough

Posted from United States

By alessio | December 10th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

A possible Grosso absence doesn’t worry me too much. Yes, he’s a beast offensively but defensively we have capable reserves…none are world-beaters but at LB, it’s not as crucial as say fielding Bonera in Chiellini’s place.

Posted from United States

By moka | December 10th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

OK don’t shoot me for saying this but he’s an Italian full-back, whose 26 years old, and plays for Milan. Luca Antonini?

He’s played a few games, that I’ve watched and he seems OK. Not a starter for Milan but he seems like he has potential.

By ilcapitano | December 10th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

Hey, worst comes to worst, we can always push DDR back to CB if we have to haha.
Too bad Mexes has been called up for France before, cause instead of sitting at home watching Domenech blow the WC, he could be playing for his REAL country, ITALY.

Posted from United States

By Giro | December 10th, 2008 at 11:10 pm

Y dont we just field the whole roma squad?

Posted from United States

By Jessica | December 10th, 2008 at 11:34 pm

I am too biased against Bonera to feel comfortable with him. After his horror tackle on Sissoko last year I suppose my mind is made up. I wonder if Barzagli had signed for Fiorentina, if things would have been different. In any case that is a whole other discussion.

Oh ya, Cesare Bovo perhaps. Only U-21 so far.

By Caroe | December 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

Brighi should be called up as Ringhio’s replacement if he keeps up his current form.

In defence? I don’t really know. Criscito, Santacroce and possibly Bovo should get call-ups so they’ll be ready. Lippi must stop to think about the past and present and think about the FUTURE..

Posted from Denmark

By Louise | December 12th, 2008 at 10:57 pm

One of big reasons Raul was dropped and has never returned to the Spanish National Team was that he was a disruptive presence in the dressing room. This certainly is not the case with Canna, so I don’t think their situations are comparable.

Although he certainly doesn’t have the same form he did at WC06, it is hard to judge how he will perform for the Azzurri based on the number of goals Real Madrid gives up because of the general lack of form of the entire Real Madrid defense (including Casillas this season). Canna has continued to show good form for the Azzurri and provides needed consistency and guidance for the younger players who need to be weened into the back line as they adjust to the pressure of playing for their NT. And as long as Lippi believes that he is a valuable member of the squad, I would trust his judgment.

By Armando | December 13th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

Another thing to note is Paolo Cannavaro. I havent really been following Napoli much, but from what i have seen, he seems to be coming into his own. Another young guy like Giovinco that i think should be given a shot. Just an idea though.

And back on Amauri. Honestly, i think we need to put our pride on the shelf just this once and sign him if/when we get the chance. There’s not many players in the world right now that can score like him.

And kicking ADP off the national team was one of the dumbest things that couldve been done. He may not have the stamina he once had, but jeez, he’s still one of the best players in the world.

And now that i think about it, a 4-3-1-2 may work perfectly for Italy. Have it like this:

Buffon
Zambrotta Legrottaglie Chiellini Grosso
Camoranesi Pirlo De Rossi
Miccoli
Amauri Toni

Have a kind of Twin towers offense. I think it would work. Even if we dont sign Amauri then, we could put Iaquinta in the front line with Toni, and with Miccoli, Camo, and Pirlo we have plenty of creativity.

By forzafrankie | December 16th, 2008 at 12:55 am

I love Gattuso’s heart, but we can do much better in the midfield. Pirlo, De Rossi, Camuaranesi are staples, then you have Aqualani, Giovinco, Montolivo, etc…That’s the difference between mid level teams and the powerhouses, like Italy. The DEPTH!

Posted from United States

Comments are closed