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This is Our Starting 11 For World Cup 2010*

April 14th, 2009 | By: Julian | 67 Comments »

Posts like these are so hard to do. They’re extremely speculative in nature, and calling something over a year in advance when footy changes so quickly means that this list is very, very tentative at best. I mean, it’s possible that all of these players could start to suck and be dropped from the roster come 2010. It’s more probable that at least some of them will make it, but there’s many variables to take into consideration. Form is just one of these variables, along with things like injury. Basically, this list is a crackshot, something on par with the reliability of Fox News (and, hence, the asterisk in the title). Could be right, could be wrong, but I’ll let you know in a year’s time.

Now that the giant disclaimer is out of the way, I figured we might as well take a speculative look at who’s might be called up to represent Italy in South Africa 2010. I decided to limit this post to the starting XI- the entire roster would be even more difficult to predict. I also limited myself to the following:

The player has to be good enough currently to be called up. Ie, this is based on present-day form. Thus, Giovinco isn’t included because he’s not even currently playing for Juve.

Age at the time of the Cup. Love Panucci to death, but I don’t think he’ll be recalled to the Azzurri at the young age of 37.

The players must be Italian. No Amauri.

It’s gotta be a realistic call up. Do you really think Lippi is going to call Bonera?

Finally, it is my list, so some of these are more like Julian Callups than Lippi Callups

Goalie: Gianluigi Buffon. This is the only spot that’s a virtual lock *Knocks on wood, a giant Oak tree, and a log cabin* Buffon is one of the best goalies in the world, and unless he gets severely injured or loses form and Viviano/Amelia steps it up big time, he’s going to be our starter. Lately he hasn’t been looking like the Gigi we all know; you know, the superhero with gravity-defying stops. But he just returned from injury, so give him a few weeks to regain form and he should be A-OK.

Left back: Grosso. I’d put Santon here but being only 18 he’s not going to be called up for a while. Plus Grosso hasn’t quite lost it yet, and is still a threat going forward. Mostly though, he just has a huge place in my- and more importantly, Lippi’s- heart for what he did in Germany.

Center Back: Fabio Cannavaro. Now, this is somewhat debatable. The man is the heart and soul of our team. Yet, he’ll be pushing 37 by the time the Cup comes. On the other hand, he has a ton of experience. But, he’s known for making mistakes and not being as good as he once was.

Yes there’s plenty of debate on both sides of the Cannavaro issue. But why did I include him? Three reasons: One, he’s the captain. Two, Lippi isn’t going to drop him. Three, this is likely (hopefully?) his last major tournament. Unless he wants to bring his AARP card along with him to Euro 2012.

Center Back: Giorgio Chiellini. Affectionately known as The Schnozz by some fans due to his nose, there’s no denying the class of this guy. He’ll be 24/25 in South Africa, meaning he’ll be young but will have the experience of the past Euros under his belt. I’ve been saying for a while now that he has the potential to be world class, but I think we’re finally starting to cross that boarder- it isn’t much of a stretch to say that he is world class. Juve are a much stronger team with him at the back, and so are the Azzurri.

Right back: Marco Motta. We can’t have 2 fullbacks over 30 unless we want to exit the tourney at the first round. Motta has stepped up hugely since going to Roma, and has experience on the U-21 side. We’ve got to drop some youth into the squad somewhere, and it might as well be here if the choice is between him and Zambro.

Defensive Midfielder: Daniele De Rossi. Last season was De Rossi’s. He was debatably the best player for us at the Euros, and carried Roma while Totti was out. This year he hasn’t quite hit the highs of last year, but he’s still one of the best defensively middies out there. Best of all, he can also set up play, meaning he’s something like an Azzurri Swiss Knife. Probably the future captain of the Azzurri, as well. No reason to not call him up.

Deep Lying Playmaker: Andrea Pirlo. I think this one speaks for itself. He’s got one more tourney under him, like most players that Lippi loves, but unlike them, he’s still world class. Some say that DDR doesn’t quite play for the Azzurri like he does for Roma. For Pirlo its the opposite- it seems he reserves his best games for the blue shirt.

Other Midfielder: Brighi. If we have a guy lying deep making plays, one shielding the back four, and one charging ahead with the attack, we need a guy in the middle to run his ass off and link everyone together. If Gattuso is fit and in prime shape, he can have this spot. If not, I’d rather it go to the Brighadier or Nocerino.

Trequartista: Cassano. Nope, don’t care that Lippi hates him. Don’t care that his chances of being called up are slim at best. If he’s not at the world cup, it means that Lippi isn’t doing his job properly.

Striker: Pazzini. The other half of Cassano, the one that bangs in goals like they’re going out of style. If he can continue this vein of goalscoring into next year, no reason why he shouldn’t be called up. And hey, can he be any worse than Toni?

Striker: Guiseppe Rossi. Rossi has had 3-4 years now of playing for big clubs and has proven himself time and time again. Best of all, he’s young and he’s talented. I’m not quite sure that he’s the next Baggio, but if he’s going to prove himself on the international stage, there’s no better place for him than South Africa.

Next up: A look at the Macheda issue, and why Italian clubs are letting promising talent be snatched from under them.

Tags: Azzurrini, Group E, Italy, Marcello Lippi, World Cup 2010

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 67 comments.

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By ilcapitano | April 15th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

And NO ORIUNDI! I would like to see a team of all Italians and not be like France…

Posted from United States

By Vincent | April 15th, 2009 at 7:08 pm

I am really hoping next year players like Santon, De Ceglie, Marchisio, Aquilani, Santacroce, Balotelli will take that step up in quality and get extended and healthy runs in their teams.

That could really make a difference for the WC squad

By Michel-Olivier | April 15th, 2009 at 7:09 pm

@ilcapitano
ORIUNDI are italian because italian nationality law is base on jus sanguinis(right of blood). orsi, camoranesi, forestieri, sivori, santacroce, monti, taddei, motta… are all ethnic italian.

Posted from United States

By mike de robbio | April 15th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

we’re screwed for the confeds. it’s a small crazy, random tournament, he should use it as a chance to try some more interesting players out in time for the world cup, instead he’s sticking with the old. we’re going to get hammered in this tournament, learn nothing and then get knocked out of the world cup.

Posted from Australia

By Alex | April 15th, 2009 at 7:43 pm

The oriundi in another era made sense. They were the sons of Italians. But nowadays since Italians no longer engage in mass emigration the link to Italy for those living abroad becomes more and more diluted. I don’t think having 1 grandfather makes one Italian, do you? Neither does having 4 Italian grandparents if one doesn’t speak Italian and has no contact with Italy.

By asem | April 15th, 2009 at 7:47 pm

MAD, that was true, I laughed at the idea of Santon being included in the starting line-up at that stage. To be honest, could you blame me? He had played a grand total of 6 Serie A games, fresh out the primavera, and was a 18 year old … To say he could start for La Nazionale, let alone be called up, to me, seemed ludicrous.

I think any logical person would think that that was pretty preposterous. I do think he should be called up for the ConFed and definitely the WC, I don’t know about starting…

I really hope DDR becomes captain, do y’all think it will happen though?

Posted from United States

By asem | April 15th, 2009 at 7:48 pm

*After GiGi retires of course.

Posted from United States

By Vittal | April 15th, 2009 at 9:44 pm

Ah well, evryone is entitled to their opinion. And it doesn’t matter who reccomended whom when. Either way I was very excited to see Santon start for Inter, as I had heard from a friend before that that he was the next Maldini. And was even more thrilled when he lived up to expectation. Motta was always touted as a good player. And I still consider him to be one. A potential star for the future. Realistically not evry 20 odd year old player can play like a vetran game in and game out. Inconsistency is part of growing up as a footballer. Just that he has the talent to succeed at the level he is playing at. There is still time for the 2010 WC.

But on a more practical note, I’d love to see more of the Palermo players playing at least in the Confed Club. The wingbacks of Palermo should get a place in the National team. Maybe even Moris (centre back). Criscito has been playing well For Genoa as well.

By Jessica | April 15th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

“It’s gotta be a realistic call up. Do you really think Lippi is going to call Bonera?”

Unfortuneatley, I do. Bonera was injured for the last 2 qualifiers, so I expect to see him back – nightmares, anyone?

By 9 champs leagues | April 16th, 2009 at 6:17 am

Lippi will never select technically weak players like Criscito…It will be a recipe for disaster, interestingly, as rafa benitez admitted recently, Dossena will be very useful if he is allowed to play in the last 20 minutes..

Posted from Spain

By Armando | April 17th, 2009 at 11:23 pm

Alex, why would you have heartattacks watching Maggio? And why wouldnt he be the same when he gets back from his injury?

And ilcapitano, i realize that it’s extremely defensive, but it was more of just an idea than an actual suggestion. Though to be honest, with the way Italy plays, all defensive and counterattacking, it might actually be pretty good. Probably still better than the 4-3-3 which Lippi is currently using even though it’s obviously a horrible formation for the Azzurri.

By Aquismaia | April 18th, 2009 at 3:52 am

its right, I totally agree with you nearly over everything

Posted from Germany

By Aquismaia | April 18th, 2009 at 3:54 am

no doubt DDR is the future captain, I mean who can challenge for that? Chiellini, No I don’t think its time Italy need a midfielder to lead the side

Posted from Germany

By Jack | April 18th, 2009 at 2:53 pm

Sorry to burst the Romanista bubble here, but Foggia needs to be on the Italy team. He’s one of the few midfield/winger types available to Lippi who has speed, creativity and heart. Zarate gets all the attention at Lazio, but Foggia’s been huge for them this year.

By Shuli Italia | April 18th, 2009 at 11:21 pm

what about Givovinco and Balotelli

By KA | April 21st, 2009 at 3:09 am

Y dont u speak about AQUILANI? He has a year to improve. and a man of 25y.o. wouldnt be odd 4 us even on the bench.

By Marco | April 21st, 2009 at 9:07 am

Buffon
Motta – Chiellini – Santacroce – Santon
Gattuso
Giovinco – Pirlo
Cassano
Rossi – Balotelli*

Buffon
Motta – Chiellini – Gamberini – Santon
Marchisio – De Rossi – Pirlo
Giovinco
Rossi – Cassano

* This line to start the world cup – against weaker teams, showboat a little. Then start removing either Rossi or Balotelli and go more defensive with DeRossi. I think one reason Italy have looked flat is with the absence of Gattuso to be honest, not to mention an odd formation and old players. But for Gattuso’s roll he isnt that old, and won’t be ancient come the world cup. DeRossi for me, I know there are a lot of Romanistas here, but he is pretty flat half the time. Even for Roma he doesn’t always show up. He will probably end up being captain of the azzurri but he still has a bit of maturity to go through before that. For 2010 Buffon will be the captain.

Now with that being said, I have another comment to throw out there.

Can you believe it’s been 9 years since Euro 2000? Next year it will be 10 years since that tournament. What the hell are players who played on the team during that tournament let along 1998 world cup still doing on the bloody national team? Can someone tell me this? I can understand 2006, but we are almost four years from 2006.

Finally, I heard some disturbing news. If someone can varify this I would love to know for certain. Did CANNAVARO SIGN WITH JUVENTUS? WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON? DOES THE REST OF THE WORLD NEED TO CONTINUE LAUGHING AT US?

By Marco | April 21st, 2009 at 9:12 am

Also of the current group of players only the following should be selected – aside from goaltenders

1. Pirlo
2. Gattuso
3. Rossi
4. Grosso
5. Pazzini
6. De Rossi
7. Chiellini
well you get the idea. We will be very volitile at either the Confederation cup or the world cup if either… Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Di Natale, Gilardino, Pepe walk on the field for a moment.

By Armando | April 21st, 2009 at 3:48 pm

Camoranesi needs to be called up. It seems like everyone is either forgetting him or ignoring him, but he’s an important part of the Azzurri and still has some years left in him. And personally i think ADP should be called up too, as well as Cassano, Marchisio, and maybe Giovinco and Amauri too (if Amauri gets passport and Giovinco gets more time).

By Marco | April 21st, 2009 at 4:14 pm

Amauri and Del Piero are not needed on this team. Im not sure if you have been watching Juventus, but one reason why they seem a bit lackluster is because of Del Piero, who has some where down the line forgot how to pass to players (something which he was amazing at). He is a hog and has a bad attitude.

Amauri is brazilian and therefore should play for brazil. I am Italian, and if Amauri is not good enough for brazil what makes him good enough for the Azzurri? He is no more than an average player who has been yet again upped by the Italian media.

Camro is Amazing, quick and for me one of the best players on Juventus/Azzurri – but he is 30+ and in all honesty can’t be starting for the national team. if he is picked thats fine, have him as a tool in the tool box – but no more than that.

Marchisio should and will get called up.

Cassano, Lippi seems to think Pepe is more usefull than Cassano, how he can leave him at home shows the arrogance of Lippi.

By Azzurra | April 21st, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Santacroce is not oriundo. His father was born in Italy, and his mother is Afro-Brazilian. He was born in Brazil, but become eligible for dual nationality under Brazilian law in 1994, when their constitution was altered to allow dual citizenship. He was raised in Italy since the age of 4 and has come up through the Italian system. It’s not like Camoranesi, who only came here to play football and feels Argentine and not Italian. And he’s not like Amauri, who wants to star for a national team that might win something, and will alter his nationality to anything to get that.

By Armando | April 26th, 2009 at 6:42 pm

Yea, Del Piero’s been having a rough time, but i still think he deserves a callup. He’s inconsistent, but when he’s on his game he’s REALLY on his game. Though because of his inconsistency, i dont know if he would start, unless he starts to play like he did in the first half of the season again (and i’m a huge ADP fan), especially when there’s other players like him that want that spot, specifically Cassano and Giovinco.

Camoranesi has alot of injury problems (as well as a temper lately), but other than that, he doesnt really show his age. He’s still the best italian winger in the world, in my opinion the best italian midfielder overall, one of the best crossers in the world, and one of the best italian dribblers too. He should definitely be called up, and still be a starter, at least most of time, for 2010. For 2014, okay, he’ll be 35, but right now he’s still doing great.

And Amauri’s brazilian, but i think would represent Italy proudly, has lived in italy a long time and is getting his passport, and he’s one of the best choices up front we have. See, Toni’s past his prime, Iaquinta had a nice run recently but seems to have dropped his form, Gilardino and Quagliarella’s national team form is very bad compared to their club form, etc. And it’s not that Amauri’s not good enough for Brazil, it’s just that Dunga ignored him for a while for some reason, but he also hasnt called up Grafite and continued for a while to callup Adriano, so Dunga’s decisions dont hold much credibility to me.

By gio | May 3rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm

i do not think it matters who Italy selects this year. unfortunately i think they have almost no chance of winning in 2010 – there is just no combination of older-experienced with younger-fresher players that could push us all the way.

we have a decent chance for 2014 if we can get guys like Rossi, Giovinco and Balotelli on the team by the next Euro-cup, but until then …

and also, have to disagree strongly with Cassano being anywhere near the Azzurri. did you see him today in the derby? all he did was fall down and dive. he was the worst guy on the field for Samp. i know why Lippi won’t pick him.

By Gio | May 3rd, 2009 at 3:54 pm

we have a decent chance for 2014 if we can get guys like Rossi, Giovinco and Balotelli on the team by the next Euro-cup, but until then …

By Mr.Choice | May 20th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

This is not a list unless you are thinking about adding Antonio Di Natale. This is just a disgraceful squad you have compiled there.

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