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U21 Squad Called Up, Israel In Sight

October 3rd, 2008 | By: Julian | 15 Comments »

Casirahi has named his squad that will take on Israel in U-21 Euro Championship playoffs. The winner here (it’s a two legged game series) goes onto the group stages next year. The lucky lads called up:

Goalkeepers: Consigli (Atalanta), Seculin (Fiorentina), Sirigu (Ancona)
Defenders: Andreolli (Sassuolo), Bocchetti (Genoa), Criscito (Genoa), De Ceglie (Juventus), De Silvestri (Lazio), Marzoratti (Empoli), Motta (Udinese), Pisano (Cagliari)
Midfielders: Bolzoni (Inter), Candreva (Livorno), Cigarini (Atalanta), Dessena (Sampdoria), Giovinco (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Morosini (Vicenza), Abate (Torino)
Strikers: Acquafresca (Cagliari), Balotelli (Inter), Lanzafame (Palermo), Osvaldo (Fiorentina)

Get used to these names fellas, cause these are some of the guy we’ll see come 2010. And by Euro 2012 and WC 2014, this will likely be the entire roster (with a few additions/exceptions of course).

No big surprises. Nice to see Balotelli called up, and everyone else you’d expect is there. The midfield in particular is looking quite stacked, with Giovinco, Marchisio, and Abate looking to impress. This team should easily be able to take on some of the best teams in the world, nevertheless Israel. That’s not to say we should underestimate them- they finished second behind Germany and since they’re virtually unknowns, we have no idea what they’re capable of. Yet we seem to have a thing for facing virtual unknowns nowadays- see: the Olympics- so this should be relatively simple. Should be. But since I said that, now it probably won’t be.

I’m somewhat surprised to see that Paloschi wasn’t called up, but considering his age (just 18) and experience (virtually none), it’s not that shocking.

(Sadly, one guy who used to be there isn’t anymore- Gianfranco Zola. He’s over managing West Ham in the English Overrated League, and I’d like to wish him the best of luck. He was a phenomenal player and did a lot of stuff behind the scenes as assistant manager to our Azzurrini. I can only hope his presence isn’t missed too much.)

You have no idea how happy I am that I FINALLY have news to report. I love blogging, but there’s been such a dearth of news lately that I can’t really blog.

As far as the senior team goes, it’s still the same-old same-old. Pirlo is out for WC qualifiers this month, Gigi should be back, and the squad hasn’t been named yet. Yawn. I’m waiting for some actual news/happenings here.

EDIT: There is one guy missing from the list: Guiseppe Rossi. I completely forgot about him, and I’m hoping his absence means that a certain other coach called up Casiraghi and said he wanted to use the guy. Fingers crossed

Tags: Azzurrini, casiraghi, Group E, Israel, Pirlo, U-21, Zola

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Comments

By Provenzano | October 3rd, 2008 at 1:08 pm

agreed with u in that a few of them will be regulars by 2012..
De Ceglie and De Silvestre are almost certain to be our full backs in the senior set up..Balotelli, still it is early to say..he has promised a lot but then there r the likes of Rossi, Russotto, Pazzini( whom i rate very much but sadly isnt getting a full playing time regularly)…Paloschi will be better with time and i see him being up there in 5 years..The midfield is world class really with the likes of Giovinco, Marchisso Cigarini and Abate almost sure shot future Azzurri stuff..Andreolli promised a lot but then he is so young and iam sure he will get better as he is a typical central defender shaped along the likes of Costacurta..

Posted from Spain

By kqql | October 3rd, 2008 at 2:07 pm

No big surprises. Nice to see Balotelli called up, and everyone else you’d expect is there.
————————

U sure?

Posted from United States

By Bobo | October 3rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm

I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time… Julian, how could you neglect to mention Rossi’s absence? I would be willing to bet my first-born child that he’ll be called up by Lippi for the game against Bulgaria. I’m expecting big things from this player.

And Provenzano, Andreolli IS an extremely talented defender. His abilities have never been in question, just the fragility of his physique and subsequent susceptibility to injury. I’m crossing my fingers for him because he’s got almost all the tools (minus the physical presence) to be a top class central defender.

By Julian | October 3rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm

I’m just hoping that Lippi talked to Casiraghi and told him that Rossi is ready to make the jump.

Posted from United States

By sofia | October 3rd, 2008 at 3:11 pm

i was going to ask where Rossi was?? i know he was injured before but he should be good by now! if lippi doesn’t call him up, then he seriously isn’t getting the respect he deserves.

By Provenzano | October 3rd, 2008 at 3:50 pm

Rossi is doing fine because he played for almost 80 minutes for Villareal in the Champions league fixture against Celtic..he made one dazzling run beating two Celtic defenders and fired just wide!!I have every reason to believe that Rossi will be in the squad for Bulgaria and also he will be playing a part of the second half depending on the match situation.

Posted from Spain

By yoman | October 3rd, 2008 at 6:27 pm

rossi vs. vs sporting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkfJLja9b18

Posted from United States

By Julian | October 3rd, 2008 at 7:00 pm

Yeah, Rossi isn’t injured anymore. And I can’t imagine him not being called up for any reasons besides Lippi wanting to use him. Casiraghi’s not an idiot, and he knows how good Rossi is.
This could be his breakout year, too. With Nihat out for a while over at Villareal, Rossi’s gotta step up to the plate

Posted from United States

By yoman | October 3rd, 2008 at 8:03 pm

This could be his breakout year, too. With Nihat out for a while over at Villareal, Rossi’s gotta step up to the plate
———————————–>

Offcourse he needs well this season toom, but he didn’t too bad last year season either w/ Villarreal. (eve though he was out 8 weeks via injury).

Also, saved Parma butt in 07.

By asem | October 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 pm

Wish Roma would sign Rossi…

Also, NO OKAKA FOR AZZURRINI???

By Julian | October 4th, 2008 at 12:33 am

yoman, that’s true but now he can step up at a big club and prove himself in Europe as well

okaka is really young and still barely plays for Roma. Give him time

Posted from United States

By Provenzano | October 4th, 2008 at 8:27 am

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/oct4g.html

So according to the latest, it is almost certain that Rossi will be in the squad for the forthcoming qualifiers..The surprise though could be DÁgostino if selected, the udinese deep playing midfielder is touted as a replace ment for Pirlo and that is a shock for me because i have seen nothing that special in the lad

Posted from Spain

By Provenzano | October 4th, 2008 at 8:32 am

Rossi would not do blunder and sign for Roma, i mean the lad is destined for greatness..Iam sure he will be playing for a big club in a couple of years, maybe Milan or Manchester United(again)..Rossi is destined to win a lot in Europe, with roma, he would win nothing

Posted from Spain

By asem | October 4th, 2008 at 11:32 am

Provenzano shut the fuck up.
I’m not hatin on any team that you go for, just statin that I wish Rossi was picked up by Roma, because they are my beloved club. Back off. And I suspect you go for AC Milan, a team that I don’t hate, but don’t like either, so I have nothing really against them.

By asem | October 4th, 2008 at 11:35 am

Btw, besides being on Man U’s bench, what other “winning” teams has Rossi been on? Parma? Villareal? Quit talkin’ out of your ass. At least what we have won has been untainted…

Comments are closed