WC Qualifiers Mini-Preview: A Look at Montenegro and Bulgaria

October 4th, 2008 | by: Julian |

So when will we see the Azzurri in action next? We play Bulgaria on the 11th, and then Montenegro on the 15th. No news on the Bulgarian squad yet, but Montenegro’s has been announced.

Goalkeepers – Vukašin Poleksić (Debrecen), Mladen Bozovic (Partizan Belgrade);

Defenders – Savo Pavicevic (Energie Cottbus), Radoslav Batak (Ankaraspor), Jovan Tanasijević (Dynamo Moscow), Milan Jovanovic (Universitatea Cluj), Vlado Jeknic (Wehen Wiesbaden), Elsad Zverotic (Lucerne), Luka Pejovic (Mogren Budva), Vladimir Bozovic (Rapid Bucharest)

Midfielders – Branko Bošković (Rapid Vienna), Mitar Novakovic (Amkar Perm), Nikola Drincic (Amkar Perm), Ivan Delic (Buducnost Podgorica), Simon Vukčević (Sporting Lisbon), Igor Burzanović (Red Star Belgrade), Nikola Vujovic (Mogren Budva)

Forwards – Mirko Vucinic (Roma), Stevan Jovetić (Fiorentina), Dragan Bogavac (Mainz), Dejan Damjanovic (FC Seoul), Radomir Djalovic (Rapid Bucharest).

Two names stick out immediately-Vucinic and Jovetic. Vucinic has grown from strength to strength at Roma, scoring decisive goals against big teams like Milan and Real Madrid. Jovetic is really young but extremely dangerous and he’s shown glimpses of what he’s capable of at Fior this year. If anything, our defense has to be watertight. The key matchup here is going to be GC-Canna against these two. If we win that battle I’m fairly confident we’ll win the game.

But that’s jumping the gun a bit. We have to face a tricky Bulgaria squad next, so expect a preview of that very soon.

The announcement for the Azzurri squad that’ll face both of these teams should be made this Sunday, after the next round of Serie A games. If Casiraghi’s omission is any indication, G Rossi should be amongst the guys called up. Either that or Casiraghi’s an idiot, but we won’t know till tomorrow.

Early news says that Lippi’s going to give 3 guys a try out- Maggio (about damn time eh?), Rossi, and D’Agostino, as a replacement for Pirlo. Maggio and Rossi are overdue for a shot, but D’Agostino would be a pretty surprising call up. Personally, I see Monto as the ideal heir to Pirlo’s throne, but what the hell. Might as well give the guy a shot. He’s been a pretty consistent performer for Udinese.

My predicted call ups:

Goalies: Buffon, Amelia, De Sanctis

Defenders: GC, Canna, Legro, Zambro, Dossena, Grosso, Barzagli, Maggio

Midfielders: DDR, Aqui, Monto, Camo, Gattuso, Perotta, D’Agostino

Forwards: Rossi, Toni, Christmas, Iaquinta, Gila

Not sure if that equals the total number of guys who have to get called up, and don’t really care. Those are the guys I expect to see in his roster.

Real, legit previews for both these games will be up soon. Expect a preview of the Bulgaria game either tomorrow or Monday

Tags: Bulgaria, casiraghi, Group E, Italy, Lippi, Maggio, Montenegro, Rossi

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Comments

By alessio | October 4th, 2008 at 2:07 pm

Chiellini, Legrottaglie and Iaquinta are all injured and will probably not make it.

Posted from United States

By Bobo | October 4th, 2008 at 6:52 pm

Montolivo, while a great player, is not quite in the Andrea Pirlo mold. He’s not nearly as precise and his vision is not as well developed but he brings a lot more defensive bite to his task and has a good shot to boot.

Personally, I’m anxious to see whether Luca Cigarini sinks or swims with Atalanta. He’s got playing like Pirlo down to an art (even though his form is pretty erratic).

By Neo | October 5th, 2008 at 11:48 am

Quagliarelly scored two goals today…might get a call up if Iaquinta doesn’t

By Julian | October 5th, 2008 at 11:52 am

The only good thing about this weekend soccer wise: Cassano had a brace. Other than that, it was horrible imo. Roma roma roma…

Posted from United States

By Neo | October 5th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Amelia (Palermo), De Sanctis (Galatasaray)
Defenders: Bonera (Milan), Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Chiellini (Juventus), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Santacroce (Napoli), Zambrotta (Milan)
Midfielders: Aquilani (Roma), Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Palermo), Perrotta (Roma)
Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Pepe (Udinese), G Rossi (Villareal), Toni (Bayern Munich).

By yoman | October 5th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

Here u Go.

=========================

I CONVOCATI –
Portieri: Buffon (Juventus), Amelia (Palermo), De Sanctis (Galatasaray).
Difensori: Bonera (Milan), Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Chiellini (Juventus), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Santacroce (Napoli), Zambrotta (Milan).
Centrocampisti: Aquilani (Roma), Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Palermo), Perrotta (Roma).
Attaccanti: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Pepe (Udinese), Rossi G. (Villarreal), Toni (Bayern Monaco).

INFORTUNATI – Nel fare le convocazioni Lippi ha dovuto tenere contro dei molti infortunati. Legrottaglie, Materazzi, Cassetti, Grosso in difesa. Pirlo, Palombo a centrocampo. Iaquinta in attacco.

http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale/Primo_Piano/2008/10/05/convocazioni.shtml

By Mitar | October 5th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

I`m from Montenegro,and you shouldn`t have any problems with our side…But please,don`t score too much.

Posted from Serbia And Montenegro

By Buddy Guy | October 6th, 2008 at 10:02 am

Mitar, you are either joking or you’re being modest. Montenegro is going to be a tough game for us.

Posted from Canada

By gio | October 7th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

with Vucinic out it will be tougher for Montenegro, but Buffon will be a great loss for us. it will be a tough game, especially since i do not believe Lippi has called up the right players.

Pepe over Quagliarella? Gilardino and no Cassano? not to mention that Toni has not done anything and should not be put on the pitch. Miccoli would be a great choice for either game, especially Bulgaria.

Gilardino nor Toni will score.

By Mitar | October 9th, 2008 at 7:08 am

Our defence is pretty lame,and that`s why i think it`s gonna be an easy game for Italy.Our attack could bring troubles to your defence,Vukcevic is a very good player,and with Vucinic and Jovetic makes a fantastic trio.But,with Vucinic out(not sure yet)our attack is much weaker…

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