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

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