Defending the Azzurri

November 6th, 2011 | by: samcalcio | Comments Off

After my colleague, Gadsby, put together a piece concerning Italy’s forward options, I thought I’d do something similar/completely rip him off by writing a piece looking at our backline, traditionally the corner stone of our successes, now looks somewhat confusing. With debates ongoing about our best CB partnership, who to put next to Chiellini,  should Abate go in ahead of Maggio…etc etc.

With the squads being announced sometime in the next few days for the upcoming friendly vs Poland, and the countdown towards Euro 2012 soon to reach unavoidable levels, I guess it’s time to start talking about who should be in our back four.

So..without further ado, here comes a nice list of players with pretty pictures and descriptions..with ratings out of 10 for various attributes, with an average at the bottom. (I’m either good or bordering on a full on awakening..using pink highlights in my piece and using players haircuts as genuine reasons for selection..)

Guaranteed Starters:

Giorgio Chiellini

Age: 27

Ability: 8/10

Azzurri Form: 7/10

Reliability: 7/10

Overall: 7.33/10

The Bianconeri stalwart is one of the few cast iron members of the Azzurri defence, and when available for selection, is guaranteed a starting position. Commited, strong, great in the air and an expert timer of the tackle, Chiello will be one of the first names next to Gigi, Pirlo and DDR.

Frederico Balzaretti

Age: 29

Ability: 7/10

Azzurri Form: 8/10

Reliability: 8/10

Overall: 7.6/10

Another firm choice from Pranders, Balzu very much nailing down the left back position with his foraging runs, solid positional play and resemblance to Qui Gon Jin. The Ginger Ninja is an excellent full back, one who I’d love to see at a more..ahh “solid” club than Palermo, but alas, Freddy is deserved of his blue jersey.

Firm Choices/Rotations:

Leonardo Bonucci

Age: 24

Ability: 6/10

Azzurri form: 6/10

Reliabilty: 7/10

Average: 6.3/10

Leo is an integral part of the Juve team that sits atop of Serie A, partnering Barzagli(who makes a later appearance) to great effect(ish). Bonnie won’t be a first choice CB, unless there is an injury, but is a solid fit if required. Good in the air, and powerful, but prone to indecision at times. However, comfort in tight situations and a relatively calm take to goal stopping will guarantee him a squad place.

Andrea Ranocchia

Age: 23

Ability: 7/10

Azzurri Form: 6/10

Reliability: 6/10

Average: 6.6/10

The Former Genoa man is still a great prospect for Azzurri and Inter fans, at just 23 Ranocchia has a lot yet to blossom into. However, given Rano’s tendency to drop off in concentration, he could be costly if played regularly for Azzurri. One for 2014, I should think.  That said, his current role presents him with the chance to work his way into the side, and with a good season(starting….now!) for Inter and we could still see him walking out of the tunnel come June 2012.

Christian Maggio and Mattia Cassani

Age: 29 and 28

Ability: 6/10

Azzurri Form: 7/10

Reliability: 8/10

Overall: 7/10

Not the best in terms of natural ability, but the two rotational right back’s  are vital cogs in the Azzurri machine.  Maggio, currently enjoying a great year as a forward thinking winger/full back hybrid in Mazzarri’s 3-5-2, whilst Cassani has been one of the few unmoving consistent parts in a Palermo unit that is continuously rebuilt, managerially and otherwise. The only reason I stick them both here is just that, the fact that there are two of them, denying the other a guaranteed start makes them rotational. Either one could start next year, and I wouldn’t be too fussed, but who  does, especially in light of Abate’s supposed call up(Prandelli statement to Sky as I type) is anyones guess. I prefer Maggio, personally, I just think he has more in his locker. But whatever Cesare goes for is fine with me.

…And the supporting cast…

Andrea Barzagli – Recently come into his own at Juve, and has been justly rewarded with a good run of games. Consistency is the key for the former Wolfsburg man, in what could be his last chance at an International tournament. If his impressive form continues, I’d expect him next Chiellini. Overall: 7/10

Domencio Criscito – I like Dom. Fast, good with the ball, and committed. But never ever going to get ahead of Balzu in the next 10 months or so unless(God Forbid) the Pink Jedi gets an injury. However, the future looks bright for the kid, especially with Balzu now nearly 30. If the Russian adventure works out, then he could well be the LB of choice by 2014.

BREAKING NEWS: The Azzurri squad to face Poland and Uruguay on the 11th and 15th of November. Ignazio Abate has been given a cap, whilst Pepe and Matri are rewarded for their efforts.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St Germain/FRA), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli)

Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Zenit St Petersburg/RUS), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (AC Milan), Daniele de Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Inter Milan), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)

Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City/ENG), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma), Alessandro Matri (Juventus), Pablo Osvaldo (Roma), Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter Milan), Simone Pepe (Juventus)

Sam is on Twitter. Follow him on there for amusement/rambles/emotional trauma.