Azzurri News

November 25th, 2011 | by: samcalcio | Comments Off

Very little Azzurri things happening at the moment, with the Champions League and domestic proceedings taking precedent, but we can find something, right?

Anyway, here’s couple of Azzurri musing’s I’ve pondering from around the peninsula, and essentially things I can relate to this wonderful blog.

Osvaldo and Matri looking excellent while Pazzini..is well, not.

In light of the Azzurri’s recent offensive ailments concerning our two of our usual starting strikers, it’s very comforting to see the usual “fringe players” for Gli Azzurri making the most of the chance to lay a claim for a starting spot. Pablo Osvaldo arrived at Trigoria in the summer under contrasting fanfare; Romanisti announcing their happiness at securing a true number 9 to replace the departed Vucinic, whilst many other Calcio fans sniggering derisively at the addition, calling the Argentina born forward a “poor mans Ibrahimovic(I thought that was Berbatov?)” and would flop at the Capital, especially after his disappointing spell in Florence a few years prior.

However, the latest Oriundi to pull on the famous blue shirt has been in sumptuous form since arriving back in Italy, already scoring 5 goals, a figure that should be 6 after his marvellous disallowed goal against Lecce which was to say the least, desperately unlucky. Despite the fact that it will not stand, the goal is not only a representation of the enormous talent Osvaldo possesses, but the confidence he is displaying in addition. If he keeps this up, then his name will be seriously considered for the Euro’s.

Another that is staking an impressive claim is former Milan youth player Alessandro Matri, who has continued his excellent form from last year(20 goals in Serie A) and has established himself as Juventus’s  leading striker. Sharp, athletic and an excellent finisher, Ale Matri is one of the leading Italian lights with Pirlo, Marchisio and the ever present Gigi Buffon that are behind the current Juve stranglehold over the Scudetto race.

Both are now more than justifying their moves to the “heavyweights” of Calcio, and really knocking on Prandelli’s proverbial door. Well deserved.

A name that should alongside the two aforementioned goal heroes is Giampaolo Pazzini. A natural poacher, but  for all the world looks like he left his net and box of bait in Genoa. He looks a shadow of himself, no reminiscence to the goalscorer in chief that took Sampdoria to new heights and the hit ground sprinting upon his arrival at Inter , leaving the Inter curva quite literally “pazzo”(See what I did there?)

I for one am a big fan of the Inter striker, and if it wasn’t for his slump coinciding with SuperMario closing in on his massive potential, it would be the former Fiorentina striker I would want next to Cassano and Rossi, not the latter. As things stand, however Pazzo is not performing at the level we know he can, and I for one, want him back.

Palombo, Sorrentino and Schelotto all cry for Azzurri call ups.

Not sure what to make up this one. I liked Palombo, he has grit and class, and can pass as well as contribute very defensively. I haven’t seen much of him since Samp’s relegation but he was a key member of Azzurri until then, and I respect his loyalty to Samp, even when he knew he’d put his future with Italy on the line. The problem is, we have lot’s of quality CM’s who are already proving themselves at Serie A, and at 30, I can’t see a long term future for Angelo. Same can be said for Sorrentino. When Abbiati can’t get a call up as 3rd choice, what hope does he have? And Schelotto? Well wingers have never really fit into Prandelli’s vision for La Nazionale, and there are more talented/reliable doptions in my opinion in the shape of Cerci and oddly, Pepe. Thoughts?

In other news:

• It appears that Daniele De Rossi is going to sign a contract at Roma, the vice Captain of the capital club is set on being a fully fledged leader in Rome, which I think is wonderful. Italians should stay in Italy, and I would have guessed that a move to a Man City or Real Madrid would seriously affect his national team spot.  I hope the same can be said of Balotelli and Guiseppe Rossi in the near future.

• On the flip side, Balzu, aka Qui Gon Jin, appears to be looking to join PSG, joining up with former Rosanero teammate Salvatore Sirigu. I hope not, but it appears that another left back for the Azzurri will be plying trade elsewhere come the winter. Shame.