(Heart) Breaking News: Buffon’s World Cup in Doubt

Holy fuckballs.

Maybe Marchetti can be our new Barzagli?

I knew it was Buffon’s back. ESPN said hamstring.

Idioti.

What a loss if this is true.

He’s just jumping off the Titanic before it finishes sinking.

Can you blame him?

At least that was my thought when he didn’t show for the second half.

Daniele,

ESPN also said during the game that any info received during the game is notoriously unreliable.

In all seriousness, I’d hope/trust Marchetti is good enough to handle these next two games and that would give Gigi some solid rest time to come back for knockout action.

watched the game live in Cape Town Italy got it right in the 2nd half they are on track to do well in this world cup they are a proud team and a proud nation

Is Marchetti REALLY that big of a drop off from Buffon of 2010?

Marchetti is a solid keeper, but it means our defense will have to be better. He won’t be making any Superman-saves, but I feel confident enough with Marchetti with the gloves in the group stages. One negative I noticed about him yesterday was he wasn’t organizing the defense as good as Gigi, there was confusion in the box a few times and that’s where Marchetti needs to be barking out orders.

Figured it was his back problem, that’s why he went off in his last game of the season against Milan. (Goal.com said he was “enraged” by the substitution…dumbasses didn’t realize it was due to injury) His backs been bothering him here and there for a while, but aside from the Milan game, I don’t recall it being a problem this year. 2 years ago certainly, last year maybe here and there, but it was his knee meniscus that took him out for 3 months this year.

Marchetti v. Slovakia, New Zealand, and then Buffon to be back. That’s what I’m hoping for, and I think it’s reliable enough.

Forza Marc’!

Gazzetta says he’ll be out for New Zealand and Slovakia, could be ready for the knockout stages.

agiamba, Did you catch him downright arguing with Pepe on one of the set pieces? That was not a great sign.

Our new Barzagli?

let’s hope that Marchetti can put forth a Marchegianni effort and get us into the group stage ala 94′

not a good sign. But at the same time I don’t think Buffon has been completely healthy all year. He’s had nagging issues and this is just another one of those ‘issues’ Honestly I was thinking he had an eruption in the dressing room and was yanked, quite frankly we don’t know the truth. All I do know is is that this guy wears his heart on his sleeve, and based on the first half we played yesterday, I wouldn’t blame him if he did have an outburst. At the same time if he is hurt, hope its a quick and speedy recovery. While there is promise in a keeper like Marchetti, his butter fingers do worry me. I’d go to DeSanctis before this guy, but lippi looks to be favouring Marchetti, so God speed, don’t screw around like Brazil did today against North Korea.

Speaking of which, did it seem like Brazil was screwing around this match? I mean, Lucio, a more than capable defender, completely lifted off when the korean was running into the box with the ball. The only person that actually looked like they had some ambition to stop the goal was Julio Ceasar.

Final thought, you really can’t read anything from the games we’ve seen this week, aside from the level of preparedness of most teams. This is a very defensive world cup so far, and it seems We set the bar back in 2006. People are playing so not to make a mistake, a number of teams are trying to employ a fluid counter attacking style of football which we perfected. Sit back and let em come at ya!
The key now is to see next where the teams go. Does france improve? Can Germany put forth the same performance? And will we start to see some passes completed and lippi finally settling on a formation?

Si,

A player you expected nothing from but gave you something when needed.

Ala Barzagli contro gli “Socceroos” en ‘06.

Just hope Buffon is ok after the N. Zeal game

I dont have faith in Marchetti personally..Lippi has to take off at the very least Ianqinta he cant be that dumb..
wouldnt mind to see Gattuso get a run as well in one of these games cant wait till Pirlo is back for the knockouts i would start Pirlo DDR Gattuso n Camo go with the 06 guard honestly prob out best shot. Maggio n Marchiso can easily be subbed in for Rino n Camo

and my new man Pepe whos starting to become a fan of mine, hes got heart him n Rino would run teams to the ground

I posted this on another thread… this is likely a serious injury… a sciatic nerve problem likely means he has a herniated disc in his back… if he does come back in the World Cup, it wont be for long IMO

Marco you nailed it. although i don’t think brazil were just taking a stroll around the park. not with dunga in charge. that game could’ve easily ended in a draw. and juan (best defenseman in serie a btw) made a gol-saving tackle, and the korean goalie fucked up on that maicon gol. i’m drooling at the thought of what cote d’ivoire could to them, portugal too.

it seems to me, these “favourites” aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. though spain is yet to play. BUT yes, the thing to remember is this is round 1. no need for assumptions.

but boys, slovakia and nz drawing is HUGE for us. if we top the group, and pirlo is back and well, is pirlo we’re sitting pretty. i’m still getting shivers thinking back on camoranesi, zambrotta, cannavaro all playing amazing. our old men aren’t over the hill yet!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree that Brazil are not all what the media is cracking them to be. They’re strong but by how much over the competition? Maicon, God bless him, has scored like that before but it was a keeper error.

It’s annoying to have to listen to people talk up Brazil and Germany, while talk down Italy. Listen, of the three opponents faced, Italy had the toughest task and all things considered, it wasn’t that bad. The Brits have always talked up Brazil and the commentating during the games hasn’t swayed me to change my opinion. It feels like even if they do an over step and trip people drool. Relative to the hype, that wasn’t a convincing victory for Brazil. It was, well, a pedastrian win. Call a spade a spade.

France looked far worse as did England. I reckon Spain will do well.

I also agree Juan is VASTLY under rated in Serie A.

Vin- you mean Marchetti, or Buffon?

While yes this is a big deal, my hope is that it pumps up the rest of the team and we find some rhythm.

Maybe this can be a catalyst like the Nesta injury in ‘06, not exactly the same, but still similar.

Yesterday, Cassani should have been playing a LB and Zambro as RB.

There is a reason Palmermo were #5

Also, IMO De Sanctis and Sirigu are better GKs than Marchetti.

Fortunately we are not England, who dont even have a first choice keeper. This is a huge loss but we have seen in past world cups that players can step up when duty calls. Lets not forget how superb Goycochea was for Argentina when Pumpido broke his leg in 1990.

As for the other teams, I really don’t pay attention to what they do in the group stages. Some seem really good, some really average, and then it all changes in the knockout rounds.

I just concentrate on Italia and us progressing to the next round. We do that, and anything can happen. [Especially PKs and dodgy refs against us]

I think Marchetti will do ok, just as it was mentioned by Si how Marchegiani did for us in 94.

I am watching for us to become more solid game by game in defence and through the midfield, and hopefully we will find the man to score some goals for us to take us onwards.

FORZA RAGAZZI!!!!

Is anyone else a little salted that we don’t have Disqus comments here yet but other WC blogs have them?

Italian news is reporting they are looking for another 3rd GK if Buffon can’t continue. Can they do that? FIFA requires 3 GK’s on the roster at the start of the tourney, but can they add another in the middle of it?
Oh and did Amelia not get chosen because of that knock on the head he took?

Still No WIN in 2010…
Italy’s draw with Paraguay in their World Cup opener was statistically bad news for the Azzurri and boss Marcello Lippi. The 1-1 in Cape Town on Monday means that the reigning world champions have yet to win a game in 2010. So far this year, Italy have drawn 0-0 with Cameroon, lost 2-1 to Mexico and drawn 1-1 with Switzerland, as well as Paraguay. Italy’s last victory was a 1-0 against Sweden in a November 2009 friendly played in Cesena. Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini scored that night. Italy’s run of four games without a victory equals Lippi’s previous worst winless streak which came back in 2005 after consecutive draws with Iceland, Norway, Serbia and Ecuador.
From what I see, the problem is with the GOAL drought!!! Take Care

we need GOALS

Yes Gigi Buffon’s missing the rest of the World Cup due to his back injury is not a good sign, but the worst sign is in Italy’s attacking system, the strikers are not scoring GOALS, it is a major problem, a big one indeed, I mean it is ok to concede goals but we have to score goals, football is all about goals, there has to be a solution to this misery.
Does anyone in here have a solution?
What about you Julian, can you say anything regarding the matter?

Everybody in here talks about defence and midfield and that Italia will get stronger in the upcoming games, but I do not read anything related to GOALS even Marco does not have a solution to Italy’s GOAL DROUGHT, or do you now, if you do kindly inlight us.

My beloved Italy seems to be having a difficult world cup this year, now Buffon is on the list of injured players, strikers are not scoring enough goals things are in hard luck certainly not good luck. I am already feeling depressed for this world cup, but you know what guys I feel Italy will win WC in 2018,knowing that WC 2014 will be in Brazil so the answer is already written on the address no need to open the envelope. Hmmmm, in 2018 who will be coaching Italy, who will be in Azzurri squad?!!

Buffon will likely miss the next two group games. hopefully, if we make it, he’ll be there for the quarters.

Like “mo_dudes” says, the real predicament is with the nationale attack. hard to see where the glut of goals will come from as we cannot rely on shit goalkeeping for our points.

Pepe and Magiio on the wings, with Pazzini and Di Natale might be an answer. Pazzini is great in the air, so the extra service should provide more opportunities. And with Di Natale playing off him, and making use of his relationship with roadrunner/ Pepe, it should pay dividends. We would also be relying on Di Natale to drop off and finally show some of his Serie A guile. I mean, what is wrong with this guy at international level. I live in the UK and no-one has ever heard of him. when they see him, they shrug because he NEVER turns on the style in these games. i want him to show what he can do. He was IN the team before the first game, so he must have dried up big time in training for Lippi to lose faith.

Of course, if Marchisio starts again, he owes a barnstorming performance. he’s needs to earn that spot with decisive, penetrating play. so much rests on his hsoulders in terms of forcing the tempo.

Montolivo/ Pirlo will also have to ignite from further down the field. I like Ricardo and think if he man’s-up a bit in midfield, he can force the issue, for sure.

Anyway– pah! — we’ll have to wiat and see!

mo_dudes, lol, I don’t have the solution. My response to Italy’s goal draught is the same as what Cassano recently was quoted as saying “There are no Fantasistas on this team” – we the azzurri live and die by the Fantasista. We have always had at least one on the team, sometimes we’ve been gifted enough to have two (but ironically the coach would always resort to playing one at a time)

This time around all i see are poachers. DiNatale aside perhaps. I believe our best solution is to play DiNatale and Pazzini up front together. They are tried and tested in league play and now need time to develop into a dynamic tandem.

Fact of the matter is Alberto Gilardino is NOT world class. He’s done nothing for us in any significant fashion. Now I know one of the problems is that he has little service (quality) which is fine, but let’s also point the finger at how lazy he is. He’s slower than most defenders, and plays quite frankly like he’s in his mid 30’s. Secondly Iaquinta should only come off the bench. He was huffing and puffing in the last match 20 minutes in. I understand he was off on a wing in no man’s land, but let’s also use him as a super sub, he’s Never been a prolific goal scorer in serie a.

Behind this DiNatale – Pazzini line, I’d throw Montolivo as the man in the middle. The man charged with delivering the ball and creating. I think he can play that role, and for me, it would be a marked improvement over marchisio, who really looked lost as to what his job was.

This is our best option, DiNatale, like Cassano in euro2008 cannot be thrown out on a left wing in some trident. These strikers need to play next to each other and feed off each other. There’s been a number of discussions on this board, and by the media regarding the mobility of the strikers. I just want to point out if your looking for mobility on this team, there are no two better strikers than Pazzini and DiNatale.

Let this Gilardino reign die already!

also, there is NO way I’d put Pirlo in this line up. Pirlo will just come in at the sacrifice of someone with ample speed – likely montolivo. In all honesty Pirlo’s been awful in the azzurri jersey for a while, and should be used as a sub. These north american pundits who are gaga over pirlo only reference four years ago when quite frankly he was the best!

Lippi focused on a 4-4-2 in training, according to football Italia, so that’s good news.

Bad news is that he tried Iaquinta and Gilardino together up front. I think it’s good to have Iaquinta off the wing, but those two together are very very static. Would have been nice to see Di Natale or Quags getting a chance next to one of them.

mo_dudes:

cassano + pazzini = goals

somebody should’ve told lippi

exactly scoos,dont forget toto and quags were great at udinese and they know each other very well

I still can’t believe Lippi did not bring Totti or Cassano. I’d bring them both.

Lippi had problem with Baggio too. I am sure he would not select Baggio at his prime, let alone Cassano. The fact Baggio said Cassano was his heir did not help cassano’s chance with Lippi either. Lippi’s human mistake at the highest level.

The young players were not given enough playing time early on so they are not there yet, except for G.C., Monto., and hopefully Pazzini. I see Aquilani is another such proven young telant which Lippi omitted.

Marchisio and Criscito did poorly. They are not world class yet or will ever be. Same goes for many other first timers. So don’t count on them. The real deals, Montolivo, and G.C. have already been recognized. The ones still not, will never be. The real young telant will only need once chance to prove, such as Maldini and Baggio at very youong age. The rest will have to take years to develop to be a role player.

Some older no namers such as Iaquinta, Pepe, and Quagliarella, don’t expect them to be next Rossi. It’s a disgrace to Rossi’ name to think it take nothing but good luck to score six goals. It needs ton of quality and skill to do so. Rossi has great skill running with and without the ball, superb shooting skill and great reading of the game.

Gila is a mediocre player. It should have been Boriello.

Di Natale is not cut out for this level, until he proves otherwise. But he is short AND slow so he got his work cut out for him.

So this World Cup officially sucks but after watching 72 minutes of Spain, we can definitely win this.

Julian’s right. It’s an open tourney this year. Between the elements, the ball, and teams playing defensively, it’s all up for grabs.

If Lippi can pull the right strings and get his formation/personnel on track, we have a significant shot.

Plus we’re written off.

Let’s see how we look on Sunday.

Forza.

the term “favourites” means NOTHING. fuck em all! the mondiale is a tournament, is doesn’t take into account qualifying, form, nothing! we have the heart, we have the passion, we have the skill. we just need to connect our creativity through whatever players, to our finishing and we we’ll get our goals. are midfield and defense should only get stronger.

let them write us off, remember we LOVE it. we FEED off it. italia loves nothing more than to prove millions wrong. no country plays with their heart on their sleeve more than us. Spain can be beat, Brazil can be beat, the all can. it’s just a matter of who wants jules more…

Is anyone else a little salted that we don’t have Disqus comments here yet but other WC blogs have them?

Maybe it’s because your blog is too damn popular and they don’t want to cause a change in the middle of the WC?

Marchisio and Criscito did poorly. They are not world class yet or will ever be

Wow. And Montolivo is world-class? You must have never watched him in Azzurro before…in fact, this year was the first he finally became somewhat consistent for Fiorentina. He’s 2 years older than Marchisio/Criscito.

I totally agree! But dont blame the “British” blame the English. I live in the UK but support Italy through n through because I’m Italian. Im sick of hearing from English TV that the Italians are too old, not skilled enough and dont have what it takes. They said the exact same last world cup! And look what happened. The best laugh is, the oldest team by average is Brazil, then England, Italy have the Third oldest team.

Italy have had a big blow with Gigi gone, but I’ve heard good things about Federico Marchetti.

Another thought that I’ve been a bit fightened of is that most of the big teams you would bet your house on winning have not played like expected. I can only hope Italy doesnt follow the route of the likes of France,Germany and England, after watching todays matches.

Forza Italia.