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Lads and Gents, We Have a Squad (And I like it for once!)

October 5th, 2008 | By: Julian | 66 Comments »

Here:

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).

These are the guys that will face Bulgaria and Montengro. My thoughts on the call-ups:

Goalies: Is Buffon there? Yes, so Lippi gets an A+ in this department. Amelia is a solid back up and De Sanctis will hopefully never play for the Azzurri. If anything it would’ve been nice to see Curci called up but in reality, it makes no difference. Buffon is our goalie and that’s that.

Defenders: Canna, GC, Zambro… Grosso is missing, but I think he might be injured (not sure on that so don’t quote me). I love the young guys Lippi threw in- Dossena has already shown that he deserves a spot. Santacroce is a gamble; he’s basically a walking red card. But notice who’s missing? Our other walking red card, Materazzi. And I know Lippi doesn’t get along with Panuch, but considering the form he’s in for Roma (barring his red card today), I don’t know if I would’ve kicked him off the Azzurri just yet. The other guys seems decent, though I’m still not sure of Gamberini’s quality, and let’s just hope we don’t have to use Bonera.

In from last call ups: Santacroce, Bonera.

Out from last time: Grosso, Matrix, Casetti, Legro.

He took out experienced guys for younger, more unproven players. Seems risky but let’s face it- the starting back 4 are going to be GC, Canna, Zambro, and Dossena. The other guys will only play if one of those gets injured, and we needed the new blood. Might as well try it out now.

Midfielders: Maggio, Monto, and Nocerino? About damn time. Maggio has been in great form these past few years, and deserved a shot. I might be an idiot but I’m pretty sure he usually plays at left back, so I don’t know why he’s listed as a midfielder. Correct me if I’m wrong on that. Monto should slowly be worked into the team. I’m not convinced that he can be the new Pirlo just yet, but unless he plays we won’t know for sure. He’s doing pretty well at Fior so a call up seems a natural fit. Finally, Nocerino could be the new Gattuso (WC 06 Gattuso, not the slow ass one from last year), and he’s young. Again, Lippi is finally integrating youth and quality into the team while getting rid of older players. I approve.

There’s still a heavy Roma backbone to the midfield, and as long as DDR and Aqui are fit, there should be. DDR has earned a starting spot imo and Aqui is coming into his own.

Finally, Palombo was dropped but I think I speak for everyone when I say, who cares?

In from last call ups: Maggio, Nocer, Monto

Out from last time: Palombo

Forwards: This is the one area where I’m slightly disappointed. Rossi finally got his call up (which we kinda knew about). Di Natale has been absolutely vital the last 2 games and thus deserves his place. Toni… I’m not sure why we’re sticking with him, but Lippi seems to like him. Finally, I’ve eaten my words entirely with Gila. He’s becoming that deadly striker he once was, and deserves his spot too.

But Pepe over Cassano? How can you justify that? Pepe is solid but look at the strikers. Without Del P and Cassano there’s not a lot of creative, traditional #10s. The closest we have to that in this squad is Christmas.

In from last call ups: Rossi, Pepe

Out from last time: Del P, Iaquinta

Other interesting things to note: Lippi called up less defenders this time out and more midfielders. Hopefully we’ll take a more attacking approach to these games, but considering out luck with defenders, this could prove risky. Overall, though, I think it’s a stellar squad with only a few things I disagree with.

Looking at it team by team, a lot of Juve guys were dropped: Del P, Legro, and Iaquinta. I think Legro and Iaquinta might be injured, and as good as Del P is, we need the younger guys. Is he really going to play an integral part come 2010?

Tags: Cassano, Italy, Maggio, Montolivo, Noverino, Rossi, Santacroce, World Cup 2010

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 66 comments.

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By vin | October 6th, 2008 at 1:21 am

Guys, remember that the list was probably left off the list before he scored his brace this weekend. Pepe has played really well for Udinese (there are few strikers in better form at the moment), and his squad is near the top of the table, as strange as it seems. He deserves his spot just as much as any guy on there. Toni… not so much. As for Gila, I never gave up hope, and Lippi never did either; like him or not, he’s a good striker. The only one I can’t comment on is Rossi, but only because I don’t know whether or not he’s in form at the moment.

Posted from United States

By asem | October 6th, 2008 at 1:45 am

Rossi played alright in the game vs. I-forgot-who this weekend. Had a header that went narrowly wide.

By kat | October 6th, 2008 at 2:01 am

Sucka Toni must have some kind of secret pact with the CT or FIGC. NO other way to explain his continued existence in the NT.

By asem | October 6th, 2008 at 2:16 am

it really doesn’t make any sense why he keeps getting called up, given his atrocious form for the team, especially in the big games. blows my mind. plenty of better strikers out there.

By Sushan[ACM] | October 6th, 2008 at 2:20 am

lippi should call borrigol once he is fit. forza borrigol forza milan

By Provenzano | October 6th, 2008 at 6:13 am

Del piero´s exclusion and Rossi´s inclusion is a right step for future, it is about time, Rossi was integrated to the senior squad. He has it all to become a Azzurri legend, he can pass well, he can dribble, he is a guarantee when it comes to taking penalties…He will only get better..I would have preferred Quagliarella over Pepe, definately selecting Pepe ahead of Quag is out of reasoning..Quagliarella can score goals out of nothing, exactly what we need deep into second half if we need a goal against Bulgaria..Maggio is a great addition, he is only 26, now that he is selected, he can confirm his selection by his performance which can make him a regular..Santacroce, well is a great talent but Lippi should have waited an year before selecting him…The boy lacks discipline and imagine if he gets sent out in the 10th minute…… well..anyways, Santacroce will probably not be played and it could be a great experience for the lad to learn from legend Canna and the upcoming great Chiellini..Zambrotta has looked sharper than ever in the last month..the midfield worries me and worries me a lot!!we will miss Pirlo, we will..Camo will not be fit to play atleast the first match on 11th..I cant understand why Lippi selected the out of sorts Aquilani and the slowing/useless Perrotta..It is really a step back….De Rossi will face the burden, Montolivo should be given the start…The great soothing thing is that Ringhio Gattusso will be there fully fit to marshall the troops…I dont know why Lippi rejected DÁgostino, the kid plays similar to Pirlo( deep lying playmaker)..Cristiano Doni should and must have been choosen over the likes of Perrotta and Aquilani..Doni is a very creative midfielder, who can score goals and set up plays…i dont know..Giovinco could have been given a try…well strikers wise, i dont have compliants except for the selection of Pepe over Quagligol..infact, if Iaquinta were fit, he would have been in the squad..Gila is in red hot form, so i if the midfielders do their job and supply Gila, he will score!!..Toni might break his goal drought, it is about time..i really feel that if Toni does not perform in these two matches, it is curtains for his Azzurri career!!

By kari | October 6th, 2008 at 6:38 am

I like this squad better.Also,I’m glad Rossi finally got called up.

Posted from Viet Nam

By Provenzano | October 6th, 2008 at 7:02 am

It makes me laugh when stoopid foreigners like asem talk from their piehole..This fella doesnt even seem to know anything about football..i would advise him to stop posting bogus, preposterous articles!!it is a commonly known thing that Lippi(and also all Italian coaches) select 75%of the team not based on reputation but based on performance/work rate/physical fitness…..25% of the squad walk themselevs in..(Toni, DDR, Canna, Zamb, Rino)..Aquilani definately looked out of sorts in the few matches he has played, i mean he cant fit for the senior squad..Camo plays on the right.no one can claim over him even though he is 33..also, Dágostino (if any of u guys have watched him) controls the plays for Udinese and would have been a sure shot replacement for the peerless Pirlo in that deep playmaking role, thereby giving some freedom and breathing space for De Rossi and Gattusso who now definately have to run their asss off..And why select Pepe( decent player) ahead of Quagligol or even Miccoli??Miccoli would have been very very effective for the last half an hour..He is fast, very fast and has a great freekick!!Perrotta well..oh..well is a joke..Lippi is a master strategist but is surely biased when it comes to some selections..Perrotta??lol..remember Barone??how can Lippi ignore Cassano belies me!!!cassano, as stated by Don Capello is the only player in the world at the present other than Robinho who can DRIBBLE in the penalty box past two7three players!! And why not select the very highly talented , fleet footed Pasquale Foggia??the guy is incredible, very fast….Perrotta and Aquilani are wrong selections..definately..iam not speaking as a fan of any club, infact, iam from Sorrento and Napoli is my team but i speak for the great national team as a whole!!Foggia and DÁgostino should and must have been choosen ahead of ineffective Aquilani and useless Perrotta..ridiculous!!!Aquilani is a very talented young player who has years in him…he can be a special player but he aint Azzurri material right now!!he will be a liability to our midfield and his inclusion will only increase the work load on DDR and Rino!!

By Provenzano | October 6th, 2008 at 7:11 am

lemme ask a question..how many of the above selected players r doing well or their team is on a red hot streak??very few..individually, only Gila, Maggio , gigi( before he was injured) ,Di natale , Camo( when he played) and De Rossi have been consistent, none else….well…definately, the team has to step up to win..

By Stasio | October 6th, 2008 at 8:48 am

why is Perotta on the team?? lol he is a terrible inclusion

By kat | October 6th, 2008 at 9:47 am

Stasio, for real. Seriously, why does coaches rate this guy so highly?

By alessio | October 6th, 2008 at 10:12 am

Who are we playing and can Marco Amelia stand in well for San Gigi?

Posted from United States

By asem | October 6th, 2008 at 10:35 am

Provenzano, I’m half Italian bitch!

Posted from United States

By asem | October 6th, 2008 at 10:36 am

And Perrotta is a horrible inclusion.
So many better options.

Posted from United States

By alessio | October 6th, 2008 at 10:46 am

I want all Juventini to come home. Camoranesi and Buffon are slightly injured and might be, and Chiellini shouldn’t be on national duty considering he skipped the game this weekend due to injury.

Posted from United States

By asem | October 6th, 2008 at 10:49 am

And I’m not going to lie, I haven’t seen much of D’Agostino, but from what I have seen, he was decent, nothing spectacular, then again I will not pass judgment because I have not seen enough Udine games to do so. I definitely think Miccoli and Cassano should get put in the spots over Toni and Perrotta respectively.

Posted from United States

By asem | October 6th, 2008 at 10:50 am

Country > Club, Alessio.

Posted from United States

By asem | October 6th, 2008 at 10:59 am

To these players I mean, I would be lying if I said I cared more about Italia then Roma. Sorry if that offends anyone.

Posted from United States

By Julian | October 6th, 2008 at 11:18 am

Country should be greater than club, especially considering how clubs are run nowadays. There’s no pride in playing for clubs anymore. It’s all about money and who has the fattest wallets. Winning the world cup is a far greater achievement than winning the champions league

Posted from United States

By asem | October 6th, 2008 at 11:23 am

Julian, when you say there’s no pride for playing for clubs anymore, you’re excluding LA ROMA am I right?

Posted from United States

By alessio | October 6th, 2008 at 11:42 am

Country may be more important than club, but not when you’re risking a month on the sideline by playing for la Nazionale, alla Vieira. Considering Juve in a crisis right now, we need everyone back home to figure out what’s going on.

There’s no pride in playing for clubs anymore. It’s all about money and who has the fattest wallets.

I don’t take that drab of a view. I know ADP/Trez/Nedved/Buffon/Camoranesi feel something for the shirt, given that they rejected lucrative moves elsewhere. Buffon could start at any club in the world, except maybe Real Madrid and had plenty of offers. And I’m guessing Lanzafame, De Ceglie, Giovinco, Chiellini, and Marchisio feel something for the maglia. Maybe your statement holds in the EPL, but there’s still pride in the boot.

Posted from United States

By Julian | October 6th, 2008 at 11:44 am

There’s still pride but we’re slowly seeing a shift. Clubs used to be sources of pride and people would play for the honor of wearing a tshirt. Now, clubs are practically businesses that only care about winning trophies. We’ve seen it time and time again- Ronaldo, Adebayor, Berba, etc. Yes, some players are loyal but those tend to be the exception to the rule.

Posted from United States

By Giro | October 6th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

Alessio I hope Lanzafame doesnt feel too much for the Juventus shirt cause he is Palermo player for atleast the next 3 years.

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By Provenzano | October 7th, 2008 at 5:50 am

No sane talent will opt for Juve, the shame of Italia who buys referees and titles..Canna and Zambrotta rightfully ditched the Vecchia Puttana.. i mean it casts doubt about all the scudetti Juve won and also it is confirmed that Juve brought referees and defenders of opposition, hence it casts a huge doubt about all those easy Del Piero goals when defenders allowed him a free lease around the penalty area..that is the most surprising conundrum in Italian football, i mean Del Piero always scores for Juve but flops for Azzurri…He cant even perform against solid likes of France or any other team

Posted from Spain