The 30 Man Squad Revealed

Pretty big day in footy. McClaren goes to Wolfsburg and Zola gets fired? Sheesh. Both of those surprised me more than this squad… and Gianfranco has been a dead man walking for months.

Why are Italy going to SA with 24 players instead of 23??

Because I have trouble counting. I’ll edit that now.

Julian is it 23 or 24 that are going to the World Cup?

Anyway if I had to drop 7 they would be:
De Sanctis, Bocchetti, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Gattuso, Borriello, Quagliarella

There seems to be only three pure central backs (CB) in the list of 30: Cannavaro, Chiellini, and Bonucci. It is expected that the first two will go except for injury or other extra ordinary situations. Since at least one third CB is required as a substitute, does this imply that Bonucci is untouchable now?

Surprised to see Legrottaglie get axed at the last minute. Regular readers of the Juventus Offside will recognize that Legrottaglie is one of my favorite players.

Of course, it was easy. Everyone says Lippi’s call-ups are too old, and too Juventino, so dropping Legrottaglie, who Italy still has a hangover of negative views on, well, that helps to alleviate both. Shame, because if we have a CB come on in the WC Semifinals, I trust Legrottaglie much over Bonucci or Bocchetti, who have no experience in pressure-cookers or with the Nazionale. I find it a bit odd that Legrottaglie was a steady member of the Nazionale for the last 2-3 years and then booted at the last second…to me, that confirms that Lippi used him as a sacrificial lamb. (I’m sure Legro will appreciate the irony)

It’s too bad for Legro, as over the last 3 years he’s been better than Cannavaro. Gattuso, Zambrotta, Pirlo, or Camoranesi deserved to be booted out of the Nazionale before him.

Calcio- Bocchetti is also a CB.

TOOTHLESS

I think I speak for everyone when I say I want Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Gattuso, Pepe and Quagliarella to be cut. If those five go, I dont care about the other two and will be highly optimistic about Italy winning their 5th cup.

I recognize that Bocchetti can also play as a CB but not a pure CB. In fact, Lippi played him as a left back (LB) in his previous three caps.

I agree John…other 2 I’d can is De Sanctis and Candreva.

No Totti, no party

One fullback has to go. Its a close call between Grosso and Zambrotta. Knowing Lippi, Cassani could be that one.

I posted this on the Roma page and I will post it here as well:

I would take the following:

Goalkeepers

Gianluigi Buffon
Federico Marchetti
Salvatore Sirigu

Defenders

Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Grosso
Giorgio Chiellini
Domenico Criscito
Christian Maggio
Salvatore Bocchetti
Mattia Cassani
Leonardi Bonucci

Midfielders

Andrea Pirlo
Daniele De Rossi
Angelo Palombo
Simone Pepe
Riccardo Montolivo
Claudio Marchisio
Andrea Cossu

Forwards

Alberto Gilardino
Vincenzo Iaquinta
Antonio Di Natale
Giuseppe Rossi
Giampaolo Pazzini

I would agree John, although at least Pepe and Quagliarella played regularly this season. Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Gattuso, and Iaquinta were all either out for long stretches with injury, or just incapable of breaking into the starting 11 of their teams. How they can be called up to the national team is just beyond me.

Great squad, i agree we can go very far indeed with this squad as long as the right players are cut.

off-topic slightly: anyone know what number De Rossi will be wearing at the WC? still number 10?

I’m hoping for a big win vs. New Zealand, but considering our selection that might be a stretch. It is truly amazing when the big surprise is a 33 y.o. defender is not included in gli azzurri. Wow, how far we’ve sunk. . .

Lets hope that neither Cannavaro nor Chiellini gets injured or suspended. Otherwise, it may bring catasthrope to the already fragile defense.

Just a little worried that our second highest goalscorer nationally is Di Natale with 9, behind Gilardinos 16. We do tend to share the wealth when it comes to goal scoring, as seen in 2006. Just a little worried about the lack of big time national game breakers

Enjoy it for another month (and hopefully another 4 years) as we are still reigning champs, my friends.

That is from the list of 30. Ideally I would also leave out Cannavaro, Grosso, Pepe and Iaquinta and throw in Masiello/Ranocchia, Motta/Santon, Miccoli and Cassano.

but no Totti/Nesta, which hopefully will end those debates once and for all

As I had said, Totti was never coming. I have no idea how the discussions started.

It’s a decent squad, but it’s just too ordinary for me. There’s no “wow factor”. There isn’t a player on there that makes your eyes light up or that can change the game on any instant. Of course we will always rely on Pirlo for creativity but when he isn’t on we have to put all the weight on Di Natale, and he might crack under pressure. That’s why bringing someone like Totti would have been a smart move, because it would have removed some of the pressure off of Di Natale’s shoulders.

Bashar, there is no point of speculating on adding people until Euro qualifiers. Its axing all the way now

Juventus – 8
AC Milan – 4
Napoli – 3
Cagliari – 2
Palermo – 2
Genoa – 2
Fiorentina – 2
Udinese – 2
Sampdoria – 2
Bari – 1
Roma – 1
Villareal – 1

Buffon, Chiellini and De Rossi are three of the best players in the world. Lippi has said that Messi, C. Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic wouldn’t make his squad because he is all about creating a cohesive team. I trust him. Brazil just released their squad and it didn’t impress me. Neither does Dunga. Forza Italia.

Totti would be the “wow” factor..

Roma-1 Pathetic… One more than Inter

No creativity in attack and not exactly rock solid in defence. Unless we’re lucky I don’t see us going too far.

“Predictions to be cut: Sirigu, Cassani, Bocchetti, Cossu, Palombo, Quags, Zambrotta (hopefully)”

Lippi will not drop Zambrotta, and if he drops both Cassani and Zambrotta then he’ll just be left with Maggio at RB. Not wise.

My 23 would be:

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

Buffon
Cassani
Cannavaro
Chiellini
Criscito
Pirlo
De Rossi
Marchisio
Cossu
Pazzini
Di Natale

As i said in the previous post: LIPPI hates children, puppies, ice cream, and candy. That is all.

My cuts would be:
Sirigu/De Sanctis(doesn’t matter)
Zambrotta
Gattuso
Camoranesi
Pepe
Quagliarella
Borriello

My line up would be:

—————–Buffon
Cassani—Cannavaro–Chiellini–Criscito
———-Pirlo–De Rossi–Marchisio
————–Cossu/Candreva
———-Pazzini—Di Natale

I expect the cuts you suggest are almost right but I would say Candreva will be sacrificed for Palombo, otherwise there is really only Ringho as a true defensive midfielder.

A

Nothing pathetic about only one Roma player going. Our Italians are aging so taking only 1 is the smart option from Lippi. Perrotta and Totti would definitely contribute to this team far more than some of those on the list but Lippi (wisely I think) decided against taking them.

The likes of Tonetto, Cassetti and Toni had their day in the sun and are not useful for the national team anymore. Motta and Brighi were the only players who could realistically challenge for a spot but their form this season has been poor. The youngsters like Andreolli and Cerci have no chance anytime soon.

I think we will see 6 Juventus players and 1 or 2 from each of the other clubs.

I’m kinda sad to see Roma only having one player, but I think (hope) the club is in transition now. Old Italians are too old- Totti, Cassetti, Toni- but the young ones there are still too young. Cerci, Curci (if he comes back from Siena), et al could all shine in a few years.

On the other hand Serie A is supplying like a third of Brazil’s squad.

Good Luck to Italia

On the other hand Serie A is supplying like a third of Brazil’s squad.

Shame, isn’t it? Hopefully Felipe Melo wins himself a big money transfer to the EPL this summer.

I share the concerns of Francesco, most of all. The offense is just too static, as meh I am on Totti, he’d have opened up the other teams defense. With those players, Cossu is a must.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OneMqZmd-ok

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK3X6kNqD6c

Good Luck with Italy squad which will be like this:
Buffon, Marchetti, Sirigu
Bonucci, F. Cannavaro, Cassani, Chiellini, Criscito, Grosso, Zambrotta
Camoranesi, Candreva, Cossu, De Rossi, Gattuso, Marchisio, Palombo, Pirlo
Di Natale, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Pazzini, Quagliarella

Wow, that Brazil squad IS terrible. It actually makes me feel better about the Italy squad.

@rost10
That is actually a nice lineup, but we will never see it, many of those guys won’t make the 23. Too bad, even with this subpar 30 you put together an exciting lineup.

“On the other hand Serie A is supplying like a third of Brazil’s squad.

Shame, isn’t it?”

Why is that a shame?

There’s three right-backs and three pure-prime punte on that list, meaning that one of each is guaranteed to be dropped. One between Cassani, Zambrotta and Maggio is out. Also one between Borriello, Pazzini and Gilardino (probably Borriello).

One of the keepers will be cut, leaving us with four men to be dropped between offense and midfield (the defence is going no lower than eight).

A good basis for predictions has been the past – Lippi traditionally favours taking five forwards and seven midfielders. But the formation chosen will affect the decision – it will require either a trequartista (favouring Cossu and Candreva) or wide players (favouring Di Natale, Quagliarella and Pepe). His final selection of men will say a lot about the tactics that Italy intend to sport.

The sad reality is the better and younger players are the ones likely to be dropped. I’d of even kept legrotaglie in that team if it meant zambrotta/gattusso/camoranesi or grosso got dropped.

Likelyhood is zambrotta will stay and italys best rb cassani wont even get a look in.

If palombo is cut and gattusso kept then this team will be the biggest joke.

Infact I’d keep 5 of the 7 you expect to be cut in the main article. Pepe and Quags are not deserving of a call up .. not remotely.

This may be a real ignorant question but, do most teams normally bring 3 keepers and is that really necessary/justified? I’m still fairly new to the sport in general but it seems to me that 3 is pretty deep and nobody on here seems to be predicting more than one of the keepers as getting dropped. And maybe the answer is as simple as keepers get injured more often than I would imagine.

I said this once, I’ll say it again. There’s nothing wrong with having Camo, Zambrotta, Gattuso, Grosso on the squad. It’s only a problem if more than two of them start.

For the rest, experienced oldies are MUCH better when coming off the bench than unexperienced players (young or old). On this account, Palombo over Gattuso is a joke.

Cubby, everybody takes three keepers. It’s rare for two to get injured, but if it does happen, it’s game over. Not a risk worth taking.

Btw, since I’m inclined to believe that Lippi’s line-up will include an experienced fullback alongside a young one, it’ll be either Cassani-Canna-GC-Grosso, or (less likely) Zambro-Canna-GC-Criscito. Considering we always have the option to switch on the run, I quite like that line-up either way.

I agree with Francesco n Alessio, we could of used a Totti hell even Del P off the bench..

The teams lacking a little quality play maker to give a spark.

with what we have:

Buffo
—–Maggio-Canna-GC-Grosso
———-–De Rossi–Marchisio-Camronesi
————–Pirlo
———-Pazzini—Di Natale

G.Rossi as our ’super sub’
Again there is ALOT of pressure on DiNatale this world cup to step up, he’s our only hope.

Some quick thoughts after a busy morning.

1. I applaud lippi for not taking Totti. I am sure totti would have come at the expense of Rossi. But I think this decision came only once totti hacked the back of Balotelli’s thigh and utter racial slurs. Lippi +1

2. Welcome Back G.Rossi. When you look through this selection, you can see that reliance on G.Rossi will be huge. He will likely be the trequ, or second punta we need. In Joe Red I trust. Lippi +3

3. Camoranesi, Pepe, Quags, Iaquinta, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Grosso, Gattuso. Epic failure bringing these guys. I could understand 1 or 2 of them, but honestly you’ve just taken up 8 slots on a 23 man team with useless trash. Despite the daydreams many people have the final squad will consist of these players. No doubt in my mind that they are safe. Perhaps Quags has to prove something, but everyone else is going to south africa. -15 Lippi

4. Despite the dreams many of you are enduring right now. I have full confidence to say the following. This is, without a doubt the single weakest Azzurri Team I can think of. At now time, in my memory, have we selected so many average and below average players. I don’t care about Brazil, Argentina or fucking england. I am Italian, I want Italy to triumph and even though it wasn’t a surprise, I must say, though I am shocked that a coach as decorated as lippi is, would consciously go into a world cup with such a poor team. I understand the team atmosphere is important. But this is suicide. Suicide for his career, suicide to the careers of Cannavaro, Pirlo, Gattuso, Zambrotta, Grosso. No one will remember the triumph of 2006 without remembering the catastrophe the next four years were.

The true hope is that we, the tifosi, the figc, italians in general learn from this grave mistake. We have to learn to put petty politics aside. It was for us to hire Fabio Capello as our next coach, yet we resorted to lippi. Make no mistake, I will cheer for the azzurri with as much ambition, heart and tact as I ever had. But I can assure you this will end in tears. Hopefully the memory of the last four years will be erased by successes in the immediate future. We have not looked good for four years. Yet, Lippi will continue with the same nonsense into the world cup.

full disclosure, i’m a Roma supporter

italia are the cup holders. Totti might have sealed his fate after kicking Mario, but this team needs Totti, Cassano, Miccoli, Aquilani (seriously, he should at least be on the flight), and Mario (seriously). say what you want about all five of them and how they won’t mesh as a unit, but who gives a fuck, they’re the cup holders and this shit starting XI ain’t winning shit anyways. If they weren’t defending their title then Lippi proving his point about certain individuals would be fine IMO, but not when you’re defending a title you go for it at all costs.

Starting XI

Buffon

Maggio Bonucci Chiellin Criscito

DeRossi Pirlo Aquilani

Di Natale Totti Cassano

With Balo, Miccoli, Marchisio, Pazzini, Rossi, Monty, Canno, Palombo, Grosso and Zambrotta to choose a bench from.

Now shit just got interesting. Even if Totti and Aquilani fail to impress, sub Rossi and Marchisio or Monty and this team still looks like favorites.

I don’t have too many complaints about the Italy squad. Luca Toni is the big name left out, but he just didn’t feature enough for Bayern, and his move to Roma came too late to prove of any worth. Outside of that it seems Marcello Lippi is dancing with who won him the title four years ago. A lot of guys long in the tooth, but to that same point their experience and match composure might be tough to duplicate from another country. I love the versatility Italy has up front with their range of strikers. Italy isn’t going to repeat, but the current holders will give everything to defend their World Cup title.

I’d rather giovinco than aquilani, alberto will get hurt just walking off the plane….Somehow i still believe totti will be there

Finally, I’d also like to ask all of you on the lippi bandwagon. Please show me one game during the last four years that has exemplified the team atmosphere and showed us that experience pays!?

I can give you a number of examples that demonstrate experience pierced our sphincter with her mighty stiletto!

Strange that the two players selected from Genoa are both defenders, and Genoa has the second worst defence in the league.

Nnahoj, what do you mean? Lippi is using the experience that propelled Genoa and Juventus to the 2nd and 7th worst defence in Serie A as the backbone of the azzurri. That only seems logical… doesn’t it?

Since we’re throwing out our own preferences for how the team would look, here’s what I would do:

4-2-3-1

Cassani-Bonucci-Chiellini-Criscito
De Rossi – Marchisio
G. Rossi – Giovinco – Balotelli
Borriello

Essentially, the squad would be modeled after Rafa Benitez’s Valencia from the early 2000’s, with Giovinco playing the speedy, dimunitive AMC role that utilized Pablo Aimar back then. Rossi & Balotelli would play as inside-out wingers often diving into the middle, to be used as the main goal threats. While I have my reservations about Borriello, as he seems to eat simple goals too often, his work rate and ability to hold up play, give off simple passes and be an aerial threat in the box makes him vital. The team would require spectacular defensive effort and pressing throughout the match (I’m looking at you, Balotelli), and Borriello’s ability to hold onto the ball would be huge in allowing the rest of the team to advance up the pitch from their defensive responsibilities. Finally, the combination of De Rossi & Marchisio would provide enough defensive presence and passing ability to link the defense and attack.

Will this ever happen? Almost certainly not, hah. But that’s how I’d play.

Please show me one game during the last four years that has exemplified the team atmosphere and showed us that experience pays!?

Italy 2-1 Norway
Moldova 0-1 Italy
Slovenia 1-0 Italy
Italy 4-3 Belarus
Italy 2-0 Scotland
Norway 0-0 Italy
Scotland 1-1 Italy
Belarus 1-4 Italy
Italy 1-0 Slovenia
Italy 2-1 Moldova

Certainly struggled with some minnows there, eh?

Why is that a shame?

Because most of the big Serie A teams have given up on Italian talent or players. Inter has completely given up on even trying to maintain 1 Italian in their lineup. Look at the CBs of the bigger clubs right now- Inter has Samuel and Lucio, Milan has Thiago Silva and Nesta, Roma has Burdisso and Juan. Meanwhile, Bonucci left for Bari to play, Andreolli is playing zero minutes in Rome, etc…

Maldini, Baresi, Cannavaro, Ferrara, Nesta…all got shots at their home club, big teams at the time. None do anymore, it seems. Juve doesn’t give our young players enough of a shot either, but at least we play some Italian players.

glad he didn’t make it.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/03/18/1161761/nicola-legrottaglie-insists-homosexuality-is-a-sin

No surprises as expected! Am delighted Rossi has been added to the list at the expense of Legrottaglie, this should ensure both bochetti and bonucci will be in the final 23.We will rely heavily on di natale and pirlo for creativity. But to be honest all the strikers that have been picked(bar gilardino) have been in good form recently. I would say these are the choices left to be made.

1.Buffon
2.Marchetti
3.De Sanctis or Sirigu (does not really matter, I would tip De sanctis)

4.Cannavaro
(captain, not the player he was, but still saves his best for the azzurri)
5.Chiellini (Best Defender)
6.Bochetti
7.Bonucci
8.Criscito
9.Zambrotta
(Not at his best but experienced and can cover at both left and right back.)
10.Grosso
(Like cannavaro saves his best for la nazionale, has had fitness issues this year, Poor form could see him miss out all togeather if lippi opts to take another forward)
11.Maggio or Cassani
(Both have had good seasons, Maggio is better going forward but Cassani looks solid defensively, my tip would be Maggio)

12.Pirlo (Our playmaker, if he plays well so will we)
13.De Rossi (Great season for Roma and our defensive pivot in midfield)
14.Marchisio (Revelation this year, will do great things in S.A
15.Palombo (
(Lippi loves this guy, has had a good season and is natural successor to gattuso)
16.Pepe
(Great form of late and Lippi always pick him. With camo’s dip in form and condition he must be a cert to go)
17.Candreva or Cossu or Camoranesi
(Camoranesi on current form should not go. I would be happy with Cossu or Candreva, they both offer much needed creativity. My tip would be Candreva he’s younger and more explosive
18.Gattuso or Montolivo
(Gattuso is obviously great for morale but thats about it, he’s a shadow of his former self and has had and awfull season, Montolivo is younger,fitter and much more creative. Montolivo wins hands down.

19.Di Natale (Brilliant season, quick, skilfull and lethal in front of goal)
20.Iaquinta (Very versatile, can play wide or as a target man, plus he runs all day)
21.Gilardino (Good international experience and instinctive goal poacher)
22.Pazzini or Boriello
(Both are very similar to gilardino, Pazzini has been more prolific this season and has more international experience. Pazzini is my pick.)
23.Rossi or Quagliarella
(this one’s close both can play in the middle or out wide, Rossi would be my pick as he will offer the team more goals and is a more effective substitute. But both could be on plane to S.A if lippi opts to take one less defender.

This would be my starting 11,the system is based on our setup against Bulgaria

—————————-Buffon———————————
————————–(Marchetti)——————————
————————–(De sanctis)—————————–

Maggio———Cannavaro————-Chiellini————-Criscito
(Zambrotta)—–(Bonucci)————-(Bochetti)————(Grosso)

—————–Pepe——–De Rossi——-Marchisio————–
————-(Montolivo)—-(Palombo)——(Candreva)————–

——————————Pirlo——————————–

——————Gilardino———–Di Natale——————–
——————(Pazzini)————(Rossi)———————
—————–(Iaquinta)—————————————-

Lippi has also used a 4-3-3, if so this would be my starting 11.

—————————-Buffon———————————
————————–(Marchetti)——————————
————————–(De sanctis)—————————–

Maggio———Cannavaro————-Chiellini————-Criscito
(Zambrotta)—–(Bonucci)————-(Bochetti)————(Grosso)

—————–De Rossi—————Marchisio——————
—————–(Palombo)————–(Montolivo)—————-
——————————Pirlo——————————–
—————————(Candreva)——————————
Iaquinta————————————————–Di Natale
(Pepe)——————————————————(Rossi)
—————————-Gilardino——————————
—————————-(Pazzini)——————————

Aspano your lineup really made me laugh. Besides the fact that it is extremely illogical don’t you think its time to stop talking about players that have been left behind. Giovinco is hurt and never plays but you have him playing the most critical position on the team lollll!!! Anyway the team Lippi has selected has enough pieces to compete with anybody. Have you seen some of the other national team lineups? Look at England, Argentina, Germany and Netherlands? Our squad overall is better and deeper than those four. I know Brazil and Spain are on paper the two best teams but one has always choked and the other is always a favorite (yet they only have won one more cup than us). Once you get to the single elimination stages luck, momentum, and team unity become almost as big a factor as skill. The best team hardly ever wins. People in Brazil still cry about the 1982 team being their best ever and we beat them. It takes more than having the best players to win. We still have one of the 3 or 4 best squads in the world and in the end that will not be the deciding factor in us winning. Lippi creating the perfect chemistry mixed with Italian pride and heart will determine how far we go in SA. Hopefully we won’t get unlucky or screwed by bad refs. Quaterfinals are a guarantee, beyond that depends on the factors mentioned above. I do feel Lippi can weaken our team if he cuts too many of our young guys but hopefully people like Gattuso and Zambro don’t end up on the plane.

my cuts:

Sirigu
Zambrotta
bonucci
Gattuso
camo
Quagliarella
Borriello

starting eleven:

maggio—-Cannavaro—-Chiellini—-Criscito
———De Rossi—————————
———————pirlo——————
——————————-marchisio—-
—————cossu————————
—–G.Rossi——————————–
————————Gilardino———–

4-2-3-1 kinda, or a 4-4-2 depending how you look at it
perhaps montolivo for pirlo, Palombo dor De Rossi, candreva for marchisio, di natale for G. Rossi.
Warning this is my vote not my prediction

ok that didn’t come out quite like i thought it would oh well

I think that Lippi called up quite a few good players. The only thing is that when he starts eliminating players it could turn into a really good team or a terrible team. It depends on the choices he makes.

But from the WC squad all that is left is Buffon, Cannavaro, Grosso, Zambrotta, De Rossi, Gattuso, Camoranesi, Pirlo, Iaquinta and Gilardino. That’s 10 out of 30 players and 2 or 3 of these are bound to be cut. About a third will be from 2006 so it’s not as bad as we initially thought.

Maurizio – I’m glad my hypothetical lineup mixed with my own personal preferred tactical approach to the team is such a source of comedy for you. If I had told you that my bench for that team would also include Ranocchia, would it make it even funnier?

I apologize if this is not the forum to discuss my ideas (wild as they may be) for a hypothetical national team, which include both the source of my inspiration for the selection as well as the particular roles of the players.

From now on, I’ll try to adhere to one of two strict templates for my posts:

1. OH NOOOZZZ LIPII IZ SHIT WEZ IZ GONNA LOSE WITH THESE GUYS WHO BE 54 YEARS OLD LOLLLL

-or-

2. O HELLZZZZZ YEAH LIPII WILL REMAKE US DE WORLD CHAMPZZ FORSA AZZURROOOO LMAOOOOOOOOO

Better?

De Sanctis, Grosso, Gattuso, Pepe, Camoranesi, Quagliarella and Boriello would be the seven I would cut for the final 23.

My rationale:
Sirigu needs the experience, so good bye De Sanctis. Zambrotta can play on both flanks, and I’d prefer him over Grosso as a Criscito backup. Pepe, Gattuso, and Quags haven’t impressed at all this season. Cutting out Camo was a tough choice, but Cossu deserves it more, and Candreva’s versatility (and fitness and youth, which Camo lacks) will be useful. Deciding between Iaquinta and Boriello was again tough, seeing as Boriello is the 5th highest Italian scorer in the Capocannoniere charts (behind Di Natale, Gila, Miccoli, and Pazzini), but Iaquinta is much more effective as a supersub AND can play on the flank and as a supporting striker.

Also, Giuseppe Rossi will lead Italy to World Cup glory the way Grosso did last time. You read it here first.

Furthermore, I’m not sure how anyone who recognizes the importance of team chemistry & pride can leave Gattuso out of the final 23. He might not be anywhere near the player he once was, but the dude has more heart than anyone else there.

This list lacks a little Miccoli.

heart gets you off the ground, but at some point legs have to take you somewhere

gattuso has no legs

Lucio, thanks for an exhaustive and very interesting post.

Rinaldo, I agree with much of what you say, but I don’t see Zambrotta as a better alternative to Grosso. He has been in such an appalling form this year. I’ve stated that I think Lippi will field an old and a young fullback together, and the only reason I prefer Grosso/Cassani over Criscito/Zambrotta is because of the latter’s form. I damn love Criscito and I’d love to see him play, but not if it means fielding Z. Criscito/Cassani? Unrealistic and frankly quite risky.

Between Criscito and Santon, I think our leftback position is going to be assured for years.

On the subject of Giuseppe Rossi, he’s my favourite of the forwards we’re taking. Regrettably, though, I can’t see him starting – he just doesn’t seem to fit into Lippi’s system(s) as naturally as players like Iaquinta, Gilardino or even Di Natale do. He’s probably going to be introduced from the bench, as a firestarter when more spark is needed.

Intriguingly, that’s a similar role to that of Iaquinta in 2006, except Rossi is so much more gifted.

No surprises of course.

The most intriguing position to me is right-back. Everything else is sorted. Amazing watching Motta the last two games for Roma he was incredible. Can’t believe he didn’t make it.

I love the team. Di Natale was rendered useless under Donadoni but Lippi will get him in scoring positions, of that I’m certain. Pazzini is playing as good as any striker in europe and he was excellent without Cassano so let’s bury that theory. Marchisio and Montolivo give us some youth and skill in midfield, De Rossi and Pirlo love playing together so I couldn’t care less about their club form.

I’m excited.

You think Italy aren’t going to advance because there’s no Totti, Miccoli, Balotelli or Cassano lolololol?

Gimme a break. This is Italia. Rossi will explode this summer.

Who is going to be the cheap shit who rolls around on the ground like he has been shot when some french guy taps him? Italians who play for inter would do nicely.

On another note, good grief, have you chaps seen the call-ups that Maradona made for Argentina??? If you thought you didn’t like those of Lippi, take a look at those of old Diego. Never seen anything more ridiculous in my life.

Is Maradona batshit insane? If Milito doesn’t make the final 23 he’s just an idiot. Plain and simple. He’s almost as bad as Domenech… leaving out Nasri? In one of the most dour France sides of all time?

I really dont like this squad. Based on the top 4 of the serie a, 7 players, juventus players who have had a terrible season, FUCKING 9, HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE.]!

good to see Giuseppe Rossi back in the squad, it gives us some hope.

damn if only quags and borriello were still in this kind of form:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vaqzE6VUUA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_9YfTGoRkQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sfKVU8Fwbo

thank god no Legrottaglie.

Could go either way with these selections. Main thing that jumps out to me is the lack of world class creativity that Italy has always possesed in the past.{ex. Baggio, Totti,ADP]

Lippi could change as the games go depending on form of the players in the group stages. Which we will get through, no doubt.

Like always, also depends on how our chips line up. Do we get another Australia and Ukraine to get going? Do we get screwed by the refs[Probably]

It was going to be hard to repeat even with all the players we wanted.

But, Forza Italia!!!!! As always

I hope Grosso steps up his game like he usually does during international break. Palombo and Cossu have had a better season than Gattuso, they deserve a spot more than him.

Here is my formation. I dare anyone to come up with one that can beat it – an Italian team or any other team at the world cup.

3-5-2

Buffon

Cannavaro Chiellini Criscito

Maggio De Rossi Pirlo Marchisio Grosso

Pazzini Di Natale

Notes:-

Criscito: I saw Criscito play on the left side of a three man defence recently – I can only describe his performance as 10 out of 10.

Cannavaro: He has played on the right side of a three man defence before – at Euro 2000 I believe with Nesta, Maldini or Iuliano – this was the best I have ever seen Cannavaro play.

Maggio: He plays on the right side of a five man midfield for Napoli – this is his preferred position and where he is capable of scoring Van Basten esque goals.

Pirlo: In this position his role as the brain of the team can really shine.

Grosso: He played here for Palermo/Perugia – his real position. The hero of the 2006 World Cup.

Di Natale: Here his role as second striker can be fulfilled. He can be Cassano for Pazzini here.

Pazzini: The responsibility for scoring goals would lie with him – which he loves. Sub for Gilardino if he hasnt scored 5 goals in the first half.

This formation is the perfect mix of experience and youth. Italy has played 3-5-2 before and done well with it. They would dominate possession against any team. Maggio getting into the right positions, Pirlo launching long balls to Pazzini, Marchisio going on runs, Grosso storming up and down. If anyone can come up with a formation better than mine (Italian or otherwise) I would be glad to argue why mine would beat it. The only thing could stop this team is red cards.

Viva L’Italia.

Most regular people here are a fucking joke..2 weeks ago you are here bitching and crying to crucify Lippi.. wheres Cassano,wheres Totti blah blah blah we are doomed/fuckd and now all of a sudden we stand a good chance? ..fucking beyond pathetic.

I bet you were the same guys that bitched/cpmlained before Italy won the WC in 06.Did you assholes even complain after 06? Would not surprise me at all.

I have news for you…Italy is going to the finals.

Frank – Italy qualified for the finals quite a while ago now.

Maradona messed up big time, I can understan no Milito he would have never played anyway w messi, tevez, Higuain, Aguero but to leave of Zanetti??? WTF is he thinking, sounds political.. AND the biggest joke is Dunga taking Julio Baptista lol wtf is that?

Honestly after looking over France’s squad they are actually real solid maybe could of used a Menez or Nasri but overall good selections and squad, Benzema is trash smart to leave him out.

Del Piero must have been in the list!! its unfair..he could be second captain…however , Forza Azzuri!!!

These are the players that I would take. Gattusso, Zambrotta, Camoranesi and Iaquinta did not have the best seasons, how they’re amoung the best 20 in Italia is beyond me.

Goalkeepers: Buffon, Marchetti, De Sanctis

Defenders: Bonucci, F. Cannavaro, Cassani, Chiellini, Criscito, Grosso, Maggio

Midfielders: Candreva, Cossu, De Rossi, Marchisio, Montolivo, Palombo, Pepe, Pirlo

Strikers: Di Natale, Gilardino, Pazzini, G. Rossi, Quagliarella

@ The Wiz. thats prolly the best lineup ive ever seen. i love it. it would work perfectly. as long as maggio and grosso come back and help the defence wen the other team have possesion. G. rossi would also be great in di natale’s position. as much as i love the 3-5-2, i dont think lippi will use it, even though he’s used it in friendlies, but you never know.

My response for MARADROGAS stupid world cup, squad list. You have to be a real clown to fuck up that way! I wrote my response in an argentine blog where most agreed that Diego’s list proves he is still doing drugs. This would have been my choice of ARGENTINA team, to send to south africa. Brazil is lucky that Maradona is CRAZY, maybe they should have hired an Italian coach.

1st squad:

GK: Romero

DEF: Zanetti, Samuel, Demichelis, Insua

MID: Mascherano, Cambiaso, Aimar, Dimaria

STR: Milito, Saviola

Club teams: Inter(Milito, Cambiaso, Zanetti, Samuel) Benfica(Saviola, Aimar, Dimaria) Liverpool(Mascherano, Insua) BayernMunich(Demichelis)

2nd squad:

GK: Carrizo

DEF: Otamendi, Burdisso, Milito, Heinze

MID: Messi, Gago, Gonzalez, Delgado

STR: Higuain, Lopez

Club teams: Real Madrid(Higuain, Gago) Olympic Lyon(Lopez, Delgado)Barcelona(Messi, Milito) Olympic Marseille( Gonzalez, Heinze) Roma(Burdiso) Velez Sarsfield( Otamendi)

Third GK: Andujar

COACH: Carlos Bianchi

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I dont think much of this team, why is Nesta and Inzaghi not on the list. Pipo seems to find the net everytime. age doesnt matter, goals do matter.

italians have a big challenge ahead.they have to defend their title.being beaten by spain in the euro cup quarters their position looks to be unsecure.i hope marcello lippi will manage his squad nicely and guide them to a 5th world cup win which brings them on the same level where tht mighty brazilians are.

u guys will suffer without luca toni