The Azzurrini: A Breath of Fresh Air

October 10th, 2010 | by: Julian |

Whilst Marco covered the senior side this past weekend, I was able to watch the second half of the Azzurrini game. Unfortunately, I missed the first half of the game due to work, but the second half was an incredible breath of fresh air. Our youth team is really a fantastic group of really promising players and then have a enjoyable, attacking style of play.

Ubriaco?

First of all, I really want to stress how good the side plays. They utilize a really fast paced counter-attacking style of football, and rely heavily on wingers and fullbacks. Luckily for us, the little ones have an amazing array of talent in that department. Santon and De Silvestri charge up and down their flanks all day and really link up well with the midfield. In particular, the De Silvestri- Schelotto combination on the right was incredibly potent. The two link up really well together and Schelotto is absolutely one to keep an eye on. His pace is blistering and he can really dribble the ball quite well. He’s being billed as a replacement for Camoranesi, and we really haven’t had a winger like Camo since he left the team. Based on what I saw though, he may be able to live up to his potential, and may be mere months away from a move to a bigger club than Cesena. Unfortunately, both he and Lorenzo are suspended for the return leg.

I’d also like to give a big shout out to the rest of the backline. Ranocchia was solid as ever and I can’t imagine that he’ll stay in the youth side after the other playoff. I didn’t see much of Ogbonna but he was pretty solid as well from what I saw. Finally, Mannone was pretty commanding of his area and really sure of himself when he needed to take control. It’s a really solid backline and our mini defensive crisis may be over.

Overall, I was really impressed. I really have nothing but positive things to say, especially after watching the senior side against Northern Ireland. Mustacchio in particular seems to be another really good dribbler, and he went on one amazing run in the second half where he left two defenders in his wake and just put his shot wide. The boys seemed to be up for the occasion and raring to prove themselves. Two big things to take away from the game is how solid the backline is and that De Silvestri and Santon should be easily able to slot into the team and solve our fullback problems. The second is that the team as a whole are capable of playing really flowing, attack based football and entertaining. I’m really looking forward to the return leg in 2 days time, away in Belarus.

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Stefano

Posts like this our great, dont get me wrong. I love hearing about the azzurrini and how bright they are. But, with that said, I believe that the real focus shouldn't just be on their talent and successes but how we can take this talent and convert it to talent and success with the senior side. For example, its great to hear about Santon and De Silvestri charging down their flanks and playing well but really the only reason its important to me is because i hope that theyll soon be doing it at the next level soon!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NKAZ7LTBZOB3QFERREGVUQDUO4 jorid22

I'm surprised there were no mentions of Fabbrini, who in my opinion has x2 the technique of Schelotto.

Luca Marrone also made a very good, reassuring cameo performance in center midfield. In the half an hour or so he was on the pitch, he looked much more decisive and organized in his play and positioning than Bolzoni who was a disappointment.
Vittal

You should make a more comprehensive report on all the players that are playing for the team, with information of their current teams and the potential for them to break into the first teams of the clubs they play (If they haven't yet). And generally your opinion on the type of players they are and so on.

I think The Azzurrini have a great set of players and making them known would be a an interesting read. I would like to know which team is contributing most to the youth of Italy and from which part of Italy are the better youth players originating. Then you could probably discuss the factors leading to that or the reasons. It would be a great read if you could write some thing along these lines. I have read that you find nothing much to write during normal Serie A games, I for one would definitely be interested to hear what you have to say in such cases.

Just throwing a few suggestions out there. Keep up the great work.
http://italy.worldcupblog.org Julian

Really like this idea. For this post, I just wanted to put something out there about the quality of play and the guys who really shone (to my eyes at least) but I'll have a more detailed one in the near future.
CIcero

i just cant wait for el shaarawy to break through the ranks.

clearly the D is at its climax for the U21s but how about our attack .. names like okaka, macheda, pasquato (if u dont kno who he is, just look up all his free kick goals from this season at modena — he has like 5 or 6), even Destro is promising
FrancescoItalyOffside

Fabbrini is the best young fantasista Italy has at the moment. And the fact that his name is Diego helps too.
http://italy.worldcupblog.org Julian

It helps him gain a bit of recognition but I hope it doesn't put too much of a burden on his shoulders. What a legacy to live up to.
Mo_dudes

Yes, me too I am looking forward to the return leg in Belarus.

I have to say I am happy to read your post Julian about the Azzurrini, they are a breath of fresh air, in addition to that I want to remind all how this team beat the odds by coming from behind while playing in group stage, almost everyone including the media thought that the Azzurrini will not qualify from group stage but this team had solid performances against Bosnia and Wales by winning both games which brought the Azzurrini in top of the group in which they are playing now play-offs with Belarus to qualify for the U-21 championship in Denmark.

I have no doubt about the Azzurrini to qualify to the championship, but my biggest doubt is, will these talented youngsters have a chance to play as regulars with their teams in Serie A in order to develop their talent and gain more experience?

The future is bright but if planned right, in my point of view Prandelli must upgrade the Azzurrini players to the Azzurri squad.
Mike D

According to Football Italia

Prandelli names starting XI
Italy v Serbia on Tuesday: Viviano; Zambrotta, Bonucci, Chiellini, Criscito; Mauri, Palombo, Pirlo, Marchisio; Cassano, Pazzini.

DDR dropped!
Mike D

Actually, it looks like DeRossi is injured.
Rdj8

Viviano will start in goal with Zambrotta and Criscito flanking Chiellini and Bonucci in the centre of defence. Pirlo, Marchisio and Palombo will line up in midfield with Mauri and Cassano supporting Pazzini. That means there will be three Sampdoria players and one from Genoa playing in front of their home crowd.
Mikederob

awesome!!! de rossi's injury has bizarrely forced prandelli to make great decisions! no 4-3-3, but a solid 4-4-2 instead with marchisio added on and most importantly no pepe and no borriello!!!!!
Rdj8

Who heard the news!!? pepe has been dropped!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NKAZ7LTBZOB3QFERREGVUQDUO4 jorid22

>Okaka
>promising

LMFAO.

Pasquato, Macheda and Destro=promising.

Okaka=raccomandato
mikederob

the young squad has always played pretty well together. there are some awesome talents there and i fully believe, de silvestri, ranocchia and santon are ready for the big boys. im pretty sure de silvestri is part of prandelli's plans anyway.
what a shame there were injuries and u-21 games on….what team would prandelli have called against northern ireland and serbia then?
im more then confident that de silvestri, montolivo and balotelli would have been there instead of zambrotta, mauri and pepe.
Vincent

I think the Azzurrini keep producing promising players, but like someone stated before, they don't get big game experience in Serie A. Look at the teams in the CL, how many use young Italiani? I would say none.

I am hoping this trend will break soon, and the likes of Balotelli and macheda don't have to play in the suck @ss EPL.

Anyways, about tomorrow's game, I am delighted to see Prandelli go with a 442 with Pazzini and Cassano up top. If we can keep it tight at the back, I see us coming out with a very very nervy win.

as always

FORZA ITALIA!!!
ked_1927

Really supporting Vittal's idea. Doesn't have to be one post…it can be multiple posts and I'm sure you can ask the Serie A bloggers for assitance. I recalled agiamba doing something similar regarding youth prospects in the past in the Juve offside.