International Friendly Italy vs. USA @ Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Marassi) On Feb 29, 2012 Pic Source: calciomercato Italy manager Prandelli will disclose on Sunday the list of players for the friendly match against the US. Italy manager Prandelli won't make big changes against US Prandelli said on Sky Sport - I hope I might be able to have some new options in May". Borini was not capped, although the doors for him are open. "I'm following him, just as I'm following several other players. -Source: AGI.it USA name squad to face Italy Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hanover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City) Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim) Forwards: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) -Source: football-italia .
I checked what US supporters wrote about this game in their BS forum...they are quite confident to beat us....
I don't think they've ever beat us in their history, let alone on Italian soil. They'll be lucky if they manage a draw against a dis-interested Italy side.
23 Players called by Prandelli for the USA game. Portieri: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain), Viviano (Palermo); Difensori: Abate (Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Palermo), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Zenit San Pietroburgo), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino); Centrocampisti: De Rossi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris St. Germain), Nocerino (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus); Attaccanti: Borini (Roma), Giovinco (Parma), Matri (Juventus), Pazzini (Inter). Source: figc.it .
If I'm Prandelli I really experiment here. 4-3-1-2 Viviano; Abate, Astori, Ogbonna, Criscito; Nocerino, Pirlo, Marchisio; Giovinco; Borini, Matri
Really curious to see what this kid's made of. Prandelli has been calling him up rather consistently throughout his tenure as manager, yet I don't think he's ever started him in a competitive match as of yet.
What happened to Simone Farina's token cap? Wasn't he supposed to get rewarded for his not taking part in the match fixing scandal?
USA fans are quite confident these days. Not sure why especially since they really haven't done much since last summer. Either way, if history repeats itself, its not that promising.....in 10 games against Italy, they've lose 7 and tied 3 had been outscored 4-33.... http://www.gazzetta.it/Nazionale/26...borini-balotelli-resta-casa-81456642653.shtml
Answers to your questions. Di Natale-> Just got back from his injury today and Matri got the call. De Rossi -> Coming late once before a game is not considered breaking the code of ethics. Balotelli -> Broke code of ethics with his four-match ban for Man. City. Osvaldo -> Borini took his spot. .
Prandelli got the call-ups wrong. This is the first time I've really felt he was off the mark. Four goal-keepers? No experimenting with wide players (Cerci, Giaccherini, Faraoni)? It was also silly to drop Balotelli, who just had his best and most mature game of the year vs. Blackburn. I'm confused by some of the defenders in the mix. I also wonder what happened to Toto? Borini is a good call-up. But why not Santon, too, if he's looking to youth?
I like that lineup quite a lot. Nocerino is a huge workforce in midfield should cover Pirlo. Giovinco, Borini and Matri definitely have some goals in them. Would have liked to see what Balotelli can do against the USA but oh well.. Hes a shoe in for the Euros anyway we have no better striker.
Update for USA call ups. Sacha Kljestan & Brek Shea added to U.S. roster for Italy friendly; Landon Donovan among four to drop out Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake). Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City). Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Chievo), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim). Forwards: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Brek Shea (FC Dallas). - Washington Post .
there are also the usual comments along the lines of "italians ruin soccer with their bunkering style", "italians are divers and injury fakers", and of course rossi playing for italy is unethical. LOL.
Well at least we dropped Ranocchia (is he still injured?). Also I would prefer Aquilani over Montolivo.
I'm sure thats the standard line Prandelli would give but its not the truth. I was ready to give him the benefit of the doubt until I saw De Rossi's name but I'm now kind of upset that this guy is no different than others who have marginalized other past greats.
So what happened to all that talk about picking Simone Farina because of his speaking up about match fixing? I knew it sounded too good to be true!
Ask NickyV what he thinks about Prandelli because a few years back he was begging me to switch coaches and Juve's coach at the time was Ranieri.
I think Prandelli is just sending a message to Balotelli by excluding him in the line-up.I really dont blame him, because the last thing we need is to have a player sent off in a crucial game, just because Balo is feeling cranky. If Balo slips up once more with MC,im sure he is officially done. Anyways im really looking forward to this game.