the new U-21 takes shape

[bestianera]

National Coach Claudio Gentile has called up the players for the friendly match vs. Germany that will open a new 2-years cycle for the U-21 selection

http://www.cnnitalia.it/2002/SPORT/calcio/08/13/under/index.html

Donati and Matteo Brighi - although deserving - are not included: the former is injured,the new Juventus midfielder because Trapattoni wants to take a look at him with the big boys.

this is the complete list for the 20th august friendly:
Federico Balzaretti (Torino)
Nicola Beati (Inter) offensive midfielder
Tommaso Berni (Wimbledon) goalie
Marco Borriello (Milan) striker smarter beyond his years
Paolo Cannavaro (Parma) defender
Andrea Caracciolo (Brescia)
Antonio Cassano (Roma) the spoiled brat given a second chance,he's now the star of the bunch,here's hoping he can make some good out of it
Samuele Dalla Bona (Milan) midfielder should have been called before
Michele Ferri (Triestina)
Alessandro Gamberini (Bologna)
Fabio Gatti (Perugia) midfielder,a Furino-type... Gattuso-type for the younger
Alberto Gilardino (Parma)
Roberto Guana (Brescia)
Cristian Maggio (Vicenza)
Emiliano Moretti (Juventus) defender
Giovanni Pasquale (Inter)
Gianluca Pegolo (Verona)
Giampiero Pinzi (Udinese) midfielder my boy,should become a stalwart of the team
Cristian Zaccardo (Bologna)

btw,although i have no confirmation about this Udinese left fullback Giuseppe Gemiti should make the german team (he was a U-20 player in the World Tournament last fall in Argentina)

[Jawz10]

No Alex Pinardi. I have a feeling he's going to be great.

[SueB]

Interesting that they called Berni even though he plays in England. That's apparently the only reason they never called Dalla Bona until now. But keeper is a unique position of course.

[SueB]

BTW, Jawz - where you been?

[Jawz10]

I was computerless for a month or so.

[SueB]

Aack! The horror!

[SueB]

the Italy-Germany u21 game will be shown live on RAI International Tue Aug 20 at 2:55 pm EDT.

[bestianera]

a clear mismatch

the german U-21 players are used to play with each other in the U-19 and U-20 teams,the azzurri still have to get aquainted
the germans are also ahead with preparation,and it showed

a very solid germany and a very confused italy

Cassano didn't miss the opportunity to be controversial once more,leaving the pitch when substituted instead of joining his teammates and coach on the bench... he was booed

[retnicf]

"Italy opened the new era of the Under-21 side, but Claudio Gentile has a lot of work to do following a poor display."
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/ita21ger.html