First time starting a thread. If Ventura does switch to his beloved 4 2 4 soon, who would you guys like to see fielded in that formation, especially in the four offensive spots?
Berardi, Belotti, Insigne and Bernardeschi up top in some variation. Verratti - Marchisio double pivot. The back line will be in limbo now that Chiellini and Barzagli are only getting older.
I know that. I say in limbo because I suspect it will take a little while to move them out while Rugani and Romagnoli take over.
Meh, Chiellini and Barzagli can still play. As long as they are around their experience and leadership can pass to the young boys
I agree 100% with your four players up top and two behind. Those would be my exact 6 picks. Rugani, and especially Romagnoli need to get some more caps in. Every year, Chiellini and Barzagli look shaky at first, but then round up to form as the season goes along. I do worry that one of these years the bounce back doesn't occur. If Chiellini has more games like the last two, it won't take very long.
4-2-4: Insigne -- Belotti -- Gabbiadini -- Berardi ---------- Marchisio --- Verratti ------------- Antonelli --- Chiellini -- Bonucci --- Florenzi Viable Alternatives: ** Candreva for Berardi ** Bernardeschi for Insigne ** De Sciglio for Antonelli ** Parolo for Marchisio (in case of injury again) ** Rugani/ Romagnoli for Chiellini
The 4-2-4 would be suicide against any team with a decent midfield. They'd outnumber us and take us apart. I do really though like the idea of Belotti, Gabbs, and Berardi on the field at the same time. Gabbs and Berardi are both fast and very mobile. They do not give defenses an easy point of reference. That would open a lot of space for Belotti. It would mean Berardi would have to run his tail off though. He's capable of that, but sometimes he isn't as lucido in the offensive side of the field when he has to spend so much energy defending.
I would rather Ventura attempt 3 4 3 instead, with Belotti, Berardi, and Bernardeschi in the front three. (with Gabbs, Candreva, and Insigne as backups/alternates) But I'm fascinated by 4 2 4.... a formation not commonly used. I do think there is serious potential for disaster with the latter, which is why I prefer the former (not to mention you keep a back 3 that has served Juve well, while deploying wingers not afforded by 3 5 2). Interesting to see what Ventura ultimately settles on. I think 3 5 2 will eventually be dropped, along with Eder, for either of those formations or 4 3 3.
Insigne and Gabbs play almost zero defense. This worries me in a 4 2 4. I think you can't have both in there at the same time. Berardi and Belotti will track back and fight to regain possession... so does Bernardeschi. I think he should either play at LW or as SS over one of those two.
Did you see him at the Euros? Was in absolute shambles every time he came on. He can't get a minute at Manchester United, either. Maybe when he starts becoming relevant again, we wont consider him irrelevant. Seems pretty logical to me. I don't know about you, but I'm all about "what have you done for me lately?". In Darmian's case - not much. His performance at the 2014 World Cup was 2+ years ago now.
a 3 4 3 seems more balanced. I guess the 4 2 4 could be tried against weaker teams but, I think, it would be disastrous against even mid level opposition.
Personally, I'd prefer a 3-4-3 with these players considered: Insigne/ Bernardeschi --- Belotti/ Pelle --- Berardi/Candreva -- Antonelli/ De Sciglio -- Marchisio -- Verratti -- Florenzi -- --- Chiellini/ Romagnoli --- Bonucci --- Barzagli/ Rugani ---
Not sure that's true. Conte would probably disagree with you, too. De Sciglio started and played every game, whereas Darmian was only used as a sub, and when he was used, he looked like he left his legs in Manchester. He was an absolute atrocity when he came on in the game against Belgium and he provided nothing in the game against Ireland. His form was so poor that he wasn't even able to make Conte's revamped 11 against Ireland with 9 changes. Essentially an Italy B squad without any of the regulars, Darmian still wasn't considered by Conte. Get a grip.
Darmian started against Belgium. De Sciglio came on as a sub. De Sciglio did not start against Sweden.
I misspoke. De Sciglio came in for Darmian's shocker against Belgium at the hour mark. Darmian was used sparsely by Conte after that only at the end of games. De Sciglio was the much better wing-back option throughout the tournament. Not that this defines a player by any means, but lets also remember that De Sciglio made his penalty against Germany while Darmian missed.
I concede. I forgot De Sciglio was poor up until the Spain match where he did quite well. Darmian looked out of confidence when he played, no doubt because of his treatment at ManUre. My DeSciglio views were heavily influenced by his Italy performance post Euro which was sub standard. and the group stage at Euro.