i like the responses. Marchisio is needed!!!!! For what reason? He can't finish. He can't dribble or beat his man. He consistently loses the ball. He is essentially a headless chicken. At least Parolo can head a ball.
Marchisio's needed because he's a quality box to box midfielder. I don't think that anyone is saying that he's Gattuso, but this match showed how badly we need a holding midfielder (after playing nothing but holding midfielders in the last match...) Ventura is not impressing me. Let's hope the November break will give him time to reformulate his own style instead of ... whatever it is he's trying to do now.
So I saw the give away from the Little French Guy. Since not much has been written, I am guessing he was not that impressive. Anyone know if FoxSports will show a replay tonight?
For you Signore, http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2016/10/09/fyr-macedonia-vs-italy-highlights-full-match/ You can watch the whole game there too.
He was not impressive and directly lead to Macedonia's first goal with one of the poorest passes I've ever seen.
Ciro è Immobile , qual piùma al vento,muta d'accento, e di pensier! World Cup qualifiers: Ciro Immobile double takes Italy past Macedonia Italia, brividi in Macedonia Ci salva Immobile: 3-2!
Verratti was poor through long stretches of the match. Much too casual with the ball. He did set up the second goal and put Parolo in for the would be winning goal (wrongly ruled offsides), but it wasn't good enough for a player of his quality. His give away was terrible because it he had no pressure on him. He casually one touched the ball back to the middle of the field without looking. You simply can't do that. Ventura really fcked up the formation. Last game he had 7 defenders and this game he had no defensive midfielders. Bonaventura is average at best at this level. Bernadeschi I thought was terrible other than the corner on the first goal. You cannot try to dribble 3 guys in the center midfield when your whole team is in the other half. Just dumb dumb dumb. Verratti needs an active midfielder next to him. Pirlo had Gattuso and Verratti needs someone who will partner better with him and allow him to get forward more often. Benassi? We shall see. Buffon's reaction time is concerning me. He should have had saved the second goal. I was watching highlights of him from about 10 years ago and the difference in his ability to get down is staggering. I'm not sure he can make it to 2018. Belotti and Immobile are warriors. Credit to them. I still wonder though if we wouldn't be better off with a seconda punta in there to be more creative.
By the way...kudos to Sansone for coming on and showing personality. His cross led to the ball going to Candreva who then had a beautiful assist to Immobile for the winning goal.
Belotti and Immobile scored three goals. When was the last time Italian center forwards did that. I can't remember off the top of my head, but I don't think Pelle and Eder ever did. If Ventura sticks with 3 5 2, they both deserve to start for the foreseeable future. Immobile was immense, and showed such guts bringing Italy back from the dead. Only Candreva and to a lesser degree Belotti matched his warrior spirit. Verratti was extremely poor. While I would never suggest he doesn't deserve a spot on the national team, and at 23 still has time to grow and improve, I don't think he's world class right now. While Bernardeschi wasn't incredible either, I think he had a better first half than Marco. Besides the assist, he was flying down the pitch and confidently trying to take defenders on and beat them one on one. Sometimes he did, sometimes he didn't. I think his biggest flaw today was when tracking back and going on the defensive. To many times he got too aggressive and caused a foul. But considering this was his first start ever for the Azzurri, it was far from terrible before his bad giveaway (that Buffon should of saved anyway). I also have doubts of Buffon and Barzagli making 2018. Romagnoli, Donnarumma, and Rugani need to keep getting starts before the WC so they are completely ready. And yes, I think Marchisio/Benassi are the guys that can flank Verratti and compliment him. But I would also give Jorginho a chance to stake a claim on this team. I don't think Verratti has earned the title of untouchable.
Marchisio hasnt been a b2b mid in years. Hes a regista and considering his injury i strongly doubt that we will see him return to a b2b role again.
Gentleman please have a real think and reflect on this for a moment... Qualifying game Italia 3 - Macedonia 2 Fifa World Soccer ranking ITALIA ( current ) 13 Macedonia ( current ) 106 Does anyone see a real problem?
Ventura worries me more and more every game. This is the fourth game under his tenure, and we have yet to look good in one. I couldn't understand why he did not use one true holding/defensive MF in yesterday's match. It cost us on their counters.
Don't worry. Someone will show up and mention that the team always plays down to the lower opposition. This, of course, is a giant load of horseshit. I can/could almost accept this logic if the team was brimming with world class talent and they can turn it on at any given moment. However, these last few incarnations of the NT look(ed) like anything but world beaters.