Apparently this is the 4 2 4 squad most likely to start against Lichtenstein. Zappacosta and Bonaventura have a chance of overtaking Darmian and Bernardeschi. This is the squad I would have picked if going 4 2 4 (maybe Zappacosta in place of Darmian).
Interesting comment from Ventura in Football Italia article: “These two players [DDR and MV] are incompatible in a three-man midfield, but in a different context it’s not the case" This would apply to a 3-5-2. He thinks that the two are better suited to a 4-2-4 as the centre two supporting four attack minded players up front. That is a recipe for disaster. A system completely lacking balance. Look for Germany to totally destroy us on Verratti's flank.
The two mids would as I see it have DM roles (agree with you on that) but also need to be able to launch the ball from deep positions to build attacks. Generally I doubt they'll be pushing too far forward. DDR is good in both of those areas. Verratti is not good at spreading the ball. And he often defaults to defensive positions but he is overrated defensively. You ever see a successful defensive player that size and weight. Guys like Khedira will run through him.
Verratti is a great passer and he can spray balls too not ala Pirlo but he's still young and he has really good vision. I think they can be a great tandem in the middle of the park. He's small but he's fiesty.
I think it would be best to have Bonaventura out on the left in a 4-2-4 instead of Bernardeschi. When Italy doesn't have the ball Bonaventura can tuck in on defense as a LCM leaving De Rossi central and Verratti then becomes a RCM. Bernardeschi is much too offensive minded and is lost when asked to play in a central midfield role. I doubt Ventura is as naive as many of you have made him out to be after 3 months in charge. Highly doubtful he believes De Rossi and Verratti can play solo against 3-4 midfielders at the international level. I would imagine Ventura is considering Bonaventura in that role because he has played LCM for Milan all season and is serviceable in that position. When attacking he can then get forward out wide in the 4-2-4.
Guys just letting you know that we really can't play Insigne on the flanks in a 4-2-4. He can't track back. Berardi and Bernardeschi are the ones suited.
Against stronger sides I could see Ventura going with Bonaventura over Bernardeschi. In fact, I think those two will be splitting 50/50 on the LW. I think Jack plays against Germany, while Berna plays against Lichtenstein. It would make sense to have the more offensive player play against the latter team (goal differential and building confidence). I think Ventura will try to go for a big scoreline to cut down the goal differential, and Bernardeschi is better at taking defenders on.
The team has to. Not a fan of big blowouts but the team needs to score 5-6 goals. Good chance Spain will score 2-3 against Macedonia. If this happens the GD will be a more manageable 4.
Yes he should. He's a tricky player. Hasn't been stellar for the azzurri so far but he's been great at Milan. Give him time in this setup