Most of those players like Amelila and Chiellini were completely unknown, the others are still unknown lol. That was literally a 4th choice lineup.
Exactly. Which still brings us back to square one and my initial point and that is, no one caring about the national team outside of a tournament. Again there isn't anything bad with not caring about a team that only plays 5-7 games a year with a bunch of different players but this is the culture that has been created. You don't see a bunch of protesters complaining to Conte or the FIGC that Pirlo was left off the team like Roma fans did with Totti and his contract. The clubs are more important and so is the league and this is a fact and its all most fans care about. This also is another reason on why the national team, if there is in fact a problem, can suffer before , during or even after a given tournament. Back to the title of the thread, Conte laments low number of Italians in Serie A and why is that? Can it be because that the clubs simply don't care about developing the national team? Why does Inter have only one oriundo who had a great grandfather born in Vicenza? To me, this is a direct problem when looking at the national team but it isn't for the clubs or their fans who can actually care less about it.
well they were talking about the scandal because the importance of that outshadows the qualifier... as i said.. we're italia.. we qualify always.... it would have been different if we lost the qualifier against Scotland in 2008 where Panucci sent us to the Euros in the 2nd to last game... then there would have been a crisis to say that nobody cares is not accurate whatsoever
Its simply not true. I saw all the qualifiers and friendlies and I'm telling you the games are sparsely attended , mostly in smaller, lesser or even in non Serie A towns and are not given the same coverage as the clubs. Fans simply do not feel the same way about the Italian national team as they do about their clubs and that is a fact. Believe whatever you want but I'm telling I lived there for 5 years and I know for a fact the national team is given very little importance from fans between tournaments. Now if and when they get to a Euro or WC and go far, then that is a different story and of course everyone cares then.
Nobody cared in August 2006, you know why? Because we JUST WON THE WORLD CUP. There was still the afterglow of that.
Exactly. That was one reason and another was they were all at the beach and didn't even know there was a game on.
I care a lot. But it's hard to care when the only time games matter are every two years for a month. I like most only care for that time. Indirectly I like many others care about the national team just because we want Italian players to do well every season so that when the time comes those players are developed. You can't really show much caring if the team isn't playing though and friendlies don't count for anything. Watching a friendly in August after the euro has already been played is just boring. Qualifying is somewhat boring to because we always qualify. The only games that are exciting are against big teams. This is just the reality of things because of how dispersed these tournaments are but also makes these tournaments feel so much more special when they do come around.
Yeah, living abroad, I cared/care a lot about the national team as well. Living in Italy and getting indoctrinated with club European/Uefa Cups mid week, Italian Cup games here and there and most importantly the Serie A matches, its kind of difficult to follow the national team during a qualifier or a friendly. Getting back to the title of the thread, all the foreigners in Italy are also not helping fans identify with the national team. I for one never saw Graziano Pellè playing for Southampton or Veratti and Sirigu at PSG. Even Daniele DeRossi who should start for the national team, can't even start regularly at Roma. I don't know about anyone else but I think that is just horrible. I mean a sub for the club and a starter for the national team?
Also all the other top 4 leagues have tons of foreigners as well. Bundesliga is loaded with them as well and they still produce good youth players.
It remains to be seen what Italy will do but not including Gianluigi Donnarumma and Domenico Berardi, I haven't seen all that many yet.
I understand the not caring about the national team argument but isn't that the same case in all countries? Do they care more in Spain? Do they care more in Germany?
That is a good question. I always wanted to know if they care or not. I'd assume its probably the same with them. I really never cared or paid attention to what those countries do though as I only care and follow Italy.
Read up about it. The FIGC is considering allowing B teams to enter into official Italian competition (so like Juve B and milan B playing in Serie B so they young players can be developed against actual men).
I thought it was Serie C or Lega Pro. Either way, in theory, it is kind of a good idea. Only thing would be if teams aren't going to be relegated or promoted, I'm not sure how good it would be for the games or what incentive a player would have to play. Maybe not so much for Juve B or Milan B teams but for their opponents.
why do you Conte are mad about the low number of Italians in the top flight when in reality you're gonna ignore them anyway and instead choose your favorites like Ogbonna, Eder, Giaccherini, Sturaro, and Zaza when there are clearly better options? FORZA SEMPRE AZZURRI....nella gioia e nel dolore!
Anyone who complains about youth then completely Ignores Berrardi and sportiello needs a punch in the mouth. Cant stand Contes hypocritical rapey lookin face.
I'm sure the low number of Italians in Serie A affects the national team indirectly. I don't think club owners really care though as all they are interested in is winning and or making the Euro cups and/or want to (in Zamparini's Campedelli, & Pozzo's case) do everything possible to avoid relegation. For myself anyway, aside from it affecting the national team, I can't stand watching a game that features two Italians on each team. Its getting to be so bad that I can't even relate to most players or even pronounce some names. I welcome the foreigners but I mean how many does a team really need and where do you draw the line? Why can't there be a limit? Maybe 5 per side? I don't really understand the new rules they've put in place but it seems to me, unless they put a stop to it now, sooner or later its going to get even worse.
If they were do enforce a rule on how many foreigners you can have on each team Uefa would have to enforce it across all leagues otherwise it would hurt the teams from leagues that have that policy when they play in champions and Europa league. I think most leagues for the most part are facing this crisis. We have to think of other ways and I think it comes down to building up our youth program and developing a reserve league where players can play and not get wasted sitting on a bench every week.
Exactly and a law of some sort should also be passed. I'm sure some will protest as it could be discriminatory but it has to done by all clubs across Europe. If it stays as is, the club owners will simply take advantage of the existing rules and neglect the development of youth. I mean why should a club owner care to spend money on a youth program when he can utilize the same amount and maybe even less in a more experienced foreigner who will give you results now as opposed to 5-7 years from now?
it's funny you said this almost a week ago....I didn't even see your post until now , yet I said almost the same exact thing 4 days after you posted this . Great minds think alike !
I recently read an article stating that in 2016 the Serie A was 42.1% Italian, whereas in 2015 it was 45% Italian. So the numbers continue to drop.