Fantasiste? Probably our most promising fantasista isn't even on that list because he's injured...Bernardeschi. As for other highly skilled fantasiste...obviously you have to look at Berardi, Insigne, Sansone, and Verdi. Also, to me, Chiesa and Di Francesco will be gems. These are player and coaches sons who are very smart and technically gifted. They tend to play more as wingers, but they really are dynamic. Again, I don't want to overstate our situation here, but after years of some real lack of talent, there certainly is a lot of promise.
Wen Bernardeschi plays with confidence, he reminds me a lot of Kaka. I know, high praise. But seriously, his edge work and pace on the ball and the way he just glides past players is something we haven't had in years. Theoretically having Berardi on the right, Insigne on the left and Bernardschi behind Belotti sounds like a scintillating attack. It's borderline impossible to stop that attack over 90 minutes. You man mark Belotti all game, and you risk getting torn apart through the pace/dribbling of the wingers/CAM, and vice versa if you mark one of the 3, you risk giving Belotti too much open space. I'm VERY high on Barreca as well. Just a wealthy flow of talent.
I have said he is not a playmaker. He is a holding midfielder. Gattusso with skills should not be considered as an insult. But he lacks the vision of a playmaker ala Pirlo.
Am happy with Ventura bringing in youth but what the hell was with that formation? Verratti as treq? Five defenders again. Why bother. The only game that matters is the must-win against Spain so then we'll get to see what progress has been made.
Ok WHAA? We need to win our other games as well. Remember this is FIFA so goal difference is over head to head. We must beat Israel and Macedonia at home which I am sure we should do without no problem. However I am also worried about the Albania game as well. If we beat Spain and lose to Albania and Spain win all their other games, they will top the group. We must get at least a draw in Albania in their stadium. Albania can be tough at home.
Dybala wanted to rest in order to be back with us and make sure he doesn't get a serious injury. Aguero though was a huge mistake.
Is it me only but I'm feeling optimistic, wondrous and excited on the level of talent and youth coming through to play for Italia and in our serie A league ... It's been a very long time I've felt this way about our boys... did someone heavily knock some common sense in our sporting directors at the FIGC? It's about due time they wake up and start smelling the coffee... kudos to Tavecchio and Ventura for believing,supporting,investing in our young talented players ... the big clubs now have to start incorporating our boys in the big clubs it's a duty and responsibility to our football and limit heavily the amount of foreign players and in choosing which foreign players to our clubs I would add ONLY Brazilians and Argentinians are welcome to playing in our league, ... Italia has been teaching the world on how to play football for a very long time and indirectly getting screwed every time we play our international games in the butthole for it but NOW, we need to show in full extreme who the real kings of football are in the world ... it's time now for no mercy, resistance is futile!
Since Tavecchio took over, I honestly think we have always been a growing team with real confidence and haven't had that many slip ups. Tavecchio has always been extremely careful on who he hires as coach for our team, and I can see it. I even remember when we were doubting Conte before Euro 2016, and Tavecchio always defended him and said he is aware of Conte's ideas and highly thinks they are good. Then Conte proved Tavecchio right in Euro 2016. When Prandelli left, we think he resigned but he could have very well been sacked. That news was not public, and was quite a secret in what happened. We will never know if he was sacked or not, but I have a strong feeling he could have been. No way would Tavecchio have tolerated Prandelli after what happened in World Cup 2014. Not just the results but many decisions he made and how there were a number of players playing for themselves and not the team.
Did you catch your favored double entendre? Game was playing in the background while I worked on a business project, so didn't see in great detail but I noticed a typical Italian friendly effort. They weren't playing with much seriousness until scored upon, but then turned it up when needed and at those points of the game they looked fluid, efficient and dangerous. It reminded me of the pre 2006 years when we'd recover goals in record time after conceding. After going ahead they slowed down again. No big deal. Overall a comfortable win. Not much to read into it other the fact that Ventura looks ready and willing to give youth their chance.
They're no longer detractors. One's already posting Verratti videos. He's tired of being on the losing team, lol. Don't be fooled by the other. Falc is making his transition smoothly so that when he has to admit it, he can say he was a proponent of the little French guy all along and that he was right. Falc is a seasoned professional, a wizard, a sage, oh and an expert lawyer
Exactly, old fella. It's not like when Sal comes and walks all over your lawn. PS - the second part wasn't directed at you. It was just a very general observation on a meaningless game I didn't pay too much attention to. So no need to fear that it would have triggered you or something
4 2 3 1 with those four players up top seems like the eventual destination to having a WC challenging squad. I think Verratti played where Ventura was hoping Berna would before he got hurt. Insigne, Berna, and Belotti have all made great strides this year...Berardi needs to join them and complete the puzzle (he was on his way before his injury).
Makes sense. But I read there was a bit of pushback that they don't want any games on Ferragosto lol which luckily is a Tuesday so should be fine for a day off
They should be doing everything possible to help. If we don't get the result against Spain, then it's a playoff and that will be no joke. I don't even want to think how much tension there will be in a sudden-death qualification match.
I never understood our stubborn unwillingness to start the season a little earlier like other leagues. I get that Italians in Italy value their little beach vacations. But most players have very long summers off anyway. Why constantly handicap ourselves for important September qualifiers? I know...I know...ci sono cose piu importante di calcio nella vita.