I agree.... I think Monto, DeRo, and PirLo can all play at the same time. They understand each other... With that 442, just don't put Iaq and Gilar.... Iaq lacks chemistry, Gilar is no Toni.... he was a waste. And, dont' ever play Marchi inside again Lippi. I don't mind seeing Bonu in Canna's place because of height.
Agree with you completely... and... we found an attacking MD in Monto... I didn't know he can do that... DeRo is very good.... didn't think he can dribble... lol
I haven't had time to catch up on the thread yet, but I am guessing there will be polarization over Pepe. Count me in the convert camp. First of all, there is the incredible workrate, which no one has ever disputed. He was absolutely EVERYWHERE. Second, on the downside, obviously many of his final passes in did not connect, some due to him weighting it poorly and some due to piss-poor movemenr by his teammates. But here is what amazed me about Pepe: he set out to play with creativity and flair and demanded the ball like he was Totti. Now we all know he is NOT Totti in terms of skills and vision, but I found it very admirable that he recognized exactly what was needed and he tried with every iota of his ability to provide it. His play was always, always positive and attacking, he never backed down. After making a hash of a backheel in a warm-up game and earning ridicule, he tried several more in this game, and a couple actually connected. He continually tried to play the ball into the gaps and channels around the 18 for his teammates. He put in mostly excellent set-pieces with his right foot. There are two ways to look at a guy who doesn't know his own limitations, who is determined to take on the world. You can be negative and say, "He's unrealistic, he should play within himself." And sometimes that is true. But on this Italy team, there is literally NOBODY who is qualified to provide what Pepe is trying, despite his limitations, to provide. And so I think you have to salute him and say, "This is a guy with the heart of a champion. This is a guy who is stepping up to the moment." I was down on Pepe bigtime when he was first getting call-ups. But he has totally won me over by being the only player to really bring it in the pathetic warm-up matches, and then by pushing even harder in today's match. Bravo, Pepe. I hope his passion is contagious.
I agree, I'm pleased with his team chemistry, passing, and creativity.... Gotta work on his free kick and crosses..... He's my winger with Camo until someone beat them out...
We knocked the ball around beautifully today. Monto and Big Dan ran the game, so Pirlo would be nice, but a more commanding Di Natale is what we need (let's also see what Pazzini can do). Mr Christmas has always been a little timid in the rain though, probably because he can't do all of the cutting he can do on dry surfaces. The thing with Pepe is that no one will work like he can on the wing. He's a lot like Perrotta was for us, except he has more skill and is quicker.
Me too, but that was an excellent header, and that Paraguayan player got up real high. Credit to him.
The whole game I was wondering how awesome it would have been had Cassano been on the left instead of Iaquinta. Logic would tell you that a man playing in that position can hold, cross and pass. Iaquinta can't do any of those things. He can't even score when he's in the middle. Completely useless in every sense. A waste of a spot. But I thought overrall it was a positive for us. Some of you won't agree with me, but i thought the midfield was good. I feel that De Rossi and Montolivo can build a good relationship. This was Pepe's best showing in an azzurri shirt. The only real negative was Camoranesi. My big concern is the lack of productivity. How do you expect to make anything interesting happen when you're relying on Iaquinta and Gila. I hope Lippi wakes up. A striking pair like that doesn't work and will never work.
A few observations: 1. Did anyone else think that the ref missed a PK call when Pepe was knocked off the ball in the penalty box? You can't shoulder block someone to the point they go flying when they have position. I thought that was odd. 2. Defense: Obviously the goal we gave up was shit. They didn't play the offside trap well and then Cannavaro didn't get high enough on the cross. I don't think he expected the Paraguayan player to get behind him like that. Other than that, the D played quite well and Fabio looked much better than he has at Juve. Criscito was OK..nothing more. Zambrotta tried hard, but it's just not there. His pace is really gone..in a big way. Gotta put in Maggio. 3. Midfield: People are down on Marchisio, but that is not his best position. He's best in a 4-4-2 as a central midfielder. He's not strong or fast and that hurts him as well. I thought he looked athletically limited out there. Montolivo was very inconsistent for me. He's got to attack the ball harder and he has to look to push the tempo quicker. There were times he slowed it down too much. He seemed to improve in the second half. De Rossi was a STUD today. Camoranesi I thought sucked when he came on...a lot of lost possession and bad fouls as usual. 4. Attack: Pepe had his best game as an Azzurro. I wish we could see more of that from him. His finishing was poor and he had some brick feet moments, but overall, it was nice to see. Iaquinta was GARBAGE GARBAGE GARBAGE. We knew it would happen and it did. Dumb ass move by Lippi. Gilardino looks really slow out there. We need Pazzini's change of pace. Speaking of change of pace, Di Natale really deserves to start. He deserves some key minutes on a dry field where he can use some of that creativity. We need him to gain confidence if we are going to do anything in this tourney.
I agree with you. However, I thought Camo came in and raised our team chemistry. His present is a threat on the wing, but he didn't do much... I thought Lippi should have started him over Iaq.
What did you watch? Marchisio was a complete waste at the CM. You questioning Monto effort? lol ahahahahhh Camo didn't do much....., but was a threat at the wing... same as DiNatale... when you just come into the game.... I felt team effort and chemistry improved after Camo came in...
Camo barely has 60 minutes in his legs and he's lost all pace. I still see him as a sub in my opinion. I'd much rather see Di Natale up front with Pazzini and then Maggio inserted at RB. We can get some good width that way which should open up the middle for De Rossi and Montolivo.
I agree... I really like Pepe out there... His crosses beat the defender, unlike Iaq's crossess lol eheheh.....
Marchisio does not have the speed to play winger..pure and simple. He was playing in a 3 man midfield in the first half in a 4-3-3. That isn't his strong suit. He's best in a 4 man midfield. Yes, I'm questioning Montolivo's effort. There were times when he simply looked out of sorts. He could have made challenges and he didn't. He got better as the game went on though, which gives me hope. If you could put Pepe's aggressiveness in Montolivo's body, you could see some special things.
In regards to Camo raising team chemistry, i didn't see it. I saw an Italy getting a little more desperate to score.
I agree with your analysis of todays game. Gilardino cannot play as a lone striker, he was abysmal for Milan when they tried to play him in that position. Cassano or Miccoli would have been perfect for the position Iaqutina is being thrust into. We can only pray that Lippi realizes this before the penny finally drops.
Anyway.... with a tie game... We are closed to form. We are far away behind German and Netherland..... One step behind Argentina and South Korea About the same with Ghana and Serbia I think we are better than the rest that has already played...
As much as I hate Pepe with all my heart... I do have to admit that he put in a good performance BUT ! if it were up to me he wouldn't be playing. It's outrageous that such an average player is starting for the national team, play the 4-4-2 Lippi. Camo--De Rossi--Montolivo--Marchisio Pazzini--Di Natale Maybe then we would actually be dangerous.
None. But to say that we were so great under Donadoni is revisionist history, at best. He was clueless and he had a better squad at his disposal.