Largo ai Giovani! Good thing about Zaniolo is that he is only 19 years of age! He can play on both the U21's and the national team. Then again, Fabio Quagliarella who is about to turn 36 years of age just scored again! Largo ai vecchietti!
If Mancini were to drop Jorginho (I have no idea what his form is like since I don't watch EPL), I would probably start Pellegrini over Zaniolo. While I've always been in the "play the youngsters camp", at 19 and just starting to play first team football, maybe Zaniolo should work his way into the starting eleven. I would make him first choice off the bench and start Barella, Verratti, Jorginho/Pellegrini. Just watched today's game against Fiorentina and Sampadoria. Chiesa had a great game, and I'm starting to wonder if maybe Quags should be called up. He's so old and won't be a factor for the Euro's, but his form might be worth it for qualifiers. I also think Gabbiadini played well off the bench, even providing an assist.
Mancini has consistently talked about the possibility of calling up Quagliarella for the time being at least. I am curious to see how he would do for us, especially in these qualifiers.
Hopefully with the eventual collapse of the EU or Italy leaving it, they can re-impose a foreign cap. Right now there is nothing they can do, Clubs can technically play 11 out of 11 foreigners. Its a brutal time, I wonder how sometimes Italy keep on producing good players under these conditions but somehow Italy do. Stefano Sensi is the real deal, he needs to be given more of a shot.
Do you really think Italy will leave the EU? I wish they had never changed from the Lire to the Euro but I doubt they will leave the EU.
Yes it they will, the amount of debt Italy has incurred over the last few years is too much. the EU is a scam it only benefits Germany, Belgium and England...all other nations are drowning in debt. Also how many countries are turning away from the EU's open boarder policy. I think the EU is on its last legs and will be gone soon. If this is so expect things to go back to the 90's in European football maybe not as drastic but at least 6 domestic players starting on each club team, which is the an ideal number in today's game.
Trying not to completely derail the thread but i think it's only a matter of time before Italy leaves.
Quagliarella with 2 goals and an assist today. He now has a goal in 11 straight Serie A games, tying the legendary Batistuta's streak. He has to get the call at this point.
You mean you wouldn't prefer watching Immobile run around in circles and score on one of every five chances?
Balotelli scored for Marseille a couple days ago against a 2nd place Lille. we'll see how he does here for the rest of the season
Mario's time in Nice didn't end so well with Vieira not taking his crap. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8097600/nice-mario-balotelli-patrick-vieira-news/
....little bored Prediction for Mancini's first qualifier ---Donarumma-- --De Sciglio--Romagnoli--Bonucci--Florenzi ---Barella--Veratti-- ------Zaniolo----- --Chiesa-----Insigne -----Immobile---- Bench: Meret Sirigu Cristico(Mancini's toyboy) Birghi Calabria Mancini Acerbi Pellegrini Jorignho Sensi Politano Quags Inglese I don't think Bernadeschi, Rugani, Perin shouldn't be called up as they are benchers at Juve (great career choices). Zaniolo is a phenomenon. Mancini should be picking players who start or are in form.
Bernardeschi will and should be there... you use the excuse that hes a "bencher" at Juve... yet you have MDS in your starting XI??? You also only have 1 guy on the bench (Politano) who could theoretically cover Chiesa and Insigne..should they need a change in your formation (fatigure, injury, etc).
He actually has started a considerable number of Juve games. He was benched a lot last month because he was injured a bit and not 100% fit, but he is starting almost every other game now.
Bernardeschi could and arguably should start for the NT. The only reason he doesn't routinely start for Juve is that he has to battle people like Douglas Costa and Dybala for a starting role. No one else in Italy has that type of intra-squad competition. Nonetheless, he has seen time and has impressed in the opportunities given. Someone must also explain to my why we feel Immobile should start. He is a donkey, and has proven it time and again.
Exactly. Berna could walk on any other team in Serie A besides Juve and start immediately (no questions asked). Immobile is fine on the bench, but not a starter. I've also watched Torino quite a bit this season and Belotti has been atrocious. I would take Quags and Immobile (maybe Gabbiadini if he continues to play well for Sampdoria) as bench players and continue with the false 9 of Insigne, Berna, and Chiesa. So you don't call up Berna but you call up Politano? A guy who also doesn't start regularly (and has far less competition to beat in his squad) and has half the talent. And Inglese is even less clinical than Immobile. I think a false 9 is the way to go since only Quags is getting it done at the CF position (and Immobile... though never for the national team). Take five wingers (Berna, Berardi, Insigne, Chiesa, and El Shar) and then Quags and/or Immobile. Mancini should not waste a selection on a third center forward.
What about Cutrone? I feel Cutrone or Quags should start as striker for now. Or we can play Insigne as a false 9.
I had a feeling Belotti was going to be a one hit wonder, too bad really because he was killing it a couple of years ago. Quag is old and should not start, good super sub, Immobile shouldn't start either. I'd stick with the false 9, we just don't have a standout striker anymore, no reason to force one.