Group H Italy Croatia Norway Bulgaria Azerbaijan Malta Can we make it out of the group stage this time? Just kidding. Oh wait am I. Looks like an easy group on paper but we have lots of ageing players who are just about ready to move on. Time for a rebuild methinks. Some potential on the horizon but most of it yet to demonstrate that they have the ability to play and win games at the international level.
Conte gave an interview and said Rossi was in his plans for the national team. Then someone asked about Balotelli and Conte said he doesn't want to talk about individual players….
Croatia has always been a thorn in our side. Aside from that, this SHOULD be a relatively easy qualifying campaign.
We've never beaten Croatia. However, seeing as the next European Championships will have 24 teams Italy should have no problem qualifying. Players like Berardi and Gabbiadini should be given an opportunity with the full NT. Anyone see Gabbiadini's goal against Sevilla last week? Pure class.
First 2 go through automatically with 3rd place into a playoff so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to qualify. Will we top the group though?
I'm not worried about our options in attack and haven't been for quite some time. OUr midfield and defense however..
When I saw that Conte was talking about making De Rossi the lynchpin of the team, I thought it had to be a typo for Rossi. Why exactly would Conte do that? I mean DDR is a good player but he's getting older and slower. He had a pretty awful tournament. If you're going to be limiting your use of Pirlo, why on earth focus on DDR instead of rebuilding around youth?
He recognises that DDR has a proven track record at international level, of the current personnel how many have accomplished as much as he has Its time for Pirlo and perhaps Buffon to go bye bye and so DDR emerges as the most natural replacement as the team's leader The team lacks options in terms of players in their early 30s or younger who can fill the leadership role Its about transitioning the team towards youth. It is a big step up from Serie A to international football, moreso with the state of Italian club football atm, there is no way this team can afford to lose Pirlo & De Rossi at the same time (Montolivo injured) b/c the youngsters need guidance.