I would use the same line-up and formation that was used in the second half vs Norway. Giovinco, Pelle and Florenzi linked up so well together that half.
Guys Conte just called me. He wanted to know if I wanted to have a five way with him, Materazzi, Sal's mom, and Zidane's sister. I'll let you know how it goes next week. Conte also told me the reason why Berardi and Insigne didn't get called up these batch of friendlies was because Insigne already told him he'll be busy next summer filming Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 2. Berardi already has the commitment of warming Juve's bench even before next season starts.
Good but we got to play Insigne though. I'd play 4-3-3 and put Insigne and use Saponara on the bench. If you want 4-3-1-2 Insigne can play attacking midfield. But the way Insigne has been this season, we got to play him. Otherwise great. Yeah older players Bonucci, Marchisio, Giovinco, and Candreva are great backups. By the way play Florenzi rather than De Sciglio, not only is he a bit better, but I think Florenzi is always a hungry player and you can really trust him to work hard every game.
Guys how would you rate our players from all positions? I don't know how to explain this well but I want your opinions on this: Rank each player from your top to bottom. Each position in a different rank. Like this: Goalkeepers: 1. Buffon 2. Perin 3. Sirigu 4. Padelli Center Backs: 1. Barzagli 2. Chiellini 3. Bonucci 4. Ranocchia 5. Astori 6. Ogbonna Full Backs: 1. Darmian 2. Florenzi (RB) 3. De Sciglio 4. De Silvestri 5. Criscito 6. Santon 7. Antonelli 8. Pasqual Central Midfielders: 1. Verratti 2. Marchisio 3. De Rossi 4. Pirlo 5. Montolivo 6. Parolo 7. Bertolacci 8. Soriano Wingers: 1. Berardi 2. Insigne 3. Candreva 4. Florenzi (RW) 5. Caligiuri (Why does Conte never call him?) 6. El Shaarawy 7. Giacherinni 8. Cerci Forwards: 1. Gabbiadini 2. Giovinco 3. Balotelli 4. Quagliarella 5. Pelle 6. Eder 7. Immobile 8. Zaza 9. Matri 10. Okaka So do something like that in how you would rank our players?
We get it, you like Berardi and Insigne. How many different posts on this god forsaken site are you gonna show us that in every different way possible?
No not really. Marchisio is an amazing player, and probably at his prime now. He is very key and good, but Verratti has something not many other midfielders have. He has amazing passing and assisting skills, and is always comfortable on the ball and knows what to do with it. Verratti is very key to PSG, and I am not sure what PSG would do without him. Also Verratti has high potential and isn't at his prime yet.
Hey guys the draw is on saturday. Pot 1: France, Spain, Germany, England, Portugal, Belgium Pot 2: Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Ukraine Pot 3: Czech Republic, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary Pot 4: Turkey, Ireland, Iceland, Wales, Albania, Northern Ireland Best Possible Draw: England, Hungary, Albania Worst Possible Draw: France, Poland, Iceland
Group A: France, Croatia, Sweden, Northern Ireland Group B: Spain, Switzerland, Poland, Turkey Group C: Germany, Austria, Romania, Wales Group D: Belgium, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Ireland Group E: Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Iceland Group F: England, Italy, Hungary, Albania
Okay here is our group: First Match vs Belgium Second Match vs Sweden Third Match vs Ireland This is a group of death but it could have been way worse. I am looking forward to playing Belgium for real this time. We kind of start slow in our groups, but we always manage to win the very first game usually or at least draw it and the Belgium one will be very crucial. I think we can beat them, but it won't be easy. Looking back at the friendly Belgium's second goal was a mistake by us that we could have avoided and they had home advantage, so really Belgium aren't superior to us. We didn't even have our best team. Sweden shouldn't be underestimated but I think they are pretty much an easy team. Yes they do have Zlatan Ibrahimovic but he is aging and it seems that they rely on him. Don't forget Austria beat this team 4-1 in Sweden, and so did Russia. So I think Sweden is our easiest game and won't be hard to beat them at all as long as we play strong and not underestimate them. Ireland have shown that they are a strong team in qualifying but they are much stronger at home than away. Thanks God the Euros are not in Ireland. Anyway with our defense we should be able to handle them. They will be hard to break down, but the new 4-4-2 that Conte has put in place seems to be working quite well when it comes to playing defensive teams. Bad News: Tough Tough Group Good News: All Games will be interesting, and we shouldn't miss any of them. FORZA AZZURRI!!! We can do this, We have the Confidence!!!
The sad thing is you are not a troll. What you preach, you believe. Always manage to win our first game you say 1994 - loss to Ireland 1998 - draw with Chile 2004 - draw with Denmark 2008 - 3 nil loss to Holland 2010 - draw with Paraguay 2012 - draw with Spain in 6 of our last 11 campaigns we have failed to win our opening game. We have crashed out in the group stage in 96, 2004, 2010 and 2014. As for the Belgium game mistake or not they scored so shut up. They also had players missing. Sweden being an easy game heynot the team they used to be but nor are we. Yes they are Ibra reliant but if you think we're just going to brush them aside you are sadly mistaken. Easy games aren't in our dna. Ireland had good results vs Germany but they weren't strong at all. They qualified the same way Sweden did. Winning a playoff after finishing third. How exactly are we confident after losing to Belgium and Portugal, failing to beat Croatia yet again and blowing the game at home vs Romania. This Italian team is about as confident as you are competent.
Ok you had me at first... But it's pretty obvious who is running this account. Totti Fan Sock Account:
2002- beat Ecuador 2006- beat Czech Republic 2014- beat England I said win or draw usually. Very rarely lose. Belgium and Portugal were friendlies. I don't know who was even taking these games seriously. Ireland are not a team to be underestimated.
2006 first game was Ghana its understandable that u dont remember.... u were either still a portugal fan back then or not even born yet
Tough group. Hardest most unpredictable group in the tourney I say. We either grasp Belgium by their hindquarters and ******** them into submission or we lose 3-0. Let's do the damn thing and I'm starting to get excited for the Euros. BTW what a joke of a group F is.
I get the feeling Conte is already laying the groundwork for his exit strategy. http://m.firenzeviola.it/news/nazionale-conte-furioso-niente-stage-a-febbraio-194167