Goalkeepers: Buffon, Marchetti, De Sanctis, Sirigu Defenders: Bocchetti, Bonucci, F. Cannavaro, Cassani, Chiellini, Criscito, Grosso, Legrottaglie, Maggio, Zambrotta Midfielders: Camoranesi, Candreva, Cossu, Gattuso, Marchisio, Montolivo, Pepe, Palombo, Pirlo Forwards: Borriello, Di Natale, Gilardino, Pazzini, Iaquinta, Quagliarella http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/wo...orld-cup-2010-no-balotelli-cassano-or-miccoli
I think there are enough threads that cover the call up list... But thanks for posting. Forza Azzurri!
I will be surprised if the Azzuri can make it out of the last 16 with a squad like this, it's horrible to see the same names getting calls up time and time again when it is obvious that they are not at the level they were years ago
Someone pointed out there are only 8 names from the previous cup. So what about these? Goalkeepers: Marchetti, De Sanctis, Sirigu Defenders: Bocchetti, Bonucci, Cassani, Chiellini, Criscito, Legrottaglie, Maggio, Midfielders: Candreva, Cossu, Marchisio, Montolivo, Pepe, Palombo, Forwards: Borriello, Di Natale, Pazzini, Quagliarella All new names there. And if you think a few of the others can't be valuable for their experience, then you don't get how teams are constructed. Pirlo, Gilardino, Camoranesi can all still contribute. I don't think Zambrotta or Gattuso can anymore, but they may not see much time. Cannavaro is the only question mark. Should he play or should he not? Can the others around him make up for his declining athleticism and cover more ground leaving some clean up duties to him? We'll see.
Moggi deserves some of your anger on that one too. He's even on tape declaring how he could take the NT away from him.
Horrible stuff here. I've followed Gli Azzurri since I was a little boy watching the 82 World Cup. This is the worst selection I think I've seen. (Bearzot's recycling of the 82 team in 1986 was close to this.) Camoranesi and Gattuso have barely played this year. Zambro is done. Grosso is done. Hell, DeCeglie is better than him at this point. People argue that we need "experience" on the team...that we need leaders. Hello...we have Buffon, Pirlo, and Cannavaro, etc. on the team. That's plenty. If you really need Gattuso's leadership, it should be as an assistant coach..because that's all he's capable of now. I hope I'm 100% wrong, but I just have a bad feeling about this world cup. I hope we aren't embarrassed.
7 Juventus players? You would think getting embarrassed by Bobby ********ing Zamora would be enough to knock some sense into Lippi's thick skull. I'm also really surprised Giuseppe Rossi did not make the squad either, we officially have no one who can cover for Di Natale. This is disgusting if it's real.
Not sure if its accurate, but this report mentions DDR is the only one left of the list that will be in SA. http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/usa2.php?article_id=23526 Drop Quag and Iaquinta and call up Rossi and Totti!
Upon reviewing this list, the only question I can ask all of you is: are you really surprised? One must really question our chances to compete against the world's best when half our squad is comprised of players that are currently playing on hte most under-achieving club in all of Europe (Juventus). To say that Lippi picks his squads based on favortism and preferrential treatment would surely be a gross understatement. Of course, this Italian football we're talking about here. Just when you think it couldn't possibly become any more of a laughing stock, you are proven wrong once again!
x2 Cassano and Miccoli 4evs Lippi, go home!!! oh wait, he will be going home early with that old age home of a squad...Vergogna Vergogna Vergogna
This is just speculation as Lippi does not have to turn in his 30 man provisonal list until May 11th. Last world cup Lippi called six forwards and I think he does the same this time so there is room for Rossi. His ace in the hole though is Totti. Then it will become clear why Miccoli and Cassano never had any chance because neither of them on their best days which is now can compare to Totti even though he isnt what he once was is still better than those two. So if this scenario ends up fact then Di Natale Totti and Rossi are good choices. Besides I may be in the minority but I think Di Natale is going to explode at the WC and get the recognition he deserves. He really is one of the top players in the world right now though people under rate him.
I've been pretty down on the World Cup, but Di Natale having a good tournament would make me really happen. Like you mention he's a fantastic player, and I think it's unfortunate that Donadoni's lack of coaching experience made him the sacrificial lamb at the last Euros.
I've done a complete 360 on Di Natale and am not afraid to admit that I was wrong about him. I hope he puts smiles on our faces as it has been a rough four years for us.
If DDR is indeed the last player on the list, then all this tells me is that Lippi is planning to go to SA and try his best to grind out results. And I think that's a real shame because I feel Italian soccer is past that. But because this old goat is stubborn, we're in for some miserable soccer. There is no true link between the forwards and midfield. This team has only one real support striker (Di Natale). As much as Lippi would like to kidd himself, Quagliarella is a CF. He doesn't have the tools to be a seconda punta. He doesn't even have the goals to be on this team. He prefers taking a chance on Cossu rather than go for Miccoli (a better passer, ball carrier and a guy who can smash it from anywhere in 18). I see it now; he's going to hand De Rossi the #10 and tell him to pretend he's Pele. I'm hoping guys like Cannavaro, Grosso, Zambrotta, Gattuso were saving it all season. I'm going to support this team till the bitter end, but I will be very surprised in this team gets beyond the quarters. But like I said ealrier this season, it's painfully obvious who still runs this national team.
I was a little surprised with some of the names as I am sure most of you were, of the 29 men on the list. Here are my thoughts on the group that will compete for the 23 places that will defend our title. In goal this is probably the easiest group to select. Buffon obviously as #1. Marchetti has established himself as #2. I personally would pick Sirigu to be the third keeper in all reality they won't play (I pray) so might as well give him the experience over De Sanctis. On Defense, I am glad that some younger players have been included. While everyone is quick to throw down Zambrotta, Grosso, Cannavaro etc, remember these players usually play strong for La Nazionale. Grosso never really panned out in big clubs ie-Inter and now Juve, majority of ppl probably didn't even know him in 2006 and then he became a national hero. Criscito is a very good player and he could take Zambrotta or Grosso's starting spot if either slip up. In the central defence Chiellini is probably the strongest defender we have and he is solid. I see Cannavaro's game being stepped up to prove to everyone he is not done. He always does well for Italy. The back-ups of Bocchetti, Bonucci, Cassani have all had strong club seasons and have earned their chances. Legrottaglie is probably the best central back-up option as Barzagli has fallen out of the scene...although I'd rather Bonucci play then Legro. Maggio can also play wing or midfield so there are options. In Midfield, Pirlo and De Rossi lead the group. They seemed to have much success when Pirlo played as a trequarista and De Rossi behind the 3 in a holding position. On the wings Camoranesi has been off form with injury. Pepe has been alright. Palombo has played well for Italy. Cossu, Marchisio, Candreva and Montolivo are all quality back-ups. In Attack, I was disappointed that Giuseppe Rossi was not included into the list. I was actually shocked. But of the strikers it seems Di Natale, Gilardino and Iaquinta are certain to go to South Africa. Quagliarella is another guy that has played fairly well for Italy when called upon. I really like Pazzini and think he deserves a call. He did well for Italy in qualifiers. One guy I am not a big fan of is Borriello. I hope the other 5 are selected over him. If Totti does declare himself available then I would select him at the expense of Quagliarella. Have some faith everyone. Lippi knows what he is doing. You cannot honestly believe Miccoli, Cassano or Balotelli were even in his plans from the beginning? I am a coach myself and team chemistry is an important part to the team's success. Why create extra work dealing with a hot head. The best players do not make the best teammates and team chemistry and unity often can bring you further than individual skill can. They proved it in 2006, why not again in 2010?
Wow I never thought I would miss Donadoni, but after these preliminary selections, I wish he was still manager. With all due respect to Marcello Lippi, the inclusion of Iaquinta and Pepe in particular over Miccoli and Cassano is just incomprehensible. To leave your two most in form strikers at home due to past animosities really shows you how petty Lippi really is. I will support this squad of seniors this summer but I know I'm going to be constantly thinking about how much better this team could have been with the inclusion of Miccoli and Cassano.
Dae, he was left out for the same reason that the Roma players are being left out; mid-week game with Villareal May 4 14:00 ET Almeria v Villarreal
oh ok so this is only for a friendly?? when is the friendly game anyway? i thought this was his south africa squad