Huh? Marchionni is a real winger and Prandelli had Vargas acting like one (even if he's not the best on the flank.) But let's not get into Prandelli's Fiorentina tactics. He was good at selecting quality players, bringing up young players, and getting the team to play with heart, but he's been far from a tactical maestro with the Viola, struggling especially with the defensive side of the game. That's my worry with his Azzurri reign--he's going to call up the kind of quality players we prefer, but I think he may not get the best out of them if his tactics are wrong. And 4-3-3 is wrong for Italy.
Although the competition is weak on paper in these next two matches, I'd go as far to say that these are both statement games and anything less than 6 points with dominating performances would be a dissappointing result, imo anyways.
While during the best of times, we have always been adept at getting the result, it is rare to see us with a "dominating" performance. Despite how weak our opposition is on paper, I would be more than content with two wins considering our recent record has been horrendous and we can't score.
We switched to a 4-2-3-1 when we got Vargas. Haven't used the 4-3-3 since Prandelli moved Vargas from LB to LW. And I agree that Prandelli is very overrated. If I have said anything in here to make you think that I'm a Prandelli fanboy, by any stretch, then that was unintended.
I meant dominant in the sense that, we control the game until we get our goals, and then a dominant performance from the defense, showing little weakness. Not so much dominance that we win by 5 or 6 goals, because I certainly don't expect that, but I want us to be in control on both sides of the ball.
I believe the qualifiers will be played on Fridays and Tuesdays. Not sure why although my guess is to give players more time to return to their clubs. RAI will have the U21 match around 11:45 and then the seniors at 2:30 (east coast time).
Last Practice Game between the Ranks -> Game is @ 20:30 CET, 2:30pm EST, 11:30am PST If you have access to espn3, then you can see the game @ http://espn.go.com/espn3 Probable Starting Lineup 4 - Subs 3 Probable Starting Lineup Sirigu Cassani, Chiellini, Bonucci, Molinaro Montolivo, Pirlo, De Rossi Pepe, Pazzini, Cassano Goals -> Cassano 2, Pazzini 1, Pirlo 1 Subs Viviano De Silvestri, Bovo, Gastaldello, Antonelli Palombo, Cigarini, Lazzari Rossi, Gilardino, Quagliarella Goals -> Gila 1, Rossi 1, Quags 1 .
Ive had good feelings for all our games this whole year. This time I have bad feelings so hopefully its reverse karma and we acutally start winning with todays game!
Molinaro...he's apparently been doing alright in Germany, but when he was with Juventus, he was as unimpressive a player as you can possibly be. I'd take Criscito, Balzaretti (I know, I know) and Antonini over him.
I agree. Under those circumstances, at full strength, we don't look so bad: ---------------------------------BUFFON---------------------------------- CASSANI-----------BONUCCI----------------CHIELLINI-------------SANTON --------------DE ROSSI----------PIRLO----------------MONTOLIVO-------- BALOTELLI-------------------------------------------------------CASSANO --------------------------------PAZZINI-----------------------------------
Well its entirely Italy so far, its so bad that any time Estonia even get the ball in our half their fans cheer. But we need to score. Cassano made a nice cross that Pepe missed and has had some good touches.