The percentage of foreigners hasn't changed much since Italy went to the 2012 final and 2016 quarterfinal of the Euros. In those two tournaments they beat England, Germany, Belgium, and Spain. Plus It's not like this Swedish side have many players starting for big teams. Italy are still much more talented on paper. It can't be used as an excuse for this organizational failure. If anything, Italy have enough player talent to do the unlikely tomorrow. They just need Ventura to not get outcoached.
The Nation's league sounds like a pretty cool idea. It is a national team version of the champions league with only European players. We all know we will be watching.
Starting Gabbiadini over Insigne is a fireable offense even if Italy win unless Gabbiadini has the match of his life. Playing Gabbiadini is another instance of overthinking things. Insigne is in great form. He was one of the best players in the two City matches. Napoli are in first. On the otherhand, Gabbiadini is on a team that is 13th in the EPL with an offense that has 9 goals in 11 matches. Simply find a formation that the best players are used to playing for in their top clubs.
Woah I think you are getting ahead of yourself a little but. You do have points, but part of it is debatable. Insigne is really not flexible tactically. He does well in teams that are possession based but doesn't do as well in teams that play defensive and do a lot of counterattacks and crosses. Look at Napoli for example, remember when Benitez was in charge? Insigne really did not perform, but Gabbiadini performed pretty well especially in the 2014-15 season. However when Sarri took over, Insigne was one of their best players, but Gabbiadini did not perform. Its a matter of tactics and playstyle. Gabbiadini is also a stronger player and has a lot more mental strength which could possibly be key to why he could be starting over him. Don't compare Napoli with Southampton. Its not just about Gabbs and Insigne, Napoli has a much better team overall. If Insigne was a Southampton player and Gabbs was a Napoli player this season, I doubt you would see the opposite positions in the league. I myself have even said loads of times that Insigne is a great player, but he really cannot play on this team, because of tactics. He isn't flexible enough. Gabbs would not be my first choice of replacement, but at least he has played for the Azzurri before and has been pretty good at finding space and creating chance.
Italy need to likely score 3 goals vs a team that showed you in the second half that they are going to sit deep in a 4-4-2. Even by your admission, Isigne is a great player on a team that dominate possession and attack. That is what Italy need! In San Siro, Italy will have the bulk of the possession. Gabiaddini could suffer the same issue as Immobile and Belotti. He needs space to thrive and Sweden will be very compact. Plus, Insigne was great vs City where Napoli hardly dominated the ball. He is more versatile than you give him credit for as a winger/possibly #10.
Yes, the new UEFA Nations League will start in September 2018. Based on Italy's current form, they better pay attention to it. It's another way to qualify for the 2020 Euros (4 slots are reserved). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_UEFA_Nations_League
Well this proposed line up isn't filling me with confidence. Sweden just ignores the back 3 so they always have a man advantage. Anyway hope he makes his subs early. It's always bad to see him throwing Insigne and co in the last 15mins when it's panic mode and they can't settle in.
Agree with everything apart from Iaquinta's killer goal. That was a ******** up from the defender and he robbed him in possession then rounded the keeper, which he should have did.
Padre nostro che sei nei cieli, sia santificato il tuo nome; venga il tuo regno, sia fatta la tua volontà, come in cielo così in terra. Dacci oggi il nostro pane quotidiano, rimetti a noi i nostri debiti, come noi li rimettiamo ai nostri debitori e non ci indurre in tentazione, ma liberaci dal male. Amen
What in retardation ... Insigne is too good for Southampton, Gabbiadini wasn't good enough for Napoli. This is why I call you clueless, you said Gabbiadini is mentally stronger than Insigne. I hope that was a typo for physically, because Insigne came on the field in the last game accepting the role of CM, just to try and help out his country. Insigne has scored at the Bernebeu with a shot that no one would dare even think about trying. Gabbiadini has never done anything of note but score a few long shots.
This is just not true my friend. Check this for evidence: Just in case you didn't catch the score what with the grainy 83 year-old footage, it finished SEVEN-one to ITALY! So you have to eat your words, just like all doubters will be eating their words tonight when it finishes 5-nil to Italy with a hat-trick from Parolo, an overhead kick from Chiellini and a last minute scorpion kick goal from the half-way line by Barzagli. Personally, I can't wait to see the look on the Swedes faces after tonight.
The Rai may be showing it in Italy but I don't think it will be on the international channel.... http://www.raitalia.it/dl/PortaliRai/Page-ab48738e-506a-4d73-8abb-09248a9db82b.html
the worse thing is... the players we will be losing or potentially losing, they happen to be the only good thing about this team. Gig and Barzagli will be gone, Leo should be in his prime but he is going to fall apart at Milan, Giorgio' will be embarking on probaly his last campaign for Italy at the Euros and he is still shaky, he could be uprooted by an aggresive coach. I am not impressed with these millenials, not one of them is a game changer, after seeing the Marco clips, I do have to admit that even in a bad game, Marco is a very good complimentary player and is very useful and in creating chances, he can even do it when everything is going wrong... but he will not score, nor will he maintain possession on a long dribble thru guys so I cant say he is a game changer. Just a moderately reliable dangerous chance creator. Ever since Darmian got the start in Brazil WC 3 years ago, he has been quite a good player producing a lot of chances from the flank, he also has consistently demonstrated confidence, grit, and hunger in this jersey... I do not see him shyin away from anything and its very refreshing. I hope he develops into the next Grosso or Zambrotta. IT is definately possible and playing in England has really helped him, keep in mind... he often sits the bench so its crazy to see him playing so good for the NT. Belottis detiny will be " can he produce when it matters" or will he go the Ciro route and be known for knock ins in small games or qualifiers against weak teams... Ciro has a reputation of going missing when he is needed the most... Sure he did great in Serie A and also helped A LOT in qualifying, but he looks how he did in the bundesliga when its a big game, which is missing.
its on fox sports one today at 230... well 330 really but pregame at 230. I dunno if any of yall caught the North Ireland game, but that was a throwback great game. It was pouring and the field was torn up and looked like a third world pitch, despite it being in Switzerland. Ireland was down on agg and needed to score and they were pushing upfield the entire game, it was a dog fight not just in the middle of the pitch, but litterally the entire field and both teams played physical, but not cheap or unethical. It felt like watching a really good well fought college game, except the players had a lot of skill. Anyways N Ireland lost, but they looked terrible in the first leg and they came out swinging and looked the better team the entire night, they litteraly crossed a ball into the box, the striker missed the header but it hit his face and the keeper charged out to deflect it, but he missed it and the muffed header went on target to goal where a swiss player kicked it on the line away from the net. That happened in the 89th minute and was a heartbreaker for Ireland. So anything is possible, Ventura said the 4-2-4 was being put in storage and that there would be changes, I am assuming that means new faces, it would be suicidial to not put Insigne and Jorginho out there given their chemistry and success for Napoli. This team has been missing chemistry from midfield to forwards the entire qualifying campaign, a big day for Belotti to assert him self today, I do not not know how you put Ciro out there today... a chance for Candreva to do the right thing and play simple and not try to be a hero.
So is El Shaar not hurt? It was a bad sign when Stephan El Shaarawy was cut from the 23-man squad, sent to the stands when he was one of the form players in Serie A and fresh from a Champions League demolition of Chelsea in the Roma jersey. Even worse when Lorenzo Insigne was left on the bench to rot with his Napoli teammate Jorginho. http://www.football-italia.net/112653/nobody-can-defend-ventura-now
Actually we are now the favorites to qualify (as of 8 am today) 10 have Italy and 5 Sweden Its 55% Italy and 45% Sweden https://www.oddschecker.com/football/world-cup/italy-v-sweden/to-qualify