Building an Azzurri squad for 2022

and Mattia Viti! He played the full 90 the past 4 games. I’d be a cherry on top if from now to the end of season they can incorporate Fabiano Parisi into their LB rotation.

I know for certain Salernitana and Spezia will be relegated, but Udinese getting relegated is more of a fantasy

 

Grandissimo giornata for Squadra Italia. A lot of young players played significant minutes. In addition to the regular names, Matteo Lovato, Gabriele Zappa, Raoul Bellanova, & Fabino Parisi played the whole 90.

- Luca Ranieri at LB & Nadir Zortea at RB played 90mins for Salernitana. Is this permanent because we are seeing the first imprint of new coach Colantuono on this team?

- 17yrs old Giorgio Scalvini replaced Palomino at halftime. This is a good sign. Gasperini has been slowly but consistently trying to bring him along. Better youngster management compared to what Spaletti is doing/could be doing with Zanoli at Napoli.

- Eddie Salcedo started again for Spezia. This is the 3rd straight game he has started and played at least 70 mins. Spezia regularly plays 5 Italians now in their starting line-up compared to just 2-3 at the start of the campaign. Has Thiago Motta turned from his wicked ways??

- Riccardo Ciervo played almost 30 signifcant mins for Sampdoria.

- A little bit of bad news. Alessandro Buongiorno started but was replaced at half-time by the guy he replaced. Play-by-play said he was subbed off due to the yellow card he received. I’m hoping he comes back as the starter next week.

All in all there are 26 players from 1999 generation and younger who participated, of which, 21 are starters. This is a strong foundation Serie A can use to build on for the future. Hope this continues.

 

Agreed that it is good to see some young players. I watched the highlights of Caligari v Roma and Bellanova looked very good. I haven't seen him stand out like that but he was up and down the flank and delivering spot on crosses.

Italy suddenly has a nice mix of fullbacks with the starters and when Spinn comes back and then you add into the mix Banidelli, Zappacosta who looks to be reborn at Atalanta and playing regular Champions league minutes, Bastoni from Spezia. The guy who really impresses me though is Dimarco. There's not a better pinpont crosser of the ball in the league and his left foot is lethal on set pieces. The only thing he needs to cleanup is his defense as he is stricly an offensive wing back and maybe not a complete full back like a Spinnazola is who can track back with the best of them.

 

Speaking of Spina, do you have any information on how his recovery is going, and when he's expected back?

 

I did see this but i really hope they don't hurry him back. He's so crucial to a full strength Italy attack and his pace is a real weapon

https://football-italia.net/spinazzola-closer-to-italy-and-roma-comeback/

 

Also wanted to mention Frattesi who to me is like Barella-lite in terms of engine and grinta and skill. Two goals in the last two games and Dionsi has him starting every game. He's really impressing.

It says a lot that he can't even get in the under 21 setup (let alone the National side) during the last few qualifiers. To me he should be right in the mix for the Azurrini midfield

 

Excellent, thanks. Yes, he's one of our most essential players and the team has a totally different look when he's playing. His energy and his speed are transformational. Get well soon, Spina!

 

He is a terrific player. In Italy, most calcio “experts” likely consider him to be a prospect, but at 22 years old he has more than proven his worth. He was a stud at the U-19 EUROs a few years back when Italy went to the final. Since then, I’ve had my eyes on him while he lingered in Serie B. It was only a matter of time before he got his chance in Serie A and Sassuolo with Dionisi is the perfect opportunity. He is a classic box-to-box midfielder. Willing to do the running, competent on the ball, and possesses a real IQ—by that I mean he is always in the right position. Forget the Azzurrini. At this rate, his performances deserve a look in by Mancini.

 

But the issue is, our midfield is star-studded with world-class players, so promising midfielders are out of luck for the moment.

 

I like Frattesi too. he was mentioning on socials that his Nonna used to call him il principino in regards to how she thought he reminded her of Marchisio.

Midfield:

Verratti - 28
Jorginho - 29
Barella - 24
Locatelli - 23
Pellegrini - 25
Pessina - 24
Tonali - 21
Sensi - 26
Rovella - 19
Frattesi - 22
Pobega - 22

absolutely loaded. if only we could sacrifice a few of these for a striker LOL

 

Azzurini is on a brand new cycle of players and could no longer play anyone born before 1/1/2000. It is nice having Locatelli being replaced by Frattesi in the line-up. They got couple guys in Serie B that’s getting alot of playing time and should join them next year.

 

Forgot Castrovilli, a little further back Samuele Ricci and Giulio Maggiore.

Strikers?? Look at the top 7, nationality, and age. https://www.transfermarkt.us/serie-b/torschuetzenliste/wettbewerb/IT2/saison_id/2021
All FOUR should be in Serie A next year. Maybe if we’re lucky, Sebastiano Esposito as well. Future’s bright, if you know where to look

 

Ahh that makes sense thanks for the heads up, otherwise Frattesi would 100% have been in the Azzurrini midfield mix

 

November has come! This is a fundamental month for the Azzurri since we have to fight for our qualification for World Cup 2022 and remind everyone our power since 2006! The last three editions were tragic, group exits (2010,2014) and 2018 absence!

Verratti is already out and I read that Pellegrini has a knee inflammation! I hope he can recover in time for the crucial games on 12th and 15th!

 

Man, Pinamonti, Esposito ,Lucca, Raspadori, Scamarcca, Kean....one of these guys needs to pan out?, its a little pathetic that countries like Serbia and Norway can produce better strikers. Otherwise we will be running with Belotti and Immobile for years to come.

Italy needs to keep producing good talent so it forces clubs to play these kids, kinda whats going on with England right now

 

I think we have a lot of C+ to B- options present and future but not one you know for sure is going to lead the line and be the first on the score sheet. The last time Italy had that was Luca Toni and before him Christian Vieri..and Toni's run at World Class was short lived if it ever was there (although the guy could bang in goals but didn't dominate at the National team level)

Vieri was a for sure top of line guy who any club would have wanted and was one of the deadliest strikers of his day. Before that was Baggio, although a different type of player.

 

callups for the WCQ vs Svizzera e Irlanda del Nord.


nice to see Tonali and Calabria getting called up for the Milanisti. Pobega getting a call too. Only one switch for me i think off the top of my head... would have preferred Di Marco over Biraghi.

 

Dimarco is having a stellar year at Inter. He’s not getting picked because Biraghi is Mancini’s favorite...unbelievable!

 

Hey, it wasn't that long ago when we would complain about 6-7 players who deserved to be called up for the national team but weren't. Lippi after 2006, Prandelli, Conte, Ventura were all super guilty of this. Mancini is by far the best coach when it comes to picking the right players for the squad. The fact that we can only highlight one snub is incredible. I think his big blindspot was not selecting Calabria over Florenzi for so long.... but even that has finally been rectified.

As for the strikers (this is a more general point not aimed at you), like it or not, Immobile and Belotti are still our best choices. Kean has shown nothing, Raspadori is incredibly overrated, and the other young guys are simply not ready (and won't be for the WC next year). I have no problems with Mancini at all. He's won us a major tournament, something only Lippi and Bearzot have done in the last 50 plus years.

 

Looks like our depth is potentially going to get tested this Friday vs the Swiss.

Players certainly out with injury:
Verratti
Pellegrini
Zaniolo
Spinazzola

Players in doubt:
Barella
Bastoni
Chiellini
Bonucci


if I had to guess how i think he'll line up based on Mancio and injury availabilities:

Insigne - Immobile - Chiesa

Locatelli - Jorginho - Barella*

Emerson - Chiellini - Bonucci - Di Lorenzo

Gigio


*If Barella can't go. I think he'll go Cristante.. although personally would love to see Tonali in there with Locatelli and Jorginho.

 

Yes, Tonali ought to be the first deputy because he has been pulled from the under 21 squad for this window and they have a tricky away tie in the Republic of Ireland.

 

Immobile out with an injury now too. Scamacca called up to replace him.

my updated prediction on starting lineup (il falso nove):

Chiesa - Insigne - Berardi

Locatelli - Jorginho - Barella*

Emerson - Chiellini - Bonucci - Di Lorenzo

Gigio

 

Barella should play as I believe he only had muscle fatigue when he played vs Milan. I would love to see Scamacca start beside Chiesa and Insigne. It would be good to get some height on set plays. This game will not be the same as the Euro and we will have to grind this one out.

 

I'm very nervous about this game. Such a bad time to have injuries depleting our guys!

 

The swiss are also facing huge injury problems as well. it looks like it will be Swiss B vs Italy B