Building an Azzurri squad for 2022

Just because it didn't work out doesn't mean it's not preferred going forward.

In every single sport, you want more.

That's why baseball, hockey and basketball playoffs are series and not a single game.

Too much can happen in a one off game.

And while the lack of firepower hurts obviously, we just won the Euro without that same lack of firepower. We just were unbeaten in what 38 games. Nothing has changed since then in terms of firepower. It's a weakness but we also have a lot of strengths going forward and of the 12 teams in this thing we are definitely the best of the 12.

 

I think we were the best of the 12 when considering our Euro form. Currently I don't know if we're still the best of the 12. But Spinazzola will be back, so this makes me hopeful. This is a team sport and one player shouldn't make that much of a difference but sometimes there are extraordinary players who do make a whole lot of difference, and I'm hopeful that Spinazzola is such player. When Verratti is in top form he makes a difference too. March is still far away so let's hope we get to the playoffs in top shape. Gli Azzurri in top shape can't be matched by these other 11 teams. In our current shape I'm afraid we won't make it. But then, March will be a different time. Last game in Belfast we had no fewer than 10 recent call-ups who were injured. Hopefully in March everybody is back.

 

Insigne is a problem too. He blew a lot of chances this qualifying campaign and he sucks with Emerson next to him. Spinazzola is MASSIVELY important to this team. His health is crucial because Emerson gives us no width and single-handled slows down play all too often. His presence also gives slower footed Insigne more space which is paramount.

I don't like this new format either. I'd rather have the old one. But, if we can get Spina and some of the other injured players back, we should go through.

 

I'm not critiquing the format. I'm saying that I don't think the format is our major issue. We're going to run into the same problems whether we have a one off or have to beat a side over two legs.

 

It wasn't a problem over the summer when we were scoring 3+ goals against sides of the same caliber we will face in March (Italy destroyed the unseeded Czech's 4-0 right before the Euro's and then the unseeded Turkey 3-0). Immobile and Belotti weren't bagging braces then either, but the whole team was hungry and focused...and injuries were mostly at a minimum (only Pellegrini missed out in terms of essential players).

I think everyone needs to take a step back and look clear eyed at the situation right now. Multiple injuries mixed with some winners complacency probably lead to these last few results we saw in qualifying. Hopefully March will be different. It's up to Mancini as coach to motivate everyone, and hold out hope injuries won't be a factor. This idea that we need to recall Balotelli, or start some young player in Serie B is ridiculous. People can be so irrational.

 

......Opponents couldn't find an answer for the high press game Italy was playing, now everyone knows about it and it is no longer as effective. Teams adjust and adapt, i don't want to say we're back to square one but we're pretty close to it.

 

ALLLLL these draws is making me super nervous that we will fail to qualify for the WorldC again.

I have a feeling we going to draw games again.

 

That is the almost inevitable outcome of games which you can largely control but in which you struggle to score.

 

I was counting, Emerson almost always, like 9 times out of 10, passes the ball back instead of passing it forward. He is really detrimental to the team. He is the exact opposite of Spina. That's one of the main reasons why our performance was never the same including in the Euros, once Spina got injured.

 

We only managed 13 goals over 8 fixtures in a qualifying campaign that spanned over two years (to undermine the claim that this is only due to temporary injuries) in a relatively weak group outside of Switzerland. You cite the Euros as if that's our standard. If anything, that's the exception to the rule. But if you'd like to point to that, the only time we looked potent in attack was during the knockout stage. We progressed in the knockout stage predominantly through very strong midfield play, solid defending and occasional brilliance from Chiesa or Insigne. I don't know how any unbiased person can look at this side and not acknowledge there is a serious issue in attack (even if we all agree the team are very strong in midfield and strong in defense).

I agree with you that it would be insane to entertain a Balotelli return given the fact that he has shown he can't be relied upon, or to call up some unproven commodity--but we can't blame anyone for being concerned about our chances at this stage.

 

Italy and Portugal if they both make it to the "final" we love our drama don't we?

 

Italy vs North Macedonia
Portugal vs Turkey

 

well...no world cup next year

 

AND if we make the final we play away in Portugal, wow. I don't have much faith lol That's assuming Portugal beat Turkey, regardless both very tough away games.

 

it's over. Thanks Jorginho. Hope your frosted hair was worth it.

 

Couldn't have been any worse for us... if we get to the final, likely away in Portugal. Terrible!

 

Worst case scenario just occurred. Away to Portugal for WC qualifying if both teams win opening home game. Unbelievable. Good job UEFA. Such terrible restructuring of WC qualifying. Now one of the big teams is guaranteed to be out.

 

This draw is probably if not the worst scenario imaginable

 

Well we beat England at Wembley to win the Euro

What's Portugal in Portugal?

Keep the faith

 

Hard to keep faith with our recent run of below average performances, i have absolutely no faith in this and rightfully so.

 

We got this.

We'll take care of North Macedonia

and then beat Portugal on a Jorginho PK lol

 

Why does Italy play portugal away? i thought they draw the home games after

 

No they drew right after the groups were structured. The winner of Portugal vs Turkey will be home. Italy will play second leg on the road if we beat NM.

 

I don’t trust this grouping! First Macedonia then either Portugal or Turkey?

Italy may miss their second consecutive World Cup!

 

Mancini made a good point after the draw today. Just like Italy wanted to avoid Portugal, you can bet Portugal wanted to avoid Italy. Portugal certainly has the tougher semi-final and potentially the two toughest games on paper.

The North Macedonia draw is bitter sweet. The lowest rank side, but with the knowledge that Lisbon or Istanbul await. It certainly will be interesting. One game at a time.