So many people are like we no longer have a Maldini, Baresi, Nesta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, and Bonucci. Bastoni, Calafiori, Scalvini, and Buongiorno is one hell of a consolation!
What? That makes no sense. Goal Contributions = Goals + Assists. So if Scamacca had 12 + 6, gives him 18 Goal Contributions. Ciro Immobile scored 27 Goals 2 years ago. 36 Goals 4 years ago.
Baresi and Bonucci were 22 and Cannavaro was 23 when they got their first cap. Scalvini is 20 and has 8 caps. Calafiori (who I think is truly special) just turned 22 and will get his first cap shortly.
Jack's agent suggests another factor at play why he wasn't called and based on who was called (because they play the same 2 positions and he's never been Capped), the suggestion on the fanpages site is that Flororunsho was called to satisfy the woke crowd. He gives kind words about Spalletti but I really hope Lucio picked on merit. Could he referring to Fagioli? Only other player I can think of These things can happen. I've maintained that the only reason why Zaniolo is even being looked at is because he has a personal sponsorship with Adidas. Because on merit, Zaniolo has zero business with this team. From OneFootball: “It’s a cold shower for Jack’s year and the results obtained by Fiorentina. He did well on a personal level, he has a great career behind him, he repeated himself with eight goals this season and will soon play in another European final. “I remain an Italy fan and hope that the Azzurri can win the tournament, but it is inexplicable that Bonaventura is not part of the Italy squad.” He was asked if he disagrees with the Azzurri coach’s decision. “I can’t decipher it. In my opinion, Bonaventura’s experience would have been important, like his qualities. I consider the coach to be a high-level person, but I am convinced that the decision not to call him was not entirely the result of his sole will. Maybe I’m wrong, but it’s still my thought.” Raiola tried to explain what he means. “I don’t want to go into detail, it remains my idea. But knowing Spalletti’s humanity and the great coach that he is, this non-calling up of Bonaventura seems really strange to me. Then I don’t want to mention other situations and who was called in his place.” He confirmed that Bonaventura expected to be part of the squad. “The coach has always spoken well of him, so much so that Jack expected to go to the European Championship. A dream was taken away from him, the boy was hurt.”
Just watched Scamacca's goal against Torino. He is proving to be a dangerous striker. Receiving the ball in the position he was in with his back to goal and one of the most in form CBs covering him - I wouldn't even consider that a half a chance. Yet he bangs a goal in outta nowhere. I feel like opposition studying film is going to conclude that they need to smother him and not let him ever turn near goal. But with his newfound skillset of including his teammates in attack leaves more space for someone like Chiesa. Feeling like we are pretty lucky to have Chiesa and Scamacca catch a wave of form and health heading into the tournament. Just hope our mids can do their job and quickly move the ball upfield.
Belotti passed the torch to Kean for the goose egg award. Provedel should go over Meret since he could also be another option as a striker haha. Deadly on set pieces!
Atalanta-Fiorentina on 2nd of May is eventually without something on stake! Just Atalanta if wins surpass Juve but are already both qualified for Champions League group stage! I hope both teams release their players sooner for national team duties!
Fiorentina may have something at stake as well. If they lose the Conference League Final versus Olympiakos this Wednesday then they need to win versus Atalanta on June 2 to overtake Lazio for the last EL spot for next season. If not, back to the Conference League they go next season. Also, with Jack's omission, no Viola players this time around.
I was about to post about this. I looked it up, it looks like Atalanta will gain an extra get 2-3 million if they jump Juve for 3rd place, so my bet is they will want to play their best players. So no Scamacca vs Turkey then, which really upsets me. Fiorentina is 4 pts behind Lazio, so they cant jump them. They need to win the final to get into Europa League and Torino in the Europa conference. If not, Fiorentina back into conference.
Fiorentina is 4 points behind Lazio so they can’t overtake them! However, as Vieri#9 said, 2-3 million more will make Atalanta field their best players! This is not good for the national team!
Forgot Atalanta won yesterday. So Scamacca and Scalvini join on the 3rd. Will have missed 4 days with the group. Not ideal, no. Of note, the 4 cuts will be made on June 6, in between the 2 scheduled Friendlies. The BIH Friendly will be played in Empoli. Will be shocked if they don't give Vicario the start in his old stomping ground.
Three things I want to see are 1) Business taken care of during the friendlies. This is a bench mark no matter how you want to spin it. Don't give Fifa any reason to penalize you in the future for screwing up those "meaningless" games. 2) Win over Croatia. You cannot tie or lose to this Croatia squad. The same players over and over, you know who they are, you know their coach, you know they are older than the dead sea scrolls. Italy has to beat them. No excuses. Otherwise, there is no progress to draw with that tired and aging group. 3) Albania. Do not give them any reason to believe. 1-0, 2-0, 3-1 win all ok. Dominate the ball and put them away. Even 1-0 is fine as long as we give them no belief. Beyond these three items, let the chips fall. There are no failures beyond these objectives. Everything must be geared towards 2026 qualification prep or else we are clowning ourselves yet again. I will not complain about a rd of 16 or qf loss. Anything after these objectives is bonus experience
Atalanta vs Fiorentina being played maintains the integrity of the season. Both teams are free to play the Reserves if they see fit, but clearly Atalanta won't. The other, unbelievably ridiculous match, that is taking place is the Milan vs Roma Friendly in Australia. Luckily Pellegrini, Cristante, Mancini, and El Sha have been left at home. At the time it was announced I knew this could have been an issue but luckily left off.
You guys nailed it with Scamacca. His ability to score from anywhere terrifies defenders. They keep getting drawn out from the box when he holds the ball up. Tons of space opens up behind them and you know Chiesa will be running into that. Scamacca and Chiesa need to train together A LOT these coming weeks to get their timing right. Re: Fagioli: I was all for his call-up. Why? Because we don't have a player like him with Tonali suspended. Fagioli has great feet in the middle. He's a creative passer and he also has bite. Jorginho is a one-dimensional passing player. Fagioli can beat you in a number of different ways. If he has a good camp, he should be called AND get playing time.
First time I've seen this X account. I like this lineup but am worried that Jorginho gets exposed. When Jorgi played this season he had a real ball winner next to him (Declan Rice). Don't want to reduce Barella to that. An earlier message about throwing on Bellanova in the 2nd Half against tiring players -- agree with that. Bellanova needs to be the first one on for DiLo. And yes, Mancini for Acerbi. A possible Luciano Spalletti Euro 2024 starting XI made by @passport_soccer 💭🇮🇹👥 pic.twitter.com/y5U6y5Z2al— Italy Focus 🇮🇹 (@theitalyfocus) May 29, 2024
I don’t like Di Lorenzo there at all. Put in Bellanova, Cambiaso, or Darmian. Also Orsolini is good, but I’d start Pellegrini or Frattesi there and bring him on later.
No way we play like this! Using only 2 pure midfielders is insane! Even if we use 3-4-2-1, one of the two players behind the striker will be a midfielder. Just like Pelegrini who is mainly a midfielder but able to attack too!
It will be a 3-4-2-1: Donnarumma Darmian Acerbi Bastoni Di Lorenzo Barella Jorginho Dimarco Chiesa Pellegrini Scamacca However, from multiple reports, Acerbi ended the season in poor form. I rather have Calafiori start and Bellanova (top defender in assists) for Di Lorenzo.
Agree. The balance in that Lineup is way off. No grunt like Cristante, Flororunsho or Loca if he was called or Verratti from previous years. But could the argument be made that Barella (along with Mikhitarian) kinda does that for Inter whereas Chalanoglou is the creativity.
My updated Top 150 Ranking. Feel free to check it out https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1g9VCtXZ3hOePWaLo-UQe2CRbQk_qwYxDFhTpl50rsPE/edit?usp=sharing
Conference League Final I really should want Viola merda to lose, but for Jack, Biraghi, and Gallo Belotti, I hope they win it. Also to honor the death of Joe Barone. Would be quite messed up if ex-Fiorentina player Stevan Jovetic sinks them. Had no idea he was still playing.