Agreed. No nonsense defender, keeps it simple, and reads the game well. I think he's also surprising on the ball. I've seen him make some very nice passes in these games thus far.
Ghilardi has been good for 2 years now but he's having to scrape his way to a top club because our clubs lack any vision. I'm actually not sure why Fazzini is on the 2nd team here. He was absolutely outstanding for Empoli down the stretch. Great player with all the tools.
Well for me, we overall tried to impose ourselves on Spain. I was ecstatic to see the quick response to going down. The road is not easy. Now we must face Germany. It seems a bit unfair, but it’s a chance for this group to dig in and get to work. I’d personally like to see some successful counter play.
Nicolò Tresoldi - Player profile 24/25 | Transfermarkt Born in Cagliari, playing for German Under 21's. Don't get it
Of note his father. Journeyman in the lower leagues of Italy but he did play for the Italy U21's in his day.
He's playing for Germany because their youth system actually gave him a chance and helped him grow where ours didn't. WE ARE SICK IN ITALY. SICK. Gattuso doesn't change that. Our mentality of not taking risks with young players is killing us and the sport. Look at F1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli is one of the most promising talents in years. Ferrari could have signed him. They opted for an over the hill Hamilton at a huge cost. So what do the Germans do? Mercedes sweeps in and takes a chance on the young talent. On his first practice run, he crashed on his second lap. What did the Germans do? They said "no worries...what you showed us in that lap and half told us how good you can be" They focused on the positive potential rather than on one mistake. Until we get past this sickness we have of trying to pay everything safe with youth, we are DOOMED.
I don't know about this player other than it seems like he was raised in Germany so how would Italy even be able to give him a chance?
His dad is an ex-player in Italy. He's Italian through and through. Born and raised in Italy he left when he was 12 but is constantly back in Italy. His ultimate dream is to play for Milan. But, he said Italy showed ZERO interest in him. So, Germany just offered him citizenship (as they do for everyone) and he took the chance. Germany scouted and believed in him. Italy didn't. In Italy if a player isn't under your nose OR a payment isn't coming your way, you aren't going to put much effort in as a scout. It's a backwards mentality. We Italians pride ourselves on being furbi and spensierati (not overly concerned with things), but yet we are tied up in knots when it comes to giving young people a chance and won't take risks or have patience in their development. This MUST change or we are doomed to mediocrity.
So the Esposito brothers are playing for inter at the club world Cup but not for Italy at the under 21s?
I really feel that this team can go all the way and lift this trophy. I think that we have what we need. This team reminds me something from our past national teams! I wish I am correct. We really need something special nowadays.
I'm on the opposite spectrum, I don't think we're getting past Germany today, they've been pretty solid.
Oddsmakers are all giving it to Germany. I think we have some interesting elements, but overall our team game is poor. To get past an opponent like this, you need something extra.
It's been a QF filled with upsets. Let's hope Italy can be the next team to conjure one up today. Excited for the match. Forza Azzurri.
Ditto. Given the commitment issues of some of the players, some poor play (I've only watched 1 Half), comments I'm reading by more informed posters I don't see Italy winning this one.
Slovakia were a team with surprisingly good technique, and we suffered their pressing for 90 minutes. If Nunziata plays the same 11 with the same approach, the Germans are going to win comfortably
🇮🇹 Il Ct della Nazionale Gennaro #Gattuso ha incontrato il tecnico #Nunziata e gli Azzurrini a poche ore dai quarti di finale contro la Germania di #EuroU21 pic.twitter.com/lvDvDjAohH— Oggi Sport Notizie (@OggiSportNotiz2) June 22, 2025