The thing about Gila, he didn't even have even one shot in WC 2010. A very poor performance. He performed better in WC 2006.
Gila's NT career has been less than stellar, but you gotta give the guy credit where it's due in regards to his club career thus far. 128 career goals at the club level before the age of 30 ain't too shabby at all.
I agree. Vieri was more than just a big body that was able to overpower defenders. He also had the capability to score some rather brilliant goals. His first goal with Atalanta a few years ago will always stick out in my mind: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66L1KsBHLIA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66L1KsBHLIA[/ame] Not bad for an old timer
I always liked Vieri and when he was on he was incredible but Gila will go down as a better center forward than him AND he has already scored more scratch-your-head-and-wonder-how-he-did-that goals than Vieri did over a 20-year career.
Vieri is the prototype of what a CF should be and hopefully we have seen the last of Gilardino. He had two chances already. Time for somebody else to play that position. Agree with gumbaccic that it should be Balotelli but for now it is probably best to play him on the wing until he gets a little bit stronger so he can stand up to the physicality that is required for that position on the international level.
Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. The ball never got to them so who can really say? Italy's best chance would have been to have two big strong center forwards (Borriello and Amauri maybe?) toss Miccoli up into the air like a cheerleader so as to try to get a head to one of those "crosses."
lol You're insane to think that there might be even the slightest chance that Gilardino is done on the NT. That's serious, laugh-out-loud-funny shizz right there.
see Motta, Marco [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvIGcbOFYvY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvIGcbOFYvY[/ame] 1:15, probably the best game of his young career. Not too many crosses in the vid, but just an idea. other videos you can view his skill Roma vs Inter
Why are Molinaro and Pepe in the team? They are terrible! I think Giovinco also needs to be called up. He has it all to become one of the main stars of our Nazionale. Same goes for Dessena and Cigarini.
Vieri = big game player - he performed at World Cups and important European club games. In addition, Vieri had a better goals:game ratio than Gilardino at domestic level, European level and International level. Vieri will go down as the better CF.
Pepe has shown to be an extremely average player at best, and Molinaro is absolute crap. If you followed the calcio you'd know.
absolutely right, I've always pulled for Gilardino but he's not world class and if he never dressed for the Azzurri again I wouldn't shed a tear. Balotelli will step right in, followed by Okaka once he gets a first team run, Marilungo will be knocking on the door by then also. Don't rule out Acquafresca who needs to show some consistency and Paloschi who needs to stay healthy. My real dream though is to see Osvaldo get his shot, the dude is just filthy when he has the right players around him and shown faith by the coach. The biggest outsider that I'd love to see if he can put it all together, is Salvatore Foti...... Agree with Cigarini, Dessena, and Giovinco, big fans of all three. Cigarini will show Europe what he can do this year in the CL with Sevilla and Prandelli will surely take note (Don't rule out Guarente, an absolute workhorse). Dessena needs to get solid time with Samp this year and really shine in order to surpass other CMs on the Azzurri depth chart, and same for Giovinco with Parma.
Every play.... 'cause the defender pushed him out of position, ride his back... and pretty much treated him like a little girl out there.
lol Well, for the reading-impaired, I wasn't exactly touting either one. I'm just saying that you can't judge how they'll do for Prandelli's Azzurri based on Pepe's career to date, and the fact that Molinaro has no Azzurri career yet to speak of... And "average" by what measure? How many above average (by your measure) right wingers does Italy have?
within a few months after some Serie A experience, Ezequiel Schelotto will be the answer. I cannot wait for him to burst onto the national scene
Pepe, Quag ( I finally respect the person after WC10), Balo... These three guys can play L or R winger. It's good to have flexibility. I would put Quag with Balo..., but I respect Pepe; he proved to me in WC10. I'm pretty happy to see these guys, Amauri, and Cassano... I just need one more.... Miccoli
How many of those injuries Juve have had the last couple years have actually happened while with the Azzurri? It will help their game. Being a regular at the national team is hugely important for a player and for his development.
So winning a World Cup only matters if you get something valuable? Like home field advantage? What the hell have you been smoking...
Molinaro was terrible at Juve but he has been doing well at Stuttgart. He is not wasteful like he was at Juve. I'm not saying he will be a regular for the Azzurri but he has improved since going to the BL. Pepe has a good work ethic and he isn't as weak on the ball as Iaquinta. I think he will work hard for those more creative midfielders and forwards. Pepe is only the exception here whereas under Lippi, he was the rule.