Gazzetta's whole paper today seems to be dedicated to young players, after the explosion of Paloschi over the weekend. They made up a possible team that will be the Italy side at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, however the rules were that you had to be born in 1986 or after, and you had to be currently have made at least one appearance with your club's first team, so no talents from youth sides. The squad they have is a 4-2-3-1, of course 1986 leaves out talents that will still be around like Aquilani, Montolivo, Cigarini, Gilardino (who they say will be the the experienced veteran on the bench at 32 years of age), etc.: -----------------------Consigli------------------ De Silvestri----Ranocchia-----Criscito----De Ceglie ----------------Russotto-----Dessena------------ Cerci------------------Balotelli-----------Forestieri ----------------------Paloschi-------------------- Bench: Alfonso (p, 88, Venezia); Bastrini (d, 87, Modena), Bolzoni (c, 89, Inter), Giovinco (c, 87, Empoli), Di Gennaro (a, 88, Bologna), Paonessa (a, 87, Avellino), Acquafresca (a, 87, Cagliari). Interesting that they put Russotto in the Pirlo role. He has always been a fantasista, maybe they seem him better pushed back in a Pirlo-type role.
do u feel like the balotelli kid could tear defenses apart after toni leaves? or do u think he will become a bust..same as paloschi..do u think he will be world class or just another player
Balotelli is very very very talented. let's just say if he continues with his head screwed on right we will have a superstar. Paloschi still needs to grow, but an 18 year old with that finishing ability is a very good sign.
Hmm.... Well, if 1986 is the cutoff date, then Cigarini is eligible, as he is born in 1986. Put him where Russotto currently is. I also don't think that Forestieri, as talented as he may be, will start over Giovinco on the leftwing. Does Balotelli have the 'fantasy' to play the #10 spot? I always thought he was a #9 with very, very good ball skills combined with incredible physical abilities. What about Fabiano Santacroce? Supposedly he was doing well with Brescia in Serie B; and Napoli just snapped him up; perhaps he would partner Criscito in the middle. Nonetheless, looks to be a very, very solid team, and to think that Montolivo, Nocerino, Aquilani, Rosina, Palladino, Pazzini and De Rossi will all (most likely) still be in contention, it looks very good.
Gazzetta must've made a mistake with Cigarini than. They said that players like Montolivo and Cigarini would be excluded.
They even pointed out at the end of the article on goal.com that he was missing from the list. Guess the Italian media isn't giving him much intention because he's naturalized. Also, I think Cassano could be a strong candidate to be there as one of those "experienced veterans" alongside guys like Gila and De Rossi.
The absence of Rossi is ridiculous. Who has been the best player of the U-21 as of late and who has been leading Villarreal this season??? Gazzetta dello Sporc, once again coming to stupid conclusions.
Wow that team is so poorly balanced lol I can do a better team in 2 minutes --------------------Consigli------------------ De Silvestri------Rossi-----Criscito-------De Ceglie ---------------Cigarini----Marchisio Forestieri-------------Rossi---------------Giovinco ---------------------Balotelli
meh too early to tell, Id like to save this list and look back at this list. Look at Italy's Championship Under 21 team from 2000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_UEFA_European_Under-21_Football_Championship_squads there was only three players from that list on italy's 2006 team, who knows where these kids will be in 6 years.
I know the rules state that they have to be born 86 and over, but buffon will still be italy's starter.
And hopefully he'll be going after his 3rd World Cup title I don't follow other nations as closely as I follow Italy, but it's difficult for me to imagine anyone else having the kind of talent that we have.
imagine italy and brazil in the final with both tied for 5 world cups a piece going for there 6th title, Imagine Italy stunning the nation of brazil winning there 6th and after the game revealing t-shirts that say "Officially the best EVER"
Gazzetta needs to give it up with this craze. I follow all of the prospects as close as anyone and pay attention to not only Juve players but all of the upcoming stars and just because Paloschi scored on his debut and Balotelli scored in Coppa Italia is no reason for them to start naming a starting XI for 2014. This youth craze has already been well underway and if people need Balotelli and Paloschi to see it, then you've been sleeping. No offense to Milan and Inter fans but get in line; Parma, Roma, Empoli, Juventus, Fiorentina, Udinese, Siena, Atalanta are all light years ahead in the youth movement. Lets not forgot that Forestieri already scored in Serie A and has been playing steadily for a while. I understand people are excited, but the truth is when you start to overlook players like De Rossi, Cassano, Aquilani, Chiellini because Paloschi scored you look foolish. Believe me I love watching the youngsters develop into stars but it needs to be realistic
Well, Inter's youth movement is probably the best one currently. They did invest lots of €s these past years and it's showing. The problem with Inter primavera (as seen for example in the first viareggio final) is that they fail to play as a unit. Talentwise they're superior. btw they won last primavera championship.
They dont exactly have a youth movement though. The media has been giving them too much credit since they are the reigning champions and have been so dominant, they figure to add on with raving over their youth system. Balotelli, Esposito, Bolzoni, Fautario are definitely players but just last year Slavkovski was untouchable and "the new Ibra" now he's almost an afterthought. Their problem is just like the senior club the primavera is full of foreigners the stars of last year Filkor (Hungary), Biabiany (France), Maaroufi (Morocco), Boumsong (Cameroon), Ribas (Uruguay). Balotelli is the cream of the crop, followed by Bolzoni, but after those 2, the rest are run of the mill. Dont get me wrong they have a strong system like most Italian clubs and they have done an excellent job of scouting the last few seasons and restocking with young talent at the Beretti and Allievi levels and those players will make an impact soon with the primavera. I mean in recent years they have put out Andreolli (Roma), Dellafiore (Torino/Palermo), Ferrari (Roma), Potenza (Fiorentina), Pandev (Lazio), Martins (Newcastle), those are some very good players. But since they have the big club philosophy their youngsters are either sold after loans and they go after proven stars. Other teams already have an abundance of prospects promoted and making an impact. Yes they won the primavera scudetto and via reggio this year, but when you look at other teams in Serie A and who they give a chance to each week, Inter is not close with their youngsters. just taking into account Italian players Parma- Cigarini, M.Rossi, Dessena Siena- *De Ceglie, Galloppa, Forestieri, Rossettini Fiorentina- Montolivo, Pazzini, Donadel, Potenza, Osvaldo Empoli- *Giovinco, *Marchisio, Raggi, Abate, Pozzi, *Volpato Juventus- Chiellini, Nocerino, Palladino, Molinaro *(Juventus property, along with Criscito at Genoa) Atalanta- Guarente, Capelli, Padoin, Paolucci
Luckily it's not like the senior team, 8/11 of the team yesterday were italians. If you take into account a larger timeframe you're absolutely right and roma, parma, juve, atalanta etc. are clearly better. I was talking about these last 2-3 years. They are working well contrary to what they did in the past. p.s. btw It was Balotelli who won the viareggio tournament for them. they wouldn't if it wasn't for him.