Rebuilding The Azzurri for Euro 2024 and beyond

You guys should pick up Gallardo (argentine coach) for the next World Cup phase. He's doing nothing and turning down clubs. Maybe a national team challenge is what he's after.

He'll use youth, work with what he's got, and won't take Argentine players but youthful Italian players. He'll expect them to work with his philosophy which is pressing and attacking and he's already use to working in a system that's hampered (Argentine football). Then he can coach the World Cup for Argentina when Scaloni is done.

You got nothing to lose (shrug). I'm just shooting the shit.

 

Then again, there's what indestructible said which is true.

 

I suppose a 3-4-3 is something we could consider trying as well.

Bastoni, Acerbi, and Di Lorenzo in the back
Barella and Frattessi in the midfield
Di Marco and Cambiaso on the flanks
Chiesa, Berardi, and Retegui in front

I’m not sure how well that’ll work but we could try it.

 

I don't think there will be anything radical in these last Qualifiers until November. Though I fully agree a 3-5-2 is the way to go considering Juve, Inter, Atalanta go with this.

If anything it will be for the Finals Tournament and/or 2025 NL Cycle.

Pretty sure we can forget about my boy Cambiaso in a starting role. He's in todays Lineup for Juve but simply not enough minutes until now. Maybe that will change between now and June for him to make the Roster. But for October and November window, no way.

 

See the Barella & Frattesi one is an interesting dynamic.

Inzaghi has one (usually Frattesi) relieve Barella. Only once they've co-existed.

Ideally for Italy, they play on either side of Loca in a 5-man Mid.

 

With no Scamacca available Im just worried he brings Immobile again.

For 2 matches there is no reason why Raspadori, Tano Retegui, and Pinamonti shouldn't be called.

But you see. He's gonna get it wrong and call up Immobile and Kean.

Are we really gonna risk anything to have Andrea Pinamonti play 90 Minutes in his first Cap against Malta at the San Nicola di Bari? Thereby saving Raspadori and Retegui for Wembley? For crying out loud, live a little!

I'm torn with Acerbi being there. Good enough for Inter so he should be good enough for Italy. But man, really prefer to go with the kid.

 

We also need Acerbi for leadership purposes on the team. I don’t think we have enough of that right now.

 

The comment about Free Kicks...

FK's are down everywhere. If we recall Euro 2020, wasn't the first FK of that tournament the Denmark goal by Maehle in their Semi Final? There are no Juninho Permabucano's, CR7's, Beckham out there. Or for Italy, Zola, Baggio, Pirlo in the ranks but Dimarco, Pellegrini, Politano can and do take them.

As for lack of speed, Agreed! Absolutely no doubt. Italian football by and large is not played with pace. As is done in the British Isles and the USA, for example. Unbelievably tactical. Reading some of the words that Emerson Palmieri said when he first joined Palermo. He was overwhelmed by it all. Most importantly, it's vertical. Useless 2M sideways passes (I see you Spain!) just to rack up 750 Passes and equal shots as their opponents serve no purpose. Also, is boring AF. Dare I say Italian football is played with the long ball more than people realize.

 

CR7 doesn't belong on that list.... perhaps he can be replaced by Mihajlovic, buonanima.

 

Can't believe I forgot him. He was phenomenal. Oh no, CR7 is definitely an all time great at FK's. Not Juninho Permabucano or Sinisa Mihajlovic level but on that second tier.

 

not a chance. CR7's "free kick conversion" rate is right around the average.

I usually hate playing this game but will to give perspective... Messi's conversion rate is higher than Ronaldo. I also don't believe Messi belongs on that list either.

Top 5 for me would be:
Juninho, Mihajlovic, Pirlo, Zico, Roberto Carlos

Just missing out were: Platini, Del Piero, Beckham, Maradona.

 

Dimenticate Roberto Baggio

 

what about Kaka and Totti?

 

Zidane's bald head has to be up as well. So many great dead ball specialists.

But definitely have noticed the declined numbers of FK's. Not just us.

 

Incidentally, what about that dribble and nutmeg by Zaniolo against Chelsea last weekend?

 

ho dimenticato Baggio, lo so.

 

I love the shoulder bump and turn upfield.

https://x.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1706249182284247061?s=20

 

he has all the talent in the world... just needs his head on straight.

 

I don't think Zaniolo works the way he could. The injuries were bad luck, but for far too long, he's relied on athleticism and talent. I actually question his work ethic and fitness. Why? Because there are times out there where I see him huffing and puffing (and it isn't at the 90th minute). Shirt off he's in great shape, but he's not as lean as you would think.

Until he dedicates himself with that next level of work, he won't be world class. You look at guys like Nedved (in the old days), Salah, CR7, Chiesa, etc and they put in the tons of monotonous hours needed when no one is looking. He's got to do the same.

 

The fact that we’re even talking about Zaniolo being anywhere close to world class really surprises me. He’s nowhere near world class.

 

The guy had missed half the PreSeason and the first 2 matches, iirc and showing no ill effects. He's on a heater for sure. Not even his goal but picking out players. He was involved in everything today.

As for Zaniolo and alledged low fitness level, never got that impression. Maybe he looks gassed out there because he's giving it all. Anyhow,, with 5 Subs used these days, not really an issue.

 

I'd be surprised if Berardi doesn't finally join Juventus in January but IMO it's far too late. He should have been there 4 or so years ago. Either way, he's the most productive offensive Italian player in Serie A and it's not even close. He should be good for at least another Euro and World Cup

 

The comment about getting Gallardo ex River Plate for 2026 Qualifiers as he plays younger players.

I vaguely remember him as a player. Moving on from older players is important. All teams are guilty of holding on to older players, Italy no different. Mangers are always going to have their favorites and they usually sink with them.

Italy's never had a foriegn manager and I can't see them going to one anytime soon unless his name is Pep Guardiola. Which wouldn't at all surprise me if Pep manages Italy as he's an Italophile of sorts.

Although I have the belief that Mangers like Pep who are highly tactical, players showing up to Training to find quadrants spaced out on the pitch, etc. probably wouldn't be able to transmit their complex ideas in a short period of time. Need the day-to-day that clubs can offer.

I know for a fact Felipao, Big Phil Scolari (direct roots from Veneto, ex-Brazil) offered himself to Italy around 2010 to which Italy declined.

Italy has some dinosaur Managers out there (Max Allegri, can even say Conte) but also some very good ones. IMO, no urgency for Italy to consider foreign just yet. Really want Roberto De Zerbi after Spalletti. Although he's another highly tactical Manager, not sure if he can find the time to convey his ideas in the short term windows of International football.