That could always come later. If he can't figure it out in Attack he'll be moved around. Gianluca Zambrotta was a Winger for Bari/Juve/ 2000-i wanna say 2004 Italy (too lazy to research exactly) but then Lippi put him as terzino. Prime Cassano would walk into this team. IMO, the #10 spot and depth at CB in a 3 is the only question marks for this team. I really believe everywhere else this is a solid team. Mandragora as vice-Tonali needs to happen.
Yes it's almost like he wanted to avoid the comparisons but he could probably be as good as a Cambiaso or Di Marco if he learned how to play wingback/fullback.
Yeah Zambrotta is a good example. I think the biggest issue with the modern 10 is that a Cassano like player would have been trained as an inside winger the way Insigne was and now Zacagni etc. The modern 10 is a Jude Bellingham Musiala Dani Olmo Phil Foden Odegard De Bruyne etc there actually aren't a lot of them out there. You dont see any Totti Riquelme Ronaldinho like players anymore. I think it's no coincidence that the nations that in the past produced the best number 10s no longer do so Brazil Italy Argentina etc Dybala is a good example of a player that has no home in a modern system. A 10 now needs to be technical enough to unlock teams with passing have a decent shot but essentially be able to play box to box and be physical enough to keep a 3 man midfield together. I would like to see Tonali used as a #10 for Italy. There is no reason why he can't play just as Jude does for England and Real Madrid. Spalettis mistake for me is taking these inside forwards and trying to play them as a 10 that drops deep and collects the ball. We have regista's for this. back 3 -------------------------------#9Retegui ---------------------#10Tonali----------- Dimarco--------------------------------#8Barella--------Cambiaso -------------------------------#6Ricci-------------- ----------------Bastoni-----Buongiorno------Leoni ----------------------------------Gigio back 4 ------------------------------#9Retegui Chiesa-----------#10Tonali--------#8Barella--------Orsolini -------------------------------#6Ricci-------------- ----Calafiori------------Bastoni-----Buongiorno-----Di Lorenzo ----------------------------------Gigio
Adorante, tramoni and pio esposito. If all in serie a next year will be interesting to see how they do. Could any make italy squad at some point in the future.
Preliminary Squad While not made public, reports say that Acerbi is on it. To be seen if he makes the final cut. Haven't paid attention to Napoli in a minute but Buongiorno aiming to return for the final match. If successful, don't see why he wouldn't be called by Spalletti.
that's huge and great to see even if Acerbi simply guides us through this match his value will have been worth it. I think if he was at euro 2024 things would have been different. You need someone to pass the torch. Bastoni Buongiorno Calafiori have been asked to start from zero. And at the same time if he performs for Inter next season and we play a back 3 I would bring him even if he is there as Buongiorno's reserve. 38 is old but the guy is special. Chiellini was 37 in 2021 and he was a rock.
Well I guess then we should likely root for Juve Stabia or Spezia. I didn't mind Spezia before, they seemed to play some Italians. Juve Stabia would be fun, and hopefully they could play many Italians.
I think if he mimicked Inters 352 with Acerbi Bastoni Di Marco Darmian Barella they would have at least been competitive with the Swiss. Spain was always going to be tough for sure. Dosen't matter now he needed a tournament to learn what not to do. In other news I would call up Piccoli ahead of Lucca as the third striker. 10 goals isnt too shabby on a Cagliari team that struggles. I think he could hit 15 playing for a better squad. He has something. This Roberto Piccoli goal for Cagliari against Venezia is giving. 🤩🇮🇹pic.twitter.com/5t8EilLimZ— HF World (@hfworld_) May 19, 2025
I've seen a fantastic first touch from Colombo all season long. Also, of course we have Gigio, but as a person who studies goalkeeping mainly, Meret has had his best season this year. Keeps getting better.
Catanzaro started 11 Italians in the last round if i remember correctly. They should be rewarded with Serie A for the courage to play Italians.
I forgot to put in two strikes but yes I think those two work --------------------#9Retegui-----#7-Orsolini ---------------------------#10Tonali----------- Dimarco--------------------------------#8Barella--------Cambiaso -------------------------------#6Ricci-------------- ----------------Bastoni-----Buongiorno------Leoni ----------------------------------Gigio -----------------------#9Kean-----------#9Retegui ------------------------------#10Tonali----------- Dimarco--------------------------------#8Barella--------Cambiaso -------------------------------#6Ricci-------------- ----------------Bastoni-----Buongiorno------Leoni ----------------------------------Gigio
they are so close its amazing how well they've done is Serie B with basically the same squad they had in Serie C ... Lemmello is a quality striker
With Chiesa it is a matter of fitness. His pace is one of his defining qualities so if he's hampered, he's going to be more like Superman with kryptonite. He's still only 27...not 32...so I don't think we should be so premature to give up on him. That said, he's got to stay healthy.
no for sure that's my 2026 team thats my final form best case scenario... but even today I'd have Leoni ahead of the two in terms of ability juts not experience so yes not a good idea to throw him in there. physically though he can already bully big strikers he shut down Vlahovic and Lukaku like it was light work.
Slot used Chiesa as a number 9 yesterday and said he exceeded expectations. I think it's easy to dismiss Chiesa but I bet he ends up playing next to Retegui or Kean in a front 2. He was unlucky he missed pre-season was brought in by management because it was a steal but was not requested by the manager and the manager kept winning already had enough wingers and faced no pressure to play him into shape. It's just bad luck and bad advice by his agent. Yes he is not likely able to be the pace winger he once was but if he can learn how to play as a forward finally as Allegri wanted he is an obvious choice to play next to a number 9. The rumour right now is Napoli and thats a good fit he gets CL football and he can play in a front 3 or a front 2. He would be an upgrade on both Raspadori and Politano its a no brainer. He has a good 5 years left. It's not over by any means. Same with Berardi. Next season in Serie A we should expect good seasons from Chiesa Berardi Orsolini Retegui Kean Lucca Esposito 1 Esposito 2 Piccoli Zacagni I don't want to overate our options but we should have some choice picks going into summer 2026 barring injuries or disappearing acts.
I agree but Chiesa has to get out of Liverpool, as long as Salah is there, he won't get much playing time.
Good list, but I would include Pinamonti as well. He's great in the air. Just needs to find a team where he can get consistent service and chances to score. Only 26 and was able to get double digit goals on a middling team. Personally, I rank him higher than Lucca.