Yes Ive thought of this too as a way to get Di Marco and Calafiori in the same team. It would work as a hybrid 442/352. Probably the best back 4 we can put out there.
Terrible news about Commisso. Say what you will about the guy, but he actually invested in Italians. It took a guy who immigrated to the US at 12 and made his fortune in the US to show some spirit for our patria.
I read because Rocco got sick, Fiorentina went downhill this year. I am betting though, they will come back strong in the second half of the season and won't be relegated.
Theyre in Bologna but there was a tribute. I am happy to see Fiorentina doing well now. It would be a shame if this project of focusing on Italians were to die with Rocco. The funny thing is they have been very unlucky this season with draws that should have been wins and howlers from DeGea causing early losses that piled into a tough schedule. They have shown they have a lot of talent but simply were not built with a lot of logic in terms of system and player profile. There is a lot of good italian talent here. Let's survive and take the project forward. What a time. A half built stadium. Sitting in relegation. Now the billionaire owner dies with no clear path to who will run the club.
I re-edited and then realized they were in Bologna. I think Fiorentina will be saved in the second half of the season. I'm not sure who they are trying to get in this transfer window but I'm sure they will get some reinforcements. It's sad about Rocco. He was hated in the USA because of the Cosmos -(new) NASL vs. USSF-MLS lawsuit but I think he did a lot of good in Florence. He built the Viola Park which knowing the region and how little things get done in Tuscany, there will have never been built without him.
All players this weekend will wear/ wore black armbands and stadium acknowledgement of Commisso's passing. I only watched Cagliari vs Juve this weekend and it was done there.
@TorontoCalabria Let's have it. Not to put you on the spot but how do you see the Playoff and if qualify the opening match go?
I can't even think about it too much really ... it's hard to know what to go on. It would be nice if Buongiorno and the like were having fantastic seasons and we did not have to worry about the defence. I think we will qualify because the opposition have their own problems but getting through two games will be difficult. Extra time or even a penalty kicks isn't impossible nor is a mental collapse by the defence either costing a lead or the playoffs entirely if either match is close. I think we have a lot of options in midfield and attack. I think we will find a goal. Beyond that it's impossible to really even build off anything concrete. We are in a state of hope.
Top 10 Italian center backs in the world right now (best on form) Alessandro Bastoni (Inter) Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli) Francesco Acerbi (Inter) Federico Gatti (Juventus) Gianluca Mancini (Roma) Matteo Gabbia (Milan) Alessio Romagnoli (Lazio) Federico Baschirotto Giorgio Scalvini
Really rooting for him Eduardo Bove will re-start his football at Watford of the Championship pending a physical that takes place today. Unfortunate circumstances takes him there but I understand why such rules are in place.
I've yet to see him get a consistent chance, if someone can point out a stretch where he got three games in a row I'll stand corrected
The whole list is scary. This one shows the best ratings in the past 5-10 games. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter) — 7.73 avg (last 8 rated appearances) Gianluca Mancini (Roma) — 7.24 avg (last 10 rated appearances) Francesco Acerbi (Inter) — 7.14 avg (last 5 rated appearances) Alessio Romagnoli (Lazio) — 7.12 avg (last 10 rated appearances) Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) — 7.12 avg (last 5 rated appearances shown) Matteo Gabbia (Milan) — 7.06 avg (last 9 rated appearances) Federico Gatti (Juventus) — 6.94 avg (last 7 rated appearances) Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli) — 6.78 avg (last 4 rated appearances shown) Luca Ranieri (Fiorentina) — 6.50 avg (last 6 rated appearances) Federico Baschirotto — 6.38 avg (last 10 rated appearances)
Does Mandragora deserve a call ahead of someone like Fratessi? He now has 6 goals in the Serie A this season.
to be fair anything above a 7 is rather exceptional. It's hard for individual players to break above the average ratings of low/mid 6 ratings from most match rating sites/systems. this is why Bastoni is often rated as a top 5 CB in the world and is valued at 80m. His numbers are fantastic even defensively in terms of tackles and recoveries. It's just indisputable. Does that mean he would be good in a back 4 leading a line or is good for Italy/is a good replacement for Chiellini to be the rock for Italy? No two things can be true at the same time. Bastoni clearly needs a partner in crime the way Bonnucci did and until our defence is solidified he will continue to be the scapegoat despite being the best defender. The bigger issue is Buongiorno flopping and Scalvini Leoni Coppola and Comuzzo being stunted by injury/game time. Mancini Gabbia even Romagnoli will likely only get better as they enter their 30s just like Barzagli and Acerbi did but we can't trust any of them in this scenario. If a few of them played together on the same club as a block it would make a huge difference. We really need Inter to buy a central italian CB to form chemistry with Bastoni even if they aren't the most talented. I would even consider having Calafiori play as the central centre back in a back and just instruct him to defend first. He is a very good defender and has the size to mark the box. Can he focus and turn off the part of his brain that wants to make a run? Maybe no. Comuzzo has looked much better lately and seems to be picking up where he left off last season after a rock start. Hopefully he and Coppola can come good really really fast and hopefully Scalvini can stay healthy.
Pio is just brilliant .. one of the most intelligent CFs Ive ever seen. Comes on for Inter vs Arsenal and instantly creates chances and opens up space. He's going to be a nightmare for defenders as time goes on.
And Vergara performing well just lacking endurance, amazing when young and younger Italians actually play there is talent…
If these CL results are anything to go by, we are cooked. Our Italian players are very subpar even against average teams, crazy.