There was 'talk' of a return to Juve that at last looked serious but never got beyond disagreeing about numbers. it's absolutely criminal to think about the amount of Class Italian players in the last decade whose careers were completely mismanaged. Berardi would rather play in Serie B than force a transfer to a Champions or Europa league team. Veratti and Insigne literally fall off the map while there is still gas in the tank. Chiesa playing 15 minutes a game at Liverpool in what should be the prime of his career (in fairness he did have substatntial injuries) This is why I'm big on Pio...the simple law of averages is in our favor with him. Also i feel as if he has the right mentality and drive to be great.
It is truly absurd in an era where we have been light on talent most of our top talent have made awful career decisions or had weird personalities. simply they weren't champions but alas. Even Balotelli is two years younger than Lewandowski. there is a world where Insigne Balotelli Verratti Chiesa Berardi are all top players in the Champions League and still anchoring the national team going into 2026. I feel bad for Bastoni Barella Tonali DiMarco Donnarumma because the guys just before them were all a disaster in one way or another and now they get the brunt of the blame when they are trying to hold things together while the older generation fell off a cliff and the younger generation is not quite ready yet. We can hope that the next gen is better and 2026-2030 Bastoni Tonali Bastoni Barella Tonali DiMarco Donnarumma Calafiori can be the veterans to round out the group.
Berardi's online page showed that his wife was expecting a child or maybe it was after but either way, that could be a reason on why he didn't want to leave the club. His wife is also from the area around Sassuolo and I think had a job so that could be another reason on why he didn't want to go somewhere else. He was also coming off an injury so that didn't help. Berardi though is like a king in Sassuolo , kind of like DiNatale was at Udinese so maybe he is thinking about his future after he stops playing.
I would put him along with Barella, Donnarumma and Bastoni as proven world class in the current Italy cohort.
Di Lorenzo most probably out for the rest of the season. Zaccagni out for at least a month. This is the period any player gets injured is in danger of losing the playoffs. Let’s hope we can rely on our best players coming these crucial playoffs!
personally I try not to overuse the term world class and keep it to meaning you could make a world 11a team or world 11b team. basically are you top 2 in your position or not? Donnarumma for me is world class without doubt and as a LWB DiMarco is currently world class which gets tricky because it is a very specific position and very different from LB or LW/LAM. Bastoni likewise is world class specifically as a LCB though not proven really as a CB in a back 4 and though his numbers show him to be among the best CBs in the world I would still have him behind a small number of CBs because of his brainfarts he's probably the 4th or 5th best CB in the world at the moment. Barella is among the best Box to Box midfielders in the world but I would not have him in either of my world elevens. he is a top 10 number 8 though. LB/LWB Mendes DiMarco *Gvardiol Calafiori Davies Balde Theo Hernandez
Di Lorenzo Thankfully not an ACL tear. It is a second degree knee sprain. 2 months rest. Like the rest of you all, would like to have tried another player but not under these circumstances.
If not Vergara then who? The kid is everywhere on the pitch, hard worker, technical, chases players down. We don't have the luxury to be picky here, assuming we play a 4-3-3, who do we have on the right? Politano - Injured, even if he wasn't I wouldn't include him on the NT. He's not "average" but he's not great either. Orsolini - When he's on it he's an excellent player but this season he's been inconsistent especially as of late. Chiesa - Was unfairly blaming Gattuso for his omissions but it sounds like he doesn't care about the NT or his career in general Berardi - He's a solid winger that's better than most our current crop Zaniolo - Was showing some good promise but he'll most likely not be 100% due to his knee injury Bellanova - I'd put him with the same crop of players as Politano, Gnonto, Colpani, Zortea. Meanwhile we have this kid that's straight dynamite, extremely quick and technical, tough, kicking ass and taking names but he shouldn't be called up? This mentality is part of why we are where we are.
You're not 100% wrong, especially with latter part but who does Italy have in general that could fit that role? There was a time when I thought Pirlo would be that person...
Spanish surname? Given his Neopolitan roots I do wonder if Vergara has lineage from Spain. Roberto Soriano another. While it can be an Italian surname, aside from the footballer, I've only seen this surname in Spanish speaking countries or The Philippines.
If Italy qualify Di Lorenzo could still make the 26-man squad. His experience could be valuable for keeping a good dressing room. While it absolutely sucks for the player sometimes these things are borne from a player being injured and another stepping in. Prime example for me was an injury to Ciro Ferrara in 1997 meant Fabio Cannavaro stepping in as a substitute and before you know it Cannavaro had the CB spot for the next 12 plus years while Ferrara never played for the NT again, (although part of the coaching staff in 2006). If Palestra/ Kayode take it from here, so be it.
DiLorenzo being out could be a blessing in disguise. Hopefully Scalvini Calafiori stay fit and Buongiorno drastically improves. Right now I would bring Gatti and Honest Ahanor ahead of Buongiorno. The real question is will Gatusso use his wonky 442/424? Seems super risky in games where one goal could be the decider and being a system that Israel was able to prove too much against in terms of its defensive solidaty. It really sucks that the players are going in to these games somewhat blind tactically.
GK, Marco Carnesecchi was stellar for Atalanta today earning man of the match. La Dea played with ten men from the 7th minute on and Carnesecchi kept a clean sheet for them all day against Como. He even saved a pk in the 97th against Nico Paz and the game ended 0-0. . If anything happens to Donnarumma, he would be a formidable replacement and he could even challenge Gigi for the #1 spot.
Italy 3-5-2: Donnarumma; Bastoni, Calafiori, Scalvini; Dimarco, Palestra; Tonali, Verratti, Barella; Kean, Retegui Assume verratti is fit his class I am sure is still better than any other 6. Not sure of offensive enough to break down lower teams.
Players will never learn. Better to stay in Italy. I had completely forgotten Lorenzo Lucca made a switch over to Nottingham Forest. Let's just see how much playing time he will get to take it to the next level because today he was rooted to the bench.
the problem is these players get a modicum of success and their agents try and move to a bigger club right away. Scamacca Raspadori Baldanzi etc .. they should focus on being the focal point of a smaller club until they do so well they are brought in as a starter. In the 90s there were quality Italian attackers on most mid table sides. Yes if you are a Berardi and Juve comes calling in your prime you should make the jump but if it is Forrest or West Ham or even Napoli/Athletico and they are promising you the bench you are better off at Udinese etc.
If there is a manager that knows how to set up the 352 the way Inter does then it's arguably a more talented side than Inter have and they manage to score a ton of goals against low blocks.
DiMarco now on 9 assists is only 7 away from tying the single season record of 16 held by Papu Gomez.
Sounds like his status will be up in the air. Avoided the worst case scenario for himself, but will be a truly last second decision if he is good to go for the playoffs. We all know if he is even remotely fit, he will be out there, unfortunately.
If all fit this is my squad. 29 man squad. Donnarumma, carnessechi, di gregorio Bastoni, calafiori, coppola, scalvini, leoni, udogie, spinnazola, kayode, palestra, di Marco, tonali, verratti, barella, ricci, vergara, piselli, casedei, locatelli, orsolini, chiesa, raspadori, scamacca, kean ,retegui, esposito, berardi. A great squad any thoughts. Don't want to ever see di lorenzo, gabbia, cambiaso, mancini, politano, zaccagni, cristante. Maldini near the team again. In the future id like to see: caprile, bartesghi, ruggeri, mane, ghilardi, honest [atalanta], mandragora, ndour, miretti, kolescho,cisse, camarda, tresoldi, piccoli, pinamonti,[maybe], arena, inacio. We ll see.
Baggio 1985 that's a really good lineup. I'd bring kayode and esposito on in the second half. I pray di lorenzo misses the playoffs. Its nothing personal but hes a liability now and we have far far better options than him in his position.
Mane looked good against inter and today in the first half before his injury. If he gets regular playing time going forward at dortmund he may be an option. Really pray leoni comes back ok at Liverpool and becomes world class. Looking back at years ago when we missed the world cup we have far far better options than then so hopefully this is a good omen for the playoffs. Missing another world cup I dony even have the words for how horrific it would be.