I don’t think it’s controversial. Buffon took it upon himself to make the “technical decisions” because Gravina absolved himself of any responsibility. If you want to own the victories, then you have to own the failures too.
If we do not make the World Cup, it won't be bc of not including Zaniolo. That guy has been nothing but abysmal for the Azzurri. I'd take an out of form Politano over him.
Calafiori subbed out today with an injury. Arteta called it a “niggle” but didn’t elaborate on specifics
Beautiful header: برأسية ما تنصـد حطها "ريتيغي" 🇮🇹#الخلود_القادسية | #دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/UyHTax9sN6— نادي القادسية السعودي (@Alqadsiah) March 7, 2026
No U23 player has won more duels in the Premier League this season than Michael Kayode.Already one of the best defensive full-backs in Europe.World-class athleticism, physicality, and tenacity.Not the flashiest profile, but if you want to secure your right flank, it’s hard… pic.twitter.com/pc9BH35WOS— Football Talent Scout - Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) March 6, 2026
It's a risk no doubt. I would still bring Fagioli I had him in my team still but Verratti is such a high level technically that for me he is still preferred. My only issue with Fagioli is defensively he is not there and he could make a mistake to cost you and again he is very used to losing playing at Fiorentina and we need as little fragility of that as possible. It's a shame Verratti has been in Qatar. He could be doing what Modric did he if chose to do so. If they evaluated him and physically he is up to standards I think he will surprise. For me he was among the top 5 midfielders in the world before he left PSG.
Juve are said to be interested in Kayode. As a RWB he might not be ideal maybe he can play RCB but I would still have him as my alternate to Palestra. Bring him on to close out a game.
The issue with Verratti is he has/had the knee issue and hasn’t played since Jan 15th. Hopefully he does surprise! Hopefully Pisilli and Kayode are there.
it's a massive gamble in many respects no one would be wrong to doubt it hopefully its not something that is laughed at in hindsight. And still in the event that you make a 2nd half substitution in either game and end up going into extra time or something like this you can't have someone like Cristante out there for 40 minutes looking for a goal.
Cambiaso was excellent today 8.8 rating of sofascore ..my issue with him is he is a liability defensively and he is not as good on the right as he is on the left and I simply have him behind DiMarco Bartesaghi and Spinazolla. Locatelli with another strong performance and Gatti was used in the centre of a back 3. I almost prefer Gatti to Mancini and Buongiorno right now but still I'd prefer Acerbi.
if it was two legs against the same team I would feel like its more likely than not .. in this scenario its fairly random.. anything can happen really. We have not had any tactical solidity or functional momentum since the Nations League in the fall of 2024. It's just a hope that even without a camp they somehow solve the issues on paper and the players are able to execute under pressure with very little to build off. How would you feel lol?
I'd feel great about qualifying if we were allowed in a confederation of 10 with half the teams outside the top 40 national teams and 7 of us move ahead
been there twice last game in 2010 qualifiers and and 2018 qualifiers - last minute drama last header in the rain qualified with 1 goal, messi hatrick pulled out of his orfiice saved the team humiliation
I don’t like Calafiori’s ongoing injury incidents. I also believe that Arsenal mistreats him, using him before being completely fit. I suspect that when playoffs arrive Arsenal won’t send him saying he has injury concerns. But hope I am wrong.
Yeah I remember those I was watching in an argentine bar in toronto with friends. Messi was incredible there. It's amazing how much better the team was in 2022 compared to 2018. It's never easy. how do you feel about la albiceleste this time round? of course winning two world cups in a row is a tough ask but on paper do you feel the team is as strong as 2022? For me the defence may be an issue. The full back and CB depth isn't there but somehow you guys have been making it work. Cristian Romero is fantastic though don't get me wrong there.
Personally, I can't think of one reason that Verratti should go. He won't even start. What's the point of playing him 15-20 minutes off the bench even if you are trying to preserve a lead. He also hasn't played for over a month apparently. It just doesn't make sense. I simply can't see the logic behind it. This is no time for a feel good story. Gattuso (or those in his ear) must really have no faith in this squad to make such a pathetically desperate selection in the two biggest games possible. I've heard that Gattuso will select Gatti for the playoffs....and I think that's a good move over certain players like Mancini, Buonguorno, and old man Acerbi. Though if we take 6 CBs, one or two of those guys may get selected as well depending on injuries/formation. Not picking Zaniolo is crazy. I would honestly select him before even Chiesa, Kean and Berardi. Politano, Raspadori, and Zaccagni should never see the Azzurri shirt again. They are average players with little upside.
a lot of the younger unknown players to casuals are going to surprise everyone, they get out of group stage, stronger team than 2022 big concern lb and rb positions - will surprise with wingers cb depth is very strong have 3-4 players (that aren't otamendi) playing well this season it's ok we stole nuno mendez from portugual now he's starting for the team