We look forward. But in isolation we must look back for clues. Grifo. This is not a call forward for the man himself to be included. it is over. This is an observation backwards that we must identify. Italia, you simply cannot afford to fail to integrate one of the TOP Italian performers of top 5 leagues of the world for years over years. Simply put, in addition to the changes that need to be made, also if an Italian footballer is performing in a top flight league of the top 5 leagues of the world season over season, you must integrate them into the pool of players. A massive fail in this case. We went years just ignoring a top flight producing footballer.
The favourite to be the next FIGC president once BOUGHT three university courses 🤯🇮🇹🤣 pic.twitter.com/3Y2No8qIr6— The Italian Football Podcast (@ItaFootPod) April 9, 2026
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW54xiaAt8D/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== we went from finding Italian players in Serie D to raiding the Balkan for Yugoslavians
Comparing Ruggeri’s stats to the other players in Serie A is apples to oranges. La Liga is another beast. Ball is played faster and the rhythm is more intense. Serie A is played at 5km/hr this year. Simeone’s football also demands very high work rate. The stats don’t tell the whole story. In the end I don’t care to convince you but don’t be shocked when you see his name on the next call up list
Speaking of our left backs: - Spinazzola’s days for the Azzurri should be over. We really need to cut the cord for the over 30’s. - If we don’t play with 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, Dimarco is useless for the Azzurri. If he can’t learn how to be a winger then there is no point. I would keep him around only as an expert player off the bench. - Udogie needs to leave Spurs and get on a run of form. - Calafiori I would move to left CB because that’s where he played his best and because we are in need. - Bernasconi had a great season, but still needs to grow. Next season will be an important one for him. If I’m coaching Italy, I would begin this next era with both Ruggeri and Bartesaghi and I would sleep well at night
Nice little read on Ruggeri https://www.intothecalderon.com/atl...atletico-madrid-lamine-yamal-champions-league
Torrichelli was a cult hero of those Juve teams. Plenty of these players buried in the lower leagues. My issue is how many gave up in the last 15 years. The Grosso's, Toni's, Schillaci's of the lower leagues. It's a ********ing joke. Need quota's ASAP. IT MUST HAPPEN.
So is anyone here going to actually watch this world cup? I don't ill watch any of it until the finals. I really don't have any desire to watch any football the remaining calendar year at all.
Agreed. LB: Bartesaghi Left Wide: Ruggeri LCB: Calafiori RCB: Gatti RB: Palestra (he and Kayode can battle it out). Right Wide: Zaniolo This has to be a 4 Year Project. Di Lorenzo, Politano, Zaccagni, Spina cannot be called up again. Can't go with Over 30's. Thank You for your service. EDIT: not sure if Liverpool will give Giovanni Leone some minutes in the last days of the season. I would call him to be integrated into the group. Scalvini probably gets one of the games in June, Gatti the other.
I bet Baldini's call ups for June will be better the what Conte calls if he gets the job for September.
No one ever talked about Ruggeri until yesterday. I watch La Liga, watched all his games with Atalanta, and when he started for U21 team. Bartesaghi is better imo so we will wait and see with the callups, but I highly doubt he will get any meaningful playing time with us. He does not play the midfield either why are we continuing slotting in our sidebacks there? Calafiori is the big ? mark, so many people here want him as CB, I want us to use him as Arsenal do as a very versatile LB who also helps in the midfield. He is the one who can break the lines as a LB, something we have been desperately missing since Spina's Euro run. Why waste that attacking ability as a CB when we have so many quality CBs we can slot in. Even the U21 coach used him as a LB, he is an attacking player, I hope we don't waste those abilities going forward.
Baldini should be adding some of the U21 players. My guesses are Bartesaghi, Kayode, Ndour, and Koleosho. That is what I hope for, sadly Ahanor didnt start for him so he may have to wait.
I remember him as a wide player for Atalanta and transfermarkt does list it as a secondary position of his. But I stand corrected. If Atleti play him as a LB then Italy should as well. I take back previous message.
I will watch every game, but I am also a World Cup junkie / nerd. I’ve watched and rewatched most games from 1966 onward. still a handful of matches that I’ve not watched but I will eventually. There are some real a$$ matches in World Cup history that I dread watching but I’m making a goal to get through them this year. It is the greatest competition and I consume it no matter what lol.
"Batersaghi (20), Camarda (18), Comotto (17) and Liberali (19) are examples of how Milan's youth academy can produce promising players, but who don't get a chance in the first team. Except for Batersaghi, who only got a chance due to poor performances by Estupiñán, who arrived to secure the starting left-back position. These are talents who have a high chance of not reaching the first team; the club prefers to invest in young players from smaller European leagues rather than their own youth academy" So glad the foreign media are talking about this. Incorrect name spelling not withstanding. Batersaghi (20), Camarda (18), Comotto (17) e Liberali (19), são exemplos que a base do Milan pode produzir jogadores promissores, mas que não tem chances no elenco principal. Com exceção do Batersaghi que só teve chances por atuações ruins do Estupiñán que chegou pra ter o… pic.twitter.com/XvXWH8uWmh— MILAN DEPRÊ (@milandepree) April 9, 2026
They mention him as a wide player bc that is when he was a wingback for Atalanta. I hope we move back to a 4-3-3 and find our future wingers to play there.
Even The Guardian has an article on it. I remember this one well. Boring. https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ld-cup-history-worst-game-ukraine-switzerland
If you’ll remember Calafiori’s breakout season with Bologna was at CB and he was recruited to the senior team as a CB. He did very well there. In that season, he was great in breaking the lines from the center. Only in Italy do we have rigid views of the CB position and that the only way to drive the ball forward is through the wings. Calafiori in the center would give us tactical flexibility. Another thing is that we have no leader in the backline. Calafiori can be that guy. Bastoni for me has proved himself as a paper tiger. If the new manager comes in and decides to play with a back 4, then it’s time to drop him. We need someone strong in the role. You’re next best left footed CB is Buongiorno. And he is not a starter for me
🚨 ESCLUSIVA - Il primo patto segreto per la presidenza federale‼️👉🏼 Bozza di accordo tra #Gravina e #Malago : quest’ultimo resta in pole per la presidenza della #FIGC 👉🏼 Gravina vorrebbe mantenere un ruolo politico in vista degli Europei del 2032#Sportitalia pic.twitter.com/VCSHcKWCIw— Sportitalia (@tvdellosport) April 9, 2026
Interesting developments from Italy. Sportitalia reports that there was a meeting between Gravina and Malago in Rome where Gravina told Malago that he would support him in his candidacy to become FIGC president as long as he does not interfere in his role with UEFA. The role that also includes bringing the Euros to Italy in 2032. In response Malago told him not to worry about it. This has become a political game now as Malago has most of the support from the Serie A, but he needs the votes from the bottom, LND + Lega Pro who have a lot of votes. 🚨 ESCLUSIVA - Il primo patto segreto per la presidenza federale‼️👉🏼 Bozza di accordo tra #Gravina e #Malago : quest’ultimo resta in pole per la presidenza della #FIGC 👉🏼 Gravina vorrebbe mantenere un ruolo politico in vista degli Europei del 2032#Sportitalia pic.twitter.com/VCSHcKWCIw— Sportitalia (@tvdellosport) April 9, 2026
You make some good points. He can definitely do well as a CB but ideally you want him as a sideback if he is running up and down the field. Shit I think he would be an excellent midfielder just like Capello said, but no one has ever tried him there. We definitely need a leader back there. Tonali and Calafiori are my two captain picks. Then, a ton of the top teams play with two right footed CBs, so it is not necessary we need a left footed one back there. He can literally play anywhere in the field, he is that special, ultimately it will come down to what our new coach decides but my vote and prediction is LB.