A few things can be true at the same time: 1. We are producing better youth talent but it isn't being developed. 2. This whole argument that we don't have Italian talent is silly. Italians from Sicily, Calabria, Campania, Puglia and other regions immigrated to N. America and were some of the BEST ATHLETES in their sports. There is nothing wrong with our kids. The problem is that we don't foster the talent. Sicily has the highest birthrate of any region in Italy. What scuole di calcio have been developed there? How are poor kids being incentivized and nurtured to play? How are they given shots to play for clubs? I bet ANY MONEY that there are blazing fast and skilled kids in Sicily that just are lost in the system because of our short sightedness, lack of planning, lazy scouting, and corruption.
i agree with this. look at Domenico Berardi. he was only a professional by mistake. He was discovered at 16 years old when he went to go visit his brother at University by someone with Sassuolo. Had he not been seen then, we may never have known who he was. And despite some guys that don't like him or see his talents, he helped us win a euro.
Good on Ruggieri for going 90 today. Speaking of Fullbacks, supposedly Palestra is usually on the Left but Cagliari deploy him on the Right. Something to look out for should he move on.
The start for Matteo Ruggeri at Atlético Madrid wasn’t very convincing, but he has grown immensely in recent months.His warrior-like performance against Barcelona is the icing on the cake.He might be Atleti’s best left-back since Filipe Luís. 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/SYgqOEf20x— Football Talent Scout - Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) April 14, 2026
No update but I still maintain Iran won't go. Can you imagine Iran vs USA in Round 32? Today Jews and Israeli's are upset at at Giorgia Meloni for suspending a defence co-operation Italy and israel had. In their eyes Italians are supposed to be OK with genocide. Also Donnie not too happy at la Giorgia as she criticized Trump mocking Papa Leone. I'm only writing this because I wouldn't be surprised if Israel tell Trump to tell Infantino that any repechage tournament or replacement team does not include Italy. Trump or the US Administration wouldn't know how important football is in Italy but Israel sure would. *NOTE to Mods
Dai visto che un pò di tempo ce l'ho facciamo una analisi veloce veloce prendendo come riferimento l'U19(Torneo rimasto sempre con format uguale e con che da alcuni vantaggi per un analisi di come sta andando il ns settore giovanile cosi da farvi VISUALIZZARE COSA E' SUCCESSO ANNO ANDAMENTO CLASSE D'ETA 2000 eliminata 2 fase nati 1981 Sentenza Bosman 2001 eliminata 1 fase nati 1982 2002 eliminata 1 fase nati 1983 2003 Vincitori * nati 1984 2004 eliminata gironi * nati 1985 2005 eliminata 2 fase nati 1986 Influenza Sacchi in FIGC 2006 eliminata 1 fase nati 1987 2007 eliminata 2 fase nati 1988 2008 finale * nati 1989 2009 eliminata 1 fase nati 1990 2010 eliminata gironi * nati 1991 Sacchi diventa Coord. Giovanili 2011 eliminata 2 fase nati 1992 2012 eliminata 2 fase nati 1993 2013 eliminata 2 fase nati 1994 2014 eliminata 2 fase nati 1995 Dimissioni Sacchi Coor. Giovan. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2015 eliminata 2 fase nati 1996 Viscidi Coordinatore Giov. 2016 finale * nati 1997 2017 eliminata 2 fase nati 1998 2018 finale * nati 1999 2019 eliminata gironi * nati 2000 2020 non disputata 2021 non disputata 2022 semifinale * nati 2003 2023 vincitori * nati 2004 2024 semifinale * nati 2005 2025 eliminata 2 fase nati 2006 2026 qualificata fase finale (in Corso) nati 2007 mondiale U20 2001 non qualificata 2003 non qualificata 2005 qualificata 2007 non qualificata 2009 qualificata 2011 non qualificata Sacchi Coord. Giovanili(2010) 2013 non qualificata Dimissione Sacchi 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2015 non qualificata Viscidi Coordinatore Giov. 2017 qualificata 2019 qualificata 2021 non disputata 2023 qualificata 2025 qualificata 2027 siamo in Corsa (dipende dal risultato di Euro U19 2026) BENE TIRATE VOI LE SOMME ma già così potete capire visivamente cosa è successo PS in rosso ho messo la qualificazione alla fase finale sia di Euro U19 che di World Cup U20
LMAO. CAN YOU IMAGINE? LOL @ Hood Action News 🚨 FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made a FINAL decision regarding Iran's participation in the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America. Revealing another EURO playoff between Israel 🇮🇱 and Italy 🇮🇹 for the replacement of the Iranian Squad 🇮🇷 pic.twitter.com/56Sf8zov4N— Hood Action News (@BAPingLoud) April 7, 2026
Not just Sicilia. I would bet right in line with you that Roma is also a talent bed mismanaged by its own clubs. I bet there has been talent in Roma up to even to now, squashed by the very Roman clubs that once fostered space for youth. The saddest recent case being Alessio Riccardi discarded by the very system he thrived in
I have nothing personal against Nico, I just lament the fact the he never hit his full potential. I think that he had enough talent to be a generational crack. If he had moved on from Sassuolo 10 years ago when he had to, there’s no telling how good he could have been.
fair.. but we can play devils advocate. Maybe with the way italian clubs have mismanaged young italian talent he was right to stay at Sassuolo where he was guaranteed playtime instead of losing his spot at Juventus or Inter or wherever to Opti Poba or Jovan Slavicovic
Let’s talk about this warrior. He manhandled the best player in the world for over 90 minutes and kept going despite suffering a cut on his head.He was insulted and mocked by rival fans, and once again today, he stepped up.Time to hop on the Ruggeri train, Atleti fans.HONOR… pic.twitter.com/dirBhwcLYG— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) April 14, 2026
I laughed so hard reading this. I'm rooting for the terrorist to somehow win it all. Simeone deep down is your classic Italian negative coach !!
Yes the stats that were released told the tale we are 49th out of 50 leagues in minutes given to under 21 players. That is all. The managers and the clubs are cowards and simply want to buy players 23 and up that are already experienced. This is dumb because it is not financially sustainable and you are missing out on so much talent that you have direct access to but that is the mentality and it wont be broken unless they are forced. Football has such a large pool that a league like Serie A can sign players 23 and up from all over the world indefinitely. They need to be forced.
meanwhile DiMarco was ripped apart by a 16 year old Yamal in 2024. Ruggeri is an athlete not a trick shot specialist. That is the difference.
You just have to laugh Reading some comments elsewhere on BS about a possible Iran replacements and somebody suggests giving it to CONCACAF. Because 3 automatic spots and 6 total for a Confederation that has ONE SF appearance in the tournaments history, USA in 1930, makes sense... Another was CONMEBOL and have Bolivia go. Because 70% of that Confederation seems about right...
Not enough to be called-up for Italy’s Senior National Team apparently.𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗘𝗟 𝗞𝗔𝗬𝗢𝗗𝗘 (𝟮𝟭) 🇮🇹⭐️ pic.twitter.com/ZOJOu70hNe— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) April 13, 2026 Imagine if that was Politano.
Watching Politano get the ball, do nothing with it, and spin it back with our WC dreams hanging in the balance was the definition of a torture chamber.