1:00 PM EST Yerevan Hrazdan Stadium Referee: Marijo STRAHONJA (CRO) Italy Call ups: Goalkeepers:Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain), Viviano (Fiorentina); Defenders:Abate (Milan), Balzaretti (Roma), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus),Criscito (Zenit St. Petersburg), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Inter); Midfielders:Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Verratti (Paris St. Germain); Forwards: Balotelli (Manchester City), Destro (Roma), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus), Osvaldo (Roma).
still no SANTON ?? good to see veratti and candreva, i hope they get some minutes not happy to see gilardino back and why destro? Quags shoulda been called instead
This is what has been tested 4-3-1-2 Italy probable XI: Buffon; Maggio, Barzagli, Bonucci, Criscito; De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio; Montolivo; Giovinco, Balotelli
Why Bonucci instead of Chiellini? Good to see Criscito back in the mix. Not sure why Gilardino is there really. Obviously his form has been good of late, but it sort of goes in reverse to Prandelli stating he's trying to renew the team for 2014.
This is what Prandelli has to say about it: http://football-italia.net/25955/italy-boss-prandelli-speaks…
Prandelli wants Juve to win against Napoli so he left Chiellini home to get ready the game. Gila is Prandelli's love child and Cassano is a kid who just wants to play the game that he loves more than anything which bothers coaches because no one can tell him what to do....which is why he is a top player in my eyes all you got to do is throw him out there and let him do what he wants and he will produce magic. anyways Forza juve! I mean Forza Italia....
Official Starting 11 Buffon; Maggio, Bonucci, Barzagli, Criscito; De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio; Montolivo; Osvaldo, Balotelli.
Montolivo is probably the only player that has the potential to be like Pirlo. He is excellent and he is creative. He connects well with Pirlo. Italy didn't play well the last two games because Montolivo didn't play. He clicks well with the midfield and with Balotelli. He can score and make some creative assists. Montolivo likes to run and he always puts pressure on other players. He can learn a lot from Prilo. Montolivo's performance has been getting better and better. He had many chances against Inter.
If Prandelli is really focused on the youth, why do you call Gila? Gila is done and there is nothing he can add to the team. We already have Balotelli. Balotelli>>> Gila. When is Rossi coming back? it's been a year.
Rossi won't even be in club form by March, when he's scheduled back, so for now there's no point thinking about him. He won't likely be in game shape by even the Confed Cup, though that might be a good time (providing he's healthy) to start taking a look at him since it's a meaningless cup anyway!
Yeah the whole Gila thing baffles me . No doubt, Prandelli and Gila have had a few bottles of wine together.
i think he's just calling gila as a temporary solution. He needs a win and the striker situation right now is not so good, even balotelli is not really scoring....osvaldo, destro and them have gone cold.
He loses possesion alot ya he looks good going forward but he loses the ball alot and then works his ass off to get it back....remeber youtube can make any player look like Messi....
Our situation at RB must be pretty damn bad if Maggio continues to get call ups and starts. The guy has been horrid for the NT the last few times out.
Uh.. not really the ideal place to post this but the relevant thread is closed. But does anyone have a 90m link to the Malta match? I haven't been able to find it anywhere and it just occurred to me I should look here.