buffon zambrotta--panucci--chiellini--grosso de rossi--aquilani--ambrosini/perrotta camo/di natale--cassano toni OR sereni maggio--nesta--cannavaro--dossena gattuso---pirlo montolivo totti inzaghi--rossi Which squad is better and why? (If you haven't noticed the second squad is composed of players who are retired, weren't called up, injured, or suspended) I think it is pretty close tbh, and I think I go with the second squad as the better one, IMHO.
I'm assuming the 2nd squad is the present day and age squad and not these particular players in their hay day. 1st squad in a heartbeat The 2nd squad would be too busy drinking Geritol and getting foot messages .
I bet that the two squads have about the same average age, actually. If anything I think the second is younger. Someone tabulate it.
First squad. Only two guys I would trade for in a heart beat from the second squad are Nesta and Cannavaro. Otherwise, I'm perfectly happy with the first squad.
There are four guys who I think walk into the first squad from the second squad...totti, nesta, pirlo, and cannavaro. some players that are pretty even (montolivo=aquilani e.g.), and then there are some that one player is favored for the other, but it is close overall (toni to inzaghi, and grosso to dossena). I think the defense is better for the second squad, midfield is pretty equal, and attack is pretty even as well (totti>>camo/di natale, cassano>rossi, toni slightly better than inzaghi)...of course, buffon is better than sereni, so that might be where the edge is gained, if any, for the first squad enough to overtake the second one, but i think the second squad is more balanced and I would have to take it myself. still, I think it is an interesting exercise to realize that italy is greatly weakened versus what it could have been going into the spain match.
If Italy were to play its overall full strength side: Buffon Zambro Nesta Cannavaro Grosso Aquilani Pirlo De Rossi Totti Toni Cassano ?
yeah, that is the best XI, I agree...the only one I question is aquilani, but it's a toss-up, all the others I agree with unhesitatingly.
It would be some team. Nesta and Cannavaro along with Buffon are almost impossible to score against (unless Zaccardo is playing ). Seeing Cassano and Totti playing together again would also be great.
Kinda gets me a little angry that Nesta, Cannavaro and Totti aren't in there though they can be (except for Cannavaro of course). I think with the addition of those 3 players, our team would improve immensely.
Yea, assuming he didnt retire from international play. Same with Nesta. Those two guys would easily have starting spots.
Yea def not. Him and Nesta called it quits internationally after 06, but I'm just saying, if all were fit, having those two + cannavaro would make a world of difference to italy imo.
If this group stage has taught you Azzurri faithful anything I would think it would be that two years is a long time. People change, hairstyles change... Interest rates fluctuate...