Italian Football Thread

[Haarithan]

4-3-3 wins it for Milan! El Shaarawy was an absolute beast on the night.

And Zeman fooked it up yet again in Roma's 1-1 draw at home to Sampdoria. Totti was outstanding again.

Wanna bet the 3-0 win awarded to Roma against Cagliari (4 days back) by the Italian football federation will be Zeman's only clean sheet this season at Rome?

 

[Haarithan]

Going by SES' and Di Natale's form of late, it's an absolute no brainer the duo start up front for Italy:

Buffon
Cassani - Barzagli - Bonucci - Chiellini
De Rossi - Pirlo - Marchisio
El Shaarawy - Di Natale - Insigne

We all saw what Insigne could do as well (second half sub against Malta). Massive talent, shame that Napoli have started him only once so far this season.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

haha, no way. "form" in italy is an altogether less immediate state. if he keeps playing like this he might get a call up next year, but italy just doesn't usher young players into the setup on the strength of a few months.

however, yeah, he has been immense, milan would be utterly screwed without him. touches of ryan giggs when he's in full flow.

 

[El Loco]

Yeah, Insigne is a real raw talent. I tip Napoli to win the Serie A this season. I don't see a real attacking threat from Juve, not from Alessandro Matri, and Milan've been thoroughly depleted. If Cavani continues his current form, Napoli are in with a chance. Particularly impressed with the pace of Zuniga at full back. They'll be looking to the triple threat of Cavani, Hamsik and now Insigne to bang in the goals.

 

[Auwais]

haha, no way. "form" in italy is an altogether less immediate state. if he keeps playing like this he might get a call up next year, but italy just doesn't usher young players into the setup on the strength of a few months.

Under previous Italy managers that would be true but Prandelli's a different case.

Yeah, Insigne is a real raw talent. I tip Napoli to win the Serie A this season. I don't see a real attacking threat from Juve, not from Alessandro Matri, and Milan've been thoroughly depleted. If Cavani continues his current form, Napoli are in with a chance. Particularly impressed with the pace of Zuniga at full back. They'll be looking to the triple threat of Cavani, Hamsik and now Insigne to bang in the goals.

I don't think Napoli have the strength in depth to go all the way like Juve but their starting XI is very strong. I think they'll end Juve's unbeaten run and finish in the CL places but won't be strong enough to win Serie A.

 

[El Loco]

Under previous Italy managers that would be true but Prandelli's a different case.

I don't think Napoli have the strength in depth to go all the way like Juve but their starting XI is very strong. I think they'll end Juve's unbeaten run and finish in the CL places but won't be strong enough to win Serie A.

Napoli don't have CL/Europa distractions like the others do. I see Juve as their only obstacle. Because if I remember correctly, it was after they lost to Chelsea that their Serie A season when a bit downhill. It's certain that they at least have the quality to do it.

 

[Auwais]

Napoli don't have CL/Europa distractions like the others do. I see Juve as their only obstacle. Because if I remember correctly, it was after they lost to Chelsea that their Serie A season when a bit downhill. It's certain that they at least have the quality to do it.

Napoli are in the Europa League.

 

[El Loco]

Napoli are in the Europa League.

I take that back then. Still, they don't have the pressure of the CL looming over them. Having said what I did, it's their defence that would be their weak-link. Cannavaro and Campagnero are no more than mediocre and Gargano's been lost to Inter. But their front three is the deadliest in the Serie A and, I believe, have the ability.

 

[Auwais]

Yeah, their defence is very mediocre overall. As a unit they can get by in a three-man defence but individually they're nothing special.

You could see the problems they had in preventing and clearing crosses against Chelsea in that second leg after Maggio went off.

Nice to see Pandev getting plenty of gametime now that Lavezzi's gone, he's a very intelligent forward.

 

[Haarithan]

Campagnaro has had an outstanding start to the new season. But yeah, was pretty mediocre last season along with Paolo Cannavaro.

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Also interesting to see Urby Emanuelson is doing extremely well as an inverted winger. Started as an LB, was played at trequartista by Allegri which turned out to be disastrous, now playing him at RW seems to work and he's come through 2 beastly performances.

 

[Haarithan]

Montolivo at trequartista worked wonders yesterday. Linked up outstandingly well with Balotelli - who imo was easily the MOTM yesterday. Never rated Balo's strike partner, Osvaldo, who made the silliest of challenges to get sent off and left us in a worrying situation right at the start of the second half when we were only 2-1 up.

Defence still remains a concern though. Denmark created enough chances imo to actually salvage a draw, but their finishing inside the final third was absolutely woeful. Talking 'bout our back four yesterday, only Barzagli looked solid - who had endured an embarrassing moment as well during the weekend - main culprit behind Armenia's equalizer, although the ref should have awarded a free kick following a blatant foul on Maggio.

Just a couple more home wins against the Czechs and Bulgaria, and we look unassailable in our quest to make Brazil 2014.

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Also can we please have this one and the Europa League thread "stickied", given even the A-League thread enjoys such status?

 

[thedon5]

How was Eriksen (if he played that is)? Haven't been following him since the Euros but he should surely be one of the hottest properties in Europe now?

 

[Haarithan]

Looked immensely threatening in the opening twenty minutes of the game, where Denmark literally ripped us to shreds, but then gradually faded away as the game progressed. Owned Pirlo with his pace and dribbling though.

 

[War]

Montolivio a good player for sure. But i must say i am a bit surprised that Italy haven't totally copied Juventus 3-5-2 formation for the national team, instead of 4-3-1-2.

--------------------------Buffon-----------------------

--------Barzagli--------Bonnuci------Chellini-------------

Abate------De Rossi-----Pirlo----Marchisio--------Balzaretti

---------------------------Cassano-----------------------

-----------------------Balotelli-----------------------------

 

[Haarithan]

That largely has to do with the fact that Juventus boast two outstanding wingbacks in Lichtsteiner and Asamoah, plus Paolo De Ceglie as backup. Can't say the same for Italy though.

I'm just surprised SES didn't start yesterday, given the match was played at the San Siro. Him and Balotelli up front, coupled with Montolivo's outing yesterday at trequartista would have made for a much better result! Instead Cesare went for Osvaldo...