So poor he plays for Italy? I think you're being a bit harsh! I'm not saying he's Cafu but if he was really as poor as you imply he wouldn't be Italy's first choice in that position now.

I do accept that years of Mesbahs, Constants, Antoninis your standards do go down a bit but they are all left backs.

At RB Abate has basically been our first choice since 2009 - before him our standards there had slipped a little since Cafu left - Oddo and Zambrotta were hardly marquee. But certainly we've been more blessed at RB than LB.

I think Mexes is still our best defender, Abate is different because he is a FB, but defensively he has been incredibly consistent this season

Well, Italy isn't blessed with fullbacks either. Who is his competition really? Maggio? Who has been picked over Abate as well in a few important occasions (not that I agree with Prandelli).

As for our RB's, well - we had good player, but offensively none of them could do the trick. Just think of the line: Helveg - Šimić - Costacurta - Stam - Oddo - Zambrotta. Some of those named used to go forward, but they were usually slow (age) or defensively better suited (except maybe Oddo). You also got Contra and Cafu who used to be good or great with going forward, but didn't exactly stay long with us.


Agreed.

Well Prandelli usually picks Maggio when he goes for a back 3 and Abate when he goes for a back 4, I think the thinking behind that is that both are more familiar with those systems, plus Maggio is terrible when he's playing as a proper FB and not a WB.

Don't forget, Italy also have Santon and De Sciglio at RB if Prandelli wanted to go with them, there are quality choices for Italy, just because there are no Maldinis and Baresis in there does not mean that they don't have quality options. Yes the standards set out by players of the past (even from the last era like Nesta, Canna, Zambro, etc) are seriously high but there are options that most other countries do not have

Italy use an awful lot of players. They go through full backs like crazy.

The problem is usually injuries. Especially during qualifiers. Abate has basically got injured the last 3 times he's stepped on the field for Italy, DS has been injured for a while, Maggio as well, don't know why he's not using Balzaretti as DS's direct replacement and Santon as Abate's I think that would be the best FB roster he could have + maybe Maggio