[KillerMax]

Iran, the best football team ever known to man...

[acid911]

I don't doubt it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

I noticed the African Cup of Nations has started, it looks very weak. I don't know if they aren't very good anymore or didn't take it seriously, but no Cameroon, Ivory Coast or Egypt.

[X-Offender]

Italy probable line-up vs Spain: 1 Buffon; 2 Maggio, 14 Paletta, 15 Barzagli, 4 Criscito; 18 Montolivo, 5 Thiago Motta, 8 Marchisio; 25 Cerci, 6 Candreva; 10 Osvaldo

That attack line... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[han2503]

Italy probable line-up vs Spain: 1 Buffon; 2 Maggio, 14 Paletta, 15 Barzagli, 4 Criscito; 18 Montolivo, 5 Thiago Motta, 8 Marchisio; 25 Cerci, 6 Candreva; 10 Osvaldo

That attack line... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

The who's who of mid-table fame (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

It's clear that Pandelli is just testing things out though, Paletta? Motta? Osvaldo? Criscito? These guys haven't got a look-in in years.

[Fillipo Simone]

When do they play?

[kurtsimonw]

Cerci obviously deservedly in there. No Abate another obvious choice. Montolivo!?

[han2503]

Cerci obviously deservedly in there. No Abate another obvious choice. Montolivo!?

Your bias towards our own players is simply put head scratching kurt.

Monto has been amazing this last month, same goes for Abate. And Prandelli left out Pirlo, De Rossi, Verratti, Barzagli, Chiellini, DS, Abate, etc to accommodate mid-table fodder in a FRIENDLY.

Making an example out of these selections is really sad on your part, come gloat when Abate, Monto, DS, Balo are left out of the WC squad (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

You are aware that this month we played 6 competitive matches, of which 3 Montolivo started. He played well/very well in 2 of those he started. So, saying he's been great all month may be even right (if you consider 50% relevant enough to conclude for a whole), but it isn't especially relevant. But in a more general way, I'd say Montolivo should be shortlisted for the Italy WC team.

Abate is another question. He's played even less then Montolivo; he has been injured and hasn't played regularly up until the recent MDS injury. It's hard to tell, but if he continues to be a sub for MDS and Urby, I don't think Prandelli should select him.

[han2503]

You are aware that this month we played 6 competitive matches, of which 3 Montolivo started. He played well/very well in 2 of those he started. So, saying he's been great all month may be even right (if you consider 50% relevant enough to conclude for a whole), but it isn't especially relevant. But in a more general way, I'd say Montolivo should be shortlisted for the Italy WC team.

Abate is another question. He's played even less then Montolivo; he has been injured and hasn't played regularly up until the recent MDS injury. It's hard to tell, but if he continues to be a sub for MDS and Urby, I don't think Prandelli should select him.

I can only judge on the games he's played. When you say 50% you make it sound like he played half the games badly and half good.

His performances this month have been great. It doesn't matter if he didn't play in all the games but from the ones he played it's safe to say that he more than deserves that call up, he was better than Pirlo and Pogba in a head-to-head battle for that midfield last Sunday. That says enough

Abate has been great in all the games he's played as of late, yes he had that one second lapse against Atletico, but otherwise he's been top notch, and atm he's still the better RB when you compare him to DS. Plus Prandelli considers DS as a LB. He's always played him there. Maggio and Abate are the RB choices under Prandelli.

[han2503]

Italy squad

Goalkeepers: 1 Buffon, 26 Perin, 12 Sirigu
Defenders: 7 Abate, 13 Astori, 15 Barzagli, 19 Bonucci, 3 Chiellini, 4 Criscito, 20 De Sciglio, 2 Maggio, 14 Paletta
Midfielders: 6 Candreva, 23 Giaccherini, 8 Marchisio, 18 Montolivo, 5 Thiago Motta, 16 Parolo, 21 Pirlo, 24 Verratti
Forwards: 25 Cerci, 22 Destro, 11 Gilardino, 9 Immobile, 17 Insigne, 10 Osvaldo


This is the squad for Italy, I think it's safe to say that this is very close to what Prandelli will take with him to Brazil. Obviously, the usual suspects like DDR, Balo will come in to replace the likes of Parolo, Gila

[X-Offender]

Italy squad

Goalkeepers: 1 Buffon, 26 Perin, 12 Sirigu
Defenders: 7 Abate, 13 Astori, 15 Barzagli, 19 Bonucci, 3 Chiellini, 4 Criscito, 20 De Sciglio, 2 Maggio, 14 Paletta
Midfielders: 6 Candreva, 23 Giaccherini, 8 Marchisio, 18 Montolivo, 5 Thiago Motta, 16 Parolo, 21 Pirlo, 24 Verratti
Forwards: 25 Cerci, 22 Destro, 11 Gilardino, 9 Immobile, 17 Insigne, 10 Osvaldo


This is the squad for Italy, I think it's safe to say that this is very close to what Prandelli will take with him to Brazil. Obviously, the usual suspects like DDR, Balo will come in to replace the likes of Parolo, Gila

I would keep a close eye on Immobile. I think the guy has a bright future. In fact, if we were to sell Balo this summer, he's the one I'd go after.

Anyway, Italy have quite a decent roster. A lot of quality in that midfield (Pirlo, Marchisio, Verratti, De Rossi, Montolivo), and in attack I would always play Insigne, maybe as trequartista behind Balo and Immobile.

Enough with Candreva, Giaccherini, Osvaldo etc. They're mid-table quality, not Azzurri material.

[han2503]

I would keep a close eye on Immobile. I think the guy has a bright future. In fact, if we were to sell Balo this summer, he's the one I'd go after.

Anyway, Italy have quite a decent roster. A lot of quality in that midfield (Pirlo, Marchisio, Verratti, De Rossi, Montolivo), and in attack I would always play Insigne, maybe as trequartista behind Balo and Immobile.

Enough with Candreva, Giaccherini, Osvaldo etc. They're mid-table quality, not Azzurri material.

I think Prandelli just sees them as dependable squad players. They do relatively well for their respective sides anyway, I just don't understand when he starts them ahead of the Verrattis and Insignes in the squad most likely because they have more experience

Agreed on Immobile, but I have not decided if he'll be another Gila or if he'll be able to do well for a top side.

And yeah, I'm really excited to see how they do in this WC, I've always been an Azzurri fan, they're my adopted NT so to speak, and even if one wouldn't call this a vintage Azzurri side I think there is a LOT of potential and talent. A great mix of experience and talented youth

Defence is pretty great although the CBs don't play as well as they do for their club but anyway, Abate and DS at FB with pretty great direct subs should they get injured, midfield speaks for itself and in attack they have multiple wildcards in there. Really hoping Rossi recovers, ideally it would be a front 3 of Balo, Rossi and Insigne.

[X-Offender]

I don't really care about NTs. Sure, I'd like Italy to do well, but my support for them doesn't even compare to that I have for Milan. Speaking of NTs, Albania 2-0 Malta, han. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[X-Offender]

France playing some good football, and Benzema has really stepped up this season from what I've seen.