Honestly, I can't believe what you're saying. You'd take only Canna and Nesta?? What about Zambrotta, Gattuso, Totti, Del Piero? The 2006 team was miles away in terms of quality. You can meh their attack as much as you like, but really, you think this team is even close?

Oh and btw, didn't you praise Prandelli not so long ago for picking the best possible squad and being rational?

I'd take Zambrotta (although on the left of this team), Totti, Cannavaro and Nesta into this team.

Totti and Del Piero??? Seriously? Those 2 never did anything for Italy. Totti scored a penalty and DP a goal in the semi when Italy had already won the game against the Germans.

Maybe I'd take Rino as well but I can't see where his all action but slightly limited style of football would fit in, and this come from the biggest Rino fan on here.

Zambrotta maybe, but like kurt mentioned, maybe for the left side. Still Prandelli could have called up Santon instead of just the Milan duo who have come off shaky seasons due to injuries and such, Zambro in the 06 WC was already a bit past his best imo. Still a great defender but no where near his peak imo.

From those 2 sides, this is the line-up I'd build



And the reason why I'd choose Verratti over Totti is because Totti has never even reach half of what he's showed at club level for Italy, same goes for DP imo who were always pretty underwhelming at tournaments not to mention Totti having his moments where he let Italy completely down. And I just love that little guy anyway, I think he's seriously special, there were a few moments yesterday when he made incisive forward passes that very few players have the vision to make


I still praise him, like it or not Italy still won yesterday, even with the huffing and puffing of Barzagli and Paletta running in Baywatch style slow-mo. It wasn't pretty but it worked.

Yesterday was purely a tactical battle imo and Prandelli just won it hands down imo. England played into Italy's hands. There were a few moments when my heart literally came up to my mouth because of that defence but at the end of the day Italy pulled it off because they identified England's weakness and relentlessly attacked it.

Personally I absolutely did not like that odd 4-1-4-1 set-up he played, but no one can convince me that he'll use that for the rest of the games Italy will play. I think it was tailor made to counter England's system.

It's basically exactly what he did in the Euros

I usually sleep at around 1:30-2:00 every night, so for me it was no problem.



Taarabt's signing deadline has expired and we haven't made a single attempt to contact QPR. I don't think he's in Inzaghi's plans. Could be wrong, though.



Rino at his best would fit into any team.

Proof Americans Know Nothing About Soccer (Football)

Would you really fit him in here though? Over Marchisio's box-to-box work?

Yeah, Rino was absolute class in his day, but I just don't know who I'd take out from that trio to play him

Leave it to the Americans.

Yes we have, we've tried to get them to halve their asking price, just as we have with Rami. It's just that the Rami deal is further on.

Seems QPR won't budge at all, won't entertain the offer.

As for Inzaghi's plans, and I put this one to the floor/forum: does anyone actually FEEL like he's our manager yet? It doesn't feel like it to me.

I think atm everyone is so far removed from club football that it hasn't really sunk in yet. Once the players get back together and training and friendlies start we'll get used to it

Rami is dependent on the same thing Taarabt is - the selling club willing to accept half. Valencia have changed their minds a couple of times on it hence the deal is POSSIBLE if not probable. But QPR aren't interested. They want the full value they believe he's worth and won't apparently sell for less. So we will get him if we offer what they want or at least a very significant portion of it. Half won't cut it.

True, I can't argue with that.

Yes, that is my read as well.


Dunno. Personally I would not have chosen Pippo, but now that he has been put in charge I am fully supportive. So perhaps it is wishful thinking on my part, but I believe he has stepped into his role and is making his presence felt.

Switzerland has been identified by some as a possible "dark horse", but I am not overly impressed so far

(Hate to say this, but is feels like I am watching an MLS game.)

It was a bland match but Switzerland, while never TRULY the 6th best team on earth did show some glimpses of quality in that match.

It's all the more intriguing when you consider their players. Behrami, Lichsteiner, Djorou, Inler, Mehmedi, Shaqiri. They're a bit better than you'd think.

Switzerland has five Albanian players: Behrami, Dzemaili, Xhaka, Shaqiri and Mehmedi. Six if Kasami was called as well. Normally I should be supporting them, but everyone in Albania considers them traitors, and even though I believe everyone in entitled to make their own choice, I kind of agree with that concept as well.

Know this concept - Scottish Rangers player called Fraser Aird recently chose to play for Canada, and fellow Scot Aidan McGeady of Celtic (once upon a time) chose Republic of Ireland.

It all boils down to an individual choice, but undeniably leaves a sour taste when players from your country choose another based on eligibility.

Did Albania try to call the players up to the NT before they played for the Swiss? If so, then yeah I can understand the traitor tag, otherwise you can't blame them if Albania never even tried to.

Anyone watching Honduras-France? Did they forget the national anthems or what? Started watching, players came out, no anthems. Did I miss them or?

Yeah I heard no anthems either.

Not sure about all of them, but they did try to enroll Shaqiri and Xhaka. The problem is that our FA doesn't give two shits. They're completely disorganized and corrupt to the core. It's a shame. If we were more convincing, had a real program and everything, we'd have a pretty nice NT. Januzaj, that Mustafi guy called from Germany, and a few other players who're scattered around Europe playing for other national teams. All of them having Albanian families, and most of them being born in Kosovo or the Albanian territories in Macedonia (Tetovo, Gostivar etc.)



Weird.

I don't like France, but Honduras are a disgrace. Bunch of thugs and nothing more.

Well, it doesn't look over the line, but goal line technology says yes.

Yeah, really strange.

The US side of my family feels the same way about Giuseppe Rossi.

You also have a bunch of players not born in the US so I have less sympathy.

Bernardez may be a tad "aggressive", but he holds the SJ Quakes defense together. No disparaging comments, please

I think the Dutch players will start avoiding Milan in big loops now.

In the short term, maybe. Long term probably not. (Well, hope not.)

Yep, starting with our own De Jong.

If that were to happen... Can you blame them?

What our management did (more so in the manner in which they did it) was disgraceful!

Hmh, I don't know. It depends mostly on how Seedorf's career will evolve. If he joins Ajax or Holland for a backroom job, this could be long-term.

I don't blame them one bit. I'm still ashamed of what we did.

I was wondering the same thing.


Agreed. My sentiments exactly.


I though it looked to be over the line after the keeper got a hand to it, not when Benzema's shot was initially fired.

So I believe that's why the GT granted it as a goal. Are you guys questioning it at that point? (or the initial shot?)

Benzema - Clear Goal!

http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/15/world-cup-20...giving-4762878/

"Everyone who chooses to play for Bosnia is a hero, anyone born here but plays elsewhere - like Ibrahimovic - is a traitor". - What, he was born in Sweden.

Bunch of thugs? I can't agree with that but they look quite bad overall.

15 minutes of Messi losing the ball every time he's touched it.

I personally cannot understand why so many view Argentina as favourites for this. They have a terrible defence and no one in midfield who can put his foot on the. ball, calm things down and dictate

Bosnia have been the better team.

Argentina are absolutely unwatchable.

Goal goal. Pretty horrific performance from him though.

Nah, in the second half he's been decent, just like Argentina. That 5-3-2 formation was quite horrific.

Probably the most disappointing day of the WC so far. One bad game, though it had a good finish, having to watch Honduras and their karate practice and Argentina winning.

You say that like it's a bad thing. Dutch football is dying. This current team isn't half as good as 5-1 suggested, Spain just really are that bad and LVG really is THAT good a manager. They're every inch built around RVP like Uruguay are around Suarez. Remove that part of their team they're utterly average.

Dutch football is not something to crow about.

But yes, I agree De Jong will be a big loss. Can't see him staying.

As for today's football:

All meh as everyone said. Messi had one moment of magic in an otherwise predictably banal and bland display. He was marginally better in the second half but it was the usual disappointment we'd expect from him.

Yeah Dutch football doesn't have too many great individuals. Their best defender plays for Villa.