Lol Pele(and Cruyff) came out of retirement to play in MLS? Was it for the Metrostars or the Galaxy? (I keed, I know what you all meant by that- NASL) Not sure how it will work for Villa and Lampard post WC. They'll be idle until next February(pre-season) unless they go on loan from August-January. I guess we'll see what NYCFC and their agents work out.
ItalianRocket- thoughts on the Italy 23? I'm one of those that just feel gutted for Beppe Rossi. Kid deserved to be on the team. Just seems ridiculous that both Insigne and Cassano make it up front when one would suffice and I'd go Insigne over Cassano and then select Rossi. Prandelli said all the right stuff about Rossi prior to not taking him today. From the Italian journo's on twitter, it sounds like they feel Prandelli doesnt want Rossi to reinjure himself so quickly after his return or he is not fully fit. Then again, the kid is a poacher. His goal rate this season was kind of ridiculous-16 in 21? 2 goals in four matches after his return? He may not have been 100% fit but his talent in front of goal would have given Italy something great off the bench. Alright done venting. What'd you think of Rossi's exclusion and how do you like y'alls 23?
i am also gutted for Rossi. I love the kid and hes had tough break after tough break. I trust in Prandelli's judgement not to bring him however. He just came back from another lengthy injury, missed half the season, and only returned til the last 3 games of the season. Prandelli has been stressing match fitness all year long, a lesson he learned has italy were all but gassed in the final at euro 2012. I think with a healthy Rossi this team could have really made some noise this summer, however i trust that Prandelli must have seen something in training that indicated he wasnt 100%. I think Cassano is a must, had an amazing year and is quite possibly in the best shape of his life. He absolutely impressed Prandelli during training with his match fitness. He was always gonna be on the squad. It was insigne who i believe beat out Rossi for that last spot. Insigne is a young and dynamic player who could explode this tournament, IF he gets the playing time however (which I doubt). He gives Prandelli a good attacking option on the left if we decide to play a 4-3-3. As far as the whole 23 goes, its VERY
AHHH accidentally hit send and i dont know how to edit posts, to Continue: As far as the whole 23 goes, Its VERY solid. Better than the euro 2012 squad. The Montolivo injury is both a blessing and a hardache. A blessing in the sense that it gives Verratti a deserved opportunity to be a starter, before the ireland friendly on saturday he was assumed to even be cut but was the stand out player and forced himself on the squad. Verratti imo is a much better player than montolivo, however the injury leaves us without much depth at midfield now. This squad is VERY felixble, which prandelli has emphasized to be a key to Italy's World Cup campaign. He wants us to be able to adapt to any team, any situation. you could see italy playing a 3-5-2, 3-4-3, a 4-3-3, or a 4-3-1-2, even in the same game! our chances? Im expected us to reach the Quarter Finals, with a matchup against either Spain or Brazil. I honestly like our chances in those potential games. If we can beat either team then I fully expect us to march all the way to the Final. But our group is tough, and winning it will be key. (I honestly believe this group to be the TRUE Group of Death.)
Yes. Try this one: http://games.espn.go.com/world-cup-bracket-predictor/2014/en/group?groupID=21279 Or just ID 21279.
Thanks Joined, under the Name Uncia arnomario (apparently I once created a account under this name with a friend of me, no Idea why..)
Villa will be training with Man. City till Feb, will not take part in any games though. Not sure about Lampard. There are rumors that Xavi might join them as well.. Idk how I feel about this though. I still think he can contribute to our team, especially now the Cesc might move back to EPL.
Xavi will go the way of Puyol. He'll probably retire and stay with the club's front office. He's too close to the city to leave Barcelona and my guess is the club won't replace him until they figure out if Rafinha is the guy or not. Probably 2 more years. Btw I heading to DC this week to hang out with family and to watch ES vs ESP. Gonna have a blast.
Yeah man I read that too and I just wonder if that's a good idea. Training w/City, no matches or nothing. They should've just loaned him to another La Liga team until Feb. Meh, maybe City will let him play in some U-21 matches as a guest player.
My apologies il italiano, I should have mentioned you as well as ItalianRocket in my earlier post. I just completely forgot. Question- Was Veratti really in competition w/Montolivo to start in midfield? Does it also depend on formation as to whether he starts? I figure if they go with 3 in midfield he doesn't start. Do you think he'd still be 1 of the 3?
I hope this is the case.. TBH, I havne't watched much of Rafinha this past season at Celta but I thought he was more of forward/winger than a creator. Letting Thiago go is proving to be a bad mistake.
no worries I dont post too often. Verratti was actually not even likely to be picked by Prandelli to be apart of the 23, which a lot of italian fans were upset about. But with Montolivo's injury and Verratti's great performance Prandelli had no chance. It does depend on the formation we play, because as of right now i dont see him as 1 of the 3 in midfield. (that would be pirlo, de rossi, and marchisio). I see Verratti playing behind the two strikers, as montolivo did in euro 2012, in a 4-3-1-2. Marchisio could also play there, which could allow prandelli to bring the more experience Thiago Motta into midfield. But i think Verratti would be a MUCH better option.
Yep Verratti was a pleasant surprise for Italian fans. They're going to go with experience before promise so I don't see Verratti as a starter & may not even see the field until a few games into the World Cup, really depends on how well Marchisio plays. I feel horrible for Rossi, love Cassano but he didn't deserve that call up over Rossi.
I dont know but must disagree. Rossi missed the last half the year and is not in form, maybe not even match fit. I wish he was going to brazil but Prandelli knows better than anyone else where is fitness levels are at. Cassano had an amazing year once again for parma, and is in incredible shape. If it was me, id be bringing Rossi anyways, at the expense of Aquilani. But I trust Prandelli. I could see Verratti getting 0 minutes, but there isnt any1 that could replace Montolivo better than him. So I do expect him to start, maybe not initially but definitely by the 3rd game. The Formation will be situational, but Prandelli's default is some variant of a 442 diamond. This is what I would expect us to use: ________________Buffon________________ _______Abate Barzagli Chiellini De Sciglio___ __________De Rossi Pirlo Marchisio________ ________________Verratti_______________ _____________Balotelli Cassano___________ I think you could see Cerci in place of Cassano. You could also see Chiellini playing LB and Palleta coming in at CB, moving De Sciglio to his natural position at RB. This formation could easily morph into a 433 or 4321 where u would see insigne on the left and cerci/candreva playing on the right, behind Balotelli. I would of loved Rossi to have made the team as he is our 2nd most prolific striker and most experienced. Aside from Cassano and Balo, none of our strikers have and experience at a major tournament. However they do provide Prandelli options and the flexibility that he is looking for.
Not to spark a debate or anything, but it was never a "choice". Italy is in his heart, he was never going to play for the USA.
il italiano wrote earlier that it was Insigne that beat out Rossi. I just always figured Cassano and Insigne were battling each other for a spot. If Cassano doesn't start or say he gets subbed out of a match Italy might be losing at half-time, what's the potential for Cassano discontent within the team? Yeah exactly. His goal wasn't to just play in a World Cup but to play in the World Cup for Italy, his fathers country and the national team he grew up watching and supporting. Can't hate on that.
