re: Italy would quit Euros if asked

I don't think they all played together then. I believe Prosinecki had already suffered his career ending injury.

They still have to play the matches. They aren't going to bow out. The lack of a poacher is more worrisome than what else is going on.

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lack of a poacher



springs hope eternal.

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Matri is just like Higuain. Yeah, he can shite the bed, but he can also finish. A goal scorer in a big tournament is paramount.

IE:.... Klose.

It seems that Prandelli is dead set on a front three that's fluid passing. I kind of agree though that a Matri (or even the kid Destro) option to sub for Cassano for example would have been safer.

For all Prandelli's reservations about Balotelli this past year, the squad selection sure puts a lot on his shoulders.

I just can't wait. The group stages are the toughest I have ever seen. I mean Germany, Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark in a group is just insane. Much less France and England in the same group. Spain and Italy together? This is the best sporting event on the planet.

Dandys prose is one of a kind

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Napoli doesn't really play defense. Abate has turned into a pretty solid player really, he should start.

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I agree that Abate is solid and his lightning pace can be useful. I think Maggio's better going forward but it's clear that he isn't up to par as a backline defender after, as you point out, not being asked to really defend deeply at Napoli.


In reading though a lot of match reviews, the only players that consistently graded well were Pirlo, Balotelli, De Rossi and Buffon. That's no surprise as, adding Chiellini, those five are the strength of the team.


It seems that Prandelli's 4-3-1-2 is looking to have the midfield three work in a true rotation where De Rossi, Pirlo and Marchisio continually take up different (switched) positions. It's not a bad idea as it can open space for Pirlo to operate and both De Rossi and Marchisio are excellent at making runs.

The problem is that this idea may simply take more practice because at times all three were way too engaged in the attack at the same time.

It's great if you never lose the ball. But, if you do, you have Maggio all the way up up the pitch and not one of the attacking trident pressing. And, add to that of course, that we no longer have defenders like Maldini or Cannavaro that can consistently get you out of pickles like that without midfield help.


Even though Russia didn't convert well until all the subs were in, all of their good 1st half chances came from exactly this scenario.

In fairness to Prandelli though, if Balotelli or Marchisio had put away some of the fine chances this formation created we may not be complaining.



To be frank, the biggest weakness I saw early on was that Montolivo wasn't dangerous enough at trequartista to keep the Russians packed back. Italy doesn't yet have a suitable replacement for Totti in that role.

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Pirandello hinted at 3 in the back with the jive players because they knew the system,

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This may end up being the answer he chooses but it's scary since it'd be tried out for the first time.
Otherwise, against Spain he may need to play Motta instead of Marchisio or simply keep De Rossi deep to shore up the defense. Also, Montolivo needs to fricking defend when we lose the ball or else we'll have to sacrifice more offense with Borini in Cassano's place. God knows we can't have Balotelli trying to pressure as that's a red card waiting to happen.

double post.