totti_jonaid
24-12-2005, 07:55
Marcelo Lippi and his men may well have made it to the World cup relatively easily than any other team but the real crux starts here. The question is very simple and if answered rightly Italy may well lift the World cup for the 4th time, and that is who should make it to the world cup? I am going to answer this question as I am a very big fan of the Azzuries. Lippi has of late opted to a 4-3-1-2 strategy and it seems to work. This is why keeping that strategy in mind I would complete the 22 men squad by having 3 keepers, 7 defenders, 7 midfielders and 5 forwards. Now to the rosters:
Goal keepers: There is no doubt that Gianluigi Buffon is by far the best keeper in the world and without any hesitation he should be making it to the starting 11. His backup should be De sancti for he has done so well in the last couple of years. Finally the list should be completed by Carlo Cudinci I don’t know why he does not make it to the Italian squad when he so much deserves it. One thing that I must admit here is that good days for Peruzzi are over; he no more is as sharp as he use to be. So clearly the time has come to axe him.
Defenders: Starting from the centre, Nesta as RCB and Cannavaro as a LCB should be in the playing 11 along with Zambrotta as a RB and Grosso as a LB. Apparently this is one of Lippi’s new strategy and it has paid off. Zambrotta looks to be much settled as a RB then a LB so does Grosso as a LB. At the sub bench the CB should be Bragzali and Bonera and finally a back up for the RB position is required since Zambrotta if any time required can deliver as a LB. As for the RB I would rather rely on Oddo’s experience then Zaccardo’s talent for Zaccardo should be considered as a future prospect than making him play now ahead of Oddo.
Midfielders: The midfield surely is the most concerning area for Lippi. Probably because we do not have the same amount of experience in midfield as in defense or forward. Now 3-1 in midfield means a RCM, CM, LCM and a CF or a CAM however you take it will be the starters. Now With some players in the team lacking experience and some out of form all eyes would be set on one man to deliver that is Francesco Totti. The hero of Euro 2000 has failed to deliver on other big occasions at international level and this is his chance to show that Euro 2000 was no fluke especially when all Italy is relying on him. Hence he should get the CF or CAM position. At the back Gatusso as RCM and Pirlo as a CM should get the place. Another problem is that we lack a genuine LM and usually Camorenesi (a RM) plays at that position. But I have got a different idea why not play Alex as a LCM. There are two reasons for this firstly because Del Piero is in a no scoring form so playing him as a forward makes no sense. Secondly the selection in forward is very tougher than in midfield so playing Del Piero in midfield makes room for an extra forward. As for Alex playing in midfield is not new to him and we need his experience more than anything else, which he will provide there. This means Camorenesi, De Rossi, and Blasi should complete the sub bench. Once again there is no place for Ambrosini and I feel for him but taking him and De Rossi two CDM does not make any sense especially when both of them are on the sub bench, and Even being a Milan fan I believe in De Rossi more than Ambrosini.
Forwards: Gilardino, Toni, and Cassano should be the three automatic selections. Although Cassano does not get enough playing time in Roma his talent is so high that when ever he is given the chance he proves his worth. This leaves us with two slots and a lot of players but I will pick three of them for the final competition Inzaghi, Vieri and Iquainta. Although Vieri is out of colors his record in World Cup’s is very decent. He was Italy’s highest scorer in 2002 WC, so he should get a place. With Iquainta and Inzaghi left fighting for one slot I would not pick Iquainta but rather drop Inzaghi for he has not had many games and has not tasted International football for quite some time. Finally the starting two should be Gilardino and Cassano two very talented players who can ruin any defense.
The final rosters:
Gk Buffon
RB Zambrotta
CB Nesta
CB Cannavaro
LB Grosso
RCM Gattuso
CM Pirlo
LCM Del Piero
CF Totti
ST Gilardino
ST Cassano
Sub Bench:
Goalkeepers: De Sancti, Cudinci.
Defenders: Oddo, Bonera, Bragzali.
Midfielders: Camorenesi, De Rossi, Blasi.
Forwards: Vieri, Iquainta, Toni.
Goal keepers: There is no doubt that Gianluigi Buffon is by far the best keeper in the world and without any hesitation he should be making it to the starting 11. His backup should be De sancti for he has done so well in the last couple of years. Finally the list should be completed by Carlo Cudinci I don’t know why he does not make it to the Italian squad when he so much deserves it. One thing that I must admit here is that good days for Peruzzi are over; he no more is as sharp as he use to be. So clearly the time has come to axe him.
Defenders: Starting from the centre, Nesta as RCB and Cannavaro as a LCB should be in the playing 11 along with Zambrotta as a RB and Grosso as a LB. Apparently this is one of Lippi’s new strategy and it has paid off. Zambrotta looks to be much settled as a RB then a LB so does Grosso as a LB. At the sub bench the CB should be Bragzali and Bonera and finally a back up for the RB position is required since Zambrotta if any time required can deliver as a LB. As for the RB I would rather rely on Oddo’s experience then Zaccardo’s talent for Zaccardo should be considered as a future prospect than making him play now ahead of Oddo.
Midfielders: The midfield surely is the most concerning area for Lippi. Probably because we do not have the same amount of experience in midfield as in defense or forward. Now 3-1 in midfield means a RCM, CM, LCM and a CF or a CAM however you take it will be the starters. Now With some players in the team lacking experience and some out of form all eyes would be set on one man to deliver that is Francesco Totti. The hero of Euro 2000 has failed to deliver on other big occasions at international level and this is his chance to show that Euro 2000 was no fluke especially when all Italy is relying on him. Hence he should get the CF or CAM position. At the back Gatusso as RCM and Pirlo as a CM should get the place. Another problem is that we lack a genuine LM and usually Camorenesi (a RM) plays at that position. But I have got a different idea why not play Alex as a LCM. There are two reasons for this firstly because Del Piero is in a no scoring form so playing him as a forward makes no sense. Secondly the selection in forward is very tougher than in midfield so playing Del Piero in midfield makes room for an extra forward. As for Alex playing in midfield is not new to him and we need his experience more than anything else, which he will provide there. This means Camorenesi, De Rossi, and Blasi should complete the sub bench. Once again there is no place for Ambrosini and I feel for him but taking him and De Rossi two CDM does not make any sense especially when both of them are on the sub bench, and Even being a Milan fan I believe in De Rossi more than Ambrosini.
Forwards: Gilardino, Toni, and Cassano should be the three automatic selections. Although Cassano does not get enough playing time in Roma his talent is so high that when ever he is given the chance he proves his worth. This leaves us with two slots and a lot of players but I will pick three of them for the final competition Inzaghi, Vieri and Iquainta. Although Vieri is out of colors his record in World Cup’s is very decent. He was Italy’s highest scorer in 2002 WC, so he should get a place. With Iquainta and Inzaghi left fighting for one slot I would not pick Iquainta but rather drop Inzaghi for he has not had many games and has not tasted International football for quite some time. Finally the starting two should be Gilardino and Cassano two very talented players who can ruin any defense.
The final rosters:
Gk Buffon
RB Zambrotta
CB Nesta
CB Cannavaro
LB Grosso
RCM Gattuso
CM Pirlo
LCM Del Piero
CF Totti
ST Gilardino
ST Cassano
Sub Bench:
Goalkeepers: De Sancti, Cudinci.
Defenders: Oddo, Bonera, Bragzali.
Midfielders: Camorenesi, De Rossi, Blasi.
Forwards: Vieri, Iquainta, Toni.