Prandelli now playing Marchisio in a wide left position which I hate as he is ineffectual there.
Pleased to see Italy in their traditional colours.
Great goalkeeping from Buffon to thwart Thiago.
Now seem to be playing a lopsided formation with a diamond in midfield headed by Marchisio and we have Cerci playing advanced on the right with Osvaldo through the middle.
Motta is too slow and laboured on the ball.
Motta then gets caught dwelling on the ball and Spain had a decent opening there with Silva.
Giaccherini coming in. :rolleyes:
Motta off.
Spain have the lead as a ball squirms under Buffon.
Giaccherini with some brainless pressing in the build-up. Gigi will be disappointed with his effort there.
Osvaldo and Cerci off.
Destro and Immobile on.
4-4-2 with Marchisio on the right and Giaccherini on the left.
Great to have strikers actually moving and making runs since Destro and Immobile have came on.
Paletta was superb tonight, had Costa under wraps all night, very aggressive and won some amount of headers despite not being the biggest for a centre half. Though we looked much more dangerous in attack when we went two up front and had two forwards who were giving the defenders some work to do.
Giaccherini was terrible when he came on, falling over the ball and running around like a headless chicken. Don’t know what Prandelli’s obsession is with him.
Give me proper strikers like Destro and Immobile any day over enigmas like Balotelli and Osvaldo.
Interesting comments from Totti today. I think this might be the first time he has publicly stated a willingness to return, most of the time when he has been questioned on it he has been quite coy.
“I would take Cassano to the World Cup.
“Alongside myself? If I am fit and well, why not?”
Couldn’t see Prandelli bring both Totti and Cassano to the World Cup as much as I would like it.
Roma veteran Francesco Totti would be “proud” to receive the call to represent Italy at the FIFA World Cup. The 37-year-old is enjoying yet another productive campaign for Roma, who sit second in Serie A, leading to talk of a return to the international fold. That speculation has been fuelled by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, who has spoken about the possibility of handing Totti a call-up for the tournament in Brazil.
Totti retired from international football in 2007, a year after his country’s success at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He has not featured for Italy since but would consider the opportunity to do so again, providing he is in good physical condition. “If Prandelli were to call me then I would be proud,” Totti told Sky Sports Italia. "I’d be happy, because the World Cup at Brazil would not come around again for me. “But, I’ve always said that I will have to see how I am physically, if I would be alright or not. That’s the main thing.”
Totti believes that Italy can repeat their efforts from Euro 2012, where they reached the final, and has backed team-mates Mattia Destro and Alessandro Florenzi for selection. “I hope that the national team can get to the final,” he added. "They have the ability to do well, then Italy have increasingly come close to the semi-finals, so we hope it bodes well. "To the World Cup I would call Destro and Florenzi - they are two players that are good for the group, that make the difference when playing.
“So, I think that they are players that absolutely should be called up. But, it is not for me to decide.”
Cesare Prandelli commented on Francesco Totti and Antonio Cassano’s World Cup chances, but asked Mario Balotelli for “respect.”
The Italy Coach spoke to Rtl Radio about preparations for the tournament in Brazil, where they’ll face England, Costa Rica and Uruguay.
“The sensations are all good and logistically things are going well. There are four teams who are the favourites, then many others.
“We want to arrive at the competition in good physical and psychological shape, because we have a particularly tough group.
“We are not afraid, as we already experienced the climate at the Confederations Cup last year and know the difficulties we will be going into.”
The campaign to get Cassano back into the Italy squad following his Parma performances is gaining momentum.
“We had two good years with Antonio in terms of results. We had a great Euros, then decided to ‘test out’ other players. Others have indeed stalled their progress a little.
“Over the last few months he is proving to be in good shape, both physically and psychologically, so my choices will exclusively be technical in nature,” noted Prandelli.
“If there was something to say or clarify about his behaviour, then we did that at the right moment. I will only evaluate the technical aspect of the player.”
The same goes for Roma captain Totti, who at the age of 37 could come out of international retirement.
“I find it enormously pleasing that a great champion, one of the best in the post-war period, gives the Italy Coach the opportunity to think of him.
“Before his injury, Totti had an extraordinary physical condition and he is now finding it again. He said that obviously a decision will only be made after verifying his fitness levels, so it’s not just a technical issue. After all, nobody can doubt Totti’s credentials.
“It’s true his age is what it is, even though he is proving he can sustain the tempo of a match. In Brazil it’ll take something more. We will evaluate his fitness levels.”
Balotelli’s physique is not the issue, as currently Milan are struggling and he is showing signs of buckling under pressure.
“Perhaps all our expectations are too high,” continued Prandelli. “Everyone thinks that Balotelli has to do something extraordinary or unthinkable every time he gets the ball.
“What I can advise Mario is that he should have great respect for all those around him and all the people he works with.
“When a player is generous on the field, he can be forgiven anything. If he wants some advice in the last few months of the season, I’d say he needs to focus only on being generous to people and that is all.”
-----Totti
Destro-Cassano
That’s a dream ticket to the World Cup - make it happen Cesare and leave Balotelli at home until he learns how to be a team player.
Antonio Cassano says he sees value in Italy taking Francesco Totti to the World Cup, whilst he also has words of advice on understanding Mario Balotelli.
The 31-year-old is back on the Azzurro agenda heading into the run-up to the World Cup in Brazil this summer, with Cesare Prandelli admitting he is in contention for a spot on the plane.
On from welcoming the prospect of that challenge, the Parma playmaker has considered another name that could join him in South America for the summer, Francesco Totti.
“He is a phenomenon. Even at 37, 38, he is scary. I would always call him up,” Cassano has enthused to the Corriere dello Sport today.
“I do not want any trouble with Prandelli, I do not want to make his selections for him.
“But, put Totti in the field, against Spain, England, anyone we would face, and he would concern anyone. And that can mean so much.
“Our good relationship? Yes, we met last time when the match [between Roma and Parma] was suspended.
“The water… [the game was rained off]. It’s always a pleasure, though since then we’ve not spoken.
“Do I hope he goes to Brazil alongside me? Yes, I hope so.”
Cassano was asked who his true friends are in football.
“The truth? I have three great friends. Three, full stop. Two from Bari and another is a guy from Naples who lives in Rome.
“Football allows you to meet so many people. It allows you to live many adventures together. There are teammates with whom you do a lot. And they give you a lot.
“The relationship remains, but contact is then reduced. Once you leave the team, you live certain emotions less. And then maybe we lose sight of each other. Football is like that.
“A hug is important, friendship counts at that moment. Then sometimes much compassion remains. But the great friendships of a lifetime are those that do not have the colour of football shirts.”
Cassano’s possible return to the national team would see him restart a relationship with Mario Balotelli, who has come under scrutiny of late for his performances at Milan.
“I can only say one thing. Carrot and stick with Balotelli and take him as he is. Do not try to change him.
“He is a good guy. But he is a bit like me, I have to be taken in the right way. And I too in certain situations saw that the right way did not find me.
“However, Balotelli is as you see him. Do not try to invent another Balotelli. Speak to him with honesty and certain things will be resolved.”
Totti wants Cassano there, Cassano wants Totti there, they both want to go there. Excellent.
Revised 23 I would like to see Prandelli take to Brazil:
Buffon
Marchetti
Sirigu
Abate
De Sciglio
Barzagi
Chiellini
Bonucci
Paletta
Criscito
De Silvestri
Pirlo
De Rossi
Marchisio
Montolivo
Verratti
Candreva
Totti
Rossi
Cassano
Destro
Cerci
Insigne
The 30 man provisional squad is due to be announced tomorrow.
I think it will be something along these lines:
Buffon
Sirigu
Perin
Abate
Maggio
De Sciglio
Criscito
Barzagli
Bonucci
Chiellini
Paletta
Astori
Pirlo
De Rossi
Montolivo
Marchisio
Motta
Verratti
Giaccherini
Candreva
Florenzi
Cerci
Insigne
Diamanti
Balotelli
Rossi
Immobile
Destro
Cassano
Gilardino
7 players will then be cut from the 30 man squad, the players I have bolded are the players who I think will definitely be going to Brazil. I think 14 of the 23 are fairly definitive, some are pretty skeptical about whether Rossi will go due to fitness concerns but he was the best player in Serie A until his injury and has featured in the last 3 matches so I believe he will go.
The places up for grabs would be the final goalkeeping spot, Marchetti would have been assured of this last, probably would have been the second choice behind Buffon but he’s a bad season with injuries and a couple of errors which will probably see him out. Perin has been great at Genoa this season and still quite young but he has now played two full seasons of Serie A so he should be ready. Scuffet is too young to go but Prandelli may decide that it would be good for his experience to go as a 3rd choice.
Full back positions is an interesting one. I have Maggio down as a certainty but in reality he might not be. Prandelli does love him but he suffered a bad lung injury recently and many questions his effectiveness as a full back. Personally I would not bring him as he I think we have better choices in this position. Abate and De Sciglio have both struggled with forms and injuries this season but they still remain our two best choices at full back. Criscito is the only natural left back who seems in contention. All 4 could possibly go and think 4 full backs should go as I don’t like the prospect of our best centre back being dragged out to cover at left back. Prandelli has gone with only 3 natural full backs in both the Euros and Confederations Cup so I would suspect he will go with the same number again.
Centre back is relatively straighforward with the Juventus boys being certainties if fit and available. The choice the comes down to whether he goes for Astori or Paletta, think Paletta will get the nod, for me he is a better defender than Astori and has had a brilliant season with Parma.
Midfield has a number of guaranteed spots - Pirlo, Marchisio, De Rossi, Montolivo and Candreva will all go. There then will be a remainder of undefined spots up for grabs. I think it will be 8 and I think it will be Motta, Verratti and Giaccherini who Prandelli will opt for. I wouldn’t bring either Motta or Giaccherini, Motta is a good player but he doesn’t really offer us anything we don’t have already, as well as that he is getting on and his fitness/stamina could be an issue. Giaccherini really should have no reckoning here but Prandelli is obsessed with him and he is versatile so I think Prandelli will bring him in the line of flexibility.
Attack is the most hotly contested area of the lot. Prandelli has confirmed he will bring 5 attackers to Brazil. Balotelli is an absolute certainty to go, I think Immobile should be pretty certain of his spot given the season he has had. I think Rossi will go despite some reservations over his fitness. This leaves two spots up for grabs, a lot of the press believe that if Prandelli picks one player it will be at the expense of a direct rival - Destro or Immobile, Cassano or Rossi, Insigne or Cerci. Seeing as Immobile and Rossi will likely go it might not bode well for Destro or Cassano. I would pick Cerci over Insigne but I imagine Insigne would be the preferred choice of Prandelli. Gilardino and Diamanti will also be in contention but there time has passed and it would be a travesty if they were included over some of the aforementioned players. I think Destro might nick the last spot as he has a degree of versatility given that he has played a lot of his football on either flank of an attacking three this summer.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BncVCNRCMAA8pLu.png
Sky Italia claim this is the provisional squad that will be picked with a decision likely to be made between Giaccherini or Rossi with Rossi likely to get the nod.
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), SalvatoreSirigu (Paris Saint Germain), *Antonio Mirante (Parma);
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), LeonardoBonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino),Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gabriel Paletta (Parma), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter);
Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), DanieleDe Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Milan),Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo(Juventus), Romulo (Verona), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain);
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci(Torino), Mattia Destro (Roma), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne(Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Fiorentina)
Pretty pleased with that, Criscito probably hard done by. Pasqual is a decent left back but I think Criscito and Antonelli are much better choices for the natural left back slot. Mirante has not been included in the 30 man list but will train with the squad in case of an injury to one of the goalkeepers. I have a feeling Romulo may be the Giaccherini of this squad due to his versatitlity - I don’t particularly rate him however I think Prandelli will take him.
I am expecting a split of 3 keepers, 7 defenders, 8 midfielders and 5 attackers. I’m happy with the attackers picked, the likes of Giovinco, Gilardino and Osvaldo have been regulars over the last 3 or 4 years with Prandelli but they have shown they are not up to it in that time. Genoa jumped the gun earlier and tweeted congratulations to Perin and Gilardino for making the squad. 
Marchetti & Giacherini both left out?! Thought Giacherini has had a very decent season at Sunderland, is it a case of “out of sight, out of mind”?!