Has this been put up here yet?
Clarse
It assumes they would both be selected though Piles (Whelan and Andrews that is. I think there’s a distinct likelihood that Xavi and Iniesta would make it into the Spanish team)
Nice idea, shockingly executed.
[quote=“Mr. Totti, post: 634302”]
Rocko, I’m after slaving over this during my lunch hour, where shall I post it up?[/quote]
Email it to admin at the free kick dot com.
[quote=“Rocko, post: 634306”]
Email it to admin at the free kick dot com.[/quote]
Rocko how do I get the green t-shirt you designed for this? Can’t remember what thread it’s in? There doesn’t appear to be a shop in the mobile app?
Can I PM to you instead?
:barcasmile:
Where can I get one of these?
I was walking around Roches Stores on Henry Street a few days after the Saipan debacle and saw a t-shirt with a big picture of Roy Keane’s face and the words “KEANO - WORLD CUP 2002” emblazoned underneath. I was always sorry I didn’t splash out the €15 that would have secured my claim on that collector’s item. I won’t make the same mistake again with this t-shirt.
There was supposedly a t-shirt doing the rounds in Cork saying something like:
Front: Michael Collins and Roy Keane…two Cork heroes
Back: Shot in the back
Italy qualified for this summer’s European Championships very comfortably, remaining unbeaten and helping restore some pride in Azzurri after their ill-fated 2010 World Cup in South Africa. New manager Cesare Prandelli has set about renovating the squad and putting his imprint upon the side. Playing a 4-3-1-2, Prandelli has set Italy out to play a very easy-on-the-eye style of football. Antonio Cassano was the star of the show in qualifying, netting 6 goals in qualification and acting as the talisman for Prandelli’s side. Long been considered the problem child of Italian football, Cassano has showed a mature side to himself in recent year and enjoys a very warm relationship with his manager.
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Gigi Buffon is a certainty to travel barring any major injury or such. He will likely be joined by two of Morgan De Sanctis, Salvatore Sirigu, Emiliano Viviano and Federico Marchetti. De Sanctis would be most likely to travel with Sirigu and Viviano battling it out for the third keeper slot.
Defence:
The defence pretty much picks itself for Prandelli. Abate and Maggio look nailed-on for the right back vacancies, Barzagli and Chiellini will likely be Italy’s starting centre half, Leonardo Bonucci’s good recent form and position in the meanest defence in Europe has likely secured his place ahead of former Bari teammate Andrea Ranocchia who has had an indifferent season blighted by injury and form problems at struggling Inter. Angelo Ogbonna has impressed when he has featured for Italy under Prandelli and his ability to cover at left back will likely see the Serie B man grab the fourth central defensive spot. Davide Astori and Ranocchia will be waiting in the wings for any injuries to these four centre backs. At left back Domenico Criscito seems to have ousted Federico Balzaretti as Italy’s starting left back, Balzaretti looks likely to go as his back-up though the recent impressive form of Juventus left back Paolo De Ceglie could throw him into contention.
Midfield:
Italy boasts a very impressive midfield. Anchored by the supreme Andrea Pirlo who has arguably been the best player in Serie A this season (a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic would have something to say about this). He will joined by one of Rome’s two pillars, the peerless Daniele De Rossi has rediscovered his best form this season and it is a huge boost to Prandelli, few midfielders can rival an in-form De Rossi, actually make that zero. Thiago Motta adds some abrasiveness and with De Rossi and Motta flanking the gifted Pirlo, Italy won’t be out-muscled in midfield. Nocerino and Marchisio will offer goals from midfield and will both be hoping a strong end to the season (where they battle each other for the Scudetto ) will propel them into Prandelle’s first team choices. What some would align as the weakness in Prandelli’s new look Italy would be the role of trequartista. It’s so secret that Italy have struggled ever since the retirement of the greatest no.10 in football when Francesco Totti called it a day after the pinnacle of Berlin 2006. Riccardo Montolivo and Alberto Aquilani have been tried in this role but with neither being naturals in this position they have put in some indifferent performances. Overall these 7 midfielders look safe for Euro 2012. Lazio’s Stefano Mauri and Atalanta’s Luca Cigarini would be the likely choices to step-in in the event of injuries.
Attack:
Italy was rocked at the end of 2011 with the health problems of Antonio Cassano and serious knee injury suffered by Giuseppe Rossi. These two players struck up such an impressive partnership under Prandelli and while Cassano has recently returned to action, Rossi has suffered a reoccurrence of the injury and will definitely miss Euro 2012. With Rossi’s unavailability a slot has opened up in the starting line-up and in the squad. Five attackers are likely to travel and provided Cassano proves he has made a full recovery he will be one of them. Sebastian Giovinco, Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini have been regular faces in Prandelli’s squad and should travel despite Balotelli causing some consternation with his chequered disciplinary past and Pazzini struggling for form with Inter this season. The final striking spot is up for grabs, Juventus Alessandro Matri, Roma duo Fabio Borini and Pablo Osvaldo and Udinese’s Antonio Di Natale will likely scrap it out. Prandelli has not discounted a return for Alessandro Del Piero or Francesco Totti but it would appear unlikely he would call upon them. Juventus striker Fabio Quagliarella is another long shot.
Tactical Analysis:
Likely line-up:
[Soccer][gk]Buffon[/gk]
[rb]Maggio[/rb] [rcb]Barzagli[/rcb] [lcb]Chiellini[/lcb] [lb]Criscito[/lb]
[rcm]De Rossi[/rcm] [cm]Pirlo[/cm] [lcm]Motta[/lcm]
[cam]Montolivo[/cam]
[rcf]Pazzini[/rcf] [lcf]Cassano[/lcf][/Soccer]
While not boasting some of the household names of previous Italian sides, the Italian defence has a very solid look about. Having the best defensive record in qualifying – only conceding two goals (one of them to the wonderful Alex Kolarov), and 3 of the likely back 5 coming from Juventus who hold the best defensive record across Europe’s top leagues – nobody should underestimate the miserly nature of this Italian defence. Gigi Buffon recently broke Dino Zoff’s record for caps in goal, the captain has proven to be one of the greatest keepers to ever grace the game and he provides such a reassuring and calming presence to his side. Italy boast two outstanding attacking right backs in Abate and Maggio, both have the physique and speed of 100 metre sprinters. Maggio is likely to get the nod here and he carries a big goal threat, especially from an aerial perspective (look for Pirlo clipping balls into the back post for Maggio to attack).
Barzagli and Chiellini provide a solid partnership at both club level and international level. Chiellini is one of the best defenders around and Barzagli is a reliable partner beside him. Criscito may not be as forceful as his wingmen on the right hand side but he is nevertheless a good attacking outlet from left back and a reliable defender. Balzaretti is a very raw full back but continually makes forays forward, although his final ball is mostly lacking.
In midfield, Andrea Pirlo is the beating heart of this Italian side, the Juventus man is mesmeric when you see him play, he saunters around the pitch at half pace with a wand of a right foot that can put the ball anywhere. So calm on the ball, you will never see him rushed into a decision. Quite simply, when Pirlo plays, Italy play. His passing is an art of deception, his ability to delay and disguise passes is unrivalled in football, lulling teams into a false sense of security before delivering a pass you’d imagine impossible. De Rossi is another world class performer in midfield, the term ‘complete midfielder’ was invented for De Rossi. His skills are not only imperious but transferable (he has played in centre back for Roma this season at times), he is combative, strong, athletic but he also has wonderful technical skills, comfortable pinging balls 70/80 yards of either foot, he pertains a wonderful tactical mind with his reading to the game, what’s more is De Rossi is a leader a warrior. Thiago Motta makes up the final part of this trio, spikey and abrasive would be two words to describe Motta, he’ll be there in an enforcer manner in the Italian midfield protecting the crown jewel, Pirlo. A good left foot and a very tactical outlook make Motta a very important player in this midfield. Montolivo and Aquilani will battle it out for the advanced midfield role, both players are comfortable on the ball and will also be able to sit back deeper and help out if needed. Both players have received criticism for the passive nature of their game – flitting in and out of play – but they remain talented players with a decent passing range. Montolivo is likely to get the nod despite a below-par performance for struggling Fiorentina, his former manager Prandelli is a big fan and his trust could be very important.
In attack, the question is who will partner Cassano. Prandelli opted for the two little men in Rossi and Cassano through qualification and this led to superb results, a very attractive and cohesive partnership was formed, given Rossi’s absence Prandelli must now decide whether to revert to type and give another small man in Giovinco the nod or opt for the clinical Pazzini or enigmatic Balotelli. Pazzini seems to hold the trump card here as he possesses a great understanding with Cassano during their time at Sampdoria where they forged the best attacking partnership in Serie A, but his form must be a real worry for Prandelli, having started off superbly following his move to Inter in January 2011, scoring 11 in 17 Serie A games in the second half of the season, he has since found the going tough in his second season, only finding the net 8 times in a tumultuous campaign. Balotelli has had disciplinary issues hanging over him with both Prandelli and his biggest believer in football (Roberto Mancini) saying that it’s impossible to trust him, still the young man possesses great talent and his boss will he hoping he finds some maturity this summer. For those of you who watched Italy’s qualification with interest the starring shows of Antonio Cassano will not have gone unnoticed, finally the player that never was appeared we thought, only for a very worrying health concern to arise. Italy will hope that doesn’t impinge on him this summer. ‘Fantantonio’ on his game is one of the most delightful players around, a velvet touch, he makes the ball move in ways only a snake charmer makes a snake move. Cassano is what football should be about, entertainment, whether it be off the pitch or on it, there is never a dull moment around, a player who never fulfilled his potential, but with a player with so much potential he didn’t to this is arguably his last big chance to do something major, he has the ability – now let’s hope he delivers.
The Italian gameplan will revolve around the creative brilliance of Pirlo and Cassano, these are without doubt the two star individuals of this Italian side. Both full backs are without doubt a massive component as well, with things likely to get congested in the centre due to Italy’s narrow shape, the surging runs from full back (Maggio in particular) will look to supply Italy with that extra width. The influence of their coach Prandelli is another key factor, in international football, it is my opinion that team spirit is of much more importance than at a club level. Prandelli has done a fantastic job in creating a great spirit in the Italian camp and his handling of Cassano has been wonderful, rewards which he has reaped in his performances. The players remain grounded and it suits Italy going into the championships with a lowered expectation, much like the 2006 World Cup.
Rocko, please put this up on the front page where it belongs. I hope illiterate dullards masquerading as sports journalists (e.g. Ewan MacKenna) have the courtesy not to plagiarise my excellent work come the summer time as they try to spoof their way through their lack of sporting knowledge and insight.
MARCO TARDELLI[/url] says [url=“http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Richard_Dunne”]Richard Dunne[/url] will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness for [url=“http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Euro_2012”]Euro 2012, but insists that the defender will not be brought to Poland if he is not fully fit.
Dunne’s[/url] importance to the cause is such that [url=“http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Giovanni_Trapattoni”]Giovanni Trapattoni could delay naming his Ireland squad for the tournament. The Italian plans to reveal the 23-strong panel on May 7, with the rest of his fringe players being placed on standby.
UEFA’s deadline for submitting the squad is on May 29 and the fitness of his players could cause Trapattoni to use some of that grace period to give injured players like Dunne, Stephen Hunt, Stephen Kelly and Keith Fahey an opportunity to recover fully.
And it is Dunne who is clearly dominating the thoughts of the management as they sweat on the 31-year-old’s fitness ahead of the kick-off in 49 days’ time against Croatia.
“I think it’s possible to change some things. It’s possible also to change the date,” said assistant boss Tardelli yesterday.
"We will speak with Giovanni and we know after one week if it is possible to do the squad or not. We don’t know at this moment because we have many injured players.
"We want to wait on our players because they deserve to stay with us. But we also have the new solution because the young players are playing very well – like (James) McClean, like (James) McCarthy. But I hope that the injured players are fit for Poland.
“If Richard is injured, is it possible to stay in the squad? No. Definitely not. I hope that Richard Dunne stays with us but (not if injured).”
Dunne has returned to light training at Aston Villa and has been running freely in recent days.
His club manager Alex McLeish has urged the centre-half to be patient as he recovers from surgery on his collarbone, and Tardelli says Villa’s medical staff will ultimately decide on the timing of his return.
“I don’t know. I hope, but I don’t know. I think the Aston Villa doctor will decide for him,” he said.
Sounds more doubtful about Dunne than I’d previously thought. But you’d still expect him to be fine if he’s back in light training.
You would also have to wonder what Dunne’s physical shape will be like. He can try do all the work he likes, but match fitness always seemed vital to his ability to perform at his highest level, especially at this stage of his career.
He’s the heaviest player in the Barclays Premier League™ I believe.
I saw that stat pop up somewhere but wasn’t too sure of its validity. Probably not far off I’d say. I’d be worried, very worried.
I am hurt, annoyed and hurt that my article hasn’t received enough praise, yet alone any praise. I know I post a large volume of excellent posts, ranging from witty to intelligent to profound and some people are worried that acknowledging this may draw labels like ‘brown-nosing’, ‘Smithers’ and so on due to my high success rate, but since when was other’s perceptions more important that doing what is actually just.
I’m waiting until I have some time to just relax in my study, open a nice bottle of red and breath both in at the same time totti.
Thanks mate, I think gola may had intimidated people from recognising my posts, I know there is a prevailing feeling on the board that those afflicted with autism have suffered enough.