Italia: La Nazionale II

Marchisio was probably the most important player in the setup. Devastating.

Jorginho, Motta and Monotlivo are in line but none of them can provide that same tactical awareness. Bonucci mentioned after the injury that he'd like to try it in midfield for Italy. It could work similar to what De Rossi did with Prandelli at the start of Euro 2012.

For how good Motta is, he just seems to old. Maybe he can bring it up for one last tournament. If not, Jorginho would me pick to partner Verratti.

Also, El Shaarawy keeps impressing. I could see him starting over Insigne. He would be a good compromise between the styles of Insigne and Eder.

I'd personally start El Shaarawy on the left and bring Insigne on as a super sub, but throughout the tournament we'll need to rotate and they represent two excellent options on the left flank.

With Marchisio's injury I personally feel that, depending on the opposition, we should either go 4-4-2 and have Jorginho and Verratti in the centre or if a three man midfield is preferred, put Florenzi into the middle of the park to inject a bit of pace and drive.

I feel that with Motta and Montolivo, it's not a case of a lack of tactical awareness as both understand the DM role very well, but a lack of physical dynamism. Motta was never very quick to begin with but Montolivo's never been the same physically since his leg break, which is understandable. Jorginho's had a superb season though and while he's not as experienced he brings technique and tenacity to the pitch. I personally wanted him to be on the pitch anyway next to Claudio but he'll have to shoulder a much greater burden if we're to go anywhere this summer.

is Pirlo confirmed not playing?

Yeah, about Motta and Montolivo I shouldn't have said "tactical awareness", I meant more like "tactical prescence" (being where they need to be). Motta specially knows the role as much anyone out there, but he isn't dynamic enough anymore.

I'm thinking more around the 3-4-3 that Conte played in the last friendlies.

Buffon; Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli; Darmian, Jorginho, Verratti, Florenzi; El Shaarawy, Pelle, Candreva.

Or with Motta instead of Jorginho now.

A midfield 3 would be good too. Jorginho/Motta in the middle, Verratti on the right, and one of Soriano/Parolo/Florenzi on the left. Works as well.

giovanni_milan wrote:is Pirlo confirmed not playing?

Basically. He says he is available and that he is satisfied with his Italy career and its all up to Conte. But I don't see it happening.

Yeah based on the non-calls and Conte's comments it doesnt look likely.

Would have been nice to know that though, would have watched his last game more closely.

He plays in MLS , I believe it is enough

Pirlo is a living legend but no one that play in the MLS should be called up for a tournament for Italy. Including Giovinco.

Pirlo is good enough for us in his sleep.

Pirlo is the best central midfielder I've ever seen but in 1 year of MLS he'd lose far too much sharpness. He was already slowing down in his last year at Juve. Now he is 1 year older and spent a season playing with scrubs.

Apparently Verratti is at high risk of missing the euros. Well, there goes all my optimism. Marchisio-Verratti gone just destroys Italy.

Who knows how we'll lineup now. Back to a midfield 3? Maybe Florenzi-Motta-Soriano/Bona or sticking with the line of 4 and something like Florenzi-Motta-Soriano-Darmian

Verratti to miss the Euro. Getting surgery and will miss 8 weeks minimum.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Euro-marco-verratti-italie-forfait-selon-le-psg/669171

damn

Italy's best player he was.

Him and Marchisio were problably the two best players .
That's incredible

Prepare your anuses my Italian colleagues

I think Pirlo will be called up now, no Marchisio and Verratti in a Conte team that emphasizes the play of central midfielders in as much quantity and quality as he can use

I'd hire Ranieri for the Euro tbh

I believe Bertolacci will be an adept replacement (:

Montoleader

Mehntolivo got this (:

I didn't even rate prime Montolivo and now this

Conte going to become the first player-manager in the modern tournament era and start in the midfield himself

I hope Montolivo doesn't get any space here. I think I would rely on De Rossi, he is always immense for the national team.

De Rossi, Motta, Jorginho, Soriano, Florenzi, Parolo. Pick 2/3 from those and hope for the best. Just no Montolivo.

I really liked the 3-4-3 but it's probably better to go defensive now with a 3-5-2 with Antonelli and Darmian on WB or at least a 4-4-2 with the same fullbacks and El Sha and Florenzi on LM/RM

Seriously though... Italy needs to reach back and revive their Catenaccio days which wasn't so long ago. 10 years isn't that far off.

I'm good with the catenaccio. That 3-5-2 I mentioned with:

Buffon; Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli; Darmian, Soriano, Jorginho, De Rossi, Florenzi; Insigne, Pelle

Or Darmian on the right and Antonelli on the left for more cover. Stay and back and be annoyingly hard to break down.

rincon wrote:I'm good with the catenaccio. That 3-5-2 I mentioned with:

Buffon; Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli; Darmian, Soriano, Jorginho, De Rossi, Florenzi; Insigne, Pelle

Or Darmian on the right and Antonelli on the left for more cover. Stay and back and be annoyingly hard to break down.

I like that 11, I hope Chiellini is fit- I fear he won't be given his recent run of injuries. I hope Insigne is given the keys to attack, he is the only creative element on the team now

If there were any expectations for this team, they surely must now have been lessened- I think that can be seen as a positive now.

I believe