Italia: La Nazionale II

Some finished scrub wearing the new Italy kit

Might risk it all for a Bernardeschi home kit

I like the new badge much more but prefer the old kit

I like the new kit more tbh

2002 was the GOAT kits, 2006 was clean with the blue over gold

2009 confederations cup kit is the favourite one I own



This blue + brown shorts

2002 is GOAT. I still have mine.

The current one is one of my favorites, feels clean and classic for me.

I think we might see something like this tonight given the squad that made it.

Buffon; Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli; Darmian, Parolo, Gagliardini, Zappacosta; Insigne, Immobile, Verdi

That's a correct team given the injuries.

This one is my favorite kit. Not gonna lie i don't remember if this is the one you currently use, and i watched the game vs Israel

The current kit is the one I posted above. This one:

Yes it's decent. Unlike the one in post #376.

Forza Ventura

So drab. 30 minutes of intensity and then 60 minutes of apathy.

We suck, midfield two of Gagliardini and Parolo is poor, no one pulling the strings. I think it starts and ends there.

If we have a fit Marchisio, Verratti and De Rossi, we may have an ok starting 11. The likeliness of that happening is like getting struck by lightning while holding the winning lottery ticket though

If only someone like Jorginho was there...

I understand that Italy has a tendency not to really care about matches like this, they don't come out to win 6-0 when they severely outclass the opposition, they'll take a 1-0 or 2-0 and call it a night and that's fine.

But when you keep putting out displays like this, its like why bother? Why not just play a bunch of young kids and have them run like crazy? Why insist on such veteran players and have them turn out such garbage performances game after game?

It is somewhat unfathomable. Matches drawn like yesterday means that even i Italy do make it through playoffs (a big IF with Ventura), then they'll be seeded lower because its based on FIFA rankings which will see Italy seeded lower for failing to win matches like these. Maybe it is a slight exaggeration but there is validity in this point, they shoot themselves in the foot.

Conte was far from perfect, he launched an attack based around Eder and Pelle but he got everything he could out of those players when the time came for the Euro, I don't believe in Ventura but I would be happy to be proven wrong

Which ones were the veteran players that didn't run? The mid/attack was Zappacosta, Darmian, Gagliardini, Parolo, Insigne, Immobile and Verdi.

These aren't players that Ventura is "insisting on", these are the new faces that should run their asses off like you say. From the firs leg last year in Macedonia, only 1 player from the mid/attack remained out of 6 (Immobile).

These aren't really valid critiques for this games. Ventura's picks from his own words were Verratti, De Rossi and Pellegrini. These two are a midfield that has never played before. Same for Verdi who was a debutant. Belotti was injured.

The main issue yesterday was that no one gave a *bleep*. Even the (Italy) players said it after the game that it was a mental/motivation issue. Pandev even said it after the match "you could tell they weren't playing for anything".

Another issue is that these players never played before because of injuries and a change of system.

Injuries aside which is just unfortunate, its all on Ventura. He has to motivate the team and the right solutions for his squad. He said before the game that the main thing needed was "enthusiasm" and there they failed. The lineup was good for what was available but the movement and understanding were not well worked.

Ancelotti to take over after the WC?

It's not exaggeration imo, to be honest i don't think i ever see you exaggerate.

Ventura crossed the line between the questionable and the ridiculous. Reminds me of Scolari 2014, building a team that fits his agenda instead of calling up the best possible squad. It ended up as a disaster.

With everyone fit Italy can be top 5 in Europe. Now some pillars are injured, but Jorginho was available instead of Cristante. It's not like the world cup is in 3 years and there is plenty of time to juggle with strategics...

rincon wrote:Which ones were the veteran players that didn't run? The mid/attack was Zappacosta, Darmian, Gagliardini, Parolo, Insigne, Immobile and Verdi.

These aren't players that Ventura is "insisting on", these are the new faces that should run their asses off like you say. From the firs leg last year in Macedonia, only 1 player from the mid/attack remained out of 6 (Immobile).

These aren't really valid critiques for this games. Ventura's picks from his own words were Verratti, De Rossi and Pellegrini. These two are a midfield that has never played before. Same for Verdi who was a debutant. Belotti was injured.

The main issue yesterday was that no one gave a *bleep*. Even the (Italy) players said it after the game that it was a mental/motivation issue. Pandev even said it after the match "you could tell they weren't playing for anything".

Another issue is that these players never played before because of injuries and a change of system.

Injuries aside which is just unfortunate, its all on Ventura. He has to motivate the team and the right solutions for his squad. He said before the game that the main thing needed was "enthusiasm" and there they failed. The lineup was good for what was available but the movement and understanding were not well worked.

Wrong choice of words, by running like crazy I just mean putting in a very solid effort. You can tell that players like Chiellini, Barzagli, Immobile, Insigne, they were working but enthusiasm is the right choice of word. It's another very stale performance and I understand that after the Spain massacre, the group is over so it is about preparation for the playoffs now but you can only put in so many poor performances.

Warri is right, like, legit how tf is Jorginho not yet called up? Its insane, when guys like Montolivo get called up. Ventura is a beta and a cuck. No tactical nous, guy just smokes and plays whoever Gazetta headlines. This Italy team will have the same outcome as the 2010 one

There was this young midfielder at the U21 Euros who looked really, really good, Pellegrini, maybe he should be part of the senior side in the absence of the big name midfielders

How has he been doing since returning to Roma?

Hapless_Hans wrote:There was this young midfielder at the U21 Euros who looked really, really good, Pellegrini, maybe he should be part of the senior side in the absence of the big name midfielders

How has he been doing since returning to Roma?

He's been doing well, he was part of this call up but pulled out because of injury I believe

@Hans Pellegrini is fantastic for club ando country. He already beat everyone in the pecking order except Verratti and De Rossi (Marchisio is always injured). He was called up and named by Ventura as his "next" midfielder after the 2 starters, but he got injured.

Right. Thanks guys. Looking forward to this guy in the future.

1-1 against FYROM
Joke of a NT, joke of a manager (always said, since he became Italy manager. Never understood the hype around the Italian Harry Redknapp ). We 'd not pass the play off atm , terrible mental conditions

Apparently the squad (no management) had a meeting organized by the senior players (imagine Buffon, De Rossi, Barzagli) to confront whatever mental block they have atm and try to get their heads straight.

They all need to wake up and Ventura needs to sort his ideas. Ancelotti would be amazing.

This manager has better players available than Conte had. Ventura has no charisma and not only effectively lacks intellect, he looks the part of someone lacking intellect. I am doubtful that Italy will get the World Cup next year, but if they do, they will drop out in the group stage.