Italy

[Ode to Django]

Best save i've ever seen, in a Champions League final no less

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

they're both overrated

 

[ejuventus]

No, without doubt Buffon has been better than Casillas, individually

Until 2008, when Gigi started suffering backhacke, losing different months every year, he has been simply perfect:
no errors in whole seasons, with incredible saves almost every match......giving safety to all Juventus' or Italy's defence, with great personality.
On the contrary, I can remember many mistakes by Casillas, and not so many saves.

After 2008, things have changed.
Buffon has not more been a Superman, while Casillas has got much credit because of the incredible results of Spain international team.
But he has not been so impacting as Buffon was for Italy.

I can state that with objectivity.
If it happens to talk about other Juventus or Italy players, you will notice I'm not partisan

 

[instinct]

Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain), Mirante (Parma);

Abate (Milan), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Darmian (Torino), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Paletta (Parma), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Ranocchia (Inter)

Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Parolo (Parma), Pirlo (Juventus), Romulo (Verona), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)

Balotelli (Milan), Cassano (Parma), Cerci (Torino), Destro (Roma), Immobile (Torino), Insigne (Napoli), Rossi (Fiorentina)

 

[Galning]

All playing in Italy or at PSG. Sick.

 

[Ode to Django]

Underrated going into the tournament as always, just how they like it. Probably Pirlo & Buffon last hurrah aswell, i think they will have something to say. Tough group though mind.

No Totti

 

[Der Kaiser]

Their first 11 is still good but overall the squad seems pretty weak, at least weaker than in the last few tournaments. They have some really good players coming up but I doubt their oldies can carry them to the final again. Quarterfinal maybe...

 

[FCBarca]

I think this could be an epic World Cup, I really hope we see some glorious football...Italy cannot be underestimated even if Germany is consistently the more fashionable favorite from Europe...We saw at the Euros who does the business in International tournaments, they are every bit a challenger as the Germans, for me

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Insigne Immobile Will be hard to choose just 4-5 forwards.

Only player I see missing from there is Florenzi, think he should have gotten a shot, maybe rather than Aquilani. And obviously would have been nice to see a veteran forward like Totti or Di Natale, but I wasn't really expecting it anyway.

 

[Ode to Django]

Their first 11 is still good but overall the squad seems pretty weak, at least weaker than in the last few tournaments. They have some really good players coming up but I doubt their oldies can carry them to the final again. Quarterfinal maybe...

I disagree with this, Balotelli & Rossi upfront is very good, and Cassano is as good as anybody truthfully, he just doesn't apply himself often. I love Cerci i think he's outstanding & Immobile/Destro are coming off great seasons, from the forwards.

Midfield Pirlo - standard, always the don when playing for Italy, De Rossi great all rounder, if they play 4-3-1-2 the #10 is the only problem i see in the squad as Montolivo is usually the preferred option as they lack depth and the position where he flourishes is infront of the defense where he is a don. Further forward, not so much. But not his fault, because Pirlo is still around. Motta/Verratti - again. both very good. Defense and Goalkeeper is as good as anyone in the tournament, coupled with a very good manager.

But again, i think they are in a tough group, England will play for the draw and Uruguay have the potential to beat anybody on there day. I really can't make my mind up on Italy, they have the potential to win the whole thing and at the same time crash out at the group stage.

 

[abual3bed1]

Not gonna be hard to expect the starting XI, as it won't be much different from last summer. Interesting to see Destro.

 

[zanela]

So the li'l talentless ball hog features. Good for the opp'in teams. :thumbsup2:

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

So the li'l talentless ball hog features. Good for the opp'in teams. :thumbsup2:

In all honesty he'll probably be cut unless Rossi is declared unfit.

 

[AnfieldEd]

Paletta?!? Fuck me Italy must be having problems

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Strangely he's been having a good season.