Riccardo Montolivo - extends until 2012 - TalkSoccer

**D-Kin** · 25-12-2006, 06:52 PM

What do you think?

Personally I think he'll be Totti's replacement in the NT when he retires. He probably doesn't score as many goals as he should but he's a creative genius and can play the trequartista position extremely well. Remember, he basically carried the U21 side that qualified for the European Championship next summer.

We shouldn't be surprised with this talent though, he's from the Atalanta youth team.

**Jager** · 25-12-2006, 08:44 PM

Hard to say, I think speaking offensively, it will be Montolivo or Aquilani, and at this stage I would give it to the Roman.

Having said this, Montolivo has huge upside, and if he continues to dominate his peer group like he has done already, it will be no time before Montolivo starts laying his mark on Serie A.

I'm a big fan of his, been following his progress a bit.

Things do look a bit strange though, with the similarities with Baggio and Fiorentina.....I hope they can afford to keep him.

**D-Kin** · 25-12-2006, 11:12 PM

Aquilani plays further back though as a CM so I wouldn't call him a trequartista. However, I do rate him highly and I don't think the slight change of position would be too much of a problem for him.

The advantage with Montolivo is that he can play wide left as well but he's much more effective in a central position.

**Jager** · 25-12-2006, 11:44 PM

Your assuming that the Azzurri will always play with a trident, which was only adapted to satisfy the inclusion of Totti, then was quickly abandoned in the later rounds of the WC, in where he became a number two.

I feel Aquilani will make noises at the next WC. He could play in any formation really. Though I feel there might be a problem with Pirlo there too? The Azzurri do not like "too much" creativity in the back......unless they play the diamon?

As for Montolivo, he needs to continue his development, which he will.

Can Montolivo play right up front, as a number two...or is he purely a AM?

As for Fiorentina, they are sitting very pretty. I feel Toni will move though, but the added funds should help secure a top class striker.

Possibly some Brazilian or Argentine........

**D-Kin** · 25-12-2006, 11:53 PM

Very good points.

But would you not want Italy to play with a number 10 behind the strikers? Of course we need someone that's good enough but I have high hopes for Montolivo, the fact that he's looked in a class of his own for the U21's is a good sign.

As for whether he can play up front or off a main striker I'd say probably not. He hasn't got any pace and he can't shoot, his strength is his intelligence.

**D-Kin** · 25-12-2006, 11:58 PM

For those that don't know, this is what he's capable of. He just doesn't score goals like this as often as he should. This was the playoff game with Spain as well.

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**Jager** · 25-12-2006, 11:59 PM

Man, you described Pirlo.....

I look at it this way, Italian football strength is that its players are good in all areas, and usually have no weaknesses, this especially true of our midfielders.

Just look at the four we can field right at the moment.....one could argue that all our midfielders could be DMs on other teams...LOL

**Jager** · 26-12-2006, 12:00 AM

That goal of the volley, at that angle.....wow.

**D-Kin** · 26-12-2006, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jager

Man, you described Pirlo.....

Maybe Montolivo will drop back to a deeper role like Pirlo did....?

You never know.

**Jager** · 26-12-2006, 12:04 AM

You never know, he is still young, we don't know who will influence him or that he will finish his career with Fiorentina.

Forza_Roma · 02-01-2007, 09:47 PM

Great goal, he may be a replacement for Totti one day....they have one thing in common....

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**D-Kin** · 03-01-2007, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forza_Roma

Great goal, he may be a replacement for Totti one day....they have one thing in common....

YouTube - F. Totti volley goal against sampdoria

I prefer the Totti goal, it's on his weaker foot and it's right in the bottom corner.

Montolivo can learn a lot from Totti because at the moment he isn't the goal scoring threat that he should be.

**Jager** · 03-01-2007, 12:33 AM

The Totti goal is pure class, very few players can strike that on a volley, pick the forner corner, on his right foot...going across the keeper on that side??

Incredible.....

**D-Kin** · 03-01-2007, 12:34 AM

He's in the form of his life at the moment in my opinon, he really is a joy to watch.

**Jager** · 03-01-2007, 01:16 AM

He is, but still gets very little play outside of Italy.

Anyways, back to Montolivo.....is he injured now?