The Azzurri Depth "Chart"....

[dukeofdavinci]

good thread.some how after the wc and ec some of our players may not be up to it to the wc 2010 but maybe until the qualifiers but not the finals tho.

so where do we start??at wch department do we are lacking the players??

gk buffon is good for at least till the wc and who knows maybe beyond, we go up a tier comes the defense we got chellini in the middle but im still not sure who he will partner.its between 2 , Gamberini, Barzagli.both of them needs to up their game.on either flanks zambrotta eeds a replacement and grosso is settled there.

another their mid-field is the least worried position we have plenty of support here.Montolivo, Aquilani, Rosina, De Rossi, Dessena, Cigarini.

finally the front.cant look up any more to pippo nor gla and toni, not at the finals but maybe at certain qulifiers would be tho.

now is the time to give a chance and settle in the like of rossi, Balotelli, pazzini and Giovinco along wth the likes of cassano, Quagliarella, di natale, as "experianced players.

[llewelyn]

I'd add Dossena at LB. He had a good year at Udinese and was one of Italy's best players, along with Rosina, in the friendly against South Africa.

I agree with Azzurri on Maggio.

Another player I'd add to the chart is midfielder Angelo Palombo from Sampdoria.

[sinoy1]

GK: Buffon, Amelia,Viviano,Curci,De Sanctis

LB:Grosso, Pasqual, De Ceglie,Dossena

CB:Chiellini, Gamberini, Barzagli, Criscito, Santacroce,

RB: Andreolli, Zaccardo, Raggi, Motta,De Silvestre Maggio

DM: De Rossi,Barone,Donadel

CM/RM/LM: Pirlo, Montolivo, Aquilani, Rosina, De Rossi, Dessena, Cigarini, Esposito,Semioli,Palombo,Diana,Mauri

AM: Rosina, Cassano, Giovinco, Russotto

FW: Borrielo, Gilardino, Pazzini, Balotelli, Cassano, Rossi, Quagliarella, Acquafresca, Paloschi,Bianchi,RocchiPazzini

Addede the players mentioned.Sorry didnt notice this thread earlier.Really interested to see how the under 21 players develope though.

I prefer De Silvestre more to Maggio although Ive seen DS more then Maggio.

Players like Osvaldo and Abate are ones to watch out for in the Olympics.I hope Cerci gets the call.He did amazing in Pisa and nearly got promoted.

[dukeofdavinci]

it all depends on how the u21 pushing their boys up and how lippi view on them.

he cant depend too much on our senior senior players but at the same time not giving the young lads a chance to prove them selfs.tho they will have 2 years to try and break in.

[llewelyn]

The Azzurri's next game isn't until February against Brazil, so I thought it'd be fun to go back to this thread and see more or less what Lippi's depth chart looks like after 6 games of being back in charge. The order is pretty much how I believe Lippi views his depth chart.

GK: Buffon, Amelia, De Sanctis, Curci

Basing it off this last friendly alone, it seems De Sanctis is third choice behind Buffon and Amelia. Buffon recently mentioned Cagliari's keeper Federico Marchetti as one to look at for the future, but these four keppers are the only ones to be called up by Lippi so far. Curci may move up on the chart depending on how he does with Siena the rest of the season.

RB: Zambrotta, Bonera

Zambrotta has started every qualification game so far and is by far the best RB the Azzurri has at the moment. Bonera has played CB more often than RB for Milan I think, but there really is no one else that has stepped up. Lippi has stated Maggio doesn't really fit into his system and played him as a winger in the Greece friendly. I haven't been too impressed with Motta and De Silvestri has barely played for Lazio.

LB: Grosso, Dossena

Dossena has lost his place for Liverpool and Grosso always seems to save his best for the Azzurri, so although Dossena has started a couple of qualifying matches, I'd still say it's Grosso's job to lose. Both Pasqual and De Ceglie aren't getting much playing time. I think Crisicito has a good chance of breaking into Lippi's team, but he plays in a 3 man backline for Genoa and the jury's still out as to whether he's a better CB or LB.

CB: Cannavaro, Chiellini, Legro, Gamberini, Santacroce, Barzagli

It's debatable whether or not Legro is ahead of Gamberini, but based on form it should be a no brainer. Cannavaro, while in decline, is still the captain and leader of the team. Chiellini is undoubtedly his partner, while Legro, Gambero, and Santacroce add good cover. Santacroce has all the potential to be 3rd choice come 2010 and maybe even a starter. Barzagli is on the list for now, but his last few performances for the Azzurri have been horrible.

MF: Pirlo, De Rossi, Gattuso, Aquilani, Palombo, Montolivo, Perrotta, Maggio, D'Agostino

I grouped all the midfielders together even though it's clear that they aren't all competing with one another for a spot. As far as I'm concerned, Pirlo and De Rossi and interchangeable in terms of where they stand with Lippi right now. Of course that can change. Milan fans may want to chime in, but I've read Gattuso's been one of their best players so far this season. Aquilani had the big game against Montenegro, but he's seemingly always hurt. I put Palombo ahead of Montolivo and the rest are still fighting to cement a place in the squad. It's going to be really hard for anyone else to break into the midfield because I didn't even include Camoranesi who is being played out of position to accomodate Lippi's 4-3-3.

CF: Gilardino, Toni

Gilardino's started more games for Lippi this time around, though I'm not sure Lippi still doesn't have more confidence in Toni. Borriello at Milan has the best chance of moving ahead of one of them and if Amauri gets his passport, his name will be in the mix as well.

Wingers/SS: Camoranesi, Di Natale, Pepe, Rossi, Del Piero, Iaquinta, Quagliarella

I don't have a source, but the announcers for the Greece friendly were saying how Lippi stated that he would always call Camoranesi, even if he wasn't playing at Juventus (which only happens when he's hurt). Di Natale has started every game for Lippi except this last friendly. When 2010 rolls around I think Rossi could be ahead of everyone on this list. It's a longshot, but depending on how next summer's u-21s go, I could see Ignazio Abate getting a look and possibly more. Before he got hurt he was one of Torino's best players and fits perfectly into Lippi's formation.

What do you guys think?

[azzurri]

Cassano? I havent been following Sampdoria though, other than their spot on the weekly highlights where he seems to create alot of chances.


If Rossi can make it, Seba definitely can. He just needs some playing time, which he isn't getting atm. It's still early though, and over the next 2 seasons I'm sure he will make a name for himself.

[llewelyn]

Completely forgot about Cassano. He obviously has the talent to be there.

You're right about Giovinco. I think a lot will depend on how well he does at next summer's championships. Aquilani and Chiellini were our best players in 2007 and were the only two from that team to make the Euro 2008 squad, so a good tournament from him and who knows.

[sinoy1]

Lippi refuses to call Cassano.Even after showing up week after week.Providing goals.Scoring wonder goals himself.He is definately the #10 Italy desperately needs.That sense of flair and unpredictibility.Sadly Lippi just wont call him.

Good to see my boy D'agostino making it big.Never wanted him to leave Roma.Its good that he's finally showing his true potential.

Perrotta needs to be dropped,axed,mamed and possibly go MIA.Brighi has been 10 times the man Perrotta has been.Id like to see him get a shot at the Azzuri shirt given the fact that he's been simply amazing this season for us.He's definately the string keeping Roma together.

[cerebral_assassin]

Isnt zambro younger than grosso?