The coach, who saw the blue players in London, will once again focus on his block: he will insert the winger and the playmaker
When the going gets tough, it’s time for the tough, said John Belushi. And there isn’t a tougher game than these world playoffs for us. So let’s not expect sensational news from the list with which Gattuso will try to bring us to America. We will see all the usual suspects again in March plus Palestra, whose entry into the national team can no longer be postponed, and Verratti, if the desert roses bloom. There will be two finals (at least hopefully two), “in or out” matches: the possible second match, decisive, in Wales or Bosnia, against national teams whose mental state is the opposite of ours. The Azzurri carrying the ghost of their third consecutive elimination, Bosnians or Welshmen facing an appointment with history that does not force them to win
the fixed points
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Italy will start again from the fixed points of this cycle. Gattuso’s six-match squad. The three-man defense. The double center forward. From Norway to today, something has changed in almost all departments. In attack, Esposito is continuing his exponential growth, Scamacca has become a serious rival for Kean and Retegui, and Raspadori is back playing in Bergamo. Other good news in midfield: Spalletti has transformed Locatelli into the playmaker we didn’t have, a central defender who sets, defends and provides balance. Then there is the Verratti idea which is not necessarily an alternative to the Juventus player given that, physically, Mancini’s Italy point guard is better as a midfielder. The coach hopes so. Let’s continue. On the outside, Palestra can disrupt the hierarchies, but there is always Politano who offers a unique double phase. Furthermore, Spinazzola, as a substitute, can play the winger and midfielder with unique experience. Cambiaso must definitely change gear or risk it.
the new ones
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Among other good news there would be young people who laboriously make their way among thousands of foreigners. Bartesaghi is growing, Vergara is under observation who the coach knows well and appreciates since his time at Napoli (but the next step will be to stop complaining about everything), they are expecting “news” from the Englishman from Brentford Kayode. Hopefully they will soon join the group to provide continuity and not to rebuild. Speaking of the Premier League: the coach was in London and had dinner with all the players in the squad, he saw United play and then he was at Napoli-Chelsea. Among the wingers who can create superiority there are Zaccagni, Cambiaghi, Orsolini and Chiesa who however plays five minutes a game and remains an enigma
problems behind
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The less pleasant news concerns the defense. Except Buongiorno, not at the best moment, and Mancini, with known character limits, there is no real goalscorer. The central Cristante idea remains in limbo due to speed issues, Gabbia will lend a hand, but today the coach would need a nice defender-scorer from another era.
which Italy
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By fitting all these pieces together, and unless a Messi appears between now and March 26th, Italy is more or less done. A 3-5-2 with Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori (Good morning); Politano (Palestra), Barella (Verratti), Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco (Spinazzola); Kean (Scamacca), Retegui (Esposito). It would be hypocritical to say that this team is inferior to Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia. As the coach shouted in the San Siro changing rooms, after the 1-4 draw against Norway, “convince yourselves that you are stronger than your opponents”. Obviously the playoff category is understood, not France, Spain or Norway which are far away for now. It’s a mental issue, not a technical or physical one. Gattuso is already working as a psychologist.
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