Opinion on Italy squad that faced Holland.

November 29, 2009

The squad selection by Marcello Lippi carries some interesting choices, most notably Davide Biondini, Antonio Candreva and Mattia Cassani. I admire these additions to the setup, but I still feel there is room for more change, as Lippi looks to build his squad towards Italy’s World Cup defence, next summer.

The obvious exclusion is Antonio Cassano, whom I would have included at the expense of Giuseppe Rossi, whose recent form for club and country has been indifferent, even if he did net in Villarreal C.F.’s recent victory against Tenerife. Cassano has the magic and the unpredictability that is lacking from current setup. Antonio Di Natale potentially has that, but he struggles to replicate his Udinese form at international level. Raffaele Palladino is another who is something of a fantasy player, but he lacks consistency and if he really had the talent for the highest level, he would still be with Juventus, right now.

Aside from Cassano, his Sampdoria team-mates Daniele Mannini and Luca Castelazzi deserved involvement. Mannini has had an outstanding start to the campaign. He has netted five times from a wide midfield role and has been instrumental in Doria’s early season success. His work ethic and creativity would offer something a bit different to Mauro Camoranesi, while he would also offer better defensive protection for Gianluca Zambrotta. With regard to the goalkeeping situation, Castelazzi has been the best goalkeeper in Serie ‘A’ this season, alongside the great Gianluigi Buffon. Morgan De Sanctis has made an admirable return to Italian football, with Napoli, but surely Castelazzi is more deserving of a maiden call.

Looking at central defence, I am surprised Lippi has not chosen to blood another option. Nicola Legrottaglie proved against Republic of Ireland that he is, perhaps, a bit out of his depth at the very highest level. He has performed admirably for Juventus over the past couple of seasons, but he is not a reliable enough option for a team with World Cup winning ambitions. Dario Dainelli would have been interesting selection, but the most interesting of all would surely have been the prodigious Andrea Ranocchia, the Genoa-owned Bari defender. His performances alongside another talented defender, Leonardo Bonucci, have been outstanding. He has all the hallmarks of a potentially top class defender, a heir to Fabio Cannavaro. He looks ready to be involved, certainly in the squad. Another token U21 appearance will not benefit him in the same way some involvement against Holland, defending against Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and alike, would have. Failing this options, Lippi’s best bet would be persuading Alessandro Nesta out of retirement.

On the whole, I like many of the changes Lippi has made, but it is still perhaps too little too late. And, as long as Cassano remains uninvolved, their remains a lack of fantasy and creativity in the side.

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