Juventini in World Cup Qualifiers
By: alessio | September 7th, 2008There may be no Juve games scheduled for this horrendous break, but several Juventini were called up to their respective national squads. Here’s a brief recap:
Cyprus 1-2 Italy
Alessandro Del Piero: The Golden Boy is overcoming an injury and thus did not play against Cyprus, he will be recovered for the game this Wednesday against Georgia. The Italian media is strongly tipping him to get a starting spot with the Azzurri.
Nicola Legrottaglie: He was recalled to the national team in light of Chiellini’s injury, but he better stay given some poor performances. Gamberini is out injured and Barzagli, as usual, was horrendous. I do expect to see him play this week, hopefully Legro-Canna in center-back. He did not play against Cyprus but he had a slight thigh strain so Lippi may have decided not to risk him.
Gianluigi Buffon: The World’s #1, no doubt, and he continued to prove it against Cyprus. Singlehandedly kept us in the game…he is invaluable to Juventus and Italy.
Mauro Camoranesi: Along with Buffon and Di Natale, Mauro put in one of the better-praised performances against Cyprus. Great dribbling and passing as usual, and a great unselfish assist at the death off a Gilardino backheel to an oncoming Di Natale.
Vincenzo Iaquinta: I’m really hoping for him to play against Georgia, maybe even more than ADP. I don’t believe Gila or Toni are done by any means, but I think Vincenzo can do better than them right now. Good pre-season form, great determined spirit, and I haven’t seen him run thias fast since WC’06.
Georgia 0-0 Denmark
Christian Poulsen: From all reports I’ve read (I did not watch the game) he battled well, since Denmark was away in Budapest, a draw is an acceptable result. Picked up a yellow card in the 75th minute, and put in an industrious if average performance. Denmark travels to Portugal on Wednesday in what promises to be a tricky encounter.
Austria 3-1 France
Alex Manninger: In undoubtedly the biggest shock, Austria downed France 3-1 to temporarily top the group. Manninger held the Austrian goal solidly but it didn’t seem he was tested too much. He’s expected to start against Lithuania on Wednesday.
Czech Republic
Zdenek Grygera: Grygera is playing for the Czechs away in Northern Ireland. The team still doesn’t look the same without Pavel…
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Comments
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I watched Denmark Hungary as I was disparate for football (all the good matches were being shown pay-per-view for $29!!!), and it was a real snoozer.
Posted from
United States
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$30, ouch. Yeah, from all reports I read it was a pretty sterile game.
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United States -
I agree with with you entirely on Iaquinta – With Amauri joining us, I am almost certain Vincenzo would have been Roma bound had the fans not chimed in; I’m not sure it will be the same come next summer. If he stays and gets little or no player time at Juve, how will he cement a place for 2010 ? We need to look beyond using ADP and Trezza every single game this season.
Posted from
Spain -
I also think it would be nice to see Iaquinta playing for the Azzurri. His strength, particularly in a gritty game, is sorely lacking and his motivation seems much higher than that of the sleepy Toni.
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United States -
So how does the Juve brass feel about recently promoted youth players blackmailing the club for play time?
“This is a question in the contract that is still under negotiation. It is not just a problem of figures, but also of certainty about the future. Giovinco is young but he is already desperate to play as many matches as possible.”
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=854980
(I know, I know, goal.com = muck-raking crap, but still, that manager should know that is not how you win the support of the fans)
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United States -
I don’t think its a question of blackmailing Johonna, I think its more a case of lesson learnt. If Giovinco or any other young player has seen how the club has treated it’s emerging prospects in recent seasons, they would be only right to try and guarantee themselves some playing time.
Palladino was shipped out on loan having spent a season being played out of position. Criscito played a few games and was shipped back out. Chiellini was lucky to stay at the club after Secco and Ranieri had ideas on selling him to Man City. Lanzafame was described as an ‘Italian Cristiano Ronaldo’ by Conte and Juve respond by selling half his contract to Palermo and shipping him out on loan.
The list goes on and on when you think about it – Miccoli, Maresca and even Stephen Appiah was only 23/24 when he spent a season out of a position and another on the bench.
I hate to criticize my club but when it comes to intergrating young talent into an existing squad we don’t have the best track record. I hope the board manage to get one thing right this season by holding onto Giovinco with a long term contract.
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Spain -
But how can you place field-time into a contract? If what his agent says is true (and I by no means think it is, but hypothetically), the Gio will leave unless someone assures him he will play. No coach would do that. The whole idea is that you must earn your spot. Look at poor Iaquinta, ore even Crespo at Inter. I think it is criminal to bench players – if you cannot use them, let them go – but I also think players are not right to demand the first team.
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United States -
There have been cases in which a player has actually had a guarantee of a first team place when healthy written into his contact, but they are quite rare (particularly in Italy, where managers generally have significant power and prestige), and of questionable enforceability.
As I mentioned on another thread, I would severely discount any alleged “news” that comes out this week, as everyone with pages to fill is very obviously scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Posted from
Italy -
Maresca, that’s true for the previous Triade but the new administration has done well in integrating youth. Say what you want about Ranieri, but he has given Molinaro, Chiellini, Nocerino, and Criscito an extended run in the Starting XI. How many other clubs can claim that? Criscito wasn’t ready for us, Palladino was up against too much competition, Nocerino was replaced by Sissoko, and Lanzafame certainly wasn’t ready. Trust me, I watch Bari occasionally and while he played well, this is Serie B we’re talking.
And Johonna, like Ursus said it’s a lot of international-break speculation. You’ll also notice that if there actually is someone quoted, it’s their agent, and they aren’t “blackmailing” Juve for playing time they are mentioning that to grow properly, Giovinco needs to play regularly. Seems pretty reasonable to me.
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United States -
If you read the body of the text, like I said above, it’s pretty benign. It’s quality reporting like this- http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=855824
Is Mourinho furious? Probably not, irritated maybe but he’s always been that way about internationals. If we don’t see them play saturday (I’m sure at least 2 of them will play, wouldn’t be surprised to see all 4) it will be because they are tired. The headline is just stupid.
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United States -
Even more ridiculous than usual.
We could start a goal.com automatic headline generator.
“Hmm, I think I’ll have the risotto today.”
Mou DEMANDS IMMEDIATE CHANGES at Inter training table!“Let’s see, looks like the Derby is the weekend before our home match against Werder.”
Mourinho BLASTS UEFA’s OUTRAGEOUS SCHEDULING SCANDAL!“Bye, guys. See you later.”
SPECIAL ONE WALKS OUT!!Posted from
Italy -
Oh man, you guys are no fun. I know it is probably BS (ehem, “hypothetically?”), but it just seemed so out of character for a Juve player – especially a youth player – that I thought it was sort of interesting.
Besides, I was bored last night – couldnt sleep – so someone had to suffer
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Haha ursus. That gives me an idea for a next post…
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United States -
Alessio – I know it’s off-topic but thank you for your help on broadcast information.
Posted from
Germany -
We’re discussing the semantics of Goal.com’s editorials. Nothing is offtopic right now.
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United States -
I agree with part of what you say Alessio – Ranieri has made more of an effort that previous managers to give the young players an extended run in the first team. My concern has been and always will be when the current generation opt to retire and we have no long term replacements becuase the younger players have never had time to integrate into the team.
I have to be honest, these stories about Giovinco made me nervous. I know Secco would never allow Gio to get away from the club but with him, you never know for certain. From what I hear, a contract is in place and the club are just waiting for Gio to sign. Lets hope we hear the good news in the coming days.
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Spain -
And really, when you think about it, this season would be the perfect time to “experiment” with young players. Juve has nothing to prove this season. That is, they are not in, say Milan’s shoes (who MUST win the UEFA cup or the Scudetto) or in Inter’s (who MUST win the CL or the Scudetto) – all Juve need to do is pull out a good showing in the CL and top 4 in the League (I know, easy as pie). Juve is still rebuilding and everyone knows it. Since the team has the luxury of this year, they should totally take it and use it to restock the pool (as it were).
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United States -
I’d disagree Johonna. I think Raineri has everything to prove- if not for Juve, for himself. He’s has a rep for being a decent coach but one whose never really won anything. This year, Juve will have to mount a serious Scudetto challenge and go decently far in the CL for him to stay, I’d say.
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United States -
I think Ranieri has a lot to prove, but Johonna’s right, Juve’s not being held to the same expectation as Roma, Inter, or Milan this year.
Posted from
United States
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