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Showing posts with label 32 man selection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 32 man selection. Show all posts

Sunday, May 13, 2012

The Euro 2012 32 Man List Has Arrived!!

Prandelli has finally released his short list of the 32 Players that have a shot of going to Euro 2012. Below is the list of players who will be called upon to test their metal and plead their case to head to Ukraine and Poland this June. 

Portieri:
Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain), Viviano (Palermo);
Difensori: Abate (Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Palermo), Barzagli (Juventus), Bocchetti (Rubin Kazan), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Zenit San Pietroburgo), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Inter);
Centrocampisti: Cigarini (Atalanta), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris St. Germain), Nocerino (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus),Schelotto (Atalanta), Verratti (Pescara);
Attaccanti: Balotelli (Manchester City), Borini (Roma), Cassano (Milan), Destro (Siena), Di Natale (Udinese), Giovinco (Parma).

My initial reaction to the 32 man squad is one of interest. While today signified the conclusion to two historic Azzurri figures: Inzaqhi at Milan and Del Piero at Juventus (although it's likely Del Piero will continue to play elsewhere); this Azzurri squad screams a freshness not seen on the National team since 1998. I'd even argue the Azzurri this time around is even more fresh. Look at some of the names here: Verratti, Schelotto, Borini, Destro, heck even Giaccherini; these guys have each played some great football this year, although some of them aren't spring chickens anymore, they do have this aura of freshness to them. 

I really like the Giaccherini call-up; as it really points to an added depth on the Azzurri. He's been a great workhorse for Juventus this year and would be great off the bench for the Azzurri. Two of my favourite callups though are in attack with Giovinco and Cassano. Both have played inspired football this year; Giovinco has gone from a Juventus outcast to a player on Barcelona's radar for 2012-2013. Cassano, lead the Azzurri through qualification; in October he suffered stroke like symptoms and had to go under the knife. The fact that he's even playing again, let alone regaining his form so quickly is simply inspiring. 

I'm quite content with this squad, I can understand why Pazzini and Matri are also not on this squad. Balotelli is likely to be used as a prima punta; with an incredible wealth of talent falling inline behind him.  Let's see how they come together over the next couple of weeks. For me, this is an inspiring start.