Baggio back with the Azzurri

Roberto Baggio is back. He has accepted an offer to become head of the technical sector at the FIGC (Italian football federation). This is excellent news. Baggio's reputation and admiration is second to none in Italy and this appointment will be very much welcomed. Welcome back Roby.

Full Story: Gazzetta (English)

'German' Diego Contento confirms Italy option

Bayern Munich starlet Diego Contento, who has made appearances for Germany at youth level, shows some doubt into who he would like to represent at International level. Having been born in Germany to Neopolitan parents (hence the Christian name) he can represent either country. I suspect Italian scouts will be keeping a close eye on him over the coming season.

Full story: Goal.com

Italy: Prandelli points to Amauri, Cassano and Balotelli

Apparently Cesare Prandelli has spoken out about the future of the Azzurri. According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, to whom he gave an exclusive interview, he states that Amauri, Cassano and Balotelli are the way to go to get Italy back on track.

So, the name of Amauri crops up again. It looks like it is inevitable that the Italo-Brazilian is going to get his chance in Azzurro. I suspect all Italians are getting impatient for Prandelli to name his squad for the Ivory Coast game now. Should be a very interesting read.

Italy: Prandelli's Azzurri take shape

Gazzetta has the inside track on Prandelli's initial squad for the friendly on August 10th against the Ivory Coast. He has a list of about 20 players that he'll cut down to make up the squad that travels to London. Here are the main talking points of the article:

Goalkeeper - With Buffon out Prandelli has his goalkeeping coach monitoring five keepers: Storari, Viviano, Sirigu, Mirante and Marchetti. Surprisingly, according to Gazzetta, Storari and Viviano are the favourites to make the squad with Marchetti set to be dropped due to lack of form.

Defenders - The Azzurri are likely to line up with four at the back again. With this in mind the centre back partnership of Bonucci-Chiellini looks the likely first choice. On the right, the names being looked at are Cassani, Zaccardo and Maggio. On the left Criscito and Santon are carrying injuries so Prandelli is likely to look to Zambrotta and Antonini. Gamebrini, Bocchetti, Ranocchia, Motta and De Silvestri are also mentioned as possibles.

Midfielders - We don't know how Italy will line up in midfield so there are no clues as to who the manager may need in the squad to fill particular technical roles. The names being touted are the usuals with Candreva, Galloppa and Poli the possible new entries. D'Agostino and Lanzafame are also mentioned. Interestingly Prandelli is seriously considering Oriundi; Thiago Motta and Cristian Ledesma.

Forwards - I think this is the area every Italian is looking to with great interest. Cassano and Balotelli are apparently on Prandelli's initial list of players. It is thought they will definitely feature against the Ivory Coast on August 10th. Four from Borrielo, Pazzini, Marchionni, Rossi, Qaugliarella and Palladino should make up the other places out of the six forwards being considered.

New Italy is taking shape and to me it looks pretty fresh and I welcome the new names. It will take time for this new squad to gel but I have every confidence that there are the players available for the Azzurri to rise back up the Calcio ladder.

Genoa: Toni still thinking Azzurro

Luca Toni. Remember him? The expression in the photo should jog your memory. It followed pretty much every attempt on goal he had in an Italy shirt in recent years.

After moving to Genoa this pre-season from Bayern Munich he has his sights set, once again, on playing for the Azzurri. My opinion is that he has missed his opportunity. His dire performance at Euro 2008 put the nail in the coffin that was his Azzurri career. Surely!

He is one of a string of Italian forwards that just seem to choke at national level. Players like Toni, Di Natale, Iaquinta have all under performed miserably for Italy in recent times. Think back to Vieri, Inzaghi and Del Piero when the goals used to flow in and their failure just becomes more amplified.

Italy have a string of forwards waiting in the wings for their chance in this Prandelli era. My feeling is that Toni has had his chance and blown it.

Italy v Ivory Coast, tickets available

The West Ham ticket office is now open. For ticket prices see my previous post. This game is Cesare Prandelli's debut on the Azzurri bench and should make fascinating spectacle if only for the 'new' faces we should get to see on the pitch for Italy. Cassano, Balotelli, Rossi and friends have every chance of getting in on the action.

Official ticket office for the UK: http://www.whufcboxoffice.com/

Italy v Ivory Coast: London, 10th August. Confirmed

At last! The Italy v Ivory Coast friendly has been confirmed for the 10th August at West Hams Upton Park (Boylen Ground) 19.45 kickoff. The FIGC have releases ticket prices as follows:

West and East stand £35 (£17.50 for ages 16-21, £10 for under 16s)

Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking stands £20 (£10 for ages 16-21, £5 for under 16s)

As of yet West Ham have not starting selling tickets but check back soon for information.

Inter: First choice - Giuseppe Rossi

Giuseppe Rossi has become Inter Milan's first choice to replace Mario Balotelli at Inter should 'Super Mario' be cashed in on. Villareal are asking for around €20m for the Azzurri International although I would suspect any deal would be closer to the €15m mark. Diego Forlan and Dirk Kuyt are still being considered, although every Italian (excluding Milan fans) must have their fingers crossed that 'Pepito' Rossi gets the nod.

Italy: Why Oriundi should be embraced

Oriundi - an immigrant of native ancestry. There is alot of debate about whether Cesare Prandelli should consider Oriundi during his reign as Azzurri manager. He himself has said that if these players play well, why should he not be able to call them up. The people against it don't want Italy to go down the Germany route. A national side who's first team at the World Cup was made up of a sizable amount of non Germanic names, most of whom were born in Germany to foreign parents, whilst some were just naturalised Germans, i.e they gained citizenship through extended stay in the country.

What some people don't realise is that being an Oriundi is not the same as being the son of a foreigner born in Italy or just a naturalised citizen. An Oriundi is in fact a descendant of Italy from at least one Grandparent. Oriundi have Italian blood. By definition Mauro Camoranesi is an Oriundi. As is Giuseppe Rossi and Simone Perrotta (all pictured above). No one would argue that they didn't/don't have the right to play for the Azzurri.

That is why, as far as I am concerned, Oriundi should be embraced as Italians. Come this time next year it would not be surprising to see that Prandelli has considered the several realistic Oriundi options available to him. Players like Thiago Motta, Maxi Lopex, Ezequiel Schelotto, Rodrigo Taddei, Mauro Zarate amongst others should quickly decide where their allegiances lie.

Inter: Balotelli better start to learn Manc...

If the Gazzetta Dello Sport is to believed, and it is usually pretty honest, then 'Super Mario' is on his way to Manchester. The fee? Likely to be €35m, too much for Inter to refuse. The club? City or Utd obviously. Whoever offers him the better wage and playing prospects with get his signature. City, with Mancini at the helm, must be the current favourites however the other club is Manchester Utd after all. It really is too close to call.

'Super Mario' in the Premeirship is a very exciting prospect. The new CR9? I think it is very possible, MB9 has a nice ring to it.

Inter: If Balotelli leaves, there is always Kuyt and Rossi

No sooner had I opening my big mouth about the lack of interest in Giuseppe Rossi this pre-season, TMW are now reporting that should 'Super Mario' leave Inter this summer then his replacement could be one of either 'Pepito' Rossi or Dirk Kuyt.

Kuyt was impressive during the World Cup without being spectacular. In fact he is exactly that kind of player and chances are, given his age, he won't change much in the future. Rossi on the other hand has the ability to be a become a spectacular talent. Whilst Kuyt seems to be the number one choice replacement, Inter should really concentrate on getting Rossi. After all if they are going to sell one of the few Italian footballers in their squad, at least replace him with another.

Inter: Branca say Balotelli has no price, i.e Hands Off

Italy: Friendly v Ivory Coast on August 10th in London

Prandelli's first game in charge of the Azzurri is to be a friendly in London on August 10th v Ivory Coast. Fulhams Craven Cottage was initially announced as the venue for the game however a spokesman for the club has told me that contrary to reports the game will not be taking place at the ground. Rumours circulating the web now state that West Hams Upton Park is the likely venue, although not confirmed.

Don't bother the FIGC (Italian football federation) in your search for answers. Their official site states that Italy have a game booked for August 11th and not the 10th with no opponent or venue mentioned. This after they themselves announced the August 10th friendly v Ivory Coast during Prandelli's official press unveiling. If anyone solves the riddle let me know and i'll announce it. Grazie.

Italy: The Azzurri slip to 11th in FIFA World Rankings

The Azzurri have paid for their disastrous World Cup performance (the less said about that the better) with a big drop to 11th in the rankings. The compilation of these rankings have always baffled me though so i personally couldn't care less.

Inter: Chelsea offer €30m for Balotelli

Chelsea join both Manchester clubs, Utd and City, in the hunt for Super Mario. If rumours are to be believed then Chelsea's bid of €30m is the highest so far from the Premier League.

Would love to see Mario in the Premier League as he is more likely to get the playing time he warrants and deserves. Rafa Benitez has said that he is keen to keep him at Inter. It looks unlikely then that they'll let him go for less than the €40m Massimo Moratti values him at.

This tug of war looks likely to last all Summer.