What The Confederations Cup Taught Us About Italy

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

While the selections of players such as Fabio Quagliarella, Andrea Dossena, Vincenzo Iaquinta, and Nicola Legrottaglie should all be questioned in the future. The team needs to get younger while maintaining experienced players who can still help the team.

Aside from the aforementioned players who were left out; some of the members of the U21 squad should be brought in immediately while other are brought in gradually. Players such as Marco Motta, Salvatore Bocchetti, Claudio Marchisio, Luca Cigarini, Sebastian Giovinco and Mario Balotelli can all be usefull to the team right now.

While guys like Paolo DeCeglie, Domenico Criscito, Robert Acquafresca and Marco Andreolli all should have futures with the national team in some capacity down the road. Also, a healthy Alberto Aquilani would be a big help in the midfield.

While former U21 defender Fabiano Santacroce is another player who can help in 2010. The Confederations Cup proved just how badly the Azzurri need to change. Hopefully Lippi will answer the call.

Here is the 23 man roster I would use for the remaining qualifiers and into the 2010 World Cup.

GK- Gianluigi Buffon, Marcon Amelia, Andre Consigli/Gianluca Curci

D- Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Marco Motta, Davide Santon, Fabiano Santacroce, Salvatore Bocchetti, Fabio Grosso

M- Andre Pirlo, Daniele DeRossi, Alberto Aquilani, Claudio Marchisio, Luca Cigarini, Pasquale Foggia, Matteo Brighi/Angelo Palombo

F- Giampaolo Pazzini, Giuseppe Rossi, Sebastian Giovinco, Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano, Alberto Gilardino

Formation- 4-3-1-2

               Buffon

Santon-Chiellini-Cannavaro-Motta

     Aquilani-Pirlo-DeRossi

            Giovinco

         Rossi-Pazzini

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