I was also pointing out to Totti’s Azzurri career as a whole where Italy had many great performances without him. He hasn’t impressed for Italy like he did in Euro 2000. I think Perrotta could have filled his role in the WC well (if Totti didn’t make it).

I also think that Italy would be much better with him, but he’s not essential. It’s not like he’s going to bring his Roma form to Italy. There are bigger issues out there that not even a perfect Totti performance can fix..

Now.. If they played Totti and Toni up front together (not Totti in midfield behind Toni).. Oh man.. mouth watering.. Then I’d say Totti NEEDS to come back just so I can see opposing teams crushed.. but right now Italy can do well without him if they fix their real problems.

Buffon; Grosso, Canna, Matrix, Zambro; Quags, Pirlo, DDR, Camo; Toni, Totti

Ooooh!!! Just switch Totti with Miccoli and it’s a lineup he SHOULD be using now.

and you will all remember..

Ok I have to disagree with this one completely.
People often forget Totti even played in the 06 WC. His assists, creativity, the cool penalty he took in stoppages, and his lovely work in the midfield with de rossi and pirlo has been completely forgotten.
Thats pretty fahcking upsetting considering the man was on 1 leg, and trained his damnest to get back into the WC and lippi’s lineup card…
There’s a reason he played over anyone else there. He is the creative genius of his time, and one of the most creative and visionary players in the WORLD.

So i have agree 100% with your last part Bashar.

As far as who is better, if you were to build a midfield around one player, who would it be?

Another option is to try Pirlo or DDR as an attacking midfielder and leave Gatusso and the other in the holding roles. Play a Roma system with Rosina and Camo on either side of Toni/Miccoli/Iaquinta.

I wouldn’t want Zambro or Materazzi to retire because that’ll bring in Ferrari and Zaccardo.. Not that either one is bad (o.g. excluded), but common.. The team needs that kind of experience for Matrix and Zambro.

And no.. Italy is not dependant on Totti.. They never were. They won the World Cup without him (pretty much..) and they don’t need him. They tried to make him a scape goat for Italy’s situation (thats where all the pressure was) so he just retired permanently and took himself out of the equation.

Against some strong teams when you want to keep it tight, I’d favour him over De Rossi.

Against Ukraine tomorrow, I’d favour De Rossi because our defence shouldn’t need too much of what the General brings and we really have to take the game to Ukraine.

They are different types of players and I think the opposition dictates who should play.

Add to the fact that Pirlo is Gattusso’s club partner and they play together all the time, I don’t think the automatic choice is De Rossi!

Another problem for me though, honestly, is lack of any personal interest or stake in these events. I was born in Sevilla, Spain but I have never rooted for my national team, which is not an uncommon thing in the country of my birth. As I am sure many of you are aware, Spain is a country where minority cultures are strong and vocal. Unification into one national voice has never occurred like in Italy (though I know that is not completely true there either). I should add that I do not support independence for Catalan, Basques, Andalusia, etc… but I have always wanted a UK-style tolerance for national expression on a sporting level. Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland are allowed the honor of representing their identities. Even if none of their sides are among the world elite, they are formidable and challenging foes. The same would be true of Catalan, Basque, and Andalusian sides. And of course Spain’s NT itself would be much weaker with an exodus of much talent. But then at least people in my country of birth might actually *CARE* about international football too. It is sad that a Catalan-Basque game draws a far larger audience than a Spain EURO qualifier.

But yeah… I have lived in America now for most of my life and have never cared much for the Spanish national team. But barring someone to root for, I still question the entertainment of the international game. It just seems to lack something. WC 98 was the last one to enchant me. 2002 and 2006 I could not appreciate. Maybe I am just odd.

Chris you are spot on once again. Start the website post haste. Nicely articulated btw, I especially enjoyed the comment: “he (TDD) has the tactical genius of a Down Syndrome baboon and it looks like he has the motivational abilities of a quadriplegic mime.” BRILLIANT!
Enough said.

Ciao