Soccer Trainer

Italian Marcelo Lippi has faced a number of soccer pundit jokes this season due to the age of his team.  The Italian team is undoubtedly old, with 30-year old Vincenzo Iaquinta, 31 year-old Andrea Pirlo, 32 year olds Gianluigi Buffon, Gennaro Guttuso, and Antonio Di Natale, 33 year-olds Mauro Camoranesi and Gianluca Zambrotta, and 36-year old Fabio Cannavaro all likely to have to be replaced by Lippi or Azzuri’s next manager by the Brazilian World Cup in 2014.

Lorenzo De Silvestri    Defender     (Fiorentina)    Aged 22
The former Lazio full back cuts an imposing figure for a full back at just over six feet tall.  After a 2009 move to Fiorentina, De Silvestri has exemplified the form that set him apart whilst playing for Italy’s U16 and U21 teams. With such a solid basis in the skills necessary to become a good fullback, De Silvestri might end up replacing Gianluca Zambrotta for the national team.

Davide Santon        Defender    (Inter)        Aged 19
Able to play down either flank, Santon is a hugely talented young defender who made 28 appearances for Inter this season as well as five appearances already for the Azzuri. Santon’s energy is boundless; his energy on the pitch has earned him a comparison to Paolo Maldini by Italian head coach Marcelo Lippi. Technically sound too, Santon, barring injury and a dramatic loss of form, should be a member of the next few Italian squads at major finals events.

Mario Balotelli        (Striker)    (Inter)        Aged 19
Although Mario Balotelli can be quick to anger and temperamental, his skill as an attack and winger has given Italy hope for a strong squad when he starts wearing the Italy soccer merchandise.  We may have to forgive Batelli for his disgruntled outbursts at fans and management: in 59 games, he scored twenty goals and notched 6 in 16 for the Italian U21 team. We can expect to see Batelli at the 2012 Euro qualifiers because Italy is going to need a brand new look strike force.

Federico Macheda    (Striker)    (Man Utd)    Aged 18
Despite Macheda’s failure to make first team at Old Trafford, soccer pundits agree that Man United’s striker could make a name for himself in the 2010-2011 season, and even gain the attention of Azzuri management. Macheda is a strong, intelligent striker, who has an eye for goal. His particular talent is scoring with his back to the goal, and he has been capped at U21 for Italy; if Macheda makes a difference in the first team for United, he should end up with a spot on the Italian national squad.

Antonio Candreva    (Midfielder)    Udinese    Aged 23
The most daunting challenge that the Italian team faces is finding Pirlo’s replacement, and they may have found their man in Candreva. The Udinese midfielder follows in the footsteps of Pirlo’s creative play, owning any position on the midfield.