u/MaxieMan98

Not talking about trophies or who was more iconic. Just pure football ability.

Ronaldinho had more flair and was more entertaining, but Neymar was just as skillful while having far more goals and assists. He was a better finisher, just as creative, and stayed at an elite level for longer.

People always look at Neymar not having the international success or the individual accolades that Ronaldinho had, but ignore the context.

Ronaldinho played on LOADED Brazil teams front to back. Neymar played on the least talented brazil teams ever. Ronaldinho won a Ballon D’or during an era where there was no dominant player in World Football. Neymar played in era with the greatest footballer to ever grace the planet and a great goal scorer from Real Madrid during a dominate spell for them.

If you switch their scenarios, I think Neymar would have accomplished more, and Ronaldinho less

Italy has two of its brightest young full-backs in Marco Palestra and Michael Kayode, both naturally right-backs. If Kayode locks down the RB spot, the question becomes: how do you get Palestra on the field too? It would be such a waste to have to leave one on the bench with regularity. So much so, that I was toying with the idea of a back 5 with Kayode as a RCB out of possession and Palestra at RWB. Eventually, I thought about moving Palestra to LB.

The "aha" moment for me was realizing that Mancini has shown he can create a system around a right-footed LB.

Everyone remembers Spinazzola at Euro 2020. He gave Italy a really unique dynamic. He could drive inside, create different passing angles, and constantly put defenders in awkward situations.

That's why I keep coming back to Palestra.

He's tactically intelligent, comfortable in possession, can invert, is capable on his weaker foot, and has the athleticism to play the role. He was among Serie A's fastest players this season and put up elite dribbling numbers, so it's not like he'd be sacrificing the attacking threat you'd want from a modern full-back.

I'm not saying he'd become the next Spinazzola. Spinazzola was chaos in the best possible way, and we have never seen extended periods of Palestra at LB. But my point still stands. We want the best players on the field, and this would be a way of doing so.

At the very least, it would be worth a try in UNL.

Palestra – Calafiori – Scalvini/Commuzo/Chiarodia– Kayode is a back four I'd love to see tried out.

Hi guys. A lot of outlets are reporting that Mancini is in pole position for the Azzurri job. Given his preference for a 4-3-3 and out lack of personnel for a 4-3-3, I have been putting a lot of thought into how he might approach this group of players.

1. I think the midfield continue to be a Tonali-Locatelli-Barella. Its just our highest quality midfield and they are so suited for a 4-3-3. Others will be involved, but this is the midfield that will give us the stability, press resistance, and line breaking ability on a regular basis. I do think players like Ricci, N'dour, Pisilli, and Fagioli will be involved in the set up.

2. There will more of a priority on FBs that can defend. We have high quality CBs on the ball and that love to carry the ball, but very few of them play at CB in back 4's consistently. For this reason, I think a back line of Ahanor-Calafiori-Scalvini-Kayode will be what carries us forward. Ahanor and Kayode have he physicality and recovery speed to tuck in to CB when our CBs inevitably drive forward with the ball or if they themselves join in on the attack. I feel like this will be a very solid, very athletic base to rectify some of the defensive frailties we have seen in recent years. I do think players like Dimarco, Udogie, and Palestra will be in the squad, but more as rotation pieces to help break down low blocks in games we control possession.

3. He will get creative in attack, especially on the wings. Lets be honest, our weakest position since the Euro's has been on the wings. We have some young players coming in that regard, but likely aren't starter national team quality. For that reason (and the fact that we have Pio at CF), I think he will use Moise Kean on the wing, which is something he had experimented with when he was Italy boss last. Instead of a true touchline winger, he will likely be more of an Wide Forward/back post striker type mold. Additionally we know that Mancini is a massive fan of Mattia Liberali (as am I) and it has been said that he will make him a key part of the national team set up moving forward. I like him on the left wing with the flexibility to roam in the half space and make things happen. I think eventually he can be one of those chess pieces who can play out wide, through the middle or even in the midfield (a la David Silva/Bernardo Silva), but he isn't there yet. I do expect Mancini to call up players like Koleosho, Inacio, Cisse (Catanzaro) and hopefully Rao and Vergara, but again I don't think they are starter level yet.

Attached I have a lineup I would like to see moving forward. I am happy to discuss further if you have any questions.

Could he be a NT option? I know people are sick and tired of a 3-5-2, but nobody can argue against the fact that we have the personnel best suited for this system. Inzaghi is the best in the world at playing this system, and I believe it COULD be a good path forward.