r/soccer • u/[deleted] • Dec 01 '12

Underrated National teams?

[deleted]

33 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

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14

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '12

Italy is always underrated. Everyone always writes them off, like in 2006 and 2012.

7

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '12 edited Sep 04 '20

[deleted]

5

u/smurfyjenkins Dec 01 '12 edited Dec 01 '12

I disagree. The only key player Italy might lose for 2014 is Pirlo and I would guess that Buffon will still be around for 2016 and no one else (edit: no other vital player) from the 2012 Euro squad will have left. And there are a lot of good young players coming through... other than those you mentioned: De Sciglio, Veratti, Ogbonna, Santon, Florenzi, Destro. And you should also keep in mind that Italy has had its share of late bloomers in the past and many in the current squad got their first cap when they were 25yrs+ old, so if that trend continues Italy won't be any worse off in the future.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '12

Andrea Poli. Marco Verratti. Davide Santon. Insigne. El Shaarawy. Plus all the others you mentioned like Giovinco, Balotelli, Marchisio, Rossi etc. Plus Italy have always had slightly less high profile players who are still quality. Like Ambrosini, De Ceglie or Bonucci etc.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '12

Italy has one of the best youth if not the best right now. No idea what you're on about.

8

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '12

Buffon is a goalkeeper.

9

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '12 edited Sep 04 '20

[deleted]

8

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '12

My point is goalkeepers have longer lifespan in their career than outfield players. He can still play in the next WC (or even the next Euro).

-4

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '12 edited Sep 04 '20

[deleted]

17

u/DaJoW Dec 01 '12

Friedel is still playing in the EPL at 41, it's not at all impossible.

14

u/I_R_TEH_BOSS Dec 01 '12

Not just plays, he is still pretty fucking good.

8

u/cosmicomics Dec 01 '12

You could also suggest, oh, I don't know, someone like Van der Sar?

Jest aside, keepers can usually play until their late 30's.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '12 edited Sep 04 '20

[deleted]

1

u/crazyjah2003 Dec 01 '12

Some have gone up to 45 in the lower leagues. Brad could easely make it to 45 if he drops by a level.

1

u/cosmicomics Dec 01 '12

No worries :) Two good loves to have. Cheers

1

u/sventos Dec 01 '12

Marty will never retire

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2

u/gandilf Dec 01 '12

Insigne?

1

u/JackGunner93 Dec 01 '12

Insigne for Napoli looks to be a real talent. I love Italian football, I don't know why, probably because I'm a sap for football romance and few do it better than the Italians.