[FM13] Giuseppe Bergomi - The King of Calcio

The Madridista: Thanks bud, I hope so!

Pauker: -_-

Northwood: Yeah, it was quite a shock to see four English teams and no Barca or Madrid in the quarterfinals!

k1rups: Thanks Krupesh, where ya been? Been a long time! Yes, this story is still going, and hopefully will be for a bit longer at least

Four matches into World Cup qualifying for Russia 2018, Italy leads their group by two points over the surprise team in second place; Israel. The small footballing nation has played excellent football thus far but is expected to struggle greatly against the heavy favorite Azzurri.

Italy boss Giuseppe Bergomi has now confirmed his squad ahead of this upcoming vital fixture in qualifying, but he's been forced to make a few changes due to injury. Napoli star midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura, left back Domenico Criscito, and Inter stars Giuseppe Bellusci and Mattia Destro have not been able to achieve fitness in time to make the squad, leaving Bergomi with decisions to make.

He has thus called up Angelo Ogbonna and Luca Marrone to fill some of those gaps in the squad, but in the striker position Bergomi has made some interesting choices. Mario Balotelli has not made the squad, supposedly due to poor form for club and country, while Fabio Borini and Giampaolo Pazzini were both recalled.

"I am very happy with the squad," said Bergomi after some questions were raised over his selection policy. "I think the team is well balanced, and we have players that thoroughly deserve to be here and can make a difference for their country."

The full squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers

Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St.-Germain)
Francesco Bardi (Inter Milan)
Emiliano Viviano (Juventus)

Defenders

Ignazio Abate (Atletico Madrid)
Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan)
Guilherme Siqueira (Granada)
Angelo Ogbonna (Torino)
Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)
Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)
Marco Capuano (Pescara)
Davide Astori (Juventus)

Midfielders

Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma)
Claudio Marchisio (Juventus)
Andrea Poli (Inter Milan)
Lorenzo Crisetig (Inter Milan)
Marco Verratti (Arsenal)
Luca Marrone (Juventus)
Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus)
Alessandro Florenzi (Udinese)

Forwards

Lorenzo Insigne (Inter Milan)
Fabio Borini (FC Porto)
Giuseppe Rossi (Villareal)
Giampaolo Pazzini (AC Milan)

FORZA ITALIA ~ GREAT UPDATE NEAL!!!!!!

Meh.

Nick: Thanks bud

Pauker:

It was a warm March night in Ramat-Gan, Israel when the Italian national team paid a footballing visit to further their World Cup Qualifying goals. The Azzurri led the group by 2 points over second placed Israel after 4 matches, and this game would be key to either lose their first place spot or strengthen it greatly.

Israel were well drilled defensively and didn't allow Italy much space but were often under severe pressure with all 11 men behind the ball. The Azzurri controlled possession and didn't allow the Israelites a shot on goal throughout the entire match.

That wasn't the Italians' problem, though. Their problem was trying to find a way through the opposition's stubborn defense. A moment of genius from right back Mattia De Sciglio had the solution.

The AC Milan youth product burst down the right hand side, beating his man with ease before finding space to put in a cross. De Sciglio picked out Fabio Borini excellently, but the diminutive Porto striker still had it all to do. In two swift touches, though, Borini had turned and rifled his strike under the keeper's arms to give Italy a 1-0 going into halftime.

In the second half Israel began to push forward more but could not find a way past Juventus center back pairing Leonardo Bonucci and Davide Astori, while in midfield the likes of legendary captain Daniele De Rossi marshaled his country excellently and with his physical might.

The match wore on and at last the final whistle was blown, and Italy triumphed 1-0 over a resilient Israel side after a grueling battle on the pitch.

"They defended well but we deserved to win," said Giuseppe Bergomi. "We need to keep competing and picking up points to ensure we qualify with ease for the World Cup in 2018."

Fabio Borini was also ecstatic after the match, stating, "I'm very pleased that Giuseppe opted to select me and start me after so long out with an injury and I'm delighted to have scored a goal to repay that faith. Hopefully I can go back to scoring regularly now!"

After this round of fixtures, here's how the table looks:

I like Borini because he came from Chelsea Also, I see you're still not using my epic banner

As I have said many a time, Borini is class on fm;)

Wait? what's this? De Rossi still not retired? good on him:P

Louis O.: Nobody loves Chelsea

AaronHJFT96: Borini has been excellent so far, and yes, De Rossi is still rolling at age 33 with 127 caps

Only 33? I thought he'd be a lot older!

Only 33? I thought he'd be a lot older!

It's been 9 days since Inter Milan clinched the Serie A title with their 1-0 win over Lazio in Rome, but a fixture perhaps just as important now follows tomorrow after the international break; the Derby della Madoninna.

The greatest derby in all of Italy and perhaps one of the greatest rivalries in world football, the Milan derby never fails to thrill. Internazionale and AC Milan are two of the most successful teams in Italian calcio history with 40 Scudetti and 11 UEFA Champions League crowns between them, and the rivalry between them to be the very best never dies.

While Inter Milan may have won the Scudetto already and are mainly focused on the Champions League knockout stages, AC Milan is struggling in Serie A and sit 7th, 5 points off of a Champions League qualification spot with only 8 matches to go. Dropping points is no longer an option. The only team to hold Inter to a draw all season so far has been AC Milan, and they will need to one up that tomorrow with a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

The Nerazzurri will have a bit of a selection crisis on their hands as well. Ademilson, Mattia Destro, Alvaro Pereira, and Giuseppe Bellusci will definitely miss out via injury while Andrea Ranocchia is racing against the clock to be fit in time. Bergomi's men will also be without the suspended Gino Peruzzi and Philippe Coutinho.

The Rossoneri have some difficulties of their own and will miss Riccardo Montolivo, Alexandre Pato, and Kevin-Prince Boateng, who are all injured. Manager Marco Van Basten, who took over not too long ago, is already feeling the heat and may be sacked if he doesn't make the UCL spots come end of the season, making the match all the more vital.

Most people are expecting Inter Milan to conquer their archrivals once again, but as we now after so long in football, anything is possible on derby day.

Great update Neal:P hopefully you can beat AC and keep them away from the champions league!

A.C. Milan? Sounds like an easy win for Inter!

AC who? That's funny.. I've only ever heard of one team from Milan: Forza Inter!