Road to Brazil begins for Rossoneri stars
Qualification for World Cup 2014 began in dramatic fashion on Friday, with Italy snatching a 2-2 draw away in Bulgaria. In what was a sluggish and disappointing performance from Cesare Prandelli's side, it posed the question as to how many Rossoneri stars could play a part for the Azzurri in Brazil in two years' time.
Due to various injuries the Milan contingent was restricted to just three players. Antonio Nocerino and Giampaolo Pazzini joined up with the squad, while Francesco Acerbi earned a late call-up after injury ruled out Davide Astori. In addition, the inclusion of Ignazio Abate and Riccardo Montolivo is likely, while Stephan El Shaarawy marked his return to U21 duty with a brace against Liechtenstein on Thursday.
"I am delighted to have scored my first two goals for the national team. I was thrilled to be called up to the senior squad [in the friendly against England], and I hope to be called up again and do well" - El Shaarawy.
Refreshingly, Massimiliano Allegri fielded ten Italian players in the win against Bologna just over a week ago. Admittedly, the likes of Luca Antonini and Massimo Ambrosini have as much chance of travelling to Brazil in any form other than as spectators or pundits as I do, but there are a strong crop of players who are knocking on the door.
As suggested by Silvio Berlusconi earlier this summer, while purse-strings are being tightened perhaps it is the right time, forced or not, to build for the future with youngsters. Mauro Tassotti was recently full of praise for Mattia De Sciglio, and it is a real shame the 19 year-old occupies the same position as Abate, who might force Milan's No.2 to switch to left-back.
Much can, and probably will, change over the course of the next two years. Exciting new talents may emerge from the youth academy not only at Milan. While there will remain a strong Juventus spine to the Azzurri, there is still room for Allegri's men to force their way into Prandelli's plans. The club has a rich tradition of producing excellent home-grown talent, an illustrious list containing the likes of Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi and Billy Costacurta. Much is expected of Acerbi, while Mattia Valoti has also been tipped for long-term success, but perhaps it is El Shaarawy who holds the biggest hope.
Notes
In other news, Adriano Galliani confirmed for the 87th time that "there is no war" between Allegri and himself. After a scheduled dinner between the two was cancelled on Saturday evening, Milan's Vice-President moved quickly to quash talk of unrest.
"I called Max to tell him the dinner was off. It's ridiculous, there is too much media focus around what was a perfectly normal dinner. There is absolutely no war here to talk about." - Galliani
Elsewhere, Berlusconi had a message for Inter fans after he was reportedly overhead discussing their recent acquisition. "You Interisti will regret having taken Cassano off us. He won't take long to cause chaos in the locker room". One can only hope he is proven right.
Finally, club legend Pippo Inzaghi enjoyed a winning start to life as coach of the Allievi Nazionali, with a 5-1 win over Bologna on Sunday afternoon.
For all the latest Milan and Serie A news, you can follow me on Twitter @italiafooty
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