Lippi’s list of 50

By: Francesco | September 3rd, 2008

So it seems to be a FIFA rule that each national team manager must submit a mega-list of 50 players that will be available for selection for World Cup qualifying games. I’m unsure about the rules of this list and if/when players can be changed or added (and info about these lists are hard to find, the list was unveiled by a Fiorentina website) but it does show you the players that the national team manager has in consideration. Lippi’s list has a mix of recognizable names and U21 stars, as well as some surprises. Here’s the list of 50:

GOALKEEPERS

Gianluigi Buffon, Marco Amelia, Gianluca Curci, Morgan De Sanctis, Christian Abbiati, Matteo Sereni

No surprises here, as those 6 goalkeepers are probably the best we have in circulation right now.

DEFENDERS

Gianluca Zambrotta, Daniele Bonera, Andrea Barzagli, Fabio Grosso, Marco Cassetti, Nicola Legrottaglie, Andrea Dossena, Giorgio Chiellini, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Gamberini, Marco Materazzi, Paolo De Ceglie, Lorenzo De Silvestri, Domenico Criscito, Fabiano Santacroce, Cristian Zaccardo, Emiliano Moretti, Aimo Diana

A mix of old faces and U21 standouts, like De Ceglie, De Silvestri, Criscito, and Santacroce. Zaccardo, who was launched by Lippi with the national team, seems to still be on his radar. Aimo Diana was also a Lippi favorite under his first tenure and most probably would’ve went to the World Cup instead of Simone Barone but he was injured. The surprising name is Emiliano Moretti, who seems to be forgotten by national team managers but has always been solid for Valencia.

MIDFIELDERS

Mauro Camoranesi, Simone Perrotta, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi, Alberto Aquilani, Angelo Palombo, Riccardo Montolivo, Antonio Nocerino, Massimo Ambrosini, Daniele Conti, Franco Semioli, Massimo Gobbi, Claudio Marchisio, Marco Donadel

Another place where there are usual names, like World Cup winners Camoranesi, Perrotta, Gattuso, Pirlo, and De Rossi. However there are young talents like Montolivo, Nocerino, and Marchisio, as well as some surprises like Daniele Conti, who has always been a solid player for Cagliari. Massimo Gobbi has been useful for Fiorentina and can play a variety of positions, while Marco Donadel is probably one of the best players in Italy never to wear the Azzurri shirt yet. Ambrosini doesn’t seem to be favored by Lippi but is still on the list, as well as Franco Semioli, whose stock is declining as the days pass. Angelo Palombo seems to be favored by Lippi and will most probably be a frequent call-up for the next 2 years.

FORWARDS

Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alberto Gilardino, Luca Toni, Alessandro Del Piero, Antonio Di Natale, Giuseppe Rossi, Antonio Cassano, Raffaele Palladino, Mario Balotelli, Sebastian Giovinco, Fabio Quagliarella

Up front there are the World Cup winners Iaquinta, Gilardino, Toni, and Del Piero. Di Natale is always going to be there if he keeps playing like he has. Antonio Cassano, snubbed by Lippi so far, is at least held in consideration. Fabio Quagliarella, who was a Donadoni favorite, hasn’t been called by Lippi yet but is on the list. There are also young talents like Giuseppe Rossi, Sebastian Giovinco, Raffaele Palladino, and 18 year old Mario Balotelli.