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10 years of FIF
Nostradamus
Most Passionate MemberTaking the previous discussion to a different venue here. I don't want to post the hideous Guardian lineups, but I'll do something else.
First of all, I'm going to go for an all decade team from the 70s until the 2010s.
Then will dissect the decades and do a different setup where the start is the midpoint. So we're going from 1975 to 2015.
I'll post the 5 year teams on a different day.
So instead of locking people to say "team of the decade" and using years that aren't really compatible with one another, anyone can just post the team that they wanna share. Could be a random XI or a question of which of the two sets is better. Or it could be a request to other members to list all Argentinean Serie A team vs all Brazilian for example, or (former) Yugoslavs vs Scandinavians of Serie A, a Europeans vs Americans in the 90s and 00s version or whatever you please.
Starting with the calendar decades
First of all, I'm going to go for an all decade team from the 70s until the 2010s.
Then will dissect the decades and do a different setup where the start is the midpoint. So we're going from 1975 to 2015.
I'll post the 5 year teams on a different day.
So instead of locking people to say "team of the decade" and using years that aren't really compatible with one another, anyone can just post the team that they wanna share. Could be a random XI or a question of which of the two sets is better. Or it could be a request to other members to list all Argentinean Serie A team vs all Brazilian for example, or (former) Yugoslavs vs Scandinavians of Serie A, a Europeans vs Americans in the 90s and 00s version or whatever you please.
Starting with the calendar decades
1970s
All Italian team, probably the only decade as far back as we can go where this is the case. Even any objections here can only be replaced by other Italians.
All Italian team, probably the only decade as far back as we can go where this is the case. Even any objections here can only be replaced by other Italians.
1980s
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I hear any objections for Conti being placed on the left, but he was left footbed and honestly cannot slot anyone else there. Donadoni didn't play much and Boniek deserves the spot. Altobelli over Pruzzo only due to number of goals scored during the 80s, although Pruzzo won more and had better seasons, but that also makes him more inconsistent. Gentile dropped off a lot since leaving Juventus and didn't play further in the decade to warrant an option here. Giannini could make the cut but it'd be difficult to put him over Platini or Maradona, or instead of a winger. The DMs that played in the 80s are 'hybrid' decade players so couldn't really slot them over Falcao. Talking about Tardelli and Oriali. Ancelotti could be an option, though.
1990s
I know a lot of hate is incoming for not including Javier Zanetti, but the thing is, in the 90s he wasn't really a proper right back, he was mostly used as a wide midfielder and slotted at right back and his time in the 90s is restricted. Bergomi takes the spot, so it remains with Inter. Bergomi was a right back for 7 out of 9 seasons in the 90s iirc. Veron is the only player that made it on pure merit despite not appearing in that many seasons and honestly the only thing that can be contested is Veron > Gullit and Rui Costa > Totti, but I think the ones I picked had more high quality football games in the 90s than the ones I left. Ferrara and Costacurta was an interesting one, but Ferrara played some time at right back as well. Cannavaro played much less than the rest so he's ruled out, but he's also an option I suppose.
2000s
I'll admit to bias here. Maldini is out because he's been a center back in this decade almost exclusively, whilst Zanetti should have been at right back, but the other options at left back are Favalli and Jankulovski. And I can't have that. Maicon is not considered because Cafu had like 8-9 seasons and Maicon had 4ish. Kaka is there at RW because why not. Cannavaro is out because he was subpar one season with Inter, then left for Real Madrid and when he came back he was just above average. Can't include him with 5 seasons here. Zlatan and Totti up front is the only thing that makes sense to me. Del Piero, Gilardino, Shevchenko, Trezeguet and Filippo Inzaghi the other options here bur for various reasons went with these two. Midfield, not sure if there's another duo worth the cut.
2010s
Handanovic over Buffon is a certainty for me. Also, Barzagli over Bonucci, since we'd want a center back and not a ball playing guy here. Dybala is probably the only entrant that could be contested. Vidal and Pogba were only in Serie A for 4 seasons, so they're out. Pirlo only played half the decade, also out. Insigne and Berardi/Callejon are the only ones who miss out due to the formation chosen. Dzeko also misses out as an option since he played less than half the decade in the league. Lichtsteiner is quite automatic as every other rival in that position was either short lived (Dani Alves, Cancelo, Darmian) or didn't last long in the decade (Maggio).
Now moving to 1975 starting point, the outlook would be significantly different, especially as we progress to recent days`
I hear any objections for Conti being placed on the left, but he was left footbed and honestly cannot slot anyone else there. Donadoni didn't play much and Boniek deserves the spot. Altobelli over Pruzzo only due to number of goals scored during the 80s, although Pruzzo won more and had better seasons, but that also makes him more inconsistent. Gentile dropped off a lot since leaving Juventus and didn't play further in the decade to warrant an option here. Giannini could make the cut but it'd be difficult to put him over Platini or Maradona, or instead of a winger. The DMs that played in the 80s are 'hybrid' decade players so couldn't really slot them over Falcao. Talking about Tardelli and Oriali. Ancelotti could be an option, though.
1990s
I know a lot of hate is incoming for not including Javier Zanetti, but the thing is, in the 90s he wasn't really a proper right back, he was mostly used as a wide midfielder and slotted at right back and his time in the 90s is restricted. Bergomi takes the spot, so it remains with Inter. Bergomi was a right back for 7 out of 9 seasons in the 90s iirc. Veron is the only player that made it on pure merit despite not appearing in that many seasons and honestly the only thing that can be contested is Veron > Gullit and Rui Costa > Totti, but I think the ones I picked had more high quality football games in the 90s than the ones I left. Ferrara and Costacurta was an interesting one, but Ferrara played some time at right back as well. Cannavaro played much less than the rest so he's ruled out, but he's also an option I suppose.
2000s
I'll admit to bias here. Maldini is out because he's been a center back in this decade almost exclusively, whilst Zanetti should have been at right back, but the other options at left back are Favalli and Jankulovski. And I can't have that. Maicon is not considered because Cafu had like 8-9 seasons and Maicon had 4ish. Kaka is there at RW because why not. Cannavaro is out because he was subpar one season with Inter, then left for Real Madrid and when he came back he was just above average. Can't include him with 5 seasons here. Zlatan and Totti up front is the only thing that makes sense to me. Del Piero, Gilardino, Shevchenko, Trezeguet and Filippo Inzaghi the other options here bur for various reasons went with these two. Midfield, not sure if there's another duo worth the cut.
2010s
Handanovic over Buffon is a certainty for me. Also, Barzagli over Bonucci, since we'd want a center back and not a ball playing guy here. Dybala is probably the only entrant that could be contested. Vidal and Pogba were only in Serie A for 4 seasons, so they're out. Pirlo only played half the decade, also out. Insigne and Berardi/Callejon are the only ones who miss out due to the formation chosen. Dzeko also misses out as an option since he played less than half the decade in the league. Lichtsteiner is quite automatic as every other rival in that position was either short lived (Dani Alves, Cancelo, Darmian) or didn't last long in the decade (Maggio).
1975-1985
What could go different here is Oriali over Tardelli or Falcao. Falcao's impact was so significant that even his 5 seasons suffice imo. Pruzzo over Altobelli here because 10 Serie A seasons > 8 Serie A seasons + 2 Serie B seasons. Milan's Maldera despite having a Serie B season is chosen over Cabrini, who also had a Serie B season but did not have as many full Serie A seasons. Rest of the defence doesn't change for the 70s. Conti on his favorite right spot this time.
1985-1995
Our two phenomenal Germans miss out since they were here for only 4 seasons each, but realistically only Matthaus had a shot next to Rijkaard, who's in despite only 5 seasons in. Impactful as they come. Roberto Baggio off position here to accomodate Roberto Mancini up front. Defense is the same as the 90s setup. Ferrara over Costacurta was the only debate in my mind, but this is pretty much peak Costacurta as well so the discussion ends there. I'd consider Jurgen Kohler had he played longer, though. Vialli over van Basten was also an option, but again, the impact was just too much.
1995-2005
Toldo > Buffon because imo it's been a coin toss to decide who was better and Toldo has one more season on him. Cannavaro out again? His Inter stint hurts him and Thuram was more consistent despite missing a season. I typically rate Cannavaro but this year limits are punishing him. Central midfield options I guess I'm running out of them, as there weren't many names that stuck around much. You cannot put Di Biagio ahead of 5 Zidane seasons, even if they weren't his best. Totti out wide was a thing at least. Strikers missing are Batistuta who fell from grace in the last seasons of this period, Shevchenko arrived in 1999, Ronaldo didn't play much, Trezeguet arrived in 2000, so the alternatives really were Enrico Chiesa, Hernan Crespo who left for Chelsea and wasn't great in his first season with us, Beppe Signori whose peak was earlier and Vincenzo Montella.
2005-2015
This one's rather tricky as there was a change of guard and many players didn't play the entire 10 years. Di Natale is the obvious striker choice, but after him it's Ibrahimovic or Cavani with their 6 seasons. Zlatan was a one-man team during this period, winning 4 Scudetti, so he goes ahead. In midfield, the other options were Javier Zanetti, Dejan Stankovic, Claudio Marchisio, Clarence Seedorf and Marek Hamsik. Samuel over Nesta was the only other one, they both were inconsistent and missed seasons, had a similar number of games, perhaps Nesta had more of a higher standard, but Samuel peaked higher and has featured in more seasons, so he gets the nod. Balzaretti is in because there's no other left back honestly. He was very good at times, but pretty much the weakest link here.
What could go different here is Oriali over Tardelli or Falcao. Falcao's impact was so significant that even his 5 seasons suffice imo. Pruzzo over Altobelli here because 10 Serie A seasons > 8 Serie A seasons + 2 Serie B seasons. Milan's Maldera despite having a Serie B season is chosen over Cabrini, who also had a Serie B season but did not have as many full Serie A seasons. Rest of the defence doesn't change for the 70s. Conti on his favorite right spot this time.
1985-1995
Our two phenomenal Germans miss out since they were here for only 4 seasons each, but realistically only Matthaus had a shot next to Rijkaard, who's in despite only 5 seasons in. Impactful as they come. Roberto Baggio off position here to accomodate Roberto Mancini up front. Defense is the same as the 90s setup. Ferrara over Costacurta was the only debate in my mind, but this is pretty much peak Costacurta as well so the discussion ends there. I'd consider Jurgen Kohler had he played longer, though. Vialli over van Basten was also an option, but again, the impact was just too much.
1995-2005
Toldo > Buffon because imo it's been a coin toss to decide who was better and Toldo has one more season on him. Cannavaro out again? His Inter stint hurts him and Thuram was more consistent despite missing a season. I typically rate Cannavaro but this year limits are punishing him. Central midfield options I guess I'm running out of them, as there weren't many names that stuck around much. You cannot put Di Biagio ahead of 5 Zidane seasons, even if they weren't his best. Totti out wide was a thing at least. Strikers missing are Batistuta who fell from grace in the last seasons of this period, Shevchenko arrived in 1999, Ronaldo didn't play much, Trezeguet arrived in 2000, so the alternatives really were Enrico Chiesa, Hernan Crespo who left for Chelsea and wasn't great in his first season with us, Beppe Signori whose peak was earlier and Vincenzo Montella.
2005-2015
This one's rather tricky as there was a change of guard and many players didn't play the entire 10 years. Di Natale is the obvious striker choice, but after him it's Ibrahimovic or Cavani with their 6 seasons. Zlatan was a one-man team during this period, winning 4 Scudetti, so he goes ahead. In midfield, the other options were Javier Zanetti, Dejan Stankovic, Claudio Marchisio, Clarence Seedorf and Marek Hamsik. Samuel over Nesta was the only other one, they both were inconsistent and missed seasons, had a similar number of games, perhaps Nesta had more of a higher standard, but Samuel peaked higher and has featured in more seasons, so he gets the nod. Balzaretti is in because there's no other left back honestly. He was very good at times, but pretty much the weakest link here.
Trapattoni has the 80s titles but at least 2 of them are tainted.
