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After analysing the best XI for World Champions Germany, we now shift our focus to the 2006 Champions – Italy. We will go in with the 3-5-2 formation as we analyze FIFA 15’s best Italian team.
#1 Salvatore Sirigu (GK)
FIFA 15 rating: 84
EA SPORTS ratings reveal that the captain Gianluigi Buffon should make way for the much younger Salvatore Sirigu. Fans do have the emotional connect with Buffon, so it is highly unlikely that you will drop him, but Sirigu who plays for French giants PSG is rated 84 in the game and is among the best goal keepers in FIFA 15.
#2 Giorgio Chiellini (CB)
FIFA 15 rating: 84
A powerful presence in front of the keeper, Juventus vice captain Giorgio Chiellini is our first choice CB with a rating of 84. He is among the best central defenders in the game and was rated the 7th best player in the World last year in a survey. He had a pretty disappointing year despite his team winning the league title.
#3 Andrea Barzagli (CB)
FIFA 15 rating: 83
Yes he is 33 years old, but don’t let that factor creep in as he is still one of the best CB’s in the country and he has actually improved with age. Barzagli is strong in terms of anticipation, concentration and positional sense. His marking and tackling are too good and is relied upon to come out on top during the one on one situations. He was also voted Seria A’s best defender in 2012.
#4 Leonardo Bonucci (CB)
FIFA 15 rating: 79
Parma’s Gabriel Paletta and Juventus Centre back Leonardo Bonucci are both tied with the same rating of 79, but we will pick the latter since his attacking attributes are slightly better. Bonucci is known for his technique and passing range and he is also a tall and strong defender who excels in the air, and frequently poses a threat from set pieces.
#5 Andrea Pirlo (CDM)
FIFA 15 rating: 84
Who else than Andrea Pirlo for this role? 35 years old but is still going strong. Currently he is still Italy’s best player in this XI and he is also the game’s best free kick taker. His vision, ball control and passing abilities are second to none. He was the top assist provider in the 2006 FIFA World Cup which his team won, and also put on a stellar display in the European Championship in 2012 where Italy finished runners-up
#6 Daniele De Rossi (CM)
FIFA 15 rating: 84
Daniele De Rossi with a rating of 84 takes the Central Midfielder’s slot. There was a lot of speculation around his future in the summer, but nothing materialised and he is still at AS Roma alongside the veteran Francesco Totti. He was also a part of the World Cup winning squad in 2006 and was present in the team of the tournament in EURO 2012.
#7 Thiago Motta (CM)
FIFA 15 rating: 82
Another 30 plus star makes the cut in the best Italian XI. Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Motta with a rating of 82 will be the man in the middle alongside Pirlo and De Rossi. He won eleven major titles in total during his spell at Barcelona and Inter Milan. He is tactically versatile and is hence adaptable enough to play in other positions in midfield.
#8 Claudio Marchisio (LM)
FIFA 15 rating: 83
He is best utilised in the middle, but at the same time he is versatile enough to be deployed wide. So in order to accomodate such a wonderful player, fans must play him on the left side of the midfield. He is rated 83 in the game and adds up to the long list of players from Juventus present on this list.
#9 Antonio Candreva (RM)
FIFA 15 rating: 83
Tactically very versatile, Antonio Candreva makes the cut as the right sided midfielder in this line up even though he primarily plays on the wings or in the middle for Lazio. He is known for his pace, stamina, and work-rate. His dribbling skills and long range shots are well appreciated by teammates and opponents alike. He scored his first goal for Italy recently in the EURO qualifiers. You can score more in the virtual world.
#10 Giuseppe Rossi (ST)
FIFA 15 rating: 82
Giuseppe Rossi should play upfront for your Italian side since he is the highest rated forward in the game for the Azzurri. He was named in the provisional 30 man squad for the World Cup, but was dropped when it was trimmed down to 23. He has often been compared to the legendary Del Piero and currently he plays for Fiorentina for whom he scored 17 goals last season.
#11 Mario Balotelli (ST)
FIFA 15 rating: 82
Balotelli has returned to England for his second spell and with a rating of 82, he should be pairing up with Rossi up front. He is one of those rare players who plied their trades for both Inter and AC Milan (for whom he scored 18 times last season). He is also one of the best penalty takers in World football, so in the absence of Pirlo, you can count on him to convert the spot kicks.
