Bryan Cristante

Big_M · May 19, 2017

Looking at the 7 mids that were called to the last camp only 1 was a sure starter in this end of season and even he has missed the last 3 matchdays due to injury. Cristante on the other hand has completely turned it around since April and been a sure starter and impact player so will be very hard to ignore him. Question now is how important is playing tiime and club performances for the coach or will he simply go with players he has gone with no matter what. With his past decisions, seems to be the latter. Players born 96 or later should also be more interesting to him as they are eligible for the next u21 championship. Cristante was born in 95.

Olympique_de_Marseille · May 26, 2017

Does not seem to have made the cut for the Italy Under 21 (yes, it's an under 23) squad.

A preliminary 27-man squad is out and he doesn't seem to have made it:

http://www.figc.it/it/204/2537840/2017/05/News.shtml

They will announce the 23-man squad for the tournament on June 6th but if he can't make this squad then what are his chances really? Looks like this might be the end of the road for him for Italy call-ups.

Shway · May 26, 2017

Or maybe he's already committed to Canada

Ansem · May 26, 2017

32 minutes ago, Olympique_de_Marseille said:

Does not seem to have made the cut for the Italy Under 21 (yes, it's an under 23) squad.

A preliminary 27-man squad is out and he doesn't seem to have made it:

http://www.figc.it/it/204/2537840/2017/05/News.shtml

They will announce the 23-man squad for the tournament on June 6th but if he can't make this squad then what are his chances really? Looks like this might be the end of the road for him for Italy call-ups.

There are much better prospects than him that are younger than he is...he's done for Italy. I'd sign up with Canada if I was him...especially with 2026 around the corner

A_Gagne · May 26, 2017

22 minutes ago, Ansem said:

There are much better prospects than him that are younger than he is...he's done for Italy. I'd sign up with Canada if I was him...especially with 2026 around the corner

9 years is a long time. Especially relative to pro sports/soccer careers.

Ruffian · May 26, 2017

It is nice that Canada Soccer has been in contact with him for a while and he has not shot them down completely. Here is an article from May 2014 mentioning Floro's discussions with him.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2014/05/22/canmnt-benito-floro-says-success-upcoming-friendlies-important-psychology-and

This is also the article used as the reference in Wikipedia for Cristante's Canada eligibility and his possession of a Canadian passport.

jpg75 · May 26, 2017

Pump the brakes guys. He's 22 yrs old so there's a long way to go before he gives up on his Azzurri dream. Also, Italy are notorious for leaning towards experience over youth so don't be surprised if he tries his luck well into his late 20's. If we're hosting the 2026 WC and he hasn't been called by Euro 2024 then he'll probably choose us.

And after i say that watch him join Canada next week...

matty · May 26, 2017

6 minutes ago, jpg75 said:

Pump the brakes guys. He's 22 yrs old so there's a long way to go before he gives up on his Azzurri dream. Also, Italy are notorious for leaning towards experience over youth so don't be surprised if he tries his luck well into his late 20's. If we're hosting the 2026 WC and he hasn't been called by Euro 2024 then he'll probably choose us.

I mostly agree. The guy scored 3 goals in 11 games for a club that are heading to Europa next year. His Italian dreams are still very much alive for at least another year.

I don't think we're dealing with a Vitoria situation, if he comes to Canada (which I think he will) he'll do it by 25.

The thing Canada has is the fact he knows there's a good chance he would not have a secure spot with Italy and would likely never see action in a major tournament with Italy. He's good but it's clear he wouldn't be an impact player for Italy.

It's really going to come down to which does he want more to play in major tournaments or does he want to play for Italy because it doesn't look like he could do both.

Big_M · May 26, 2017

As predicted. They even called a couple of mids who had not been called before born in 96 and eligible for the next championship. He is not close to having the quality for italy

Yoginess · May 26, 2017

On 1/23/2017 at 7:22 PM, matty said:

Just a feeling. I think most would agree it's starting to look like he'll be a low level Serie A guy, likely to play for bottom to mid table teams, and that's not exactly what the Italian national team wants. He seems to want to be an international player and Canada will offer him that.

While I agree with this assessment. If I was him (a footballer playing at a high level). I would believe that in a couple years I could be a great player. In his head (and maybe only his head) he thinks he can make the Italian National Team, that is the mentality of high level athletes.

Obinna · May 26, 2017

I think we will get a clearer picture as next season plays out. Remember, this is his first season of regular football. If he can match or improve upon next season, that will likely keep him motivated for the Italian National team. If he struggles for playing time or form, he might give us a closer look, as playing time is essential for player development.

Btw, did Zambrano visit him or did I make that up?

BuzzAndSting · May 26, 2017

6 minutes ago, Obinna said:

I think we will get a clearer picture as next season plays out. Remember, this is his first season of regular football. If he can match or improve upon next season, that will likely keep him motivated for the Italian National team. If he struggles for playing time or form, he might give us a closer look, as playing time is essential for player development.

Btw, did Zambrano visit him or did I make that up?

There was an article a couple weeks ago that said OZ was at the Atalanta v. Milan game earlier this year.

shermanator · May 26, 2017

21 minutes ago, Obinna said:

I think we will get a clearer picture as next season plays out. Remember, this is his first season of regular football. If he can match or improve upon next season, that will likely keep him motivated for the Italian National team. If he struggles for playing time or form, he might give us a closer look, as playing time is essential for player development.

If only we would include such thought in rating our own 22 year old prospects....

Shway · May 26, 2017

3 hours ago, jpg75 said:

Pump the brakes guys. He's 22 yrs old so there's a long way to go before he gives up on his Azzurri dream. Also, Italy are notorious for leaning towards experience over youth so don't be surprised if he tries his luck well into his late 20's. If we're hosting the 2026 WC and he hasn't been called by Euro 2024 then he'll probably choose us.

And after i say that watch him join Canada next week...

The reality is, Italians are late elite bloomers...it's rare that they have young talent (as in under 24) in their teams. A lot of Italian nationals have gotten their first caps when they were 27.

So if he continues to start for a Serie A team, his chances aren't dead.

Obinna · May 26, 2017

37 minutes ago, shermanator said:

If only we would include such thought in rating our own 22 year old prospects....

Very curious to know what players or player you had in mind when making this comment.

One American · May 26, 2017

HE doesn't really have that much time left. Two years tops, really.

matty · May 26, 2017

1 hour ago, Jahinho Guerro said:

The reality is, Italians are late elite bloomers...it's rare that they have young talent (as in under 24) in their teams. A lot of Italian nationals have gotten their first caps when they were 27.

So if he continues to start for a Serie A team, his chances aren't dead.

They've been calling a number of young players up lately. I agree his chances are not dead but I wouldn't say we won't know until he's in his late 20s

matty · May 26, 2017

1 hour ago, shermanator said:

If only we would include such thought in rating our own 22 year old prospects....

.....but he is a Canadian prospect.

shermanator · May 26, 2017

1 hour ago, Obinna said:

Very curious to know what players or player you had in mind when making this comment.

Was mostly referencing the "playing time is essential for player development." portion of your quote, which I think you would agree with. So for a few examples, Aird, Petrasso, Piette, Bustos and Shome are 5 players who I've argued this for recently.

Obinna · May 26, 2017

54 minutes ago, shermanator said:

Was mostly referencing the "playing time is essential for player development." portion of your quote, which I think you would agree with. So for a few examples, Aird, Petrasso, Piette, Bustos and Shome are 5 players who I've argued this for recently.

Yeah I thought about it after and figured that's where your head was at. So nobody in particular, as you can apply that philosophy to any young player.

Playing time is certainly important for young players, but it must be balanced with "level". For example, I don't think Bustos getting time at the USL "level" serves him any longer. He needs to playing time but it must be elsewhere. Same could arguably be said about Larin.

Shome is an interesting case. Injury aside, is he better served getting 500-1000 minutes with Montreal rather than playing +2000 with Edmonton at a lower level? It probably depends on whether or not there is room for him to develop in NASL. However, since I never watched him much with FCE, i'm not even going to speculate on that one. All I know is that he impressed enough for an MLS club to take a chance on him.

I will say though that generally speaking, I prefer our players to play at a higher level, even if the minutes are less. Nothing replaces game action, but there are valuable lessons to be learned when training with better players and learning from better coaches.

Olympique_de_Marseille · May 28, 2017

6 hours ago, king1010 said:

Atalanta with the 1-0 win. If lazio don't get a win Atalanta will finish 4th. Amazing season for them.

Next year Italy gets 4 Champions League Places. Doubt Atalanta will be able to achieve another top 4 finish next year though.

The assist, a very well timed pass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZTgSIexSCgWell done for him! Nice way to finish his season. He really got his career back on track.

His playing time since he moved to Atalanta:

Gordon · June 6, 2017

Reports of a bid by Bournemouth reported by Sky Italia. Not the most reliable source...

Olympique_de_Marseille · June 7, 2017

Didn't make the final 23-man squad for the U21 (under 23-really) EURO in Poland. In an interview he had stated that this was his goal.

http://www.figc.it/it/204/2538040/2017/06/News.shtml

There is no more youth football for him. It's either:

1) Try to make the senior men's Italian National team (good luck with that! - Look at the midfielders they called in the last 12 months http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_national_football_team) Unless he wants to play for "Italy B" or "Italy C" this could be the end of the Azzurri road for him.

2) File a one-time switch to play for Canada.

Bryan, you should be proud of what you've done at the youth level for Italy. There is no shame in switching and playing for Canada now!

Dominic94 · June 7, 2017

7 minutes ago, Olympique_de_Marseille said:

Didn't make the final 23-man squad for the U21 (under 23-really) EURO in Poland. In an interview he had stated that this was his goal.

http://www.figc.it/it/204/2538040/2017/06/News.shtml

There is no more youth football for him. It's either:

1) Try to make the senior men's Italian National team (good luck with that! - Look at the midfielders they called in the last 12 months) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_national_football_team Unless he wants to play for "Italy B" or "Italy C" this could be the end of the Azzurri road for him.

2) File a one-time switch to play for Canada.

Bryan, you should be proud of what you've done at the youth level for Italy. There is no shame in switching and playing for Canada now!

I think he needs time to come to that, I mean you give everything you can and all of sudden it's over... takes time to accept it.

Obinna · June 7, 2017

23 minutes ago, Olympique_de_Marseille said:

Didn't make the final 23-man squad for the U21 (under 23-really) EURO in Poland. In an interview he had stated that this was his goal.

http://www.figc.it/it/204/2538040/2017/06/News.shtml

There is no more youth football for him. It's either:

1) Try to make the senior men's Italian National team (good luck with that! - Look at the midfielders they called in the last 12 months) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_national_football_team Unless he wants to play for "Italy B" or "Italy C" this could be the end of the Azzurri road for him.

2) File a one-time switch to play for Canada.

Bryan, you should be proud of what you've done at the youth level for Italy. There is no shame in switching and playing for Canada now!

I like the optimism but IIRC there are several Atalanta players who've been capped this year by the senior team. They have similar resumes, signing with a big team and going on multiple loans, before finding joy at Atalanta. I think two were born in 1993 and one in 1994. Bryan was born in 1995, so although he's done youth football, I don't think he'll be automatically giving up hope of an Italian call, given that some of his teammates of similar age have won caps.

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