Azzurri Dreams 2006 All Star Team

Here at Azzurri Dreams, we are steadfast in our belief that we provide objective analysis of European soccer. With that in mind, we have decided to put together our Azzurri Dreams 2006 All-Star team. These were the players that were just a notch above everyone else and fun to watch. What you won’t find on this list is David Beckham, overpriced and over-hyped Chelsea players, Inter defenders or French naturalized players(well ok, only one). And so, drum roooooooooooooll please:

Goalkeeper:
Ikor Casillas, Real Madrid. Without this guy, Madrid does not finish in the top 10. I am certain those calls from Manchester United are on his mind when he is picking himself off the floor time and time again.

Defense:
Lucio, Bayern Munich. I swear I am already having nightmares about this guy in canary yellow in Germany in 2006.
Gianluca Zambrotta, Juventus. Forget Ashley Cole, this is Chelsea's dream defensive signing. Dream on.
John Terry, Chelsea. And now he is beginning to score goals as well. AC Milan will try to sign him next year.
Fabio Cannavaro, Juventus. It was a great move for Inter to let him go and stick with three-back line defense. In a few months, he will have his second Serie A scudetto and Inter will still be left with Marco Matarazzi on defense

Midfield:
Andrea Pirlo, AC Milan. When Johan Cruyff calls you the best deep mid-fielder in the world, it means something. He is so talented, I won't even bring up that he looks like the Fonzi.
Claude Makelele, Chelsea. Like Judas before him, he was sold for pennies of what he is truly worth. But I am sure Thomas Graveson is a great replacement, right?
Mauro Camoranesi, Juventus. Even with the bad ponytail, the engine that makes Juventus click in the mid-field.
Ronaldinho, Barcelona. The only man granted immunity for bad hair in Europe, makes all those great Argentinian mullets look fashionable but what a joy to watch him play.

Strikers:
Thierry Henry, Arsenal. No matter how it pains me to compliment the French, it will be fun to watch him play outside of England next year.
Andryi Shevchencko, AC Milan. Berlusconi is the godparent of his first-born, the two of them can talk more while the (ex)Prime Minister sits in the San Siro stands watching more games next year when he is ousted as Prime Minister. Sheva is going nowhere, no matter how match Chel$ea are willing to offer.

Coach:
Rafa Benitez, Liverpool. I am still trying to figure out how you won the Champions League with that team.

Azzurri Dreams