Italy, a turnaround? Can a revitalised Azzuri perform better?

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Italy

By Michael Fay

For the Azzurri The World Cup in 2010 was a disaster, failing to win a single game having gone into South Africa as champions. Coming into Brazil 2014, Italy qualified undefeated in what was a relatively straightforward group, having avoided defeat in what could have been tricky ties away Denmark and Czech Republic.

In previous years Italy squads have been made up mostly of Juventus players, heading to Brazil this summer The Azzurri aren’t so reliant on the three in a row Scudetto winners, although at least three of the back five will be from the Turin club depending on the formation chosen by Cesare Prandelli, the 56 year old who has recently signed a two year extension is highly popular amongst his players.

Prandelli has chosen a preliminary 30-man squad, which boasts four world cup winners in Gigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Andrea Pirlo and Daniel De Rossi and one of the most balanced sides in the competition.

Squad:

Lets start at the back; some of the best in Europe are in there, most notably, Juventus trio Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli who are all first choice for their club. Parma’s centre half Gabriella Palleta will act as back up after having a wonderful season under Serie A legend Roberto Donadoni helping I Gialloblu qualify for the Europa League on the final day of the season. The highly rated Inter Milan centre back Andrea Ranocchia will also provide back up. AC Milan duo Ignazio Abate and Mattia De Sciglio will provide an attacking threat from the full back position but both have had poor seasons with I Rossoneri.

In midfield, the four time champions have an abundance of talent; Andrea Pirlo will look to orchestrate attacks from deep, and can strike a mean set piece, which he has proved all through his career but especially last season with his strike vs. Napoli being the highlight. After Pirlo, the excellent Thiago Motta, who goes about his business quietly, doing the dirty work for the side, almost Buesquets-like in his role he will prove a major player for Italy in Brazil. It may be that Prandelli will leave out twenty one year old Veratti of PSG due to his inability to play in more than one role, unlike Claudio Marchisio of Juve and Ricardo Montilivo of Milan. De Rossi is a certain starter as well having lead Roma to an excellent season finishing second in Serie A.

Out wide, again, depending on the formation, De Sciglio and Abate may be asked to fill those roles, Alessio Cerci of Torino could fill one flank and possibly Lazio’s Antonio Candreva on the other side, but looks unlikely.

Many previews have Italy’s weakness in the forward line; this is not a view I share, because there are some young and exciting players in this squad along with the experience of Mario Balotelli and Parma’s Antonio Cassano. Ciro Immobile of Torino finished top scorer in Serie A for a team that finished seventh that is an extremely impressive feat in a league with the likes of Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Fernando Llorente for competition. Scoring 22 goals, 14 of which were first goals it’s no surprise Immobile is now linked with a big money move to Dortmund in the summer.

The unfortunate Giuseppe Rossi is believed to be avoiding tackles in training having just come back from a four month lay off after suffering a terrible knee injury, before that, the former Manchester United striker was proving to be the best in Italy at that time, it’s no surprise Fiorentina’s form took massive nose dive when losing the young marksman, who still managed to finish with a respectable sixteen goals. Reports in Gazzetta Della Spot this week stated that Rossi has been hesitant to remain on the ball and a little afraid of tackles.

Mattia Destro of Roma looks the more likely to get that final place in the squad ahead of Rossi.

Tactics:

Italy are probably the most tactically flexible squad entering this summers festival of football, expect to see them start with a 4-2-3-1 but they can just as easily switch to a 3-5-2 or a 4-3-3, this is one of their main strengths along with their ability to keep the ball, their downfall could be a lack of mobility in midfield.

Key Player:

The key player for The Azzurri will no doubt be Mario Balotelli, the Milan forward has had a terrible season but is most likely to start as their main striker, and Italy will need the former Man City man on top form if they’re to come out of this group.

Verdict:

Italy should qualify, and could possibly top the group, the key game being the opener against England, win that and they’ll be in a great position to do so, after that, I fancy this squad to get to the quarter finals only to be eliminated by hosts Brazil.

Betting:

Get on Italy to top their group (13/8 in certain bookmakers) with the opening game against England and in extreme temperatures Italy’s ability to keep the ball should get them the win, after that they face Costa Rica with an excellent chance of getting two consecutive wins, a draw in their final game against an already qualified Uruguay should suffice to see them finish top.

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