Italy, an outsider in this years World Cup?

ThisDrinkingLife and The World Cup: Italy

The main question with regards Italy is can they beat Spain? Because if they as expected top their group and the Spanish do likewise in their group, they will both meet in the last eight of the world cup.

I am not so sure that they could beat Spain. They will certainly give them a good game and it would be close but that’s as far as I would expect Italy to get, the last eight. Which is a shame as I do think Italy have a decent team, and are very well coached under the excellent Cesare Prandelli.

Off to a cagey start against England, I think they should top group D, especially since they have the Costa Rica game second, which should determine exactly what they should have to do in the last game against Uruguay. I think they will also easily overcome anything that comes out of group C. Then Spain in the quarters. If it happens to plan it will be one of those great world cup games. But this time there will be no Baggio to bail out the Italians.

The squad is strong from front to back, a little like Spain in that regards. No real weaknesses and the fact that it will be a final swansong for Pirlo and Buffon, at 35 and 36 respectively, means that they will certainly try to stay in the competition for as long as possible.

The key player will be Mario Balotelli who lit up the last European championships with his goals and style. I fully expect him to do the same in this world cup. If it is a Spanish quarter final game then I will really look forward to Balotelli’s tussle with that Spanish defence. Remember Italy have never lost when super Mario scores!