World Cup preview: Italy

The Road To The World Cup

Despite enjoying a relatively straightforward qualifying campaign and booking their ticket to Brazil with two group games remaining, everything did not go according to plan for the four-time World Cup champions.

Needing one victory from their final two group matches, Italy could only muster a pair of 2-2 draws against Armenia and Denmark, meaning they failed to secure one of the top eight seeds for the draw.

That also started a stretch of seven consecutive matches without a win, which the team will carry with them into the World Cup after a 1-1 draw against Luxembourg earlier this week. 

Does it mean anything? Probably not. But that won't stop people from mentioning it.

Group Stage Schedule

Formation: 4-3-2-1 / 4-3-1-2 / 4-3-3

Given the way his squad is constructed, manager Cesare Prandelli (who we’ll get to in just a second) has a number of options when examining the system he wants to implement in any given match.

Indeed, the bench boss has experimented with a number of formations during his time on the Italian touchline. With his defensive core consisting mainly of players from Juventus, Prandelli has in the past opted for the same three-man defense utilized by the Serie A champions.

But recent matches indicate that he is determined to play four men at the back and get his width from the full-backs, which will allow him to overcome the current lack of natural wingers in the squad. Sorry, Alessio Cerci, but if you’re the best winger on the roster, I’d play a narrow formation too.

Youngster Mattia De Sciglio has been a standout performer whenever he pulls on the famous blue jersey, and barring a training injury, he will occupy the left-back position.

It also means Italy will likely use a narrow midfield with Andrea Pirlo and Roma stalwart Daniele De Rossi absolute locks to be in the starting lineup. The loss of Riccardo Montolivo to a devastating tibia fracture just weeks before the opening group match is a blow to the squad, especially considering Prandelli's affinity for the player, but Italy are blessed with a rich array of talent in that area that should more than compensate for his absence.

Mario Balotelli is the undisputed first choice striker, of that there is no question. However, directly behind (or beside) him is where the big questions remain. In light of the heavily-scrutinized decision to leave Giuseppe Rossi watching from his couch, the favorite for that role seems to be Antonio Cassano.

Fantantonio, heading to his first World Cup after a sterling season with Parma where he scored 12 goals and chipped in with a further 6 assists, is no stranger to playing beside Super Mario. If he is entrusted with the role, can he regain the magic from the Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany?

Manager: Cesare Prandelli

Since replacing Marcello Lippi following a disastrous (and frankly embarrassing) 2010 World Cup,  Prandelli has been heralded for ditching the slow, mechanical style of play and re-branding the team with an attractive, attacking brand of football where possession is king.

Prandelli, already confirmed to be remaining with the team until 2016, assumed the job after a five-year spell at Fiorentina, and led the Azzurri to an appearance in the Euro 2012 final in his first major tournament.

Now, the impeccably dressed 56-year-old will be hoping his team can make it just one step further.

Projected Starting XI (4-3-2-1)

GK: Gianluigi Buffon

LB: Mattia De Sciglio

CB: Andrea Barzagli

CB: Giorgio Chiellini

RB: Ignazio Abate 

CM: Andrea Pirlo

CM: Daniele De Rossi

CM: Marco Verratti

CAM: Claudio Marchisio

CAM: Antonio Cassano

FW: Mario Balotelli 

Projected Substitutes

GK: Salvatore Sirigu

GK: Mattia Perin

DF: Matteo Darmian 

DF: Leonardo Bonucci

DF: Gabriel Paletta

MF: Thiago Motta

MF: Marco Parolo 

MF: Alberto Aquilani

MF: Antonio Candreva

FW: Alessio Cerci

FW: Ciro Immobile

FW: Lorenzo Insigne 

The Captain: Gianluigi Buffon

Italy’s all-time caps leader, Buffon is back in the conversation for the title of world’s best goalkeeper after a brief absence from that discussion. Saves like this have been a big reason for that. 

But his influence between the sticks comes down to more than just his shot-stopping ability. At 36 years old, the Juventus skipper has seen everything there is to see in the world of football.

A World Cup winner (2006) who has also played in the final of the Champions League and European Championship, Buffon will provide a calming influence for an Italy side that will be significantly more youthful than it has been in past tournaments.

While the aforementioned 2010 World Cup squad was an abomination, Buffon's injury compounded the team's glaring defensive weakness significantly - the faster you forget about Federico Marchetti's performance against Slovakia, the better.

This could very well be Gigi's final appearance at football’s showpiece event. What better way to go out than by lifting that tiny gold trophy on July 13?

The Star: Mario Balotelli

Italy’s progression in the tournament will depend largely on which Mario Balotelli decides to get off the plane in Brazil.

Will we get to see the Balotelli that single-handedly knocked Germany out of the 2012 European Championships with a brace in the semi-final (including a spectacular second goal that spawned that celebration), or will we see the petulant, disinterested Super Mario that has reared its ugly head all too often in his young career.

Both were on display during qualifying, as Balotelli was the team’s top scorer with five tallies (including the winner against the Czech Republic that sealed qualification) while also picking up three yellow cards and one red card.

AC Milan - and Manchester City, and Inter for that matter - know the dichotomy all too well.

The 23-year-old beacon for criticism is crucial to Italy’s plans, as he not only has the ability to score goals, but he can use his powerful frame to hold up the ball and allow his teammates to get up the pitch in support.

(See: This goal against Luxembourg, which shows that he is equally adept at setting up others as he is finishing on his own).

Love him or hate him, it is impossible to deny that Balotelli’s performance will dictate how deep Italy advance in the competition.

The Young Gun: Marco Verratti

At this time last year, this space would have been devoted to Milan attacker Stephan El Shaarawy, and it wouldn’t have been close. 

Oh what a difference a year makes.

With the Egyptian-born youngster suffering through both injuries and a dip in form at AC Milan, he now finds himself on the outside of the national team picture looking in. While Lorenzo Insigne is the natural replacement, he seems destined for a substitute role in Brazil.

Enter Marco Verratti.

The baby-faced 21-year-old, plying his trade with French champions Paris Saint-Germain, appeared in Italy's final two friendly matches prior to the tournament, and was among the best players on the pitch in each contest.

To the surprise of some, Verratti is able to co-exist with Andrea Pirlo in the heart of the Italian midfield, with his differences from the bearded wizard outnumbering his ballyhooed similarities.

Energetic at both ends of the pitch and supremely skilled, don't be surprised if Verratti leaves Brazil as the hottest name on transfer market.

The Swan Song: Andrea Pirlo

Discarded three years ago by AC Milan, many thought Andrea Pirlo’s best days were well and truly behind him. Injuries had become a major concern, and it seemed the midfield maestro had lost his ability to dictate the pace of a match from his deep-lying position.

And then he made the move to Juventus.

The 35-year-old has been rejuvenated since joining the Old Lady, to the point where his performance in Brazil will arguably be more crucial than that of Balotelli’s in determining just how far this team can go.

Like a fine wine, the bearded genius seems to be getting better with age, which is a good sign for manager Cesare Prandelli. While Italy does boast a solid midfield with the likes of De Rossi, Marchisio, Thiago Motta and Verratti, make no mistake, Pirlo is still the catalyst.

Italy will need him to replicate his dominant display from Euro 2012, where he earned plaudits from every angle as he led the team to a second-place finish. 

His ability to pick a perfect pass - be it a short pass on the ground that splits the defense or a long, arching ball that hits an attacker in stride - combined with his dead-ball ability make him one of the players to watch throughout the competition.

Three Questions

1. Should Balotelli struggle, will someone else be able to carry the load and ensure that Italy are still a threat to score goals from open play?
2. At 35 years old, will Andrea Pirlo be able to replicate his Euro 2012 performance and allow Italy to dictate the tempo of their matches?
3. What formation will Cesare Prandelli ultimately decide on?

Trivial Matters

Nickname: Gli Azzurri

Most caps: Gianluigi Buffon (140)

Top scorer: Luigi Riva (35)

First international: May 15, 1910. Italy 6 - France 2

World Cup appearances: 18, beginning in 1934

Best World Cup result: Champions in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006.

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