Italy

Italy have made it to the final of Euro 2012 but still is not regarded as one of the favorites this year to lift the World Cup.

Athletes required

Four years ago, Italian were one of the disappoitments of the South African World Cup. They played sluggish, slow football and were duly eliminated in the group stage. But a lot has changed from that time. Cesare Prandelli became the head coach and started to teach new way of playing.

Generally, Italians are very open when discussing tactics and formations. Prandelli feels comfortable answering questions regarding his strategy – using a false nine, employing a three-man defence. When discussing his take on the Brazilian World Cup he said that he needs 23 athletes in South America, not just footballers. Because of the heat, he requires players of different characteristics.

Muscles from Brazil

That’s why he called up Romulo, Italian who was born in Brazil. “He can cover lots of different roles,” Prandelli said. “He has running, technique and continuity of performance, a very interesting player.” Jurgen Klopp, when discussing Kevin Grosskreutz inclusion in World Club squad, argued that those universal (although with less high class specified abilities) players expand the squad from 23 to 27 or even 29 players. Romulo is one of them, being able to play anywhere from right back to attacking midfielder. He is also very good on the ball and Italy can count on his key passing.

Italian’s squad consists also Prandelli’s usual suspects: Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Daniele de Rossi or Mario Balotelli. Although they all come from Serie A, generally a slow-paced league, they are experienced enough outside Italy to play with a quicker tempo.

Hope in Torino

Prandelli also called up two Torino players – Serie A’s revelation this year – Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci. The first one is a striker, and the league’s top scorer on top of that. His surname may be misleading, but he really is a very mobile striker. With low centre of gravity he accelerates fast and keeps the pace comfortably. He is a natural goalscorer and also gives everything in defensive phase of play – returning happily on his half and pressing the midfielders.

Cerci is a classic winger, a rare breed in Italy. He’s made 10 assists this season – also the best result in the league. Both should make it to Brazil.

Prandelli is a flexible coach and certainly knows exaclty what he requires in Brazil – endurance and speed. The former is needed to survive in the heat. The latter – to keep the team multidimensional. Creativity will be provided – for that Prandelli has Pirlo, Riccardo Montolivo, Alberto Aquilani or Antonio Cassano. Quite a pack he has, indeed.

Playing style

Italy plays in few different formations and it’s quite hard to pick their natural. They can use Juventus’ three-man defence plus Pirlo as a regista but might also try to play a 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2. But generally, they’ll try to control games, be patient in their build-up and avoid using long balls toward Balotelli. They can be surprised by pressing – as they did against Japan did in Confederations Cup last year.

Coach

Cesare Prandelli is one of the aesthetes of football – he likes his teams to keep the ball on the ground, to pass it short, use creativity. That’s what brought his Fiorentina to quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2010 and gave him the job as Italian head coach. He’s also very flexible and knows how to utilise various formations.

Schedule and BETEGY suggestions

14th June, Manaus: vs. England (1-1)

20th June, Recife: vs. Costa Rica (2-0)

24th June, Natal: vs. Uruguay (1-1)

Italy should qualify from  the ‘group of death’. They have a 66% chance of doing that and five points should ensure their qualifications. In the Round of 16 they’ll meet Colombia and win 1-0. But in the quarter finals wait hosts Brazil and Italy may lose 0-1 and return home after fifth game.