Euro 2012 Preview - Italy
Nickname: "Azurri" ("The Blues")
Absurd FIFA ranking: 12th
Coach: Former pro Cesare Prandelli
Match Schedule:
June 10 – Italy v. Spain (Gdansk, 12 p.m. EST)
June 14 – Italy v. Croatia (Poznan, 12 p.m.)
June 18 – Italy v. Ireland (Poznan, 2:45 p.m.)
Prospects: Italy are the real unknown quantities in this summer's tournament as it's still unclear whether Prandelli knows his best side. This is particularly the case up front, where he might go with old standbys such as 34 year old Antonia diNatale over the wild cards Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano. One thing we can be sure of - the Italians may be slow starters but they know there way into the latter stages of a tournament. They'll be there or thereabouts.
Key Player: Juve playmaker Andrea Pirlo may be 33 but everything good about the Azurri still goes through him.
Youngster to watch: It's hard to take your eyes off mercurial Citeh striker Mario Balotelli who has threatened to walk off the pitch if he gets any racial abuse in Poland.
Who Will Get the Goals: I don't actually see a lot of goals in this side and yet they may well find their way to the semi finals. Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi is as likely as anyone to pick up the vital few goals.
Who Will Get the Cards: Juve's Georgio Chiellini is in the grand tradition of Italian hatchet men.
Prediction: Second in Group C after a slow start to Spain; just about enough muscle to push France out at the quarter-final stage; not enough muscle to handle the Germans in the semis.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:35 AM
4 Comments:
Group C may not be a spoor as Group A , but it sure looks like a dull group. I think of watching matches in 100 degree heat and trying to stay awake for these matches. The tippy tap Spaniards and three thuggish teams. Italy is unpredictable and could easily go out in the group stage or make it to the semis depending upon their mental state. I think it will be between them and the Irish because Trap knows the Italian tactics all too well and may be able to get his well drilled unit to nick something off the Azzuri.It should be an All Serie A style match up in that final group match. I agree that Balo is the player to watch , but Lavezzi may be too. Who will get the goals? That is the million dollar question. It could be Balo, It could be by comittee as in the 2006 World Cup, or may not be anyone. WHo will get the cards? It must be Balo.He will find some way to get one or two. Prediction: It will come down to that final group match against Trap's lads and will probably be decided in stoppage time.The Italians to take second in a pfoto finish ahead of the Irish, but lose to France by one goal in a fiercely fought quarterfinal.
I'm actually most fascinated with Group C. The other groups seem destined to propel the obvious sides into the Quarters (Germany and Holland, France and England, e.g.). This is the one that might well produce an upset given Spain's injury woes and the recent scandal enveloping Italian football.
I've just noticed that Italy went down 3-0 to Russia on Friday. They've just vaulted into the top spot in the "European power most likely to get knocked out in the group stage" stakes in my mind.
Onsite here in Italy, noone expects very much of the squad. It is not too inspiring when the coach says "maybe it would be better if the national team were not allowed to play in this tournament in light of the scandals." However, the Azurri have produced both of their last 2 world cup wins while the domestic leagues were facing huge scandals.
Still, that was then, this is now. I like Croatia more.
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