Marco Verratti (21), midfielder, six caps, one goal
Fate has a way of balancing things. Someone’s misfortune may translate to someone else’s good luck. Riccardo Montolivo’s injury has probably paved the way for PSG midfielder Marco Verratti’s inclusion into coach Cesare Prandelli’s plans.
With Verratti’s game being very similar to Azzurri legend Andrea Pirlo’s, Prandelli will be weighing his options on whether to pair them in midfield or use the 21-year-old as an impact substitute for the veteran given the conditions and Pirlo’s age.
After helping home-town club Pescara up from Serie B two seasons ago, Verratti now finds himself rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the game with French giants PSG. And that cockiness is evident when he says, “I still believe that playing alongside Pirlo is possible, it is impossible for others as they aren’t comfortable with a player like Andrea.”
Very strong with his passing and dribbling (per whoscored.com), Verratti might just be the rabbit-in-the-hat Prandelli pulls out at a crucial juncture in Brazil.
STARWATCH
Andrea Pirlo (35), midfielder, 108 caps, 13 goals
“I made my decision right at the last second, when I saw Joe Hart doing all sorts on his line. The only way I could see pushing my chances of scoring close to 100 per cent. There was absolutely no showboating about it — that’s not my style,” so said Andrea Pirlo of his Panenka-style penalty against England at the Euro 2012.
A quote which pretty much typifies who Pirlo is – always assured and measured, with none of the flashiness associated with footballers.
One of the finest midfielders of his generation, Pirlo brings to his game the touch, vision and range of passing that has stood the test of time for close to a decade now.
And when the Azzurri start their campaign in Brazil, it will once again be L'Architetto (The Architect) who will be constructing the moves from the midfield.
Italy’s fifth-most-capped player, Pirlo is getting on in age and the humid conditions in Brazil will most certainly take a toll on him. But if utilised judiciously, he still is Italy’s star player.
THE DRIVING FORCE – Cesare Prandelli (WIN %: 52.94)
Cesare Prandelli recently inked a deal to continue coaching the Italian team till 2016. He also got a hike in pay in May, with many terming it “richly deserving”.
He took over from Marcello Lippi after a horrendous 2010 World Cup where the Azzurri failed to make it out of the group stages. A skilful motivator, Prandelli began rebuilding confidence in the team, mixing youth with experience. His handling of Mario Balotelli came in for special praise from various quarters.
However, Italy has not won a single match since September last, and was held 1-1 by minnow Luxembourg in the friendly on Wednesday, making it a win-less streak of seven matches. Of course, Prandelli was experimenting with three different formations during the game.
Though Riccardo Montolivo may be missed, the Italy coach will bank on the experienced Andrea Pirlo to deliver as he has done numerous times in the past.
Despite the draw, Prandelli remains optimistic about the Azzuri’s chances. “I wanted to test some of the solutions we had been practising in training, especially in midfield. It is something I needed to do and I don’t think it was a failure,” he said.
The Azzurri take on England in their opening encounter and the smart tactician will tell his boys not to fret as history shows that Italy has never done too well in friendlies.
Preferred formation: 4-3-2-1
It will be a surprise if Italy finishes the World Cup without having used multiple formations. Cesare Prandelli’s side could be set up in any of these systems – 4-3-2-1, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 or 3-5-2. Irrespective of the formation, the manager would like his team to employ a high line to support his offensive outlook.
Due to the absence of the injured Riccardo Montolivo, Andrea Pirlo is likely to play further forward. This would mean that Daniele de Rossi will be the side’s deep-lying playmaker, to be joined by Marco Verratti in the centre.
Claudio Marchisio and Antonio Candreva will start wide but both have the ability to drift inside and help the lone striker Mario Balotelli.
4-3-2-1: Buffon; Abate, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Sciglio; Verratti, De Rossi, Pirlo; Candreva, Marchisio; Balotelli.
BLAST FROM THE PAST 1934
The Italian passion for football is well known throughout the world. But the popular game has also been marred by controversies in this southern European republic. The country’s first World Cup triumph, in 1934 came at home, during the reign of Benito Mussolini. The Fascist dictator used the global event as a propaganda tool, probably giving Adolf Hitler the idea for the summer Olympics in Berlin two years later.
Coached by the tactically astute Vittorio Pozzo, who was sent to England to study football systems there, and staffed with five non Italian players, the team defeated Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the final at the Stadio Nazionale PNF in Rome. The Czechs though had a legitimate penalty appeal turned down and a few Italians were lucky to finish the game despite their brutal on-field infringements. Whispers and allegations did the rounds after it was rumoured that Swedish referee Ivan Eklind had dined with Mussolini before the final.
