Italy awaits us

Do not be fooled by the hype: just before the Cup in 2006 came the Calciopoli scandal that ended with Juventus stripped of two Serie A titles and Serie B. A month later, Italy was the world champion. In 1980, calcium was strongly shaken by a betting scandal which Milan was also forced to descend and for which Paolo Rossi was suspended for two years. After a debate that divided the country Alps, Rossi arrived in time for the 1982 World Cup and the rest is history: Italy world champion and Rossi post scorer and Golden Ball Logically, the situation of the calcium is not best to deal with a championship with guarantees, but no one gives to Italy, the first rival of Spain, conquered early.

Only six years have passed, but the group that won the World Cup in Germany was made up mostly of players who had behind him a long career. In this way, Totti, Del Piero, Nesta, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Gattuso, Inzaghi and Toni are living their last years in professional football and no longer form part of the Squadra Azzurra. Even Cannavaro, is contained in that World Cup, is now retired. Only four survivors: Buffon, Pirlo, De Rossi and Barzagli. A new generation led by Cesare Prandelli, who seeks to provide the Italian national football combinative one without depriving it of the values ​​that define it by default.

It is ironic that Italy are looking for more of the ball does not have far to this differential trequartista they have had in the past two decades with the likes of Roberto Baggio, Zola, Del Piero or Totti. Andrea Pirlo is however who exemplifies the style that you want to give this Prandelli Italy and also defines the champion Juventus Scudetto. It is not the only similarity with the Old Lady, as Italy stands out for a good group of players who have not yet that visible head, the player to mark the differences in a given time. Are Balotelli, Marchisio, Pirlo, Cassano, Giovinco ... but none of them can compare today to the best of the continent.

For the goal is a Buffon that although not at the same level five years ago, remains at 34 years a great goalkeeper and one of the architects of Juve's Scudetto. The second is the former Sevilla De Sanctis, now in the Naples, while Sirigu, the PSG , Is the third option. On the right side is Maggio (Napoli) player who joins with much danger to the attack but has more responsibility in selecting defensive in his club, it's Napoli played with three central Mazzarri, which makes the task more offensive their carrileros. No Maggio had a good performance in the last friendly against Russia, with two errors that cost two goals. The alternate is the effective Abate, right side AC Milan.

In the center of defense as Italy does not have good effective as in previous championships. The base is formed by the central Juventus Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini, more Ogbonna, good center but has played this year in Serie B with Torino promoted. Chiellini was about to miss the tournament due to injury but has come on time, and a similar ailment is in the air involving Barzagli, injured against Russia. Sure would miss the group stage, doubt is to keep or replace him Ranocchia (Inter). Bonucci also implicated in the betting scandal, was about to leave the Euro. However, the Juventus I think one of the weakest parts of the Italian side: good system if you have the day, but few of its blind spots.

Who did he was forced to leave the rally was the left back Criscito, he had many options they hold. Instead, Prandelli now has Balzaretti of Palermo. Chiellini also could have chosen to that position, less offensive than their peers, but lower Barzagli surely will place in the center with Bonucci. Prandelli would have liked to have in your head behind with Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini, defending champion Italy.

And in Italy to counter this, the best is found in their midfield. Ahead of the defense, as regista eternal and always looking for the ball and leaving neat, stood Pirlo, always elegant and it is so difficult to see losing a ball involved. The midfield is completed by two players at his sides and a hook. To his right De Rossi, who has not had his best year in Rome, in keeping with the rest of the team, but it remains one of the most complete midfielders in Europe. Do not discuss the exit of the ball to Pirlo, but is there to lend a hand and their defensive contribution is key, as well as join the attack when the time is right.

To the left of Pirlo stands Marchisio, one of the most talented players of the team and has completed a great season and Bianconeri. Claudio also has a magnificent arrival the penalty area, this year has scored nine goals in the Calcio. Pirlo, De Rossi and Marchisio: control, power and finish. The Italian midfield is presented as one of the best in the tournament. The quartet is completed by Montolivo, new Milan player after finishing contract with Fiorentina. A discussion Riccardo is not quality, is a footballer but somewhat cold tends to disappear from games with ease. Substitutes in the center of the field are the Italian / Spanish Thiago Motta, Nocerino, who was pleasantly surprised in his first season as the Rossoneri, Giaccherini, one of the revelations of Juventus, and Diamanti, Bologna playmaker. The irregularity of Aquilani him out of the list.

The front line is arguably the most headaches has given Prandelli, where there was no lack of options but also there were not many effective than destacasen greatly above the rest. The front head of the Italian coach was always formed by Rossi and Cassano, but the player's injury and illness Villlarreal Talentino forced him to seek other options. Once recovered Cassano has returned to the selection and even presumably as a starter, see if the bill passes inactivity. In any case, Cassano is one of those players who are somewhat different. Usually starting from the left side of Fantantonio can always expect something.

With him will surely Balotelli, as big as controversial. Or you solve a game or leaves you with one less. His strength and quality are beyond doubt, it lacks, in addition to ensuring that you are not going the pot, improve their figures scorers, but his 13 goals in 23 league games this year (14 starts) are not all bad . At the end of the day is only 21 years. Giovinco is, meanwhile, one of the most talented football team and their year in Parma has been fairly good, but lacks even a step to be the decisive player would need the Azzurri.

Di Natale, twice Capocannoniere, is the great Italian striker in recent years but has always been blamed for not performing with the selection as with Udinese. However, its presence on the list seemed obvious. Complete offensive quintet Borini, of Rome, at 21 years one of the revelations of Calcium and compared with Inzaghi. The list of Prandelli was not without controversy, as she stood outside the front of luster as Matri Bianconeri or Inter's Pazzini, in addition to Osvaldo nationalized. As said, many options, but it is hard to find someone to stand out greatly from the rest. Perhaps that is why the coach did not want to give up that brings something different to Cassano.

Perhaps all you can suffer Italy's precisely stuck up, which paid to Russia, where the score of 3-0 was too much for what was seen in the field. Depend on the day with their forwards. Neither defense is as reliable as in the past. Maybe his midfield. I said, a somewhat atypical Italy. That is not in the group of favorites may be something that will benefit you, and in a tie will always be a rival that nobody would want. At the end of the day is Italy.