Can the Azzurris finally bring back the glory days?

Will Italy finally rise under Prandelli?

Andrea Pirlo, recently in an interview, said that Italy must learn from the present Juventus team as to how to maximise self-belief. Well, it is true that the Azzuri do require a lot of it considering the fact that they’ve been piped my critics not to be a major threat at the coming Euro. But does a side need to be favourites to win something? Were Chelsea favourites to the Champions League this year?

They triumphed as a result of self-belief and desire and not because they were tournament favourites. The same theory applies to Italy as well. There is strength, desire and belief in this squad and Cesare Prandelli has brought in bigger repositories of the same to make the national team a success. After a disastrous Euro 2008 and an even more disastrous World Cup 2010 campaign Prandelli has done immensely well to steady the ship. Under his leadership, the side has experienced an unbeaten journey in the euro qualifiers round. Simultaneously, he has made a few eyebrow-raising decisions as far as squad selection and tactics were concerned.

Tactically, he brought in more energy and enthusiasm. The full backs were encouraged to attack and support the wing men whenever needed. The famous “TREQUARTISTA” position was reinforced and he began to deploy two strikers. Daniele De Rossi, whom Marcello Lippi used more as a defensive midfielder, was given the license to maneuver goal scoring opportunities. Though the entire set up looked more attack minded, he did make sure that the balance between attack and defence was well maintained.

If you shed some vision into the kind of tactics and formations Marcello Lippi and Donadoni deployed , it will be evident that the former was too defensive-minded and latter was guilty of being way too attack minded. Neither of them had a balanced set up . And to show consistent success in football this is a pre-requisite. It is something Manchester United have under Sir Alex.

THE DEFENCE

Giorgio Chiellini – Italy's defensive pillar

Balzaretti and Napoli’s Christian Maggio, both impressed at club level, were brought in to shape the width of the defence. In Maggio, Italy found a inexhaustible right back who could defend, support play forward as well as whip quality crosses into the box.After Fabio Cannavaro’s retirement in 2010, Juventus’s Leonardo Bonnuci was seen as his ideal replacement and has ever since partnered his club mate Giorgio Chiellini in the heart of the defence. This centre back pairing proved to be highly vital as they conceded just twice in the 10 qualifiers played.

THE MIDFIELD

Can he reproduce the form he showed at WC 2006?

It is often reiterated that the heaviest credit for italy’s 2006 world cup triumph should be given to Andrea Pirlo and Genaro Gattusoand there is no denying that they both worked their socks out in the midfield, defending when required and hitting out on the counter. Pirlo’s delightful long balls would catch the opponent out of breath and Gattuso would stand like a wall in front of the defence not letting even the greatest wizard to infiltrate it. Moreover the chemistry between them was excellent.Now, the current squad still showcases Pirlo as the chief playmaker with De Rossi and Claudio Marchisio partnering him. This midfield combination, though not like the earlier one mentioned above, has done its job in ensuring playing proper attacking football without compensating on the defence. Thiago Motta has also been effective as a holding midfielder with Montolivo leading the assists tally with 3 assists.

THE ATTACK

Di Natalie – top scorer of Serie A for 2011-12 season

Faith was restored in the disconcerting Antonio Cassano and the gamble paid off as he emerged as the leading goal scorer in group C with 6 goals. He will very much be a sure starter throughout the Euros playing as a trequartista. The problem is , however, Rossi will miss the tournament through injury. And that means Balotelli, who is very much vulnerable to direct red cards, will most probably start along with Di Natale. All eyes will be on this front pair as both have raised all expectations with their performances for their respective clubs – Manchester City and Udinese. If Italy needs to progress round after round, both Di Natale and Balotelli need to be clinical in front of goal.

And recently while announcing the 23 man squad that will travel to Poland and Ukraine, there were call-ups for Fabio Borini, Sebastian Giovinco and most notably Antonio Di Natale (Serie A’s top Italian goal scorer this season).

Henceforth, the statement that Italy have improved to vast amounts under the new coach can be made legit. There is this new belief that is running through the squad members that has the potential to transform this team into champions provided they battle with courage and lady luck plays its part.

They are obviously no pushovers and you cannot overcome them easily. But if you think so, then you think wrong.