Confederations Cup 2013: Italy - A preview

Now, there are people who feel that the Confederations Cup is a wastage of money and time. Also, there are claims that it presses the host country into action before it is ready. The most valid claim is the Confederations Cup causes the players to exert already exhausted bodies and causes injuries. But then it is also true that it is a very good barometer of the preparation of teams that participate in it. After all, the participating teams are all champions in their respective zones, and matching up against the world’s best is the best possible way to judge the standard of these champion teams.

So let us check how Italy line up against the best in the world:

Background

Italy were pathetic in South Africa. They crashed out of the World Cup and the future looked bleak. In came Cesare Prandelli and he brought Italy back to strength again. They are participating in the Confederations Cup on the back of their amazing run to the final of the Euros, a run which saw them decimate Germany and Ireland. Also, they showed grit and character to draw with eventual winners Spain, and defeated the English team in the penalty shoot-out. Italy today look a much more settled unit. Tactically, they are leap years ahead of their opponents. The 3-5-2 system with De Rossi as the sweeper worked wonders for the Italians. Italy also have the unique quality of adapting easily. The 3-5-2 can easily become a 3-4-3 or a 5-3-2 or even a 4-4-2, if required.

Another advantage Italy have is that only one player of their 23-man squad, Salavatore Sirigu, plies his trade outside Italy. Sirigu, of course, is the first choice keeper at PSG, but is third choice in the Italian pecking order. The advantage of having the whole team from within the country is that the conditioning required to adjust squads to a particular modus operandi is not required. This holds completely true for Italy as Italian teams are more or less built on the same ideas and ideals. Another factor one notices is that the core of the team emanates from Serie A champions Juventus. As many as 5 of the eight Juventus players in the squad are regular starters, and this can only help Italy function better as a unit.

Defense

Italy has the strongest defensive setup in the world right now. Arguably the world’s best keeper, Gianluigi Buffon, stands in goal. In front of him stands the impregnable trio of Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini who have been simply outstanding as a defensive unit for Juventus this season. Now, either De Rossi can join them a defensive sweeper or Abate can come in at right back to form a four-man defense. In either case, the defense will only get stronger. In football it is generally believed that a team can prosper only if it is built on a firm base. And the Italian backline is as firm as they come.

Midfield

Like in any team, the midfield is the most important part of the Italian machine. Italy, under Prandelli, has mostly played with 5-man midfields. Generally, we find Pirlo in a withdrawn role, sitting just in front of the defense and dictating play from deep. The task of breaking up the opponents’ game generally falls to Marchisio and Montolivo. Here too their flexibility shows. If required, Pirlo pushes up and Montolivo sits deep. With players like Aquilani in the squad, they have personnel who play the classic trequartista role. Giaccherini provides pace, and almost a Keane-like ability to undertake the uglier side of the game.

The only criticism for Italy’s midfield is that they are geriatric, to say the least. Also, if Pirlo is efficiently managed by opponents, the midfield loses its drive and direction and looks completely devoid of creativity. And the lack of pace leaves the team very open to quick counter-attacks, as Spain showed in the Euro finals.

Attack

In an ageing squad, the forward line is like a breath of fresh air. The Milanese duo of El Shaarawy and Balotelli form a mercurial partnership. When on song, they can produce spellbinding football that would leave the best defenders in the world chasing their shadows. At Milan, they have developed a natural understanding wherein we see Balotelli playing up front and taking runs or clearing space for El Shaarawy to exploit.

Gilardino is an experienced hand and can be brought on to finish matches. His finishing is still top-notch and he is the classic poacher who has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. Giovinco too adds a different dimension to the Italian attack. He has pace, guile, skills and an eye for a pass. He can play at the top of a slow midfield and offset their lack of pace to a large extent. He can also play as a support striker. The most impressive feature of Giovinco’s game is the runs he takes, both on and off the ball. Although it is unlikely that either Gilardino or Giovinco will start, they do have the ability to offer something different to the team, and are excellent options to have.

Summary

If Italy are to have a chance to win this cup, they must play the classic Italian way. They must stop their opponents from scoring and trust their forwards to weave some magic. Another area of strength for them is their set piece ability. With Pirlo’s deliveries and headers of the ball like Balotelli, De Rossi, Chiellini and Marchisio, they can trouble anyone with their set plays. Italy are very real contenders and they won’t be taken lightly.

Man to watch out for:

Mario Balotelli: ‘Super’ Mario has been in excellent touch since his move to Italy. He has been the star for both his club and country. At his best he is simply unplayable. He has pace, brute like strength, a perfect first touch and can do things with the ball that not many others can. Also, he has a terrific long-range striking foot. In short, if on song he can carry Italy alone, much like he did at the Euros.

Here is how I expect Italy to line up: