FIFA World Cup 2013: Early Favourites (Part 1) – Italy

Cesare Prandelli head coach of Italy applauds at the end of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 3rd Place match between Uruguay and Italy at Estadio Octavio Mangabeira on June 30, 2013 in Salvador, Brazil. (Getty Images)

Midfield

Prandelli has built his midfield with Pirlo as its pivot. He is the playmaker and heart and soul of the team. Every good move for the Italy team goes through him. At 34, Pirlo looks set for his last hurrah at next year’s tournament and may well have the sort of impact Zinedine Zidane had for France in 2006.

Claudio Marchisio offers tenacity, Daniel De Rossi, Ricardo Montolivo, Alberto Aquilani play around Pirlo and keep the game ticking whilst, at the same time creating chances for themselves. Alessandro Diamanti is a very good option who can play anywhere across the front three if needed.

This midfield possesses great prowess in set piece situations with Pirlo, Aquilani, Montolivo and Diamanti capable of finding the back of the net in these situations. The only drawback this midfield has is its lack of pace.

Hence, the forwards have to drop deep sometimes to link up the play and the fullbacks have to push forward due to the absence of genuine wingers apart from Stephan El-Shaarawy (who can play up front or off the striker even). But what this midfield lacks in pace, it overcomes in positional awareness and skill. With players such as Marco Verratti and Andrea Poli knocking on the doors of the senior team, there are good times ahead for the Azzuris.

Attack

It’s one area of the squad where the Italians have more than enough quality. They are blessed with the talents such as Balotelli, El-Shaarawy, Sebastian Giovinco and Alebrto Gilardino. If he is fit, Antonio Cassano will surely make the squad for the World Cup.

Fabio Borini is another player on the fringes of the senior team who has a realistic chance to go to Brazil. This forward line has pace in abundance. Balotelli, on his day can absolutely destroy any opposition. Giovinco offers the kind of guile needed to play up front.

If Cassano plays, he will bring deceptive movement to this Italian attack dragging defenders everywhere. Italy has the kind of forward line which will deliver in any game in the World Cup.

Mario Balotelli celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group A match between Italy and Japan at Arena Pernambuco on June 19, 2013 in Recife, Brazil. (Getty Images)

Verdict

This Italy team has the right blend of youth and experience. It has an experience of losing a final, which usually drives on the players to go one step further. In Pirlo, Buffon and Balotelli, they have players who add that little bit of stardust and can change games on their own. They also have veterans who have been there and won it, wanting to have a last hurrah.

Italy is a team on the up with something to prove and are the most underrated of the big teams. Italy are the dark horses for next year’s World Cup. Don’t be surprised if Italy do end up going all the way.