Italy v England Preview ( world cup 2014)

By tdf, June 14, 2014

And so it begins. Another World Cup, which I head into as a supporter of gli azzurri with zero confidence and a sense of despondent helplessness.

Having England to thank for the vast majority of my nurture, and half of my crimson rivers born of that realm, it would make sense for me to be supporting England. Yet its the other half of my DNA that is the crux of the matter. For I am half Sicilian.

Amongst the Smiths and Browns and Taylors, even at Primary School I was not just alerted to, but told to focus on my own tribe. Perhaps that is what pushed me towards finding Juve as a 12 year old. Regardless of the origins, my allegiance is stronger towards Italy than their english foes tomorrow in Brazil.

Enough of my history, let us focus on the present…

England come into the tournament riding high on a wave of enthusiasm and hope which has been absent since Venables steered us/them to a brilliant showing in the EUROS. The coach, Roy Hodgkinsons, is vastly experienced, conservative and always well measured in his approach. However, he has taken the bold, much needed move, of opting for youth in his squad selection. Which can go two ways…

Whilst the fear factor is less likely to affect younger players, coming off a great season in the richest league on the planet, it is fair to say that experience counts. Such is the focus on the next generation of english talent, that Rooney, a player I have adored since his explosive entrance into the limelight, may well be forced to play second fiddle…This move, if taken, is a step too far into the abyss of chaos. For Wayne is the most naturally gifted english footballer I have ever seen. The very first name on the team-sheet should be his, in the role which brings out his best.

Still…Italy coach, Prandelli conjures in my innards far more concern. As a prime example, in the recent friendly against a decent Brazilian side Fluminese, we won 5-3, with Immobile deployed in his perfect role, with the ultra talented Insigne and Cerci in supporting positions. Immobile scored three and set up two. Yet I highly doubt he will be in the starting line-up against England. The same applies to Cerci and Insigne. Which makes no sense to me. For surely, any manager worth his salt plays to his strengths?

Prandelli seems less interested in results than I consider essential. He has an idea of his first XI, but prefers to wait until soon before kick-off to mention it to the players or press. In short, he worries me. Especially when I take into account Italy’s traditionally apathetic approach to the group stage of major tournaments.

Looking at the match in terms of pure talent…Italy has a vastly superior goalkeeper (if Buffon recovers from his sore ankle) and outstanding central defenders in Chiellini and Barzagli. In central midfield, Pirlo is fitter than ever, and capable of running a game single-handedly. However, he is always hell-bent on the poet/composer role, and as much as his free-kicks and distribution are world class, he is prone to attempting the beautiful, when the ugly and simple is the best way forward. Who plays alongside him will be of prime importance. De Rossi is a nut-job. Motta is a classy defensive midfielder.

Sticking with the core, the backbone of the line-up, I have no idea who Prandelli will deploy in the final third. Immobile, fresh from a glorious season in Serie A, his move to Borussia Dortmund signed and sealed, scored a hatrick and created two goals in the recent friendly against Fluminese. Alongside him was his former Torino team-mate Cerci and Insigne, who are both quality players in the final third. However, I cannot avoid the horrid likelihood of Prandelli dropping all of them and in their place, starting Balotelli with Candreva and Marchisio in the supporting roles up top. Which will be a mistake.

Marchisio has lost his place in the Juve starting line-up to Pogba, for good reason. So why play him in an unnatural role in attack? Place him in a central midfield routine and he will excel. I have no support for moving players on the tactics board to a position removed from where I have seen their best form. The World Cup is not the time to meddle and experiment. It is the time to play to your known strengths and hope that the capriciousness of Lady Luck gazes upon us with pleasure on the day when we go to war.

The major weakness in the Italian squad are the fullbacks. To remedy this, I fail to understand why Prandelli avoids opting for the Juve 3-5-2 routine, which dominated the top tier of Italian football in the season recently finished.

Italy have the talent to beat England, but I am far from certain they have the formation, manager or mentality to do so.

I hate to predict games which mean something to me, but in this case I will go for an English victory. Youthful exuberance overcoming a work in progress of a squad which not just rarely, but NEVER, starts in full stride.