La Nazionale: Euro 2012 qualification review
The La – Nazionale ended the Euro Cup ’12 qualifiers as group leaders, finishing 10 points ahead of Estonia. International friendlies used to be the biggest waste of time in the packed fixture list, but even qualifiers tended to be futile when Italy had their spot in the bag. Azzuri qualify from a potentially dodgy group without any fuss. Here’s a review of the performances of the Italian national team.
RESULTS
03/09/2010
Estonia 1 – 2 Italy
Prandelli’s qualifiers began roughly with Estonia scoring early through Zenjov. With Gianluigi Buffon absent, Sirigu started at goal. Italy started the game as a team with more desire to win the game, only for Sirigu’s blunder to grant the home side a lead. The home side went ahead against the run of play when Vassiljev’s free-kick was palmed into the path of Zenjov, who had little to do in tapping home the opener. As the match was restored after the break, Italy hit back with goals from Antonio Cassano and Bonucci.
Italy ended their run of 7 winless game, with a win at Estonia.
07/09/2010
Italy 5 – 0 Faroe Islands
Fan inspires Cassano
Returning to Florence for the first time since leaving Fiorentina, the Italy coach was given a rapturous welcome at the Stadio Franchi. Italy starting off again as the better team, playing better football and winning the possession back regularly. It took less than quarter of an hour for Gilardino to break the deadlock, followed by goals from De Rossi and Cassano in the first half. Italy ended the game 5-0 with goals from Quagliarella and Pirlo coming in the second half.
Antonio Cassano was the man of the match. A fan who ran onto the pitch, landed a kiss on the Italian striker that probably inspired him to not only score a screamer, but put in the best performance of his life till then in national colours.
08/10/2010
Northern Ireland 0 – 0 Italy
Both the teams started the game with a victory in mind. David Healy missed a sitter for Northern Ireland in the first half. The second half started with Italy dominating the game but unable to break the deadlock. The Irish were good defensively and the Italians never took their chances in front of goal. Eventually, this game ended in a stalemate.
Cesare Prandelli -So far so good
12/10/2010
Italy 3 – 0 Serbia
Flares thrown on the field causing the match to be stopped.
Italy were awarded a 3 – 0 victory for the abandoned qualifying game in Genoa. Serbian fans were accused for conducting violence. Hooligans in the travelling section began throwing objects on to the field and causing problems in the stands. The match was thereby stopped after only 6 minutes.
25/03/2011
Slovenia 0 – 1 Italy
Thiago Motta, the Brazillian-born midfielder.
The hosts started the game dangerously with a serious of corners that brought Buffon into activity early on. The Juventus blocker made a couple of crucial saves early on. Italy settled as the game progressed and displayed dominance. Italy’s hard work paid off as the visitors went ahead through Thiago Motta. After a neat exchange with Balzeretti, the Brazilian-born midfielder fired a low drive to give Italy a well deserved lead. The hosts never got an opportunity as the Italians continued their supremacy and won the game by a solitary goal.
03/06/2011
Italy 3 – 0 Estonia
Rossi the Villareal hitman.
Giuseppe Rossi opened his account in the qualifiers by giving the Azzurri a lead in the 21st minute. The Italians doubled their lead on the stroke of half time with Antonio Cassano getting on the scoresheet again. Pazzini came off the bench and ensured Italy’s win on scoring Italy’s third goal. Buffon remained untested for most of the game with the visitors bringing him into action only in the closing stages of the game. The result remained intact and Italy ran out 3 – 0 winners.
02/09/2011
Faroe Islands 0 – 1 Italy
Cesare Prandelli celebrated his 54th birthday and 1 year long tenure as Italian head coach by beating the present World and European Champions. Prandelli named the same side that beat Spain in Toshavn. Antonio Cassano gave Italy the lead by latching onto a Pirlo pass and putting the ball past the goal. Italy dominated the game continuously but they struggled to put the game past the minnows. Italy ran out winners although not very convincingly.
Montolivo celebrates with his teammates on scoring the opener. Italy ran out winners by beating the World Champions 2 – 1 in Bari.
06/09/2011
Italy 1 – 0 Slovenia
Italy qualified for the European Championships ’12 held in Poland and Ukraine after a hard-fought victory against Slovenia. On having lots of possession, Italy failed to convert their chances. A tactical switch that involved Pazzini coming on as a substitute in the second half benefited Italy as the Inter Milan talisman scored a late goal to seal a spot for the Azzurri in the Euros.
07/10/2011
Serbia 1 – 1 Italy
After having qualified already, the Italians came with a winning mentality. A good gesture to indicate no room for complacency and a lot of room for improvement. Prandelli’s men took the lead in the 1st minute as the Golden Boy of Juventus was put through on goal by Rossi. Claudio Marchisio was drafted into the starting line up after having a wonderful game week in which he scored against present Italian Scudetto winners to help his club beat the latter. Italy’s defending in set pieces showed vulnerability as Ivanovic tapped in a Milos Krasic corner.
Italy conceded for the first time in over 7 games. This was the first goal Italy conceded with Buffon at goal.
Marchisio the next 'Tardelli' ?
11/10/11
Italy 3 – 0 Northern Ireland
Italy came into this match with injuries to crucial players. A good way to give an opportunity to the youngsters and call up a few more players. Italy took in the lead in the first half through Antonio Cassano when he finished supremely on receiving a Pirlo pass. Antonio Cassano then beautifully finished to give Italy a 2 goal lead before McAuley’s own goal gave Italy a 3-0 victory.
A revolutionised Italy
Positives
1. Pacy attack
The attack comprising of Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano is completely dangerous to any competitive national team in the world. The pace they put up together up ahead is immense. Their main plan is to draw the defenders away from the goal so as to create space for the attacking midfielder to exploit. Cassano has been Italy’s top scorer in the qualifiers while Rossi has shown a glimpse of the skill he possesses. Cassano has scored 6 goals in the qualifiers.
Deadly attack
2. Diamond in midfield
Prandelli has introduced a diamond at midfield. Andrea Pirlo is being utilised as a deep play maker guarded by Claudio Marchisio and Daniele De Rossi. Just as Ancelotti adopted Pirlo in his glorious Milan days, Prandelli has adopted the same method. Montolivo is used as an attacking midfielder in this diamond midfield. With Pirlo anchoring the midfield, this is the reason behind Italy’s success of possession football being adopted lately. Marchisio and De Rossiare workhouses to retrieve possession while Montolivo playing as an advanced midfielder.
Andrea Pirlo,a true artist of football is the focal point of Italy's success.
3. Pulsating fullbacks
Against Spain, Criscito was probably the man of the match. His continuous bursting runs often caused Spain a problem. It was his pass that lead to the opener from Montolivo. Balzeretti on the other hand as well is a very coveted fullback. The right flank as well has the likes of Maggio and the upcoming Abate.
4. Cesare Prandelli
Italy are known to normally employ a defensively organised counter-attacking approach to the beautiful game. Prandelli’s new project to help Italy play possession and attacking football so as to entertain the masses is completely successful. Apart from his tactical ideologies, the way he has been able to get the maximum efforts from his players is astonishing. Even after qualifying with two games in hand, the Italians played and endorsed a kind of football completely unique.
He has always wanted “more criticism” and “less praise” from everyone. Thus indicating a room for a lot of improvement and less complacency.Also, he has handled his players really very very well. Be it a mischievous Balotelli or a playboy Cassano.
Can Prandelli help the Azzurri to claim their second Euro?
Negatives
1. Lack of depth
This is a serious issue Italy will need to ponder upon. The attack minus Cassano-Rossi, looks completely vague. The defence as well needs a lot of additions. Italy – a national team known to be very organised defensively, do not have a leader at the heart of the defence.
2. Pirlo dependent
Pirlo is definitely the focal point to Italy’s success. He has returned to his true best after suffering injuries that were repetitive for about a year. Italy will find it tough to settle into the game without him. The Maestro’s absence for most of the World Cup was the driving reason behind Italy’s failure to surpass the group stages. In games when Pirlo’s doing fine, the Azzurri need not worry. While, in games when he’s marked continuously and pulled out of the game, Italy have not been able to generate success. La-Nazionale will have to find a solution to his absence in or out of the game.
Where is Andrea Pirlo? We are struggling without him, bring him on.
3. Lack of quality of opponents in the group
The quality of opponents drawn into Italy’s group definitely lacked supremacy. Although Italy at times have had a problem in the past against minnows, yet the Italians at the end of the qualifiers will remain an untested team. Friendlies on the other hand against the likes of Spain have enlisted the benefits and drawbacks from such games. Italy will next play Uruguay in another friendly and the FIGC will need to put a couple of more friendlies against top draw opponents to ensure a good preparation for the Euros.
4. Defence
” Catenaccio football ” originated from Italy. The Italian teams are known to adopted an organised defence and swift counter-attacking flow. Now however things have changed. The centre defensive area is completely depleted. Lack of an organiser at defence is a problem. Giorgio Chiellini is not a natural leader, he does require an awful lot of help from his partner when it comes to co-ordinating a defence. The likes of Nesta and Cannavaro are missing. Ranocchia and Bonucci are young and have a lot of potential, but they need to be groomed. However, on the flanks Italy look settled.
Can Italy replicate the success they achieved at the Euros 44 years back?
Prandelli’s Italy have stunned everyone including their fans by playing a unique style. The approach towards the beautiful game is completely fine. Will they achieve the same success they benefited 5 years back? Or will they crash out like last year? Only time will tell this. So far, Italy are definitely one of the “dark horses” to win the Euros as “favourites” is never associated with them. With another scandal in the backyard, situations look positive for Italy to win the Euros.