Italy – almost home and dry
Italy players Mario Balotelli (right) and Stephan El Shaarawy joke during a training session in Rio de Janeiro. In a slow-burning encounter in Prague, Italy held on to a 0-0 draw to consolidate top spot in World Cup qualifying Group B. It was a typical...
[attach id="259606" size="medium"]Italy players Mario Balotelli (right) and Stephan El Shaarawy joke during a training session in Rio de Janeiro.[/attach]
In a slow-burning encounter in Prague, Italy held on to a 0-0 draw to consolidate top spot in World Cup qualifying Group B.
It was a typical end-of-season match for the Azzurri who played at a very slow pace and hardly tested Czech Republic goal-keeper Petr Cech.
Although the hosts, inspired by 32-year-old Arsenal playmaker Tomas Rosicky, did most of the running, Italy controlled their opponents well without taking many risks.
Italy, with 14 points from six games, have four remaining fixtures, three of which will be on home soil.
On September 6, Italy will host Bulgaria. Although the Bulgarians are Italy’s nearest pursuers in the group with 10 points (from six games), Cesare Prandelli’s men are expected to make home advantage count.
When the two sides met in Sofia last September, Italy had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw following a Pablo Osvaldo brace.
Next September, it should be a different story as Italy are widely expected to preserve their 100 per cent home record in Group B following victories over Malta (2-0) and Denmark (3-1) and close in on qualification to the World Cup finals.
Four days later, the Azzurri will also expect to pick up the three points when they entertain the Czechs.
Italy’s final away fixture is on October 11 when they travel to Denmark. They conclude their commitments on October 15 against lowly Armenia.
Meanwhile, Prandelli has a great opportunity to boost preparatons for the remaining four World Cup qualifiers as Italy meet Mexico in their Confederations Cup debut this Sunday.
Italy are in Group A, along with Japan (June 19) – the first side to qualify for next year’s World Cup, and hosts Brazil (June 22).
The Azzurri are participating in this year’s Confederations Cup, being held in Brazil as a prelude to next year’s World Cup, after finishing as runners-up to current world champions Spain at Euro 2012.
New blood
In their only previous participation in the Confederations Cup in 2009, Italy, the then defending world champions, failed to progress to the semi-finals after placing third in Group B.
No doubt, Prandelli should treat this competition seriously and give his fringe players more playing time so that they can stake their claim ahead of the upcoming tests.
This is the right time for the Italy coach to identify suitable understudies for the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi and Mario Balotelli.
Many things can still happen until the 2014 World Cup finals get underway in Brazil on June 12, 2014.
Some players may force their way into contention with their performances next season as was the case with Torino’s Alessio Cerci who has impressed in the Serie A.
Injuries will also play a crucial role, making it a must for Prandelli to inject new blood into his Italy squad to increase his options.
Prandelli should keep a close eye on the Italy U-21 stars, the likes of Luca Marrone (Juventus), Marco Verratti (PSG), Riccardo Saponara (Empoli), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Manolo Gabbiadini (Bologna) and Ciro Immobile (Genoa), who are shining in the U-21 European Championships in Israel.
Devis Mangia’s Italy are among the favourites to win the U-21 championship and have already secured a semi-final berth.
If the Azzurrini go all the way and triumph in the June 18 final in Jerusalem, it would be Italy’s first success in this competition since 2004.