Food for thought: Italy's approach:-

In defense, coach Prandelli’s biggest concern is picking a solid formation for their defensive set-up; mainly because, after the physical tests which involved 42 players, only one true LB, namely Pasqual, made it to the preliminary 30-man squad list.

Now, Pasqual HAS indeed proven his worth over the course of the last 2 seasons (especially this previous one); but he is over 32 years old and not quite the pacey, quick-on-his-feet kind of SB coach Prandelli would opt to feature given his approach to attacking football.

Alternatively, De Sciglio could be switched from his usual RB position to an LB role, which is not a catastrophe per say; but it will be a liability and a constant worry for Italy as a whole. De Sciglio must, during the pre-WC camps and training sessions, prove to coach Prandelli that he has what it takes to perform at a 100% level at the coveted LB position during the entire WC campaign.

Otherwise, it would be wise enough for Italy to set up a 3-man-defense system with the exact same lay-out and defender selections that Juventus field almost every game (namely the trio of Bonucci, Chiellini and Barzagli). The only issue for Italy, if they pick such a formation, would be the fact that they need to mold their wide players into proper wing-backs in time for the start of their first matches.

The WB position is one of the most difficult roles to execute; mainly because an extremely high level of commitment and discipline is required from such players and they would have to be on high alert all the time during the match. They need to track back the same distance (if not double) that they go forward and either narrow down or widen up certain areas of the pitch according to the flow of the game.


In midfield, there do not seem to be many problems in regards to tactical strategies or even player selections. All choices are more than capable of filling their roles to a perfect extent and have an adequate amount of experience at major international competitions to deal with the pressures of the WC.


At the forefront of attack is where more issues arise. Balotelli’s implosive nature and lack of patience when not having the ball prove to be his undoing time and time again; therefore, utmost discipline and commitment will be crucial requirements if he is to impose himself in matches and provide Italy with the goals they need.

Whether Prandelli chooses a 3-man attacking line-up supported by 3 (or 4) midfielders or simply goes for a 2-man attacking lay-out playing in front of 5 (or 4) midfield players remains to be seen. The decision will depend mostly on the form and fitness of Giussepe Rossi; for if he proves to be 100% ready and firing then coach Prandelli might be tempted to deploy him as a support-striker playing behind Balotelli.

The safer choice, of course, is to go with the traditional 2-wingers/SMs-supporting-a-striker system. Italy have huge talent either sides of the pitch and it would be a shame for their wide players NOT to feature from the start and dazzle the world with their amazing technique and abilities (especially given their great performances this last season). They all have extreme pace (something for which Italian players are not generally known) and possess dribbling skills that are bound to make opposition defenders’ lives miserable every time Italy go forward!

Italy:-

“Gli Azzurri” enter this WC campaign in a much better shape and form than 4 years ago; however, a lot has to be sorted out before they can even dream of WC glory!

Starting from the back, coach Prandelli and his staff have a huge dilemma in defense. Their lack of a true LB who has the proper attacking qualities that compliment coach Prandelli’s football philosophy might lead to a 3-man-defense line-up very similar (in tactics and even actual player selections) to that of Juventus.

It is within the midfield where Italy will look to launch their attacks. It is no secret just how important Andrea Pirlo is to Juventus’ offensive tactics and it is almost the same story when it comes to Italy’s attacking strategy. Players around Pirlo look to retain possession and then pass it back to the legendary 2006 WC winner, who will then disperse it either out wide or further forward with such perfection and precision, that it might sometimes seem as if he is playing all by himself on a practice field.

Italy’s offensive strategy is based on a number of different approaches. For starters, their wide players (should they deploy them) might try and run the channels to eventually feed their target man at every chance they get. That is NOT to say that the midfielders will be constantly passing the ball to the wingers/SMs, who will in turn run down the flank and just cross the ball. That’s not how coach Prandelli implements attacking football!

His approach is much more pragmatic and, to an extent, rather aesthetically attractive when compared to Italy’s previous teams and their respective approaches to attacking strategies. Coach Prandelli sets up his Italy side in such a way that they play with the ball at their feet more than is expected of them.

Now, that COULD mean that the midfield players will hold up play for their wide men and/or striker(s) and then play them in via accurate through balls. It could, however, also mean that the midfielders will simply go forward themselves and either try to penetrate opposition defenders vertically or just unleash a deadly shot from distance.

A huge dependence is also placed on set-pieces and dead-ball situations. Italy have great physical players who can put the ball in the back of the next via aerial balls and they have even better players who can deliver said aerial play.

They are dangerous on the counter-attack as well and are not shy of exerting extreme pressure, when needed, to force the opposition back into their own half and attempt to smother them with swathes of attacking play.

Coach Prandelli has a tendency to constantly tinker with his formations and tactics in CONSIDERABLE amounts DURING the actual tournaments in which Italy play. It is a sign of uncertainty and if Italy are to achieve WC glory this year, then stability will be the first and foremost requirement.


Main men: Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli: Pirlo’s unbelievable vision, huge experience, extreme tactical awareness and even free-kick abilities are the foundations upon which Italy’s team is built. Balotelli’s physical presence, brilliant technique and great positional play will be coach Prandelli’s main asset in attack. If both Pirlo and Balotelli combine together perfectly, along with Italy’s dynamic attacking approach, Gli Azzurri might just live-up to their reputation as 4 times WC champions.

Odds (average from top 24 betting firms): 24.25