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3 Points on Why Italy Will Do Well and 1 On Why They Will Not
The Uncertainty of the Front Runners
Spain go into this tournament, obviously as hot favourites after winning the previous European Championships 4 years ago and as current World Champions so no doubt all eyes will be on them to perform with their fluid and incisive style of football. But the added pressure to retain the championship will definitely stack up against them and two main players Carles Puyol and David Villa will be missing. This means the Spanish go into the tournament missing a true leader and experienced centre back in Puyol, leaving them with a weak defense consisting of players such as Javi Martinez, who is a not a natural defender and Raul Albiol who has hardly played this year for Real Madrid to partner the ever dependable Gerard Pique. The Spanish will rely on their ball possession to restrict teams from actually having a go at the back four but their biggest loss is that of their prolific goalscorer. Villa has been Spain’s top scorer for the past 3 tournaments, Euro 2008 he topped the charts with 4 and in South Africa’s 2010 World Cup he was joint top scorer with 5, meaning Spain will have to rely on other sources for goals this time around. Underperforming Torres, internationally unproven Llorente, Pep’s unused Pedro and relatively unknown Negredo will have to step up to the task of filling Villa’s very large scoring shoes.
This year’s Germany team have been tagged by the media as the best group of players the national side have to offer since the early 90’s team and that says a lot for a team mainly composed of young players. The main issue though that clouds over the National side is the very high expectation of this young squad to perform. Most of the players coped very well in South Africa’s World Cup but expecting the side to repeat its fortunes and take a step further this time may just seem too much for the squad. To back this up the unexplainable loss of Bayern Munich in the Champions League final showed that although a certain Dutch man lost his side the cup, the German players in the squad had been psychologically affected. When the penalty shoot out took place most of them stepped back from taking any of the penalties except of one ever so determined Neuer. Last Saturday a weak German side, not containing any of Bayern’s players from that unfortunate night, lost heavily to the force of the Swiss by 5-3. It will be interesting to see how the German side will kick off their next match with the deflated Bayern players included.
Netherlands, undeniably the next team we are all expecting to challenge Spain and Germany to the title. A team full of great midfielders and two menacing strikers, Huntelaar and RVP. Huntelaar was this year Bundesliga’s top goal scorer with 29 goals and having a very productive 2011 – 2012 season for Schalke scoring a total of 48 goals in 47 appearances, which stat talks for itself. RVP this year has truly reached the greats of world football stars, considered by most as one of the best forwards on the continent, equal to the likes of Ronaldo and Messi. He managed to score in total 37 goals and assist 15 in 47 appearances for Wenger’s team in the process winning the Premier League Golden Boot, the PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year and obviously getting into the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. But these very two top scorers are what is causing a distress to the Dutch national team. The media in Holland are stressing that both players should be playing and never left out of the squad meaning that Huntelaar has been given the central striking position shifting Van Persie to the wing of the attack, a positioned that he does not relish. Both players are used to being the main strikers at team level and at international level they seem to be out of position. Huntelaar doesn’t get the supply he requires as Van Persie who should be providing has both eyes set on goal but this means that from a wide position has more effort to get into a clear striking position. This showing was indicative when last Friday Holland suffered a shock loss to Bulgaria on home ground.
This leaves us with the team this post should be all about, Italy. This first point is an indication that Italy are not front runners but will be able to capitalised on the front runners uncertainties as would they should be considered the next in line. Any problem the other sides seem to have Italy do not. First off unlike the Spanish they have a solid back line in Buffon, Barzagli and Chiellini and striking options that seem fearless in the likes of Balotelli, Cassano and Di Natale. Second they don’t have any expectations mounting over them as the German’s do. The side include a mixture of youngsters and very experienced players which should give a balance to the squad. And third they have a unique and solid system which seems to suit all players. Prandelli is not the customary Italian coach conserving the lead and restricting players from attacking, he is very much unlike that giving players the freedom to express themselves. This brings us onto the next point.
The Qualifying Round
Throughout the qualifying stages Spain unsurprisingly had the highest average of possession but second in line where the Italians consisting of a total of 829 passes, a stat which would conclude the Spaniards aren’t the only tiki taka style team in the Euros. Prandelli has formed a side around the legend and reborn Juventus start man Adrea Pirlo. Juve this year went unbeaten and topped the Serie A and at the centre of this was Pirlo’s contribution, a free agent from AC Milan in last year’s summer transfer window. Pirlo has the ability to control games tempo by either holding up the ball and playing it along the back line or swiftly moving the ball from one wing to the other with his long passing range.
Another key point in the Qualifying stages was the Italy’s defence, which let in only 2 goals. Once again Prandelli has used the stronghold of Juve’s unbeaten backline to create a strong Italian defence. Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci and the ever present Buffon have all come from a successful season with the Serie A winners conceding only 20 goals in 38 appearances to star in the Euros and fight for clean sheets. Indisputably the Italians new style of possession play would have also contributed to the low goals conceded but the defenders of such calibre will not get beaten easily.
The Squad
The selection has been spot on by the Azzuris, no controversial players in or out. The squad boasts a fresh breath of young players that have performed well over the past year, players that are just reaching their peak and international proven players. I’m not going to ramble about Juve’s success once again but Italy will try and replicate what they have achieved. 3 of the back 4 and 2 of the 3 central midfielders are Juve players which should translate into confidence and a will to win.
The last world cup was a complete failure for players such as Buffon, De Rossi, Pirlo and Di Natale as they finished bottom of their group against the likes of Paraguay, Slovenia and New Zealand, a group they should’ve won easily considering they were current World champions at the time. This time around they will be prepared and determined to make amends for their fans and country alike.
One last point to mention is the return and rebirth of one other player, Antonio Cassano. Over the past few years he has endured horrible experiences of being dropped by the national and team coaches on countless of occasions and suffered ischemic damage leading to him having a heart surgery. This did not seem to stop Cassano as on his return from operation he scored against Genoa in a Serie A match and was also Italy’s top goalscorer during qualifiers. Expect determination, passion and creativity by the man that has been turned down by a number of people.
The Match Fixing Scandal
Just before the tournament Italian football has been clouded by the scandal of match fixing. A number of people have already been charged including Lazio’s captain Stefano Mauri who was arrested, Juventus’ manager Antonio Conte has been rumoured to have taken part and most importantly Italian international Domenico Criscito had to be axed by the national side just a few days ago as he is been investigated by authorities. This will definitely hang over the squad during the tournament as uncertainty will arise at some point and players may be asked in for questioning. Italian footballers will be used to ongoing allegations of match fixing and the media have seemed to turn their attention to the scandal rather than the Euros which could work in favour for Prandelli’s side. Alex Kosmas for TODOSLifestyle +May 2012.
This year’s Germany team have been tagged by the media as the best group of players the national side have to offer since the early 90’s team and that says a lot for a team mainly composed of young players. The main issue though that clouds over the National side is the very high expectation of this young squad to perform. Most of the players coped very well in South Africa’s World Cup but expecting the side to repeat its fortunes and take a step further this time may just seem too much for the squad. To back this up the unexplainable loss of Bayern Munich in the Champions League final showed that although a certain Dutch man lost his side the cup, the German players in the squad had been psychologically affected. When the penalty shoot out took place most of them stepped back from taking any of the penalties except of one ever so determined Neuer. Last Saturday a weak German side, not containing any of Bayern’s players from that unfortunate night, lost heavily to the force of the Swiss by 5-3. It will be interesting to see how the German side will kick off their next match with the deflated Bayern players included.
Netherlands, undeniably the next team we are all expecting to challenge Spain and Germany to the title. A team full of great midfielders and two menacing strikers, Huntelaar and RVP. Huntelaar was this year Bundesliga’s top goal scorer with 29 goals and having a very productive 2011 – 2012 season for Schalke scoring a total of 48 goals in 47 appearances, which stat talks for itself. RVP this year has truly reached the greats of world football stars, considered by most as one of the best forwards on the continent, equal to the likes of Ronaldo and Messi. He managed to score in total 37 goals and assist 15 in 47 appearances for Wenger’s team in the process winning the Premier League Golden Boot, the PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year and obviously getting into the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. But these very two top scorers are what is causing a distress to the Dutch national team. The media in Holland are stressing that both players should be playing and never left out of the squad meaning that Huntelaar has been given the central striking position shifting Van Persie to the wing of the attack, a positioned that he does not relish. Both players are used to being the main strikers at team level and at international level they seem to be out of position. Huntelaar doesn’t get the supply he requires as Van Persie who should be providing has both eyes set on goal but this means that from a wide position has more effort to get into a clear striking position. This showing was indicative when last Friday Holland suffered a shock loss to Bulgaria on home ground.
This leaves us with the team this post should be all about, Italy. This first point is an indication that Italy are not front runners but will be able to capitalised on the front runners uncertainties as would they should be considered the next in line. Any problem the other sides seem to have Italy do not. First off unlike the Spanish they have a solid back line in Buffon, Barzagli and Chiellini and striking options that seem fearless in the likes of Balotelli, Cassano and Di Natale. Second they don’t have any expectations mounting over them as the German’s do. The side include a mixture of youngsters and very experienced players which should give a balance to the squad. And third they have a unique and solid system which seems to suit all players. Prandelli is not the customary Italian coach conserving the lead and restricting players from attacking, he is very much unlike that giving players the freedom to express themselves. This brings us onto the next point.
The Qualifying Round
Throughout the qualifying stages Spain unsurprisingly had the highest average of possession but second in line where the Italians consisting of a total of 829 passes, a stat which would conclude the Spaniards aren’t the only tiki taka style team in the Euros. Prandelli has formed a side around the legend and reborn Juventus start man Adrea Pirlo. Juve this year went unbeaten and topped the Serie A and at the centre of this was Pirlo’s contribution, a free agent from AC Milan in last year’s summer transfer window. Pirlo has the ability to control games tempo by either holding up the ball and playing it along the back line or swiftly moving the ball from one wing to the other with his long passing range.
Another key point in the Qualifying stages was the Italy’s defence, which let in only 2 goals. Once again Prandelli has used the stronghold of Juve’s unbeaten backline to create a strong Italian defence. Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci and the ever present Buffon have all come from a successful season with the Serie A winners conceding only 20 goals in 38 appearances to star in the Euros and fight for clean sheets. Indisputably the Italians new style of possession play would have also contributed to the low goals conceded but the defenders of such calibre will not get beaten easily.
The Squad
The selection has been spot on by the Azzuris, no controversial players in or out. The squad boasts a fresh breath of young players that have performed well over the past year, players that are just reaching their peak and international proven players. I’m not going to ramble about Juve’s success once again but Italy will try and replicate what they have achieved. 3 of the back 4 and 2 of the 3 central midfielders are Juve players which should translate into confidence and a will to win.
The last world cup was a complete failure for players such as Buffon, De Rossi, Pirlo and Di Natale as they finished bottom of their group against the likes of Paraguay, Slovenia and New Zealand, a group they should’ve won easily considering they were current World champions at the time. This time around they will be prepared and determined to make amends for their fans and country alike.
One last point to mention is the return and rebirth of one other player, Antonio Cassano. Over the past few years he has endured horrible experiences of being dropped by the national and team coaches on countless of occasions and suffered ischemic damage leading to him having a heart surgery. This did not seem to stop Cassano as on his return from operation he scored against Genoa in a Serie A match and was also Italy’s top goalscorer during qualifiers. Expect determination, passion and creativity by the man that has been turned down by a number of people.
The Match Fixing Scandal
Just before the tournament Italian football has been clouded by the scandal of match fixing. A number of people have already been charged including Lazio’s captain Stefano Mauri who was arrested, Juventus’ manager Antonio Conte has been rumoured to have taken part and most importantly Italian international Domenico Criscito had to be axed by the national side just a few days ago as he is been investigated by authorities. This will definitely hang over the squad during the tournament as uncertainty will arise at some point and players may be asked in for questioning. Italian footballers will be used to ongoing allegations of match fixing and the media have seemed to turn their attention to the scandal rather than the Euros which could work in favour for Prandelli’s side. Alex Kosmas for TODOSLifestyle +May 2012.