SPAIN v ITALY
18.00 Local Time 11:30 am (EST)
Arena Gdansk (Poland)
Referee: Viktor Kassai *Hun
Welcome to EURO 2012: Football's second most prestigious championship kicked off today with Group A matches of co-hosts Poland up against 2004 Champions Greece; while the afternoon match was a doozy between Russia and Czech Republic.
Sunday though is when the tournament really gets underway. At 11:30a.m. EST reigning champions Spain begin their defence against the Azzurri in what promises to be a match that could likely define the tournament for each of these formidable rivals.
The Italian Cast and Crew of EURO 2012
Goalkeepers:
1. G. Buffon
12. S. Sirigu
14. M. De Sancitis
Defenders:
2. C. Maggio
3. G. Chiellini
4. A. Ogbonna
5. F. Balzaretti
7. I. Abate
15. A Barzagli
19. L. Bonucci
Midfielders:
5. T. Motta
8. C. Marchisio
13. E. Giaccherini
16. D. DeRossi
18. R. Montolivo
21. A. Pirlo
22. A. Diamanti
23. A. Nocerino
Forwards:
9. M. Balotelli
10. A. Cassano
11. A. Di Natale
17. F. Borini
20. S. Giovinco
Coach:
Cesare Prandelli
What We Can Expect From the Azzurri @ EURO 2012
There is no doubt about it; if healthy, Gigi Buffon will be starting all of our matches; this will also be his first tournament as Captain of the Azzurri; a privilege held by idols like Zoff and Maldini in years gone by. He is expected to be anchored by a defence that has a Juventus taste to it. Fully recovered from tweaking himself against Atalanta in Juventus' season finale, Chiellini will be the man to beat at the back. Not only is this gentle giant our last line of defence; he could invariably be the best centre back in the world.
Here's why I can make such an assertion; Euro 2008 was truly the first time the world was introduced to Giorgio Chiellini. During a warmup for the European championships, it was Chiellini who broke then WORLD CUP 2006 hero, Fabio Cannavaro's leg. After a disastrous defensive display in the opening match against the Netherlands; then manager Roberto Donadoni turned to Giorgio Chiellini to anchor the defence. Since that moment, Chiellini has proven himself to be an untouchable at the back for the Azzurri. It is rare that this man doesn't provide a 110% for his club and country match in and match out. Not to mention the fact that he wears his heart on his sleeve will be an inspiration and a guide for many of the younger players in the Azzurri's lineup.
Next to Chiellini; it's anyone's guess who will become mainstays on the back line. In the left back position Balzaretti has it completely locked down. Not since Grosso in 2006 has this position been locked completely down by a single player. The right back position is one that has a few question marks surrounding it. Originally it looks like Cassani was a shoe in for this position; however Prandelli had other ideas in mind and began to gravitate towards Maggio during the qualification process. Now it seems that even Maggio is no longer a lock. One understudy, Milan's Abate, could likely be a surprise for the Azzurri and usurp Maggio permanently from the RB position.
Next to Chiellini there are really only two contenders for the spot; Bonucci and Barzagli; with Barzagli over exerting himself in an exhibition against Russia; I'm almost certain we'll see Bonucci starting against Spain.
In the middle of the park lies one of our greatest and aging assets, Pirlo. The Juventus man has been electric this year; playing in tandem with Vidal at Juventus has allowed Pirlo to have one of his greatest seasons on record. Prandelli's job will be to try and recreate this tandem with either De Rossi, Nocerino, or Motta. The slack will need to be picked up by Marchisio and Montolivo; who in this man's mind have both under performed during their tenure for the Azzurri. Perhaps it would be in Prandelli's best interest to avert his attention from either of these two and gaze his sights upon the eccentric Diamanti; at 29 years old the Bologna man is coming off a great season and would be an ideal introduction into the starting lineup.
In a time with such negative news surrounding the Azzurri camp, let's not forget the most touching story of the season; Antonio Cassano. The former bad boy turned hero has had a life defining two years. Under Prandelli, Cassano was given the opportunity to revive his International career and did so, becoming the Azzurri's leading scorer during qualifications. In late October though, Cassano suffered a minor stroke; which not only put his EURO 2012 participation in flux but also his career.
Miraculously, Cassano was able to make a full recovery and returned to the pitch in the final months of the Serie A season. Although he hasn't returned to full form, his recovery should be seen as an inspiration to many on the squad.
Our attack also features three names which are playing for their future; Balotelli, Giovinco, and Borini are all young enough to impress and prove their detractors wrong. Giovinco at the moment is playing this EURO 2012 with hopes of convincing Conte to promote him to a fixture at Juventus. Borini is one of Roma's rising stars and will be looking to propel his career to new heights with a sold performance; while Balotelli will simply want to prove his detractors wrong and become one of the best players in the game.
Let's also not forget a man who will be out to mask memories of his 2010 WORLD CUP performance; Di Natale. This will likely be his final outing for the Azzurri; why not go out with a bang. The Udinese man has been Serie A's leading scorer for much of the last number of years; it's time for him to rise to the challenge and produce for the Azzurri.
Unlike the WORLD CUP 2010; this Azzurri team has many options. This is a diverse collection of players capable of filling holes and bringing in a result. There is no lack of passion in this squad; and if there's a man who can rile up the troops prior to a big tournament it's Prandelli.
The Match Against Spain
This will be our first match of Euro 2012. It's coming on the heels of three consecutive defeats in exhibition matches by the Azzurri (Uruguay, USA and Russia). Under Prandelli though, the Azzurri have been a mixed bag of goodies. During exhibition matches, the approach has looked almost too friendly; where as, when the matches have mattered; the Azzurri have been more than capable of rising to the challenge and performing admirably. I'd almost suggest we have lost as many exhibition matches as we've had to simply distract the media and our adversaries from the project being undertaken.
Spain will be without the services of David Villa and the timeless Carlos Puyol; who are both injured and out of the tournament. In general this tournament's version of the Spanish doesn't seem to carry the same aura of the previous two tournaments. The Spanish don't seem to have the same sort of killer instinct this time around. Let's also not forget that this will be revenge for the Azzurri.
It was in the Quarter Finals of Euro 08 that Italy finally succumbed to the Spanish in an International Tournament. Arguably, this boosted Spanish soccer to its ultimate high and provided them the motivation to win EURO 08 and WORLD CUP 2010. It's time for redemption on the Azzurri's part.
What the Azzurri Need to Do?
In two words: REMAIN FOCUSED. Against Russia, the Azzurri seemed to lose their focus which resulted in the first goal; following an elongated period of time in the Russian area. Once Russia scored that first goal we began to unravel. Watching Russia today against the Czech it was apparent that the Russians were significantly better than the Czech; this wasn't the case against the Azzurri.
Our second objective must be: DO NOT ALLOW A GOAL. Defence has to come first. If we don't allow the Spanish to score; we won't lose. Simple logic, but this logic could galvanize the team into better results.
My Ideal Azzurri Line-up
Buffon - Abate - Bonucci - Chiellini - Balzaretti - DeRossi - Nocerino - Pirlo - Diamanti - Giovinco - Balotelli
subs: Cassano - Di Natale - Maggio
Final Thoughts
Passion, Focus and Quality are the key to having a successful run at Euro 2012. If this team can put behind it the chaos of the match fixing scandal and play for the passion of the game and the will to win we will see some miraculous nights in Poland and Ukraine. We need to set aside the distractions and focus on what is on the pitch. This team can be a team of destiny; they have the skill to win EURO 2012; they just need the desire.
Regardless of the result against Spain, this team is far from the WORLD CUP 2012 squad. This team has a purpose and a vision.
Forza Azzurri... Bring on EURO 2012.
